D&D 4E Forked Thread: Al-Qadim, Land of Fate 4e

[Hodag]

Page Trim from Original Arabian Adventures

I had this lurking on my drive

 

[Hodag]

Desert Giants and the Nasnas (one of my favorite nasties) are up on the Monster thread.

 

[Quickleaf]

But when I think Barber I think of the guy from the Sinbad movies who gives wicked advice alongside a shave, or I think of the Batmen and personal servants from more contemporary Arabian pulp.

There are striker elements there, but the basic schtick of information gathering and advice giving seems more Leader than striker. On a basic level they just seem to be the guy behind their allies, not the guy behind the lines.

In breathing new life into AQ, I'm going for "points of darkness" in the heroes - being faced with a choice is a constant theme of the Arabian Nights. A hero makes a mistake, repents of it, and goes on to save the day (or at least undo what he's done). Everything is a touch more ambiguous and menacing. Hence your "morally ambiguous merchant prince." So I'm leaning toward a barber who brings out more of the "crazed murderer" aspects of the archetype while still being heroic.

This is an off-beat character who, when applying a salve, casually comments in a monotone voice "I am sure the pain is unbearable. Might I offer a story as way of distraction... Have I told you the tale Ali and the seven swiftest ways to cut a man's throat?"

When chatting with customers and asked about the golden razor he never uses, the barber gets a devilish look, "Why, that sharpest of all razors is reserved for the illustrious Prince Ahmed."

Disguised as a barber in the enemy's fortress, his allies are outside the window waiting for the sign to abduct a high-ranking captain. Just then the captain sits down. "A shave and a little off the top." The barber gets a twisted grin, razor in hand, looking imploringly toward the window while his companions mouth the words: NEED HIM ALIVE. "Right away...captain."

I had this lurking on my drive

Not quite what I'm looking for, but thanks. I want something that evokes a sense of awe, mystery, and tension between light & darkness... Check out the border of the http://www.prince-of-persia.ubi.com website - specifically the blue arabesque in the background.

 

[Quickleaf]

Here are the cleric builds, just waiting for editing, playtesting, and some graphics.

 

[Quickleaf]

Here is the master list of builds, paragon paths, and epic destinies.

 

[Hodag]

Great stuff. I love the way the Hakima is built. I really don't want to start working on Gen until I see how all the Figurines of Wondrous Power are built, and until somebody has a way of building Gen it is difficult to construct a proper Sha'ir...

 

[Quickleaf]

Great stuff. I love the way the Hakima is built. I really don't want to start working on Gen until I see how all the Figurines of Wondrous Power are built, and until somebody has a way of building Gen it is difficult to construct a proper Sha'ir...

Thanks, you too with the desert giants!

You know I remember reading a post about a sha'ir class on these boards, I'm going to see if I can locate it. Basically, the gen was a class feature that allowed for altering where you acheived line-of-effect from. Pretty neat. Ah! Here is the link http://www.enworld.org/forum/4e-fan...231703-shair-progress-initial-powers-2nd.html, and the relevant section below:

Gen
The Gen is a tiny elemental companion that is bonded to a Sha’ir and delivers the effects of the powers he uses. When a Sha’ir uses an elemental power with the Gen keyword, the Gen must be at or be able to move to the square the Sha’ir is targeting (or the square of the target.) A Sha'ir can order his Gen to move its movement rate as a minor action, and it also moves its movement rate, as needed, as an immediate reaction to the Sha'ir invoking an elemental power with the Gen keyword. A Gen can only exist within 20 squares of its master, the Sha’ir.

Within these 20 squares, the range of a Sha’ir’s powers is dependent on the location and movement of their Gen. The Gen can move in whatever way is needed to reach a target square: it can be considered to be running, flying, jumping or swimming as appropriate (whatever “looks natural” and allows the Gen to reach the target square to deliver the power’s effects.) Each Gen has a base movement rate of 6, and moves as an instant reaction when a Sha’ir uses a power.

When moving to deliver the effect of a power, the Gen can move further if it can take advantage of its elemental medium:

A fire Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if it can use existing open fire or flame as a medium for at least one square along its path as it travels to the intended target area.

A water Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if it can use one square or more of water as a medium along its path as it travels to reach the intended target area.

An earth Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares if it can use bare earth or stone as a medium for at least half the squares it travels to reach its intended target area.

An air Gen can increase its movement by 2 squares to reach a target square if in an environment with open airflow, natural breezes or winds.

A Gen cannot attack on its own nor can it be the target of an attack. If trapped or separated from the Sha’ir, it disappears to the Elemental Chaos and returns to the world adjacent to the Sha’ir at the start of his next turn.

The Sha’ir can communicate with the Gen verbally, or nonverbally through their bond when invoking elemental powers or using a minor action to order it to move. The Gen can speak Primordial. It has passive perception scores equal to the Sha’ir and no additional skills or abilities. A Gen’s physical ability scores are equal to ½ the Sha’ir’s level (minimum 1) and its mental ability scores are equal to that of the Sha’ir. It does not need to eat, sleep or breathe.

The Sha’ir can change Gen companions to one of a different type any time they would be able to retrain a feat (upon leveling.)

 

[Hodag]

More creatures are up! Island Giants, the Giant Ogre, a couple more varieties of Roc, and some Ghul-Kin.

 

[Quickleaf]

More creatures are up! Island Giants, the Giant Ogre, a couple more varieties of Roc, and some Ghul-Kin.

You rock!

Btw, here's (kinda) what I'm thinking of for the border art (see zipped pdf).

 

[Quickleaf]

Ok, one more pass at the border art. Couldn't help myself - I think I like this one best.

Also, I'm tackling the fighter builds and am having a little trouble with variations on combat challenge & combat superiority. If anyone knows any links about changing fighter class features I'm interested.