Help me build a- Aiel Algai'd'Siswai

**pife** · 2013-10-02, 09:35 AM (ISO 8601)

Good morning Playgrounders.

I'm creating a level 9 character for a RL 3.5 game I play in. I'm wanting something.. different.. (at least for me)..

So, the reference I'm going to use will be extremely familiar to any of you who have read Robert Jordan's (and Brandon Sanderson's) series 'The Wheel of Time'. Help me build a level 9 Aiel spearfighter (algai'd'siswai to fans of the series). I'm not using the Wheel of Time D20 rules, as my DM doesn't own them and isn't allowing them.

But, I wanted to see what ideas for class/PrC/feats you guys had to make a killer desert warrior. I'm constantly amazed at the characters that you folks put together. (I'm a little bit of an old-timer and purist and normally go just straight-class whatever, but this time, I wanted to see what I've been missing.) I really appreciate any suggestions.

None of the folks I play with in this group have read the series (more is the pity), but I was informed that my character was going to be introduced to the party while he is still the prisoner of some bad guy or another, to be freed by the party. (Sound like Gaul to anyone?)

So, how would YOU make 'Gaul', 3.5 style?

**mabriss lethe** · 2013-10-02, 09:42 AM (ISO 8601)

Heck, you could get a passable character out of a simple Warblade, I would think.

**PrinceOfMadness** · 2013-10-02, 10:00 AM (ISO 8601)

Sandstorm will be your biggest friend here, I think.

You want to be proficient with a spear and unarmed strikes. You don't want to wear armor. I would think you want your high ability scores to be in Dex and Con (seems appropriate for Aiel).

You probably want ranks in Hide, Move Silently, Survival, and Tumble (algai'd'siswai are frequently described as leaping about).

As for character classes...I think the most thematically appropriate are barbarian, ranger, and (dare I say it?) monk. I'm by no means an expert on the classes out there though, so I'll defer that to someone with greater system mastery.

Just my first thoughts on the matter.

**Asteron** · 2013-10-02, 10:10 AM (ISO 8601)

Swordsage focusing on Setting Sun, Tiger Claw and Stone Dragon. Some Diamond Mind would fit. Wield on a short spear and a buckler. A shortbow would be needed too.

It probabaly won't be as awesome as they are in the books, but it will fit thematically. The things they do are the best mechanical options in D&D 3.5.

**pife** · 2013-10-02, 10:17 AM (ISO 8601)

Okay, my DM has also nixed Tome of Battle, lol. (dangit).

**Asteron** · 2013-10-02, 10:29 AM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by pife

Okay, my DM has also nixed Tome of Battle, lol. (dangit).

Sigh... I hate it when that happens.

Ok. How about Ranger? Maybe see if he will allow the Pathfinder version... It's not too different but will allow more weapons styles. Its all on the PF SRD.

As I said, you won't be terribly powerful like they are in the books.

**BWR** · 2013-10-02, 10:41 AM (ISO 8601)

Find a copy of the WoT RPG and use the class presented there.

Alternatively, ranger or scout or some combo of fight+sneak.
They hardly use armor, they are stealthy and they like to wear a mask.

As for the Aiel being awesome fighters compared to most others in WoT, I simply ascribe that to more levels rather than better classes.

**Urpriest** · 2013-10-02, 10:46 AM (ISO 8601)

Depending on whether your DM enforces Favored Class rules, Whirling Frenzy Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1/Scout 4/Ranger 15 with the Swift Hunter feat seems like a good way to do this. Definitely try to get one of the alternate Ranger combat styles from Dragon or similar. If you get stuck with TWF, go for twfing an unarmed strike alongside your spear.

**Asteron** · 2013-10-02, 11:30 AM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by BWR

Find a copy of the WoT RPG and use the class presented there.

Alternatively, ranger or scout or some combo of fight+sneak.
They hardly use armor, they are stealthy and they like to wear a mask.

As for the Aiel being awesome fighters compared to most others in WoT, I simply ascribe that to more levels rather than better classes.

Using the WoT RPG is also an option... See if your DM would allow it.

My comment on them not being as powerfull was more about the style of fighting being much less competitive in D&D that it would be in real life. THF is king for melee in D&D 3.5. The other options can be made to be powerful, but it's harder to do than with THF.

**CarpeGuitarrem** · 2013-10-02, 11:39 AM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by BWR

Find a copy of the WoT RPG and use the class presented there.

Unfortunately...

Originally Posted by pife

So, the reference I'm going to use will be extremely familiar to any of you who have read Robert Jordan's (and Brandon Sanderson's) series 'The Wheel of Time'. Help me build a level 9 Aiel spearfighter (algai'd'siswai to fans of the series). I'm not using the Wheel of Time D20 rules, as my DM doesn't own them and isn't allowing them.

Ranger wouldn't be bad, but having a single spear cuts you out of your best two options: TWF and archery.

I would honestly look at Barbarian, grab a shortspear, and have at it.

**Asteron** · 2013-10-02, 11:48 AM (ISO 8601)

Yeah, reading comprehension fail...

Follow Urpriest's advice if there aren't multiclassing penalties. It will probably get you closest.

**cerin616** · 2013-10-02, 11:54 AM (ISO 8601)

it sucks because an unarmed swordsage with a spear, focused on setting sun, tiger claw is exactly what an aiel is...

What you need is a spear that functions like a quarterstaff in the sense that it is a double weapon. Aiel are known for using the spear as both a blunt weapon and a stabbing weapon (in addition to it being a thrown weapon, and in addition to their skill at unarmed combat).

Go with the barbarian scout ranger build. focus on TWF, and fight with a short spear and a dagger (i would say or shortspear and unarmed strike, but there is no point without ToB and Superior unarmed strike. Plus you may not have enough feats.)

Its wierd trying to think about a chaotic character following Ji' E' Toh...

**Urpriest** · 2013-10-02, 12:34 PM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by cerin616

Go with the barbarian scout ranger build. focus on TWF, and fight with a short spear and a dagger (i would say or shortspear and unarmed strike, but there is no point without ToB and Superior unarmed strike. Plus you may not have enough feats.)

Do Aiel use their spears one-handed? I was picturing a longspear.

**pife** · 2013-10-02, 12:55 PM (ISO 8601)

some great ideas here guys, thanks very much! I'll see what he's willing to go for, lol.

And yes, they use their shortspears one-handed, often with an off-hand buckler.

**Urpriest** · 2013-10-02, 01:06 PM (ISO 8601)

Originally Posted by pife

some great ideas here guys, thanks very much! I'll see what he's willing to go for, lol.

And yes, they use their shortspears one-handed, often with an off-hand buckler.

If you do have multiclassing penalties, something like barbarian 3 or 4/scout 3 or 4/Ranger X on a human would also be fine.

**tricktroller** · 2013-10-02, 01:27 PM (ISO 8601)

Urpriest, they are always described as short spears with a foot of steel blade like a long spear hacked in half.

I have thought many times about making an Aiel and they always seem like a lot of fun, let me look through my stuff and see if I have one of my Aiel prototypes written up.

Question are the AEG books allowed (Alderac Entertainment Group) like the Feat book which has some thematically appropriate and powerful feats.

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