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Just to add my thought on location. I have a feeling in the back of my mind that Zhakara will get a DDI/Dragon article dedicated to it, detailing some of the changes as it exists in Faerun. It will make for another strong home base for Genasi and the future Elementalist class (assuming its still in the works). However, I do not see it getting anything more than Dragon level attention (though possibly more than one article, but I wouldn't bet on it).
I'd be tempted to say that heavy armor uses up a healing surge if you wear it for more than an hour or in heavy combat.
Then you can slap on even more healing surge penalties in the right environment.
Maybe you could use Endurance checks to resist the surge leak.
This is in line with the current environmental effects, and does nothing to muck about with the basic math of the classes.
This is great! The loss of a healing surge makes sense. Plus, if the character is out of healing surges, let's say they lose hit points equal to their healing surge value. That means that it could be worth it to put on heavy armor sometimes, but not for an extended period of time. That's exactly what I was hoping for.
So, we have to make a decision about our goals with this project:
1. Leave story out of it, update just the rules
This is the minimal effort approach, nothing fancy, just a direct translation, and leave the story to the DMs
2. 30-40 year advance, "Feuding Heirs" concept
Use a different timeline which keeps old fans connected but opens up new options for them, balance between 4e and AL-QADIM
3. Official FORGOTTEN REALMS timeline
Become the banner for AL-QADIM 4e as Planewalker.com did for Planescape, get published in Dragon magazine, detail effects of Spellplague on Zakhara, advance timeline 100 years
I'm for #2. Any other ideas?
Overall, my preference would be for 1 or 2. However, as others have already pointed out, going with 3 would give AQ the most attention. So I think 3 would be the best option.
One angle we could work the Spell Plague is "Breaking of the Djinni Seals" in which a huge number of imprisoned djinn are released, and all djinn contracts are rendered null and void. They are seen riding great storms of flame and lightning, leaving the sky stained with indigo hues in their wake (a Zakharan aurora borealis). Vendettas against the sha'ir who bound them are taken on the sha'ir (if living) or on their descendants. The oldest ones rival the Djinn Lords in power but are forbidden from returning to Jinnistan and may stake a claim to their own fiefdoms. Introduce the genasi as having always been in the background, but now becoming more prominent in the wake of the progenitors' liberation. Well, that's all I've got for now...
I like this. It makes the spellplague into an AQ-relevant event rather than something random that happens (as far as Zakharans can tell).
So you're for the +100 year advance, right?
One angle we could work the Spell Plague is "Breaking of the Djinni Seals" in which a huge number of imprisoned djinn are released, and all djinn contracts are rendered null and void. They are seen riding great storms of flame and lightning, leaving the sky stained with indigo hues in their wake (a Zakharan aurora borealis). Vendettas against the sha'ir who bound them are taken on the sha'ir (if living) or on their descendants. The oldest ones rival the Djinn Lords in power but are forbidden from returning to Jinnistan and may stake a claim to their own fiefdoms. Introduce the genasi as having always been in the background, but now becoming more prominent in the wake of the progenitors' liberation. Well, that's all I've got for now...
I love this idea. Even more so, the "free" Djinni can become a player race - and surprisingly, may be simply called Genasi Ecology of the Genasi
Well, it seems like everyone involved in this project (hodag, Dr Strangemonkey, Philosopher) is for making this the official AL-QADIM 4e update. I admit that "Breaking of the Djinni Seals" could make for a great plot twist and explain genasi well. Also, a 100 year advance allows us to change the feel in the ways I've mentioned, more menacing & mysterious, new types of magic, a time of division.
If we're going this route...
1. I think we need a timeline of the intervening century, which I see as a history chapter filled with adventure hooks, mysteries, continuations of plots from the old Land of Fate boxed set, etc.
2. We need to decide what/who caused the seals to be broken
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Originally Posted by Khaalis
Just to add my thought on location. I have a feeling in the back of my mind that Zhakara will get a DDI/Dragon article dedicated to it, detailing some of the changes as it exists in Faerun. It will make for another strong home base for Genasi and the future Elementalist class (assuming its still in the works). However, I do not see it getting anything more than Dragon level attention (though possibly more than one article, but I wouldn't bet on it).
I'm betting you're right. Maybe we'll be the ones to write it?
A quick run down of who wants to be involved in the project, and what you've mainly expressed interest in working on. I expect there to be cross-pollination, this is just a list for organization sake. Anyone else?
Dr Strangemonkey: story
hodag: monsters
Philosopher: character classes, rules
Quickleaf: story, character classes, layout
Edit: I sent a letter to Wizards asking about their plans for Al-Qadim in light of our community project. Who knows, maybe they'll shed some light?
You know Mouseferatu is a huge Arabian Adventures fan. If someone can PM him it might be worth it to see if he's interested on a casual level.
There are some rules elements I'd be interested in, too, but I think it'll work well to let people have a focus but keep the boundaries loose.
One nice thing about advancing the storyline a fair bit and including some nasty disasters is that it gives us more of an opportunity to introduce new cultures or themes.
I think if you develop the 'Civilizing the Tribes' theme out a bit you can actually use it to introduce the problem of 'super-nomads' like the Seljik Turks who keep their nomadic ways even as they integrate civilized peoples into their society.
If you put together a means to get a Persian/Byzantine civilization on the scene - Maybe a nation coming through from Abeir - then you've hit all the major societal scenes of the Mideaval Middle East.
You could even throw a Prester John style Eladrin kingdom behind the Pearl cities, tie that in to the new dustbowl there, and then you've hit Ethiopia as well.
And I think it would be sweet if we came up with a Zhakarin convergence for the Spell-Plague.
You know, Mystra was never a part of the setting. So we could say that the Spell Plague is simply a terrible mystery to the Zhakarans.
Or we could say that there was a simultaneous Zhakaran event. That something broke in Al-Quadim too and that the feedback between the two events actually created the entirety of the disaster.
Neither side of the event is necesarilly aware of how they were affected by the other.
Then if you want to do a FR - Al-Quadim campaign you can explore the ties between the two.
But if you want to do a strict Al-Quadim campaign then you have an independent reason for the story changes that doesn't need to rely on FR or Toril at all.
You know Mouseferatu is a huge Arabian Adventures fan. If someone can PM him it might be worth it to see if he's interested on a casual level.
How do you PM in the new setup? I remember talking with him about it way back when I had started writing Caliphate Nights. My guess is he's busy with his own projects, but I'd love to get him on board.
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I think if you develop the 'Civilizing the Tribes' theme out a bit you can actually use it to introduce the problem of 'super-nomads' like the Seljik Turks who keep their nomadic ways even as they integrate civilized peoples into their society.
Well, that was one idea I had for the Astoks of the north. A lot of potential for desperate tribal raiders who unexpectedly end up overthrowing a tyrannical sultan, and are left with the question: now what do we do?
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If you put together a means to get a Persian/Byzantine civilization on the scene - Maybe a nation coming through from Abeir - then you've hit all the major societal scenes of the Mideaval Middle East.
AL-QADIM seems to imply that Egypt and Persia analogues existed in the past but are no more. Nog and Kadar stand out as possibilities, but neither of those had a Persian theme.
I think the real opportunity to introduce a new region is Akota, but that's based off of India or is it Ethiopia?
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You could even throw a Prester John style Eladrin kingdom behind the Pearl cities, tie that in to the new dustbowl there, and then you've hit Ethiopia as well.
You know, I was contemplating an oasis or isle outside of time that is believed a myth. Could be that it gets discovered and now the rulers are divided between those who want to embrace the rest of Zakhara and those who wish to remain separate.
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And I think it would be sweet if we came up with a Zhakarin convergence for the Spell-Plague.
I'm fleshing out the "Breaking of the Seal" concept, but I'd love to hear other ideas - maybe we can combine them?
So you're for the +100 year advance, right?
One angle we could work the Spell Plague is "Breaking of the Djinni Seals" in which a huge number of imprisoned djinn are released, and all djinn contracts are rendered null and void. They are seen riding great storms of flame and lightning, leaving the sky stained with indigo hues in their wake (a Zakharan aurora borealis). Vendettas against the sha'ir who bound them are taken on the sha'ir (if living) or on their descendants. The oldest ones rival the Djinn Lords in power but are forbidden from returning to Jinnistan and may stake a claim to their own fiefdoms. Introduce the genasi as having always been in the background, but now becoming more prominent in the wake of the progenitors' liberation. Well, that's all I've got for now...
Oh I really like this, especially the "All contracts are rendered null and void..." bit. What about the Yakmen/Dao arrangement? If that has been shattered as well, there is probably a pretty heavy duty war going on in the Yikkarian realm. The yakmen are no slouches in the magical firepower ability, so it would not be a walkover by the dao, but those mountains would be insanely dangerous to transit.
You could even throw a Prester John style Eladrin kingdom behind the Pearl cities, tie that in to the new dustbowl there, and then you've hit Ethiopia as well.
Doc, have you ever read any Talbot Mundy, A.A.Merritt, or H.Rider Haggard? It would be great to get the Prester John elements going. I also want to give some love to the Ruined Kingdoms. What strange things have been released since the Breaking of the Seal?
Oh I really like this, especially the "All contracts are rendered null and void..." bit. What about the Yakmen/Dao arrangement? If that has been shattered as well, there is probably a pretty heavy duty war going on in the Yikkarian realm. The yakmen are no slouches in the magical firepower ability, so it would not be a walkover by the dao, but those mountains would be insanely dangerous to transit.
Once the Yikkaria's possession of his beloved cousin and the infertility curse is foiled, the Grand Caliph wants the Faceless One's head on a platter and may even lead his army into the World Pillar Mountains. At first he is successful, but after nearly getting killed in a skirmish, he realizes that it's tantamount to war with the dao. Losing hope, he returns with the magical (cursed?) spoils and a wounded pride.
...what if the breaking of the djinni seals was orchestrated?
Just found this tantalizing quote in GOLDEN VOYAGES...
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Although this may sound like a fanciful tale to the player characters, it is not. Everything the citizens have explained is quite true Madinat al-Mumin is the cosmological linchpin of the Law. Through reasons only sensed but not comprehended by mortals, the Law of the Loregiver is guaranteed to survive for as long as these villagers carefully uphold it.
However, if the villagers fail or disappear from the face of the world, the Law does not instantly collapse. It will continue on, perhaps forever, but there is no assurance. Heresies could spread like sand before the blowing wind, corrupting and perverting the Law. Conquering nations could sweep it from the land. Sin and evil could end it all.
I imagine a breathless emissary from the isle relating its compromise to the Grand Caliph. Maybe there is some connection between the holy city and the recovered scrolls of the Loregiver with their new revelation?
I did some more thinking about what massive event could have taken place in Zakhara, and drew on "The Boy and the Genies" (LAND OF FATE) and an obscure reference in SECRETS OF THE LAMP to come up with...
THE GREAT UNBINDING
In ancient times before the Loregiver, the first sha’ir was a boy who tricked the Genie Lords. As he matured, he became a powerful leader and teacher, and his name was Jafar al-Samal. It is from his school that all sha’ir of Zakhara are descended. Now, Jafar had four genie wives, one from each of the tribes, and he loved them deeply and they him. They revealed to him that the Djinni Lords had seen through his trickery but were too proud to say so, and sought to do him in. Jafar knew that his power was all bestowed, and feared he and all his students would be punished. So he performed a mighty ritual to bind genies to the service of his students – this ritual became known as the Great Binding of Jafar al-Samal. The Djinni Lords were outraged, but none would admit that a mere mortal had bested for fear of losing face. It is said wise Jafar al-Samal lived a long life, and he and his wives taught the ins and the jinn to respect and care for one another.
During the Great Unbinding the seals of Jafar’s ritual were broken. Sha’ir lost their power and genies were freed from their prisons, many taking vengeance as they pleased. Storms of sand and lightning wracked the deserts with wrathful genies dancing in the dark clouds.
In time sha’irs would learn to make deals with the Djinni Lords directly, but no longer could they rely on having authority as they pleased.
Once the Yikkaria's possession of his beloved cousin and the infertility curse is foiled, the Grand Caliph wants the Faceless One's head on a platter and may even lead his army into the World Pillar Mountains. At first he is successful, but after nearly getting killed in a skirmish, he realizes that it's tantamount to war with the dao. Losing hope, he returns with the magical (cursed?) spoils and a wounded pride.
...what if the breaking of the djinni seals was orchestrated?
Yeah, I was thinking that it would be interesting to:
Tie the Caliph's fertility into a Devil's Bargain
Have someone orchestrate the solutions to each and every plot designed to render him useless
Create a conflict within these solutions that has far reaching complications
Then have the conflict between the four heirs end in devestation as they each try to leverage their bargains
Said devastation results in the lifting of the Seals
If that isn't clear - I think the basic arc should be that of Sleeping Beauty.
There's a being - let's say a Ghul Lord, an incredibly ancient Ghul Lord - who acts like a cross of Rumpelstiltskin and Melificent. Thanks to this Ghul Seer the three heroes undo three plots against the Caliph and three heirs are born.
Unbeknownst to the children, however, each of the heroes screwed over the Ghul Lord and the all carry a curse that will be enacted should they gain the throne.
Then the unbinding is either the result of their all three going for the throne at once or the unbinding is what happens when they try to undo the curses.
The Ghul Seer turns out to have been a rejected consort of the original Sha'ir and this was the plan all along.
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Just found this tantalizing quote in GOLDEN VOYAGES...
I imagine a breathless emissary from the isle relating its compromise to the Grand Caliph. Maybe there is some connection between the holy city and the recovered scrolls of the Loregiver with their new revelation?
That's super cool. I think that would be a good intro for either the new revelation plot line or the advent of Persia plotline.
If that isn't clear - I think the basic arc should be that of Sleeping Beauty.
There's a being - let's say a Ghul Lord, an incredibly ancient Ghul Lord - who acts like a cross of Rumpelstiltskin and Melificent. Thanks to this Ghul Seer the three heroes undo three plots against the Caliph and three heirs are born.
A lot to work out, but if you re-read the story of "The Boy and the Genies" there's a ghul guarding the Ruby of Yalsur who has a vendetta against the first sha'ir. Could work into your plans nicely.
It took me a long time to figure out what all the regions and cities of
Zakhara paralelled, but each place does parallel a real earth place, however
vague it may be.
Qudra- Qudra is Mamluk Cairo, the second or third city of the Faithful. It
has beautiful mosques and strong fortifications. Altho no ancient
civilizations have been spoken of along the 'al-Faddi River, one of my pet
projects is to speak of ancient pyramids along the river, remnants of an
ancient and cruel Pharoanic civilization which was centered on a city which
once existed where Qudra now stands.
Liham- Liham is supposed to be an ancient city where there was an ancient
militarist civilization. Liham represents the Philistine royal cities,
either Gaza or Ascalon. They were powerful in the pagan days, but by the
time of the Crusades Gaza and Ascalon were often held by Cairo, as Qudra
sort of has its hands on Liham.
'Umara- not sure exactly which city this represents, l'm thinking it may be
Jerusalem, ruled by a tribe from the desert, as Jerusalem often was.
Obviously there is not the great religious significance Jerusalem had, but
being between Muluk and Liham, it does kind of figure.
Muluk- This is an easy one Muluk represents the Phoenician royal cities of
Tyre and Sidon, home of the royal purple dye for centuries. Tales of the
human sacrifices to the Baals would be good for its history.
Qadib- not sure of this one, possibly Beirut or Tripoli(which was another
Phoenician royal city)
Hafayah- The Syrian coastal city of Latakiyah
Utaqa- Definately the city of Antioch, with its Greek ideals, which have
still prevailed through the Muslim era. Antioch was a very independant city
in medieval times, populated by a majority of Christians, much like Utaqa is.
Since we have established that the Rom are legendary undead Romans, they
would be good encounters in this region, as Antioch was the third city of the
empire of Rome.
Hiyal- Hiyal is Damascus, the second city of the Caliphate and the makers of
fine steel. Hiyal's +1 blades are parallel to Damascus steel, which along
with the Toledo blades of Spain, were the finest in perhaps the world.
Wasat- literally meaning "middle" there was a city called Wasit, but it was
midway between Baghdad and Basra.
Huzuz- obviously both the Baghdad and the Mecca of 'al-Qadim
Halwa- possibly Mecca, without any religious significance.
Cities of the Pearl- these are the cities of the Yemen, Hadramut and Oman,
trade more than warcraft or religious fanatacism, greases their wheels.
Their ships reach the whole world. This region was the Muslim world's number
one producer of coffee and frankincense, as the Cities of Pearl do for
Zakhara.
League of the Pantheon- l am thinking they did a little of placing the
present upon the past here, but did so well. The League is definately Iran,
with its fanatical ways of the present, moralist to the extreme. Like Iran,
the League is pretty self-sufficient on manpower, not needing much in the way
of mamluks or ajami warriors.
Ruined Kingdoms- that is India-Pakistan here, the Indus river system. The
ancient past here would be Mohenjo-Daro. Well, this is one place where the
ancient past has been pretty well developed. Often in the 1001 Nights they
refer to India as an island, hence putting Afyal off the mainland.
I think if you develop the 'Civilizing the Tribes' theme out a bit you can actually use it to introduce the problem of 'super-nomads' like the Seljik Turks who keep their nomadic ways even as they integrate civilized peoples into their society.
Do you think it might be worth it to have these nomads simply be the Tuigan from the Hordelands, or at least from the general area? They could have been forced to migrate after the spellplague, which would explain their coming to Zakhara. It would add a little tie to the rest of the Realms without chaining AQ to it.
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Originally Posted by Dr. Strangemonkey
You know, Mystra was never a part of the setting. So we could say that the Spell Plague is simply a terrible mystery to the Zhakarans.
Yes, and I think it would also be worth it to point this out explicitly, that the magic here was governed by different laws. The Arabian Adventures rulebook states that ajami wizards cannot learn fireball (a spell of the province of flame) in Zakhara, but they could learn it if they imported a version of it from another land. That suggests magic works differently. Maybe we could even have some sort of ancient pact between Mystra and the genies in which she agreed not to try to extend her influence here?
Just some thoughts off the top of my head, use them or ignore them as you will.
Do you think it might be worth it to have these nomads simply be the Tuigan from the Hordelands, or at least from the general area? They could have been forced to migrate after the spellplague, which would explain their coming to Zakhara. It would add a little tie to the rest of the Realms without chaining AQ to it.
I don't know anything about Hordelands. Are the Tuigan Khazar analogues?
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