[Hourglass of Zihaja] Chapter 10: Adventuring

[Zeta Kai]

Zada

Quotes

• “I will see Rizaj razed before I let it go.”
• “I command, & you obey! That is the only law!”
• “A fire burns within me. It will consume you, & your children with choke on the ashes.”
• “I did not cross the scorching desert to fall here. Luck & cunning shall bear me to victory.”

Background
Almost 20 years ago, Rizaj was under the control of a tyrant named Zada. She was a merciless & capricious emir, & the citizens finally ousted her after a particularly cruel deed, sending her into exile. The city then turned to a local hero, Leron the Wildhearted, for leadership, turning him into the next emir. This turned out to be very fortunate for the town, as Emir Leron was able to transform the city-state into the tranquil splendor that it is today.

But Zada was neither killed nor made powerless; she wandered the desert for quite some time, unsure of what to do or how best to seek revenge. But fortune, for once, was on her side; she came across several nomadic tribes, made up of aazlai, desert centaur, gnolls, humans, & kobolds. She was able to recruit each of these peoples into her service, amassing an army that would follow her brutal will. She is now poised to storm Rizaj & reclaim her throne, no matter what it may cost the city’s citizens.

Personality
Zada is a pitiless, spiteful woman, with a short temper & a long memory for grudges. She is shrewd & insightful, though, which makes her an effective leader, as she is able to see into the heart of an issue & quickly craft a plan to resolve it efficiently. For instance, under her malicious rule, the bandits that are now plaguing Rizaj were kept in check by her public executions, which have since been abolished. She is regarded with the respect born of fear by nearly all who encounter her, for she follows her sadistic whims on occasion, flaying or maiming someone for the slightest of offenses, both real & perceived.

Appearance
Zada’s skin is shiny & smooth, like polished brass. She has an ample, voluptuous figure, one that she uses to her advantage when she must. Her eyes are cold & piercing, & she looks at everyone as if they are a piece of food. She is usually clad in her battle armor, but she sometimes wears her old emir’s robes, which are worn & faded from her time in the desert.

Goals
With an army of cowed followers in hand (which are rumored to be backed by Maqurites), Zada is determined to reclaim her former seat of power, even if it means razing the city she once ruled. She is single-minded in this aim, entertaining no alternative. Her actions have not been in secret, though, so the people of Rizaj have had ample warning, causing some citizens to flee & others to prepare for the inevitable conflict. Leron is preparing for the impending assault, but doubts that the city could withstand a siege. Zada believes that she will be able to take the city soon, as her forces are growing larger & more organized by the day, & Rizaj’s defenses are not prepared for an assault of this nature. What she plans to do once she has retaken the throne is unclear, but it can be assured that her vengeance will not end there.

Combat Tactics
Zada is a vicious, nasty adversary, prone to fits of fury & violence even off of the battlefield. Her falchion is capable of driving her enemies mad, which she revels in before dispatching them. She is adept at countering her opponents’ attacks, striking back with terrific speed. Her sabi heritage suits her well, as she greatly favors flame-based magic, & uses her own innate fiery powers (such as flickerflame) as often as she is able. Her bardic powers complement her pharaonic abilities nicely, as she is able to command a great number of people with them, something that she enjoys doing, even when not in the midst of battle.

3E Stats

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RACE: Narsabi female
CLASS: Bard 15/Pharaoh 1**
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil
DEITY: Adimas
SIZE: Medium
AGE: 51 (born 304 AF)
HEIGHT: 6’3”
WEIGHT: 151 lbs.
EYES: Red
HAIR: Black
LANGUAGES: Common, Gnoolun, & Ignan
HIT DICE: 6+14d6+1d8+16 (75HP)
INITIATIVE: +1
SPEED: 30’
ARMOR CLASS: 20 (+1 Dex, +9 armor); touch 11; flat-footed 19
BASE ATTACK BONUS: +12
GRAPPLE BONUS: +12
ATTACK: +15 Lunacy Falchion (2d4+1, 18-20/×2, slashing)
FULL ATTACK: +15/+10/+5 Lunacy Falchion (2d4+1, 18-20/×2, slashing)
SPACE/REACH: 5’/5’
SAVING THROWS: Fortitude +6, Reflex +12, Will +13
ABILITIES:

• Strength 10 (+0)
• Dexterity 13 (+1)
• Constitution 12 (+1)
• Intelligence 15 (+2)
• Wisdom 10 (+0)
• Charisma 20 (+5)

SKILLS: 184 points

• Bluff +26
• Diplomacy +21
• Disguise +24
• Gather Information +21
• Hide +20
• Intimidate +26
• Move Silently +20
• Ride +20
• Sense Motive +19
• Use Magic Device +24

FEATS: Clever Wit**, Combat Reflexes, Counterattack**, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Persuasive
WEAPON: +3 Lunacy Falchion (50,375gp, 2d4+1, 18-20/×2, 8 lbs., slashing)
ARMOR: +2 Invulnerability Chain Shirt (25,250gp, +6, maximum dexterity bonus +4, check penalty -1, 20% AFC, speed 30’, 25lbs.)
EQUIPMENT:

• 175gp
• Bracelets of Binding** (21,700gp)
• Bracers of Armor +3 (9,000gp)
• Lamp of Conjuring** (13,500gp)

RACIAL FEATURES:

• Outsider (Native): Narsabi are not subject to spells or effects that affect humanoids only, such as charm person or dominate person. They also can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be, & they need to eat & sleep.
• Darkvision 60’.
• Genie Heritage (Sp): +1 racial bonus on saving throws against spells & effects. This bonus increases by +1 for every five class levels the Sabi attains.
• Spell-Like Abilities
  • 3/Day: flickerflame
  • 1/Day: flame blade
  • Caster level 5th. The save DCs are Intelligence-based.
• Ritual Lore: Narsabi gain Ritual Lore as a bonus feat, but they must choose a ritual with the [Fire] descriptor.

SPELLS: 4/6/4/4/4/3 (Caster Level 15th, save DC15 + spell level)

• 0th Level: dancing lights, detect magic, flare, read magic, resistance, skew fate**
• 1st Level: Adimas’ annoying arrow**, cause fear, disgust**, hideous laughter
• 2nd Level: enthrall, false moon**, glitterdust, pyrotechnics
• 3rd Level: confusion, countermand**, genie’s mystique**, major image
• 4th Level: baleful suggestion**, dominate person, greater invisibility, muffle**
• 5th Level: firesinger**, mass suggestion, summon monster V

CLASS FEATURES:

• Bardic Music.
• Bardic Knowledge.
• Countersong.
• Fascinate.
• Inspire Courage +3.
• Inspire Competence.
• Suggestion.
• Inspire Greatness.
• Song of Freedom.
• Inspire Heroics.
• Rebuke Humanoid.
• Exalted Aura +1.
• Eagle’s Splendor 1/Day.

LEVEL ADJUSTMENT: +1