Character Themes Asia
Character Themes Asia
Fringes of Kara-Tur
By Chris Sims
Illustrations by Tony Foti and S. C. Watson
Developing your character into someone who has a forces of the prairie, and you interact with the spirits
rich story can be a fun and rewarding process. You your tribe reveres.
likely have an idea of what race and what class you Each theme can encompass several unique stories
want to play, but you might have only a general idea within the same concept. For information on using
of what your character’s life was like before you start themes as part of character creation and rules for
playing the character at the gaming table. A theme how to gain and use theme powers and features, see
can help you flesh out your character and provide “Heroes of Nature and Lore,” Dragon 399.
some interesting options for developing his or her
background.
This article details two character themes, Horde-
Hordelands Nomad
lands nomad and sohei. Both of these themes have Between Faerûn and Kara-Tur is a vast steppe, held
a flavor that ties them to the Forgotten Realms through history by more than one ancient empire.
setting, particularly a campaign that centers on or Despite the area’s turbulent past, the advent of the
touches on the fringes of the far eastern realm of Spellplague, and the rise of the Tuigan nation of Yaï-
Kara-Tur. munnahar, the folk of the Hordelands live as they
have for centuries. Because the steppe offers few
resources, all the nomads of the Hordelands—Taan,
Character Themes as they call themselves—are master riders and hardy
Your character’s theme is a career, calling, or identity survivalists. They rely on their mounts and livestock,
that describes who he or she is in the world. Just as as well as connections to nature and primal power,
race and class create basic definitions about who your for survival.
character is, theme adds a third character component People of the Hordelands venerate Teylas, the Sky
to help refine your story and identity. For example, if Lord, who is called Akadi in Faerûn, and worship
you’re a warlock who chooses the Hordelands nomad Etugen, Earth Mother, known among Faerûnians as
theme, you grew up on the steppes of the Hordelands Grumbar. Additionally, and to a lesser degree, the
as a student of the tribal shaman or someone innately nomads idolize a plethora of other primal spirits.
in touch with the tribal ancestors or fey of the plains. Some of these latter entities live in named places,
You are a master rider who understands the arcane
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Character Themes Fringes of Kara-Tur
such as oases, across the plains. Others represent are common, as are barbarians, druids, seekers, sha- make monster knowledge checks about creatures that
important or fierce animals of the prairie. mans, and wardens. Warlocks, especially those of the have the elemental, fey, or shadow origin.
Tribal customs among the nomads focus on pleas- fey or vestige pact, and sorcerers are the usual wield-
ing the spirits as they seek to ensure that the elements ers of arcane power among the nomads. These people Level 10 Feature
remain in balance. Those living in the Hordelands consider a “shaman” to be anyone who has powers Spirits favor those who show them reverence, and
believe that bad luck, such as an inability to find unrelated to weapon use, even if those powers are not Hordelands nomads have an immense amount of
water, is the work of offended spirits. To aid them in primal. respect for them. Your own deference to the spirits has
their work with the spirits, the nomads use primal granted you a small boon in the form of greater luck.
magic, and their familiarity with it grants them a
sixth sense when it comes to spiritual influences. Not
Starting Feature Benefit: You gain a +1 power bonus to saving
throws. If you are attempting to avoid being knocked
only do they gain closeness to the spirits that sur- Hordelands nomads are born to ride and shoot from
prone while mounted, your bonus is +5 instead.
round them, they can sense the presence of myriad the saddle. Fast travel, skilled riding, and accurate
fey crossings on the plains, which provides them with shooting are central to the nomadic way of life. As a
the opportunity to interact with fey creatures, too. nomad, you have spent more years in the saddle than Optional Utility Powers
not. Few can match your adeptness at fighting while Nomads of the steppes have to be skilled in combat
astride a mount. and survival techniques due to the unforgiving
Creating a Benefit: You gain proficiency with the shortbow. nature of the Hordelands. These hazards hone sur-
Hordelands Nomad You also gain the Mounted Combat feat. vival skills and staying power, making nomads hard
Nomads of the Hordelands are predominantly to kill. By remaining close to nature, humble toward
Mounted Combat primal spirits, and true to tribal beliefs, plainsfolk can
human, although a few have nonhuman blood.
Every adult nomad is a warrior, though with varying Benefit: While you are riding a creature, it does develop uncanny abilities.
skills, and all nomads respect primal spirits rather not take the normal –2 penalty to attack rolls that is
than deities. Martial practitioners and primal spell- imposed on mounts. In addition, the creature can Level 2 Utility Power
casters are most widespread; only a few tribesfolk make Acrobatics, Athletics, Endurance, or Stealth A spiritual kinship with the plains ponies of the
practice arcane arts. Fighters, rangers, and warlords checks using your skill check modifiers (not includ- Hordelands is foremost in a nomad’s upbringing.
ing any temporary bonuses or penalties) in place of The horse moves with clever grace and sure footing.
its own. Riders of the steppes learn to utilize this ability in the
saddle and draw upon their connection with Earth
Hordelands Languages Additional Features Mother to mimic their mount while out of the saddle.
Adventuring nomads speak Common, but they Steppe-Horse Spirit Hordelands Nomad Utility 2
also speak Tuigan, which uses the Thorass alpha- Level 5 Feature
You draw deeply upon your tie to the land and leap into mo-
bet as Common does. Other common languages Hordelands nomads have a knack for interacting with tion, avoiding retaliation with your first steps and moving
in the Hordelands include Shou, the language the natural world, as well as for sensing the mysti- with ease despite hindrances.
of Kara-Tur, and Primordial, the language of the cal and the elemental. Most tribesfolk use this ability Encounter F Primal
“gods” of the nomads. Members of the shaman to avoid offending the spirits. As an adventurer, you Move Action Personal
social class use Primordial and its Barazhad can use your aptitude to discern nearby supernatural Effect: You move up to your speed, ignoring difficult
alphabet to communicate information not meant influences or creatures. terrain and suffering no negative effects for squeezing. If
for common tribesfolk. Benefit: You gain a +2 power bonus to Nature you are mounted, you can instead grant your mount this
checks. In addition, you can use the Nature skill as if power’s effect.
it were Arcana to sense the presence of magic, and to
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Character Themes Fringes of Kara-Tur
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Character Themes Fringes of Kara-Tur
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Character Themes Fringes of Kara-Tur
your enemies get an idea of who they’re up against. Sohei are a diverse group, but lore about them indi-
Sohei Clarity Sohei Utility 6
Benefit: You gain the sohei f lair power. cates that they share a set of divine powers. Such tales
Your mind instinctively finds its center, ridding you of a hin-
tell of sohei parrying arrows, overcoming mighty
drance to the performance of your duty.
Sohei Flair Sohei Attack magic charms, and fighting on despite a dozen
Encounter F Divine
The blood you’ ve drawn spurs you on, and you lash at other
wounds. In all the stories, the valiant sohei’s combat
No Action Personal
enemies around you with divinely inspired fury. prowess is that of a fanatic possessed of divine battle Trigger: You start your turn subjected to a dominating or
Encounter F Divine, Weapon
madness. What those unfamiliar with the way of the stunning effect that a save can end.
Minor Action Melee weapon sohei see as insanity is really the outgrowth of finely Effect: You make a saving throw against the effect.
Requirement: You must have hit an enemy with a honed skill and the lack of a fear of death. All sohei
weapon attack during this turn. know that to perform one’s duty well is worthy of any Level 10 Utility Power
Target: One creature sacrifice, and death in the name of duty is the ulti- Perfection in sohei training allows the soul to control
Level 21: One or two creatures mate honor.
Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC
the body when the mind is sapped. This unconquer-
Hit: 1[W] damage. able aspect of a sohei’s spiritual being is related in
Level 11: 2[W] damage. tales in which a celebrated sohei would not be felled
until his or her duty was done.
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Character Themes Fringes of Kara-Tur
Sohei Invincibility Sohei Utility 10 Level 13 Encounter Power About the Author
Chris Sims has played roleplaying games for thirty years, and
Your conscious mind can no longer be relied upon, so your An experienced sohei can quickly draw his or her
he has helped produce games for nearly ten. Before he set
sense of self retreats to your innermost soul and keeps acting. weapon and rush forward to open with a brutal, up his freelance shop in the Seattle exurbs, he was an editor,
Daily F Divine focused attack. developer, and designer at Wizards of the Coast. There, he
No Action Personal worked on the Dungeons & Dragons® and Magic: The
Trigger: You start your turn dominated, stunned, or Sohei Rush Sohei Attack 13 Gathering ® games. You can read Chris’s “Analysis Paralysis”
unconscious and have at least 1 hit point. blog at http://critical-hits.com, and you can follow him as
You attack without consideration for your own safety, trust-
Effect: You ignore the triggering condition and are in- @ChrisSSims on Twitter.
ing in the power of the divine to see you through the fight.
stead dazed for the same duration as the triggering
condition. Encounter F Divine, Weapon Developer
Standard Action Melee weapon Tanis O’Connor
Target: One creature
Optional Attack Powers Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC Editor
Hit: 3[W] + highest ability modifier damage. Miranda Horner
Level 3 Encounter Power Effect: You grant combat advantage until the end of your
next turn. Managing Editors
When foes threaten the temple or its allies, sohei Special: You can draw a weapon when using this power. Jeremy Crawford, Kim Mohan
charge fearlessly to the front. This initial advance When charging, you can use this power in place of a
allows the temple guardians to form battle lines and, melee basic attack. Producers
combined with sohei f lurry, deliver a vicious open- Greg Bilsland, Christopher Perkins
ing assault designed to break enemy formations and Level 23 Encounter Power Art Directors
weaken the foes’ resolve. An advancing sohei can do With supreme skill and deep faith, a sohei steps into Kate Irwin, Jon Schindehette
the same when leading the charge of a smaller group. combat with a savage attack against multiple foes.
Illustrator
Tony Foti, S.C. Watson
Sohei Advance Sohei Attack 3 Sohei Supremacy Sohei Attack 23
Centering yourself as you move, you draw your weapon and More than one foe faces your attack, which you bring to bear Graphic Production
rush to engage your enemies. with a swiftness granted by unshakable focus and the power Erin Dorries
Encounter F Divine, Weapon of faith.
Standard Action Melee weapon Encounter F Divine, Weapon
Target: One creature Standard Action Melee weapon
Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC Target: One or two creatures
Hit: 2[W] + highest ability modifier damage. Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. AC
Effect: You grant combat advantage until the end of your Hit: 3[W] + highest ability modifier damage.
next turn. Effect: You grant combat advantage until the end of your
Special: You can draw a weapon when using this power. next turn.
When charging, you can use this power in place of a Special: You can draw a weapon when using this power.
melee basic attack. When charging, you can use this power in place of a
melee basic attack.
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Character Themes:
Samurai and Yakuza
By Jeff Morgenroth
Illustrations by S.C. Watson and Tony Foti
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Character Themes: Samurai and Yakuza
sometimes leads individuals down a path of arro- errands through graveyards or near hangman’s gal-
gance or brutality, since a samurai is above the law lows at night. Each samurai-in-training is taught to
when dealing with those of lower station; however, read and write, contemplating classics of literature,
Samurai as Ronin
true followers of bushido emphasize traits such as religion, and art with which to refine his mind and
benevolence and politeness, as well as courage. spirit. Finally, all are taught the martial arts for which A ronin is a samurai who, because of death or
A samurai’s training begins at a young age, when these warriors are most well known. dishonor, no longer serves a lord. Many samurai
he is introduced to the rigorous demands of bushido. Samurai heroes are expected to fight and die at begin lives as ronin when their master is dis-
Young samurai are exposed to extreme heat, cold, their lord’s command, and their adventures reflect graced or killed, after which his retainers are
and pain, enduring all with emotionless poise. They that. Samurai will undertake any quest their master cast adrift on the waves of the empire to live
are steeled against the fear of death by being sent on assigns them, whether waging open war or aveng- hand to mouth.
ing an insult to their lord’s honor; a samurai obeys Viewed as outcasts by all but the lowliest
without hesitation. A samurai who proves worthy of social castes, many ronin make their way
of reward will be honored with lands and wealth, in the world by selling their skills. A group of
and, perhaps most important, the lord’s approval. honorable ronin might become bodyguards for
Bushi of This honor, and the perpetual striving toward one’s traveling merchants, or heroically defend a vul-
Kozakura and Wa perfection of bushido, is all-important for a samurai, nerable village from bandits. Such bandits might
Though samurai are the most renowned prac- who will go to any length to maintain and uphold be ronin themselves, having become ruthless in
titioners of bushido, they are not the only ones. it. Should a samurai bring shame to himself or his order to survive in a world that doesn’t accept
Collectively, the title of bushi could apply to any master, he is allowed to take his own life in an act of them. Thus, ronin walk the path between two
martial character that lives by a code that follows ritualistic suicide, allowing him to die with his honor rivers, becoming saints or blackhearts as the
some or all of the ethics of bushido. Samurai intact. For a samurai, death is preferable to dishonor. currents dictate.
represent the social pinnacle of the bushi caste; If you decide to play a ronin character, you
can still take the samurai theme, since the train-
thus, a samurai can always be referred to as a
bushi, but a bushi need not be a samurai. Other
Creating a Samurai ing and discipline of the samurai is something
Samurai are overwhelmingly drawn to classes that that all ronin gained and held during their years
bushi might put their warrior skills to use as foot
emphasize weapon prowess. The fighter class has of service. Your life will take a very different
soldiers, guards, mercenaries, or even outlaw
the physical fortitude and skill at arms that are the turn, however, since you do not serve a master.
thugs or bandit lords.
hallmarks of the samurai; however, cultural and You are liberated from the obligation of service,
Your character might be a fighting adven-
environmental aspects of the setting are sometimes but at the same time viewed with disdain by
turer who aspires to the code of bushido, yet
best addressed by the talents of other classes. For those who consider themselves “real” bushi. As
has sworn no loyalty to a master. In this case,
instance, in realms that wage perpetual war, samu- a ronin, you alone can decide whether you will
you can use some of the flavor in the samurai
rai often become warlords, while those realms on continue to live your life by the codes of honor
theme and apply it toward your character, but
the frontier find the resourcefulness of the ranger to that meant everything to you when you served
select a theme that will more closely match
be an important trait for samurai. Exceptionally cul- your lord.
the character’s profession. Such a character
tured or mystical lands welcome samurai of arcane or
could go on to great renown, but will always be
divine classes as well, so long as the individual is able
looked down upon by those bushi who believe
to wield a sword bravely when the time comes. No
that there is more honor to be found in the
matter your class or race, as a samurai you are held to
service of a noble lord.
the strictest of behavioral standards.
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Character Themes: Samurai and Yakuza
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Character Themes: Samurai and Yakuza
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Character Themes: Samurai and Yakuza
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Character Themes: Samurai and Yakuza
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