[Hourglass of Zihaja] Chapter 2: The World of Siraaj

[Shadow_Elf]

Second attempt at a Pactspell?

That would do the opposite of make them more powerful. It would get them annihilated. Also, it would change the setting a lot more than is warranted. The Pactspell was a big deal.

[Mercenary Pen]

That would do the opposite of make them more powerful. It would get them annihilated. Also, it would change the setting a lot more than is warranted. The Pactspell was a big deal.

Okay, forget I suggested that... Go for some more subtle machinations...

[apocalypsePast2]

They invented Red Bull. Fear their wrath!

[Juhn]

Please.

It's obviously Powerthirst.

Or possibly POWERthirst.

[Zeta Kai]

I'm thinking that the genies (or rather, a small organization of genies, hidden from the general populace) may have made a pact with the rakshasas to increase their power, in an effort to save their race from the binding & the predations of the ghuls. Their numbers dwindling rapidly, this secret cabal became desperate for any solution, & the rakshasas took advantage of the situation (as they always do). The rakshasas could be tapping into the magic of Najmai Mists, processing it & channeling it to Siraaj through the Paths of Darkness that they control. With the genies under their thumb, the rakshasas could be moving to take direct control over parts of Siraaj, particularly near their planar conduits & areas where genies gather. This could also be posing problems for Najmah, as the Mists could be growing more chaotic & violent in response to the rakshasa collectors. These circumstances are dripping with adventure opportunities for PCs: fighting rakshasa-controlled genies, discovering the link between the various phenomena, destroying rakshasa mist collectors, taking control of the Paths of Darkness, hunting the genie cabal, etc.

Thoughts?

[afroakuma]

I'm thinking that the genies (or rather, a small organization of genies, hidden from the general populace) may have made a pact with the rakshasas to increase their power, in an effort to save their race from the binding & the predations of the ghuls.

Oh no, not us them. Rakshasas don't so much like genies... and in 4E, their boss just took a major blow to his power.

[Shadow_Elf]

Oh no, not us them. Rakshasas don't so much like genies... and in 4E, their boss just took a major blow to his power.

Perhaps the She-Da-Zhong made a pact with them to help stop their water crisis, and they have siphoned energy from Martuakh? He's sleeping anyway, its not like he needs it .

[Zeta Kai]

Perhaps the She-Da-Zhong made a pact with them to help stop their water crisis, and they have siphoned energy from Martuakh? He's sleeping anyway, its not like he needs it .

That's not a bad idea. Either that or some demonic influence. Those demons have been thwarted time & again, so it'd be wise of them to try a different strategy to spread their influence. Plus, demon-posessed genies (or snake-god-infused genies, if you prefer) sound badass.

[Shadow_Elf]

That's not a bad idea. Either that or some demonic influence. Those demons have been thwarted time & again, so it'd be wise of them to try a different strategy to spread their influence. Plus, demon-posessed genies (or snake-god-infused genies, if you prefer) sound badass.

I think I might even make use of this Pact-With-Martuakh idea in my upcoming campaign... with snakey piratey swashbuckling goodness. Hurry up and post the 4e feats so I can go down to the Recruitment Forum and post the ad .

[apocalypsePast2]

Snake-people pirates... that's so good I'm surprised no one's come up with it before!

Oh, and I'm now stealing it.

[Zeta Kai]

Snake-people pirates... that's so good I'm surprised no one's come up with it before!

Oh, and I'm now stealing it.

Well, how about snake-people half-ghul pirates? Nothing says EVIL like a half-snake, half-being-stitched-together-from-souls-that-succumbed-to-their-own-sin-&-vice, all-rape-&-pillage pirate.

That ghul-blooded template won't stay in the trash bin, dammit. It aches to be written & posted...

[Shadow_Elf]

Hey, I heard you like evil with your evil, so when Heroes of Shadow comes out in March, you can be a Half-Ghul Vampire-blooded Dark Sabi Vampire. Then you're really getting into the evil.

[apocalypsePast2]

Who's also got demonic blood, is an evil ex-paladin with levels in blackguard and has the Rod, Orb, and Crown of Evil. I forget which book had those, but that's the only way to be really evil. Oh and he's a lich too.

[Mercenary Pen]

Hey, I heard you like evil with your evil, so when Heroes of Shadow comes out in March, you can be a Half-Ghul Vampire-blooded Dark Sabi Vampire. Then you're really getting into the evil.

Who's also got demonic blood, is an evil ex-paladin with levels in blackguard and has the Rod, Orb, and Crown of Evil. I forget which book had those, but that's the only way to be really evil. Oh and he's a lich too.

Shadow's a 4e guy, so I'd be more inclined to suggest Infernal-pact Warlock (or possibly Dark-pact, though it needs refluffing to get around the lack of Drow)

[apocalypsePast2]

Indeed. I have noticed this setting as severely lacking in the awesomeness that are the drow. Of all the races I've played, that is the most common. Even that's counting other games like Shadowrun, Star Wars, Traveller, etc.

Wow. I just realized that.

[Shadow_Elf]

Shadow's a 4e guy, so I'd be more inclined to suggest Infernal-pact Warlock (or possibly Dark-pact, though it needs refluffing to get around the lack of Drow)

Ah, but when Heroes of Shadow comes out, Vampire can be your class, as well as your bloodline and, if you're playing a game with them in it, you can also be vampire-cursed as your race. Basically, that book makes me want to play a Vampire-blooded vampire-cursed vampire, but in HoZ, you can go a step further and introduce Half-Ghul.

[afroakuma]

Indeed. I have noticed this setting as severely lacking in the awesomeness that are the drow.

Something about the lack of elves...

Granted, we do have shaghals, which are essentially dark gnolls. That's like getting drow without the Drizzt! Not to mention, their racial demon-god is terrifyingly sane and stable.

[apocalypsePast2]

Something about the lack of elves...

Granted, we do have shaghals, which are essentially dark gnolls. That's like getting drow without the Drizzt! Not to mention, their racial demon-god is terrifyingly sane and stable.

They're not drow. Nor are they an adequate substitute. NOTHING is an adequate substitute.

[Mercenary Pen]

Ah, but when Heroes of Shadow comes out, Vampire can be your class, as well as your bloodline and, if you're playing a game with them in it, you can also be vampire-cursed as your race. Basically, that book makes me want to play a Vampire-blooded vampire-cursed vampire, but in HoZ, you can go a step further and introduce Half-Ghul.

Still needs a multiclass feat for the Warlock side of things, just because Warlocks get away with so much malevolence...

[afroakuma]

They're not drow.

Correct: they are better than drow.

Nor are they an adequate substitute.

Ninjas are not an adequate substitute for wheat gluten, but it hardly mitigates their awesome.

NOTHING is an adequate substitute.

Then you shall receive a substitution consisting of nothing. Enjoy!

[Shadow_Elf]

Ninjas are not an adequate substitute for wheat gluten, but it hardly mitigates their awesome.

Had I room in my sig, afro, this would be in it.

[Lord_Gareth]

They're not drow. Nor are they an adequate substitute. ANYTHING is an adequate substitute.

Fixed it for ya, buddy.

[Zeta Kai]

I'm glad that the votes went toward unconventional races. Elves have been done to death, & then done some more, & I can't see how they would have contributed to a setting of this nature. Halflings, gnomes, & orcs are all the same story: overused & inappropriate. And there are a number of viable alternatives that we've devised to cater to players' tastes, while still being true to our setting.

Players who wanna be elves would do well to check out the ethereal & serene Houri of Najmah. Likewise, players of gnomes & halflings can play our crafty, mercurial Kobolds in much the same way. Orcish players should look into our less-civilized fringe races, particularly the leonine, tribal Aazlai. And, of course, the Dvernin are rather dwarf-like, albeit with some significant changes (read: more Norse influence). Our races are many & varied, & can accommodate almost any player's tastes, provided that they don't get hung up on arbitrary names & labels.

[The Giant]

Diagnostic bump.

[Zeta Kai]

Diagnostic bump.

What he meant to say was Bump for Awesome. It's an easy mistake, & it's his site, so I'll let it slide this time.

[Lord_Gareth]

I'm glad that the votes went toward unconventional races. Elves have been done to death, & then done some more, & I can't see how they would have contributed to a setting of this nature. Halflings, gnomes, & orcs are all the same story: overused & inappropriate. And there are a number of viable alternatives that we've devised to cater to players' tastes, while still being true to our setting.

Players who wanna be elves would do well to check out the ethereal & serene Houri of Najmah. Likewise, players of gnomes & halflings can play our crafty, mercurial Kobolds in much the same way. Orcish players should look into our less-civilized fringe races, particularly the leonine, tribal Aazlai. And, of course, the Dvernin are rather dwarf-like, albeit with some significant changes (read: more Norse influence). Our races are many & varied, & can accommodate almost any player's tastes, provided that they don't get hung up on arbitrary names & labels.

Note: The various Planetouched are currently [strike]in transition[/strike] at war with Afroakuma.

[Zeta Kai]

Note: The various Planetouched are currently in transition at war with Afroakuma.

1) Fixed it for you.

2) If you really want planetouched, then the Sabi are a better Genasi, the Common Deva is a refluffed Aasimar (cultural info will be revealed in Chapter 11, I think; it's already written), & there ARE Tieflings, although I doubt that they will keep that name.

[AtlanteanTroll]

Likewise, players of gnomes & halflings can play our crafty, mercurial Kobolds in much the same way.

People who want to play a Gnome would probably kill themselves before plying a Kobold.