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== Description == | == Description == | ||
− | A handsome Sarcosan approaching his middle years. Black hair frames a well-worn but highly attractive face, punctuated by two inky black eyes that are both disconcerting and fascinating | + | A handsome Sarcosan approaching his middle years. Black hair frames a well-worn but highly attractive face, punctuated by two inky black eyes that are both disconcerting and fascinating. He seems to radiate confidence, self-assurance and charisma. Usually dressed in fine courtier's clothes of black and red, including trousers, tunic, robe and cloak, all cut in Sarcosan style. His clothing often has extensive gold embroidery and ample gold jewelry and adornments. He is currently looking ominous in Robes 'inherited' from Librarian Suman in the Spire, with a deep hood taken from a nearby chapel. He carries a walking staff, but no visible weapons. |
== Background == | == Background == | ||
− | Born to nobility in Sharuun, Zal'Kazzir was bred to a life of intrigue. Reared on the politics of the court of the false Sussar, Zal'Kazzir quickly learned the lessons of power politics, learning to read faces and situations even as he learned to read poetry from the court library. He likely would've pursued a political career if not for a trauma during his adolescence: his mother Tannah, always a kind woman with a love of learning was discovered while teaching several young children, including Zal'Kazzir and his | + | Born to nobility in Sharuun, Zal'Kazzir was bred to a life of intrigue. Reared on the politics of the court of the false Sussar, Zal'Kazzir quickly learned the lessons of power politics, learning to read faces and situations even as he learned to read poetry from the court library. He likely would've pursued a political career if not for a trauma during his adolescence: his mother Tannah, always a kind woman with a love of learning was discovered while teaching several young children, including Zal'Kazzir and his younger sister Zara, to read. Zal'Kazzir was able to hide before the Legate, Olaf Black-Blade, and his orcish entourage spotted him, but his mother and sister and the others were not so lucky. Olaf murdered Tannah, and then used his dark magic to curse the area, causing her to rise as a hungering fell. At Olaf's command, the Tannah-Thing fell upon the helpless children, mauling and devouring them. From that day forward, Zal'Kazzir swore vengeance on the Corpse-God and all his works, though his attitude has mellowed with age. |
He continued his political activities, but became a parasite on the system, rather that a true part of it; he began trading in illicit alcohol, drugs and information, forming a clandestine network of corruption and sowing discord and chaos whenever possible. In spite of, or perhaps because of his corrupt image, he and his family continued to gain in prominence, and was a frequent guest of the Shanduz. He used his privilages of travel to act as a wandering trader, smuggler and spy, but also secretly supplying the resistance with information. His brother Zaki did not approve of his activities, seeing him as a traitor and a collaborator, and much to his family's detriment, left to find glory and honour with the free riders on the plains. In order to preserve his family honor, and to avoid reprisals, Zal'Kazzir planted a story that Zaki had committed suicide, and quickly covered up his brother's existance, even going so far as to cremate the corpse of a refugee to throw off suspicion, further cementing Zaki's hatred of his brother. | He continued his political activities, but became a parasite on the system, rather that a true part of it; he began trading in illicit alcohol, drugs and information, forming a clandestine network of corruption and sowing discord and chaos whenever possible. In spite of, or perhaps because of his corrupt image, he and his family continued to gain in prominence, and was a frequent guest of the Shanduz. He used his privilages of travel to act as a wandering trader, smuggler and spy, but also secretly supplying the resistance with information. His brother Zaki did not approve of his activities, seeing him as a traitor and a collaborator, and much to his family's detriment, left to find glory and honour with the free riders on the plains. In order to preserve his family honor, and to avoid reprisals, Zal'Kazzir planted a story that Zaki had committed suicide, and quickly covered up his brother's existance, even going so far as to cremate the corpse of a refugee to throw off suspicion, further cementing Zaki's hatred of his brother. | ||
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* ''' Aisha '''- Zal'kazzir's wife of 12 years. Died at the end the Arc of Shareel, in the 100th year of the Shadow. She was pretty, in the harried mother kind of way. Average height, long dark hair. An accomplished horsewoman and the third daughter of House Sezsen, Aisha and Zal'kazzir fell in love in the court at Sharuun, and their wedding was even attended by the sussar himself. They turned out to be a rotten match, however, and they fought almost constantly, though both are aristocratic enough to maintain the marriage for political reasons. Aisha was murdered by the Legate Krell in retaliation for Eranon and Shadaar's murder of Krell's men. She was beaten, brutalized and finally hanged from a balcony as a warning. | * ''' Aisha '''- Zal'kazzir's wife of 12 years. Died at the end the Arc of Shareel, in the 100th year of the Shadow. She was pretty, in the harried mother kind of way. Average height, long dark hair. An accomplished horsewoman and the third daughter of House Sezsen, Aisha and Zal'kazzir fell in love in the court at Sharuun, and their wedding was even attended by the sussar himself. They turned out to be a rotten match, however, and they fought almost constantly, though both are aristocratic enough to maintain the marriage for political reasons. Aisha was murdered by the Legate Krell in retaliation for Eranon and Shadaar's murder of Krell's men. She was beaten, brutalized and finally hanged from a balcony as a warning. | ||
* ''' Zahir ''' - Zal'Kazzir's son, Died, aged 11, along with his mother at the end of Shareel, in the 100th year of the Shadow. He was a bright, precocious boy, with a knack for mischeif and an impish grin. Good-hearted but bull-headed. He was run through with a lance while hopelessly defending his mother with an old sword, and then hanged. | * ''' Zahir ''' - Zal'Kazzir's son, Died, aged 11, along with his mother at the end of Shareel, in the 100th year of the Shadow. He was a bright, precocious boy, with a knack for mischeif and an impish grin. Good-hearted but bull-headed. He was run through with a lance while hopelessly defending his mother with an old sword, and then hanged. | ||
− | * ''' Zia ''' - Zal'kazzir's daughter, currently aged | + | * ''' Zia ''' - Zal'kazzir's daughter, currently aged 10, a clever, thoughtful, quiet, insightful girl who loves to smile. Loves flowers and poetry. She is literate is courtier, and reads voraciously. She is Zal'kazzir's 'little light'. Her current status is unknown, as she was kidnapped by the Legate Krell, to be used as bait to lure out Zal'Kazzir. |
* ''' Zoltan ''' - Zal'Kazzir's Father. Old, but well-respected as wise and learned. Once worked as the exchequer for Sharuun. Cares for the family while Zal'kazzir is away, but has a poor relationship with Aisha, who he sees as a shrew. Zoltan is currently travelling in the Baden's Bluff area along with Zalma. | * ''' Zoltan ''' - Zal'Kazzir's Father. Old, but well-respected as wise and learned. Once worked as the exchequer for Sharuun. Cares for the family while Zal'kazzir is away, but has a poor relationship with Aisha, who he sees as a shrew. Zoltan is currently travelling in the Baden's Bluff area along with Zalma. | ||
* ''' Zalma ''' - Zal'Kazzir's Younger Sister. They were very close growing up, and have an unusual relationship as adults; despite their conflicting views, the often share meals and discuss philosophy, politics and magic. She is one of the very few people who have long known of Zal'Kazzir's gift. She uses her position to protect the family, and Zal uses his influence to further her career. | * ''' Zalma ''' - Zal'Kazzir's Younger Sister. They were very close growing up, and have an unusual relationship as adults; despite their conflicting views, the often share meals and discuss philosophy, politics and magic. She is one of the very few people who have long known of Zal'Kazzir's gift. She uses her position to protect the family, and Zal uses his influence to further her career. | ||
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===Allies=== | ===Allies=== | ||
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* ''' Lakz ''' - A crafty, malevolent, opportunistic goblin with a chip on his shoulder about his lot in life, who is remarkably loyal to those who take care of him. Lakz is the cheif of waste disposal for Sharuun; it is his job to ensure that all of the other goblins keep things tidy and don't step out of line. As such, he is very good at making things dissapear, and at finding unusual things. What started as an occasional bribe for services turned into a friendship of sorts, and Lakz had hidden Zal'kazzir's activities on more than one occasion, acts that Zal'kazzir deeply appreciates. Zal'kazzir has been very generous with both praise and goods to Lakz over the years, and more than anything else, he treats him as an equal. | * ''' Lakz ''' - A crafty, malevolent, opportunistic goblin with a chip on his shoulder about his lot in life, who is remarkably loyal to those who take care of him. Lakz is the cheif of waste disposal for Sharuun; it is his job to ensure that all of the other goblins keep things tidy and don't step out of line. As such, he is very good at making things dissapear, and at finding unusual things. What started as an occasional bribe for services turned into a friendship of sorts, and Lakz had hidden Zal'kazzir's activities on more than one occasion, acts that Zal'kazzir deeply appreciates. Zal'kazzir has been very generous with both praise and goods to Lakz over the years, and more than anything else, he treats him as an equal. | ||
* ''' Belal ''' - A Courtesan Imp in Zal'Kazzir's service. Widely seen as a gossip and a flatterer, Belal is nonetheless a valued ally and advisor. | * ''' Belal ''' - A Courtesan Imp in Zal'Kazzir's service. Widely seen as a gossip and a flatterer, Belal is nonetheless a valued ally and advisor. | ||
− | * ''' Lady Ahimia ''' - A Soldier Legate Zal'Kazzir met in Vrolk's tower. Zal'Kazzir charmed, seduced and later befriended her, though the desperate flight from Vrolk's failed ritual was too inopportune a time for a dangerous legate to be travelling with the group, and Zal'Kazzir | + | * ''' Lady Ahimia ''' - A Soldier Legate Zal'Kazzir met in Vrolk's tower. Zal'Kazzir charmed, seduced and later befriended her, though the desperate flight from Vrolk's failed ritual was too inopportune a time for a dangerous legate to be travelling with the group, and Zal'Kazzir got rid of her dramatically, with the help of a poisoned blade and fiendish beasts. He dislikes, but does not regret this decision. |
===Enemies=== | ===Enemies=== | ||
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* ''' Olaf Black-Blade ''' - Dorn Soldier-Legate who murdered Zal'Kazzir's mother for teaching children to read, and then forced the boy to watch as she rose as fell and ate several childen, including his sister. Olaf is the source of much of Zal'kazzir's hatred of the shadow. It was from him that he learned the shadow's true face. | * ''' Olaf Black-Blade ''' - Dorn Soldier-Legate who murdered Zal'Kazzir's mother for teaching children to read, and then forced the boy to watch as she rose as fell and ate several childen, including his sister. Olaf is the source of much of Zal'kazzir's hatred of the shadow. It was from him that he learned the shadow's true face. | ||
* ''' Calma the Healer ''' - A good-hearted and well respected woman, mistress of the largest infirmary in Sharuun. Calma lost her only son to mordayn overdose, mordayn she traced back to Zal'kazzir. The addict who gave her the information later dissappeared without a trace, and no body was ever found. Thus deprived of evidence, Calma has nonetheless dedicated her energies to stemming the Sharuun drug trade (with Zal'kazzir near it's center) and blames Zal'kazzir for the death of her son. Her efforts have been largely ineffectual, but she is well respected and seen as virtuous. | * ''' Calma the Healer ''' - A good-hearted and well respected woman, mistress of the largest infirmary in Sharuun. Calma lost her only son to mordayn overdose, mordayn she traced back to Zal'kazzir. The addict who gave her the information later dissappeared without a trace, and no body was ever found. Thus deprived of evidence, Calma has nonetheless dedicated her energies to stemming the Sharuun drug trade (with Zal'kazzir near it's center) and blames Zal'kazzir for the death of her son. Her efforts have been largely ineffectual, but she is well respected and seen as virtuous. | ||
− | * ''' Krell Azamahan ''' - A soldier Legate, and former trading contact of Zal'Kazzir's. He was stationed at Vrolk's Tower when Zal and the other PC's arrived there. When Zal'Kazzir's companions murdered several of Krell's men in order to steal there horses, Krell became enraged and targetted Zal'Kazzir for Vengeance; eventually locating Zal's home and family, murdering his wife and son, and kidnapping his daughter. | + | * ''' Krell Azamahan ''' - A soldier Legate, and former trading contact of Zal'Kazzir's. He was stationed at Vrolk's Tower when Zal and the other PC's arrived there. When Zal'Kazzir's companions murdered several of Krell's men in order to steal there horses, Krell became enraged and targetted Zal'Kazzir for Vengeance; eventually locating Zal's home and family, murdering his wife and son, and kidnapping his daughter. Currently en route to Baden's Bluff. |
===Locations=== | ===Locations=== | ||
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− | === | + | ===Cohorts & Followers=== |
− | + | * '''Mi'Shun''' | |
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+ | * '''The Arrows''' | ||
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+ | ===Leadership Chart=== | ||
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− | + | Table: Leadership Leadership | |
− | + | Score Cohort | |
+ | Level Number of Followers by Level | ||
+ | 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th | ||
+ | 1 or lower — — — — — — — | ||
+ | 2 1st — — — — — — | ||
+ | 3 2nd — — — — — — | ||
+ | 4 3rd — — — — — — | ||
+ | 5 3rd — — — — — — | ||
+ | 6 4th — — — — — — | ||
+ | 7 5th — — — — — — | ||
+ | 8 5th — — — — — — | ||
+ | 9 6th — — — — — — | ||
+ | 10 7th 5 — — — — — | ||
+ | 11 7th 6 — — — — — | ||
+ | 12 8th 8 — — — — — | ||
+ | 13 9th 10 1 — — — — | ||
+ | 14 10th 15 1 — — — — | ||
+ | 15 10th 20 2 1 — — — | ||
+ | 16 11th 25 2 1 — — — | ||
+ | 17 12th 30 3 1 1 — — | ||
+ | 18 12th 35 3 1 1 — — | ||
+ | 19 13th 40 4 2 1 1 — | ||
+ | 20 14th 50 5 3 2 1 — | ||
+ | 21 15th 60 6 3 2 1 1 | ||
+ | 22 15th 75 7 4 2 2 1 | ||
+ | 23 16th 90 9 5 3 2 1 | ||
+ | 24 17th 110 11 6 3 2 1 | ||
+ | 25 or higher 17th 135 13 7 4 2 2 | ||
+ | Table: Reputation Leader’s Reputation Modifier | ||
+ | Great renown +2 | ||
+ | Fairness and generosity +1 | ||
+ | Special power +1 | ||
+ | Failure -1 | ||
+ | Aloofness -1 | ||
+ | Cruelty -2 | ||
+ | Table: Attracting Cohorts The Leader… Modifier | ||
+ | * Cumulative per cohort killed. | ||
+ | Has a familiar, special mount, or animal companion -2 | ||
+ | Recruits a cohort of a different alignment -1 | ||
+ | Caused the death of a cohort -2* | ||
+ | Table: Attracting Followers The Leader… Modifier | ||
+ | Has a stronghold, base of operations, guildhouse, or the like +2 | ||
+ | Moves around a lot -1 | ||
+ | Caused the death of other followers -1 | ||
+ | Leadership [General] | ||
+ | Prerequisite | ||
+ | Character level 6th. | ||
− | + | Benefits | |
+ | Having this feat enables the character to attract loyal companions and devoted followers, subordinates who assist her. See the table below for what sort of cohort and how many followers the character can recruit. | ||
− | + | Leadership Score | |
+ | A character’s base Leadership score equals his level plus any Charisma modifier. In order to take into account negative Charisma modifiers, this table allows for very low Leadership scores, but the character must still be 6th level or higher in order to gain the Leadership feat. Outside factors can affect a character’s Leadership score, as detailed above. | ||
− | + | Cohort Level | |
+ | The character can attract a cohort of up to this level. Regardless of a character’s Leadership score, he can only recruit a cohort who is two or more levels lower than himself. The cohort should be equipped with gear appropriate for its level. A character can try to attract a cohort of a particular race, class, and alignment. The cohort’s alignment may not be opposed to the leader’s alignment on either the law-vs-chaos or good-vs-evil axis, and the leader takes a Leadership penalty if he recruits a cohort of an alignment different from his own. | ||
− | + | Cohorts earn XP as follows: | |
− | + | The cohort does not count as a party member when determining the party’s XP. | |
− | + | Divide the cohort’s level by the level of the PC with whom he or she is associated (the character with the Leadership feat who attracted the cohort). | |
− | + | Multiply this result by the total XP awarded to the PC and add that number of experience points to the cohort’s total. | |
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− | + | If a cohort gains enough XP to bring it to a level one lower than the associated PC’s character level, the cohort does not gain the new level—its new XP total is 1 less than the amount needed attain the next level. | |
− | + | Number of Followers by Level | |
+ | The character can lead up to the indicated number of characters of each level. Followers are similar to cohorts, except they’re generally low-level NPCs. Because they’re generally five or more levels behind the character they follow, they’re rarely effective in combat. | ||
− | + | Followers don’t earn experience and thus don’t gain levels. However, when a character with Leadership attains a new level, the player consults the table above to determine if she has acquired more followers, some of which may be higher level than the existing followers. (You don’t consult the table to see if your cohort gains levels, however, because cohorts earn experience on their own.) | |
− | + | Leadership Modifiers | |
+ | Several factors can affect a character’s Leadership score, causing it to vary from the base score (character level + Cha modifier). A character’s reputation (from the point of view of the cohort or follower he is trying to attract) raises or lowers his Leadership score, see Table: Reputation. | ||
− | + | Other modifiers may apply when the character tries to attract a cohort, see Table: Attracting Cohorts. | |
− | + | Followers have different priorities from cohorts. When the character tries to attract a new follower, use any of the modifiers that apply on Table: Attracting Followers. | |
− | + | == Covenant Items Posessed == | |
− | + | None | |
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== Notable Items Posessed == | == Notable Items Posessed == | ||
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* ''' Soulsplinter ''' - A strange dagger made from the broken horn of a Splintersteed. The blade constantly grows, and is jagged and brittle, splintering and changing with time. While no more fearsome than a normal dagger, it has retained many of the Splintersteed's disturbing qualities: sapping the will of a victim and bringing madness to those in whom it's shards become imbedded. | * ''' Soulsplinter ''' - A strange dagger made from the broken horn of a Splintersteed. The blade constantly grows, and is jagged and brittle, splintering and changing with time. While no more fearsome than a normal dagger, it has retained many of the Splintersteed's disturbing qualities: sapping the will of a victim and bringing madness to those in whom it's shards become imbedded. | ||
− | * ''' The Journal of Ardherin''' | + | * ''' The Journal of Ardherin''' - Given to Zal'Kazzir by Aradil during the ceremony honoring he and his companions for thwarting Vrolk, the unassuming leatherbound book is the private journal of Arherin, now the Sorceror of Shadow. |
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== Gear == | == Gear == | ||
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* ''Books'' | * ''Books'' | ||
− | ** '''Folio of Ancient Religion''' | + | ** '''Treatise on Demonology''' |
− | ** '''The Diary of Kenes Kakishi''' | + | ** '''Folio of Ancient Religion''' |
+ | ** '''The Diary of Kenes Kakishi''' (The private journal of a well-known countess, filled with court intrigue, gossip, debauchery and treason; a raunchy and incriminating glimpse inside the private lives of the local nobility) | ||
== To-Do List == | == To-Do List == | ||
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+ | * ''Adam'' | ||
+ | ** Make a map/prop for Whitefields | ||
+ | ** Design style elements | ||
+ | ** Create list of NPCs for Kev | ||
== Bluebooking Links (Private) == | == Bluebooking Links (Private) == | ||
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[[http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Midnight_RPG_-_Chapter_17.75]] | [[http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/Midnight_RPG_-_Chapter_17.75]] | ||
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== Private Character Information == | == Private Character Information == | ||
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[[Zal'Kazzir's Dark Gambit|Dreams of Glory]] | [[Zal'Kazzir's Dark Gambit|Dreams of Glory]] | ||
− | [[Zal'Kazzir's | + | [[Zak'Kazzir's Worries and Fears|Cries of Fear]] |
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+ | [[Zal'Kazzir's Hopes and Dreams|Wishes of Hope]] | ||
= D'hal, Zal'Kazzir's Familiar = | = D'hal, Zal'Kazzir's Familiar = |