Arabic Legends, Themes & Phrases

[GameDoc]

OK- took a look at 'em. While I understand that AIP lets anyone use one, it looks like they all include Daily powers that have a phrase like "expend a wizard power" or properties that tie into wizard powers- sometimes, very specific Wizard powers, like Time Stop. Does AIP work around this language, or are those all cut off from non-Wizard tome users?

My reading is that the new implement basically can be used in place of the ones you already have for your class, so it works for all your arcane powers. Threfore a +1 Tome Implement grants you a +1 to attacks and damage for your warlock or sorcerer powers, and +1d6 for a critical hit.

HOWEVER, if a magic tome includes a power or feature keyed specifically to a wizard power or wizard class feature, you can't use the aspect of the tome. You'd still get the bonus it grants to attack, damage, and critical hits for your arcane powers.

I don't have the list in front of me. Are there any tomes who have powers that are not specifically keyed to the wizard class? I know rods work that way for warlocks. Some have powers that require a warlock's curse, some have powers that do not.

 

[I'm A Banana]

So, your rod is an astrolabe, yes?

It might be easier to re-fluff an implement as a tome, rather than going whole hog on tomes as a feat.

A lot of Arabic astronomy was based on the Almagest, which means geocentrism, perfect spheres, geometry, mathematics, and observation.

You might also use a different calendar than everyone else, celebrating different holidays and months. You might be able to accurately tell when an eclipse or something is going to happen -- that'd give you a lot of cache with these barbarians, that's for sure!

Lots of time in big open spaces -- deserts!

 

[tuxgeo]

How much atavism do you want Rigel to exhibit?

There were great amounts of paganism, idolatry, and other crude tendencies in pre-[holy book] Arabia.

If Rigel is from a recalcitrant family that still clings to some of their older ways despite more recent dogmas, then Rigel might be able to be a lot coarser than people in this thread have been imagining him. For example:
Graven Images (posters)! Potent potables! Mixed-gender dancing! Rock music!

(Could the tension between older habits and more enlightened thoughts add to Rigel's personal drama?)

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

1) Definitely going to carry an astrolabe.

2) I may also add an oud to his possessions- good, classic musical instrument from that culture.

3) Upon further review, Tomes look inexplicably intertwined with Wizard powers and class mechanics- any books he has will probably be non-magical texts of history & astronomy/astrology.

4) Re: atavism. Given that the vast majority of D&D campaigns are inherently polytheistic, I don't think I'd want to stray too far from that...but I also want to incorporate homages to post-Koranic Arabic cultural tropes as well. IOW, this is going to be straight up mix & match.


Edit: Correction #1- the classic Arabic dagger is the j-shaped Jambiya, not the wavy-bladed Kris.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

At least in the early middle ages, the islamic world was more technologically advanced than the western world - not just in things like mathematics and astronomy, but also in engineering (notably in fortress building) and in metalurgy. And they did wear armour, but lighter versions than the invading crusaders.

So, I don't see heavy armour as being out of character - you just need to describe it as being lighter and of superior quality/workmanship to that of those around you. Kind of how both Bilbo's mithril shirt and the heavy chainmail of the riders of Rohan could be described in game terms as "chainmail armour".

That said, if you are playing up the scholar angle, the lack of heavy armour makes sense too - you could explain that "you aren't a warrior" but have "but the minimal skills taught to any of the (your people's nobles) during childhood." - implying that the most highly trained warrior in your party is about as skilled as a child to you.

Perhaps use the word "Bwana" for your noble class - a quick google search gives me that as the Swahili word for "noble" - and Swahili is essentially a creole of Arabic and the languages of the east coast of Africa. You could then use the more familiar arabian terms such as Emir and Caliph as ranks within the noble hierachy. It's from this link, which may or may not be helpful to you: http://my.raex.com/~obsidian/glossary.html

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Good stuff!

I know that the Arabs wore their armor under their robes- as much for practical reasons as for concealing the fact- and also favored small shields, but given 4Ed's hybrid rules and the feat-starved nature of the game, I'm probably going to have to make him liiiiightly armored (leather or chain MAX).

I briefly toyed with the idea of using a Scimitar or Khopesh as his main weapon with a spiked shield (which for whatever reason counts as a blade- PACT BLADE/SHIELD for a Pal/Sorc|Starlock!)...but that would require too many feats (Shield Prof, Weapon Prof).

(Probably also goodbye to using a Kukri renamed "Jambiya" as well- it'll just be a "Jambiya" Dagger.)

So right now I'm leaning towards Scimitar or Khopesh w/empty hand for eventual implement use OR a 2Hd weapon of some kind (Falchion, Greatsword, Fullblade and Executioner's Axe being the frontrunners for "Oversized Scimitar")...swapping out with "Jambiya" & implements as situations warrant.

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

In response to the comment in your XP to me, I don't really have any more linguistic tips, but would check out the link in my last post - a lot of interesting names, and you are probably pretty safe going with any of the Persian, Turkic, Arabic, Swahili or Spanish (which are actually Moorish) names in the "non-European" bottom portion - I particularly like "Taifa" which is a Moorish title.

For an actual tip, throw whatever word you want a translation for and "arabic" into a google search - should get you some interesting links - that's how I found the link I gave above (with the google search "noble arabic").

As for that armour - yeah, I figured that feat famine might well govern what armour you use, but thought it might be handy reminding that armour itself doesn't go against what you are working for.

That said, why not just use the rules for daggers for your Jambiya - there is no reason it needs to use special rules, even if it is a funny shape. And doing so will likely save you a feat, too.

For paladin powers, do you think you'll go weapon or holy symbol? If you go holy symbol, you could make that your astrolabe and use it for both your sorceror and your paladin powers - kind of plays down the warrior aspect of the character, though.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Re: Holy Symbol vs Weapon

Probably going weapon. I haven't looked too closely at what Holy Symbols have to offer, but most of the Pally powers I'm taking and/or considering are Weapon, not Instrument based. This means I'll probably look for Implements that bolster Rigel's arcane side.

Re: Jambiya

You're absolutely right.

However, one of the reasons I was looking at the Kukri as the basis for my Jambiya was because it hits harder than a dagger (and its also a light blade) handy if I'm wielding an Implement for casting. You know, just in case someone actually closes on him while casting is his priority.

OTOH, I've had a rethink about that as well: I'm already considering renaming something else to be my oversized Scimitar, and likewise for my Jambiya. And a Short Sword will give me almost the same punch as a Kukri and won't cost me a feat. Sure, it's not throwable, but I can't find any evidence suggesting Jambiya were used that way.

In addition, while looking at images of Arabic weapons, I came across several axes of all sizes. If I opt to take a Handaxe as my secondary melee weapon, I need change nothing. Ditto the Scourge. And as Military weapons, neither would cost me a feat.

****

Ultimately, what will provide a clearer path for me will be figuring out what benefit to gain via the Hybrid Talent feat. All the options have merit in this case: Channel Divinity not only gives Rigel a flavorful combat option, it opens some nifty, thematically appropriate CD feats out there. Gaining access to the Cosmic Sorcerer's "phases" power does likewise. Taking Paladin armor proficiency would DEFINITELY increase his durability and save feats.*




* Just realized- I need to check if a hybrid Cosmic Sorc gets the Cosmic Persistence class ability. Edit: Nope.

 

[Quickleaf]

[MENTION=19675]Dannyalcatraz[/MENTION]

Sounds like a fun spin you've got for your dragonborn character.

There's a lot of fun things you can do with astrology, though probably the oldest pre-Islamic philosophy would treat the celestial bodies as having their own divine intelligence.

If you get the opportunity, check out "The Keeper", an independent film about Omar Khayyam, the 11th century astronomer, mathematician, and poet.

Btw, if you have specific questions maybe I can offer something helpful? Oh, and I wrote Tales of the Caliphate Nights FWIW!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sounds like a fun spin you've got for your dragonborn character.

There's a lot of fun things you can do with astrology, though probably the oldest pre-Islamic philosophy would treat the celestial bodies as having their own divine intelligence.

Yeah- I had heard something along those lines. That was a good part of what made me add MC: Starlock to the mix. I had even considered aiming for Master of the Starry Night, but too many of it's abilities are tied to Warlock's Curse mechanisms. (As it is, Celestial Scholar and Scion of Akhosia are frontrunning the paths.)

Btw, if you have specific questions maybe I can offer something helpful? Oh, and I wrote Tales of the Caliphate Nights FWIW!

I don't really have any specific questions, just trying to spackle in some flavor/mechanic gaps.