[Hourglass of Zihaja] Chapter 10: Adventuring

[Zeta Kai]

Vizier Aden aq-Zarqa

Quotes

• “The gray coals still boil the stew, I suppose.”
• “I believe that course of action would be prudent.”
• “I am but the first of many such strides; the sudden spark which ignites the blaze.”
• “Would you please excuse me? There are matters that I must attend to.”

Background
Aden aq-Zarqa was born in the City of Green to a human scholar, Haqim, & his half-efreet wife, Hari. As the son of a alchemy professor, Aden was raised with a deep understanding of academic pursuits; he has a modicum of knowledge regarding a wide range of topics, such as history, astronomy, & of course, alchemy. He attended the Academy of the Truest Art (where his father teaches), graduated with top honors, & became a talented & respected scribe.

It was while working as a scribe for the church of Qirus that Aden became interested in politics. His mother had been a pious woman who pushed him toward the clergy, while his father wanted him to pursue scholastic employment. But it was in the Qirusite temple that Aden found his passion: governance. He worked closely with the senators, & impressed them greatly with his abilities & insights. He was soon elected to the senate, & not long afterward, was voted into the office of vizier as the first sabi to hold that position in Sa’ifah.

Personality
Aden is a cool, efficient leader with a calm, low-key persona, which is in stark contrast to the stereotype of a fiery temperamental narsabi. He is a gifted speaker, with a calm demeanor & an ambitious agenda for reforms. He is genial, kind, optimistic, & is usually found with a wide grin on his face. His tough stance on corruption & his grand plans are off-putting to some, some of whom resort to racist epithets to undermine his tenure. He largely ignores these attacks weathering them with an unflappable grace & aplomb.

Appearance
Aden has smoky gray skin & his eyes are calm & kind, which stands in stark contrast to his fearsome coloration. His jet-black hair is cropped very short, & is mostly hidden by the hood of his cloak. He wears the official robes of his position, although they seem a bit awkward or ill-fitting. His teeth (which are often seen due to his nearly-constant smile) are golden yellow & sharply pointed.

Goals
Aden’s agenda is simple: to ensure the continued safety & prosperity of his beloved city. His largest problem at the moment (even more pressing than the she-da-zhong) is the thieves’ guild known as the Brotherhood that is operating in the area. The republican guard has proven powerless to stop them, & the locals are desperate to end (or at least contain) this escalating lawlessness. He is also working to issue a series of laws which will reform the government of Sa’ifah, expanding civil rights, prohibiting corruption, adding social services, & improving the wellbeing of the citizenry. These reforms are opposed by more conservative members of the senate (back by the nobles), who see the proposed laws as encroaching on their former social & political preeminence, as well as upsetting the current status quo.

Combat Tactics
Aden may be a scholar, a devout theologian, & a politician, but he is not without his combat prowess. In the academy, he learned to fire a longbow which uncanny accuracy, & in the Temple of Qirus, he was taught the way of the paladin, a path of honor & perseverance that he has never wavered from. He integrates his fiery natural abilities with his fighting style, often scorching opponents with his innate powers (such as flame blade). He also is fond of smiting, & will do readily against any foe that he knows is evil. His specialty is fighting the undead, however, as they are some of the few enemies that he considers beyond redemption.

3E Stats

Spoiler

Show

RACE: Narsabi male
CLASS: Paladin 7
ALIGNMENT: Lawful Good
DEITY: Qirus
SIZE: Medium
AGE: 74 (born 281 AF)
HEIGHT: 6’7”
WEIGHT: 204 lbs.
EYES: Yellow
HAIR: Black
LANGUAGES: Archaic, Common, Ignan, & Terran
HIT DICE: 10+6d10+4 (47HP)
INITIATIVE: +0
SPEED: 30’
ARMOR CLASS: 23 (+10 armor, +3 divine); touch 13; flat-footed 23
BASE ATTACK BONUS: +7
GRAPPLE BONUS: +9
ATTACK: +13 Seeking Composite Longbow (+2 rating, 1d8+6, ×3, 110’ range increment, piercing)
FULL ATTACK: +13/+8 Seeking Composite Longbow (+2 rating, 1d8+6, ×3, 110’ range increment, piercing)
SPACE/REACH: 5’/5’
SAVING THROWS: Fortitude +10, Reflex +7, Will +8
ABILITIES:

• Strength 14 (+2)
• Dexterity 10 (+0)
• Constitution 11 (+0)
• Intelligence 14 (+2)
• Wisdom 13 (+1)
• Charisma 15 (+2)

SKILLS: 40 points

• Diplomacy +15
• Knowledge (Religion) +15
• Ride +13
• Sense Motive +14

FEATS: Improved Sunder, Power Attack, Templar**
WEAPON: +1 Seeking Composite Longbow (+2 rating, 8,600gp, 1d8+6, ×3, 110’ range increment, 3 lbs., piercing)
ARMOR: +2 Full Plate (5,650gp, +10, maximum dexterity bonus +1, check penalty -5, 35% AFC, speed 20’, 50lbs.)
EQUIPMENT:

• 200gp
• Cloak of Resistance +2 (4,000gp)
• Efficient Quiver (1,800gp)
• Potion of cure serious wounds (750gp)

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: 2 (Caster Level 3rd, save DC11 + spell level)
CLASS FEATURES:

• Aura of Good.
• Detect Evil.
• Smite Evil 2/day.
• Divine Grace.
• Lay on Hands.
• Aura of Courage.
• Divine Health.
• Turn Undead.
• Special Mount.
• Remove Disease 1/week.

LEVEL ADJUSTMENT: +1