domingo, 2 de diciembre de 2018
Were Sethra as bleak and barren as tales of its trackless
plains and vast deserts suggest, there would be little opportunity for
adventurous spirits to take up arms and seek fame amid such merciless wilds. As
any Solku guardsman or Sethra trader can relate, such is not the case. Gnolls,
rocs, and beasts of legend from the Brazen
Peaks
The Region of Masir is one of the eastern region of Sethra,
close to the frontier with the kingdom
of Elsmore and next to the Baridatan Sea
The central of commerce and culture of Masir is the cityt of
Katapesh - the bronze city, that in the old legendary times were the capital of
all the region. In the present many cities in Masir are independent states, but
the bronze city remains as the biggest city, under the control of the mysterious
Packlords, after those take control of the city from the Dragon caliph Hurzett.
- Disclaimer-
This is the adaptation of the Pathfinder Adventure Path: Legacy
of Fire, that I plan to run in the following months, this amazing adventure is
being adapted here or "localize" to the world of Arcadia, so some
changes and names will be made but I will try to keep the original spirit
intact and at the same time make this campaing my "own".
L. Delgado.
The People of Sethra
The Land
of Fate
Lifestyle—not race—tends to separate Sethrans. In the Land of Fate
Although nomadic life is fairly insular, the necessity of
trade brings the Al-Badia into contact with the “other half”, of Sethra’s
culture: the Al-Hadhar (ahl- HAH-dar), whose lifestyles are stationary.
Artisans, merchants, craftsmen—all are Al-Hadhar. Even the wandering tinker
belongs to this group, because his life is inexorably linked to the village or
city bazaar, and therefore to the trappings of settled men.
Virtually all Al-Hadhar know more creature comforts than the
nomads. Only a few, however, are truly flush with silver, belonging to the
Al-Hadhar’s upper class. Such wealthy men and women usually dwell in cities,
though many own land in far-flung towns. The sweat and labor of the lower
classes makes their existence possible.
For the most part, the Al-Hadhar are poor. Their homes are
small and simple, made of mud brick or thatch, huddled around an oasis or a
single well. Some are laborers. Others are farmers, residing on land that
belongs to another, tending dates, wheat, and other paltry crops in exchange
for a small share of the harvest. Their plots are small. In comparison to the
farmers of other realms, most are little more than gardeners. But from a tiny
patch of desert, they can create a paradise.
The Al-Badia and the Al-Hadhar tend to view one another with
pity if not with a touch of disdain. Even the poorest villagers believe
themselves to be more culture and more civilized than the nomads. Through the
eyes of the Al-Hadhar, the nomads “madly” choose an austere existence, while
the Al-Hadhar dwell in luxury. (Certainly most villagers can boast a roof over
their heads, fresh water, and a full stomach, as well as a regular bath.)
Further, the Al-Hadhar worship their gods in impressive mosques, with the
benefit of “educated” priests to guide them. Hence, the settled Sethrans
believe themselves to be more pious than the Al-Badia, and therefore closer to
the gods.
The nomads, of course, maintain the opposite opinion. After
all, what could be holier than living beneath the expanse of the heavens and
placing oneself directly at the mercy of the gods? The Al-Badia pity the
Al-Hadhar for their softness, which results from their ardent pursuit of
material comforts. Moreover, the nomads pity the Al-Hadhar for their lack of
freedom and their inequality.
The nomads bow down to no one but the gods, while the
Al-Hadhar, say the nomads, must kneel to other men. All nomads believe
themselves equal before the gods and before Fate. The same cannot be said for
the Al-Hadhar. Though some disparities in nomadic wealth exist, they are small
compared to that of city dwellers, and a sheikh who is not generous with his
tribe does not retain his position.
Nomadic women also know greater freedom than their settled
counterparts. The family cannot survive without every nomad’s work; in turn,
the women share equally in the rewards. In contrast, many city-dwelling women
live like prisoners or slaves. The fact that they are “pampered” slaves only
brings further pity or disdain from the nomads.
Despite these differences in lifestyle, the Al-Badia and
Al-Hadhar coexist in peace. Ultimately, both the nomads and the city dwellers
believe that a man and a woman should be judged on their own merit—not by the construction
of their house. At least in principle, a person’s ability and strength of
character outweigh any other distinction.
Races
One of Sethra’s greatest wonders is the size and exotic nature
of its incredible markets. Yet for all of the treasures up for sale, it’s the
diversity of people and merging of cultures from across Arcadia that make the
cities of Sethra and the lands beyond true wonders.
Traditional Standard races of Arcadia
Classes
With demand comes opportunity, drawing peoples of all walks
to the wild frontiers and bustling cities of Sethra. Whether as sojourners
seeking to tame the rugged wilds, or as opportunists chasing fame and fortune,
in this land of riches and wonders, anyone with skill and tenacity might become
a legend.
Barbarians
For all of Sethra’s endless markets and gold-lined streets, many
of the country’s natives still live their lives simply, adhering to ancient
traditions and the whims of nature. Sethrans nomads travel the country’s
central deserts and plains, journeying from oasis to oasis, ever on the
defensive against the deadly creatures of those bleak wilds. For centuries the
nomads have defended their territories against interlopers and each other—the
varied clans holding tightly to an elaborate hierarchy of grudges and
alliances— becoming skilled in the art of battle. Several tribes claim fertile
lands and bountiful oases as theirs, and woe to the unwary who would
unwittingly steal from these proud people. Aside from the nomads of Sethra’s
interior, the gnolls of the Brazen
Peaks
Minstrels (Bards)
Sethra has a long tradition of skilled entertainers. From incredible
storytellers capable of bringing ancient fantasies to life, to the veiled
dancers of incense-filled courts, the exotic and entrancing ways of the Sethrans
marvel audiences the world over.. Storytelling holds a vaunted place among the
region’s art forms, with accomplished tale tellers winning respect and great
honor, especially among the country’s native peoples. Lords, sailors, and wide-eyed
wanderers venture into steamy dens to watch the silk-shrouded gyrations of
ecdysiasts and listen to the philosophizing orators. Musicians hone their
craft, mastering age-old melodies on stringed ouds, recorderlike zurnas, finely
decorated qanuns, or simple zills. Entertainers of all types find high demand
throughout the country, with the best enjoying incredible luxuries among the
entourages of wealthy nobles and merchant lords. The most exceptional of these
are the elven minstrels who abilities are almost magical, and are blessed by
the goddess Atma.
Clerics
Few can ignore the priests of Mitra as they move through the
crowded streets, their robes like woven silver and their turbans adorned with
gems. Easily the most spread religion in the east, the Mitrans work to assure
that trade continues smoothly and fairly, while their Silver-domed temple-banks
attract hordes of adherents and merchants on a daily basis. In the east, Ra’s
following holds greater sway, all natives knowing to fear and respect the power
of the scorching sun. The Sethrans view the Supreme king as a more demanding god
than most, praying for her mercy and aid, yet wisely not expecting her
intervention. From Solku, the church
of Heres attracts the faith of those who
face the dangers of the Brazen
Peaks
Druids
Although arid deserts and featureless veldts typify the nation’s
interior, Sethra is far from a barren land. From the rugged coasts to the sheer
mountains, the cracked uplands to verdant desert oases, strange beasts and
exotic plants form a harshly beautiful ecology, one stoically guarded by the
nation’s few druids. Committed to protecting their homelands, members of Sethra’s
nomadic tribes occasionally leave their people to “stare the lion in the eyes,”
a journey into the wilderness that proves both literal and figurative as the traveller
confronts the region’s deadliest beasts. Those who survive often form bonds
with the animals of the land, claiming whole territories or prides of beasts as
being under their protection. Water druids hold the respect of those in Sethra’s
most parched environs, valued for their skill in sustaining those creatures and
respectful peoples who struggle to make the deserts their home.
Fighters
Capable warriors never lack for work in Sethra. In the
cities, wary merchants hire trustworthy watchmen while fearful nobles employ
mercenary armies to serve as their personal guards. Bands of thieves and
brigands take on muscle for all manner of capers, and in the dens below the
bustle of city streets, pit fighters and brawlers of all sorts spar in brutal
blood sports. Outside of Sethra’s city walls, the nomads of the barrens hone
lethal skills, whirling scimitars with deadly expertise, while on the trade
roads caravans place their fortunes in the hands of guards who are often more
daring than skilled. Farther east, the rural communities and frontier villages
endlessly want for skilled hunters, soldiers, and protectors to fend off the
hordes of gnolls and even deadlier beasts.
Paladins
To combat the decadence of a country steeped in vices, the
holy warriors of numerous faiths maintain dutiful vigil over their deities’
interests in Sethra. As the patron of cities and trade, Mitra sends Silver-armored
soldiers to Sethra to guard his temple-banks, encourage commerce, and weed out
corruption. Ra supports an especially active knighthood in the region, though
her warriors are more altruistic, seeking to aid those who settle in dangerous
lands and keeping the roads safe from ravening beasts. Of special note are the
crusaders of Solku’s Dawn Vigil, who serve the God Ra in fighting back bands of
gnolls and other deadly creatures on Sethra’s western frontiers. Perhaps most
famous are Here’s paladins, who in recent years turned back the gnoll siege of
Solku at the Battle of Red Hail, and remain heroes throughout the realm.
Psion and Psionic Warriors
Masters of the mind, for most creatures on Sethra, becoming
a psion is not a destiny, but a discovery. Some psions, it is true, showed
their first signs of mental powers from the age of a few years old, and a
greater number began to manifest their psionic powers in puberty. But many
psions, if not most, lack the time, inclination, tutelage, or will to develop
their latent power. Most first-level psions do not consider themselves
psionicists at all, but bearers of a freak psionic “gift” or “knack” that may
come in handy, but is hardly the focus of their lives.
When Psion develop their powers become powerful rulers and
conquerors, sometime being also advisors of great Sultans or traveler
adventurers. Many Wizards learn how to face this estrange
"spellcasters" in the cities of Sethra.
Some Psion develop a more physical power, where their mind
bend their bodies and realities, learning how to fight and survive, this being
a common in the Psion's that live in the poor streets of Sethra and never find
a tutor that help them to develop their powers in a more structure way, thus
becoming Psionic warriors or in some cases Wilders.
Mechanics
Mechanics thrive in Sethra, their machines are well
appreciated by the people of the cities and in some cases the caravans of
merchants that could use better transportations means on the hard desert.
Only one guild of Mechanics exist in Sethra and that is the
Copper hats on the city of Katapesh
Rangers
Hunters of beasts and men find easy work in Sethra. In the
west, the deadly monsters and savage humanoids of the Brazen Peaks
Rogues
Those with deft tongues, light fingers, and quick feet find
endless opportunities in the cities of Sethra and beyond. Whether as solo
pickpockets and confidence men or among organized guilds of thieves, the
criminals of the city of Katapesh
Sorcerers
Although rare, genies and their power over the elements feature
prominently in the legends and folklore of Sethra. Thus, it is no surprise that
many sorcerers claim to have genie blood. Where in many countries such
assertions would sound like foolish boasting, in Sethra there’s a chance it’s
true. While sorcerers might be found throughout the country, native sorcerers
usually rise from the west, typically among rural communities and nomads—many
of whom claim to be ancestors of great heroes from magical lands. Traders from
far and wide bring their own arcane heritages to the cities, from fiend-blooded
tieflings to the naga-kin of Vudra and the sea-speakers of the distant south.
Sorcery is pervasive in Sethra, but never common.
Wizards
The magic of Sethra borrows much from the arcane traditions
of its neighbors. Mystical scholars delve deep into the cultic lore of ancient Celestial empire , attempting to tap into secrets lost to
the deserts long ago. The arcane societies of the south influence the studies
of native wizards, with bombastic Elsmore transmuters and stoic Ditian
necromancers trading their secrets for veiled arcana. Sethra -born wizards have
their own traditions, with control over weather, taming of the elements, and
creation of supplies especially vaunted. The greatest Sethra wizards are the
genie-binders—summoners possessing their nation’s talent for haggling—who
ensnare powerful genies and can remake the world through the wishes of their
elemental slaves.
