D&D General What if the Wind Dukes of Aaqa were actually Djinn?

[SkidAce]

I think instead of associating them with a creator, I'm going to have them be a species of primordial that arose from before the Dawn War. So the genies are their descendants.

Draft so far:

• The Vaati, also called the Wind Dukes, were beings of law and elemental air, a race of powerful primordials from the times before the Dawn War.
• The Vaati eventually came to lead/rule the largest empire back in the "elemental" days, an empire that included the aarakockra and other elemental beings.
• Empire lost when Vaati gave everything to save the cosmos from Chaos (Queen of Chaos/Mishka/Rod of Seven Parts).
• Changed by their battle with chaos, many vaati were infused with other forms of elemental power, and their descendants eventually became the other species of djinn.
• Remaining Wind Duke communities are fading and isolated.
• Noble Genies are individual genies with a stronger link to their Vaati bloodlines.

 

[Genghis Don]

1e DMG is the first mention of the wind dukes of Aaqa

the 2e adventure box set has much on them, of course. Now to me, the wind is never a lawful force, but a group could be lawful & bind the wind/power of elemental air. That put aside, I think they did a great job in 2e here:

 

[Genghis Don]

wind duke art from "the rod of 7 parts" 2e AD&D box set

 

[Genghis Don]

I think if I'd make them Djinni I'd flip the whole script, the Rod & the sides. The Djinn making a rod of many parts to aid the forces of freedom (chaos/anarchy included). That it flies apart importunely is the nature of chaos, and to prevent stagnation & domination from it being in one place time or too easily acquired. Make the rod an item of Chaos. As for baddies, well, stable/orderly Earth or diabolic foes of Hell, Acheron or Gehenna work.

Assemble the rod to overthrow tyrants or order, status quo & sterility!