Savage Amazons

Contents Outline

1.     Introduction
2.     Equipment Restriction
3.     Special Rules for the Savage Legba
4.     Quests and Promotions
5.     The Destiny Quest
6.     Optional Rulings and Quests
7.     Summary of the Rules
8.     Bibliography

~ Background:

Many different tribes of savages, among the most ferocious of them all is the Amazon tribe. The Savage Amazon tribe finely honed their skills of hunting and combat. There is a strong distrust of men and they are highly suspicious of anything unfamiliar to them. Equally skilled with the bow and the sword, they are able to both engage enemies in hand-to-hand combat and pick off the rest from afar. The destruction of their homelands by the treacherous knights only served to deepen their hatred towards men.

~ Overview:

Highly adaptable and self-reliant beings, the Savage Amazon improves herself consistently by observing the strengths and weaknesses of the enemies. Due to their heavy distrust of men and civilization, the Savage Amazons will only co-op with fellow Savage Amazons and rogue LOL characters. Vitality and health are extremely important to them, hence +1 Vitality is required each level up.

~ Class Restrictions:

The Savage Amazon is restricted to Rogues and Bards only and is designated by (SavAmz) at the end of their name.

Headgears: The hunter's instinct means that only skull caps are allowed. Crowns may be used upon gaining the title of "King/Queen". Royal Circlet may only be used after attaining the rank of Ultimate xxx.

Armour/Shield: Being brought up in the wild, Savage Amazons are uncomfortable in heavy armour and need their stealth when hunting, so mails and plates are too heavy for them. Shields are NOT allowed (primitive females are not allowed shields).

Weapons: Only bows and blades (great sword later) are allowed. (Bows are contrary to Amazon rules but savage rogues ARE still archers to their tribe).

Prefixes/Suffixes: Any except those that adds to magic (+ to all is okay). Also, Savages will never allow their bodies to be manipulated or humiliated, so items of Corruption and items which -life, -vitality, -strength or -all are not allowed. King's prefix may only be used upon gaining title of Queen.

Unique Items: Only the following may be used, primitive items being the most prized:

Scrolls: Nope. Language too ancient to understand.

Books: Special

Potions: Suspicion of the potion's contents means no pots until communication quest is complete... villagers will explain to the Savage.

Shrines/Cauldrons: The Savages are strong believers in gods and shrines should be prayed at (except those detrimental to self). Goat shrines and cauldrons are evil and corrupted things and must be avoided.

~ Currency:

The Savage begins the game with absolutely NO knowledge of the currency system and as such would not know the importance of gold. He will only start to understand the value of gold after completing the communication quest and killing King Leoric. Before that, he may not touch any gold. Any gold picked up by accident must be returned to the ground.

~ Weapon Mastery:

1) The Savage starts off with only knowledge of how to wield his initial weapons (those he starts with). As Savages are unfamiliar with other weapons, he needs time and practice to gain proficiency with the new weapons he finds.

2) Find a magical/unique weapon of that type and IMMEDIATELY seek to kill a unique on a dlvl greater or equal to the dlvl where the weapon is found.

3) If weapon breaks or you die and fail to recover the weapon, you may no longer attempt mastering that weapon again.

~ Spell Usage:

Nothing special here just that the Savage rules states when the spell can be LEARNED, while the Amazon rules states when the spell can be USED. To learn and use the spell, both must be achieved.

The quick-learning ability of the Savage Amazon enables her to learn things and use it against the enemies. At the same time, she tries to push herself to the limit, to train hard and better herself, and to protect her people through hand-to-hand combat. The list is in chronological order of how you should complete them.

* represents the stages in life of the Savage Amazon.

Starting off... ... (as a "Savage Amazon Explorer") You may not speak to ANY villagers (including Pepin), pick up gold or use potions until otherwise overruled with further quests. Books may not be read until available.

Quest 1: Regeneration Method: Defeat a unique scavenger-class monster and its pack. While doing so, you noticed the way they acceleration their life regeneration process. Rewards: Can now learn "Heal" spell.

Quest 2: Communication Method: Defeat the Butcher and attain level 10, hence gaining recognition and learns the importance of helpers. Rewards: Can now speak to villagers but still may not use gold. * Amazon Explorer: Upon completion of the above, the rank of "Savage Amazon Defender" is attained as the quests are concurrent.

The Value of Money (must be with axe, see below) You may start to pick up and use gold after completing quest 2 and killing King Leoric.

Quest 3: Speed Method: Encounter at least two different hidden-class monsters and observe the way they disappear and reappear so quickly. Rewards: Can now learn "Town Portal", "Phasing" and "Teleport" spell. * Amazon Defender: Difference is that the axe (any axe) must first be found and mastered as per the Savage Weapon Mastery rules. After killing Warpskull (hidden boss), King Leoric and ten other church-cats bosses, the title "Savage Amazon Warrior" is achieved.

Quest 4: Petrification Gaze Method A: Clear an entire level of Gargoyles and find a stone shrine, observing the way the Gargoyles turn to stone. Method B: Kill Nightwing the Cold (gargoyle boss), looking to see how they turn to stone. Rewards: "Stone Curse" now available. * Amazon Warrior: Concurrent with quest 4, difference is that due to savage tendencies, shield is NOT allowed. The Savage Amazon will just have to do with one-handed swords. Remember to master the sword before using it. Killing of Nightwing may be used to replace one of the cave bosses. The title "Savage Amazon Savage" is attained when quest 4 (both methods) is completed and the six other cave unique monsters are dead

Quest 5: Fire Projectiles (Rogues and Bards) Method: Clear an entire level of counselors, seeing how they toss fiery projectiles through the air. Rewards: Ability to learn "Firebolt". (Bards may only use if she is proficient with a bow), BONUS Fire Quests. Note: Make sure it's EVERY single counselor dead on the level.

Quest 6: Charged Projectiles (Rogues and Barbarians) Method: Defeat a magistrate boss, noting how they charge lightning in the air around you. Rewards: Ability to learn "Charged Bolt". (Bards may only use if proficient with bows), BONUS Lightning Quests. * Amazon Avenger: No change on this one, just remember to master the clubs before using them (heehee... if you break the weapon, i can't imagine... just think of some special quest to atone for your sins). Upon completion of this quest, Quest 5 and 6 of savages should also have been done. "Savage Amazon Huntress" is next

Quest 7: Power of Gods Method: Clear Laz's room using only a sword (or two), seeing all sorts of magic flying about. Rewards: In normal, all page 2 non-fire, non-lightning spells. In nitemare, all page 3 and in hell, all page 4 and 5. * Amazon Huntress: Slight mod here. Kill all witches with a bow (ideally when you find your last UNMASTERED bow), then clear Laz room with a double-handed sword (preferably the last unmastered double-handed blade). Upon doing so, you attain the rank "Savage Amazon Heroine".

Quest 8: Death to Sir Gorash Sir Gorash was the commander-in-chief of the knights who destroyed your homeland. He must die a thousand deaths. You have to kill him in every game you are capable of using only natural Savage gear (a sword and nothing more -- sometimes 2 swords). Method: Kill Sir Gorash using only a sword, Stone Curse not allowed.... he's your mortal foe after all. Rewards: None... you get your revenge, what more do you want? * Amazon Heroine: On the way to Diablo, Sir Gorash will be faced. Kill him as per Savage rules (i.e. no armour or headgear, just a sword), using ideally a Savage sword. A headstart to Champion would be to kill Gorash with bare feet (armour on i assume) or with JUST a Savage sword.

Diablo (and dots) Sir Gorash is but a pawn in the hands of the Dark Lord himself. He can die a thousand deaths but the necromancy skills of the Dark Lord will also bring him back to life. Stop the Being himself. Destroy the Dark Lord -- Diablo!!! Rewards: Every time you kill the Dark Lord (each additional dot), you learn about his evil ways and sought to kill him once and for all (get three dots). Upon doing so, you are finally free and can call yourself King.... you get to wear crowns (but not the Royal Circlet). btw, Savages have to kill Diablo with a sword (except for Destiny Quest). * Amazon Matriarch/Princess/Queen: Defeating Diablo in such mortal combat as shown above will earn the title "Savage Amazon Matriarch" for first dot, "Savage Amazon Princess" for second dot and finally "Savage Amazon Queen" for third dot. Royal Circlet allowed after third dot. Other Amazon bonuses also applies but the Savage's armour and shield restrictions still hold (they are JUST not uncomfortable with mails, plates and shields).

Before defeating Diablo, the standard Savage Blood Feast takes place. After killing Diablo, the Stealth Hunt will replace the Blood Feast. Some changes made, though. Two types of items will have priority for choice of items: First, is the Savage sword (any suffix, any base), which is the most valued weapon of Savage Amazons. Second is the Savage bow (any suffix, any base), which is the most valued ranged weapon. Non-savage swords have no priority for this. (Bards may choose 2 separate SWORDS for this, preferably Savage ones). The Blood Feast rules of having to kill knights and Sir Gorash also applies. The Blood Feast titles are attained in addition to the Amazon ones.

Other unique quests can be thought up be the individual players to spice up the game

This quest represent the epitome of bravery and skill and may be attempted only by a Savage Amazon Queen After defeating Diablo, in all three difficulty levels, the Savage Amazon Queen will seek to do the ultimate task of the Savage tribe -- to defeat Diablo in the total darkness of hell.

The Quest Itself:

The Queen attempts this quest in hell difficulty level solo. Everything is as per the normal game, the difference only comes when you throw the second skull lever in the two-lever room of dlvl 16. Diablo will immediately cast a Darkness spell over the level, engulfing you in total darkness. To represent this, switch off your monitor and proceed with the attempt to kill Diablo. You may only switch the monitor back on when either you or Diablo have been defeated (sound is VERY important here). if you lose in the fight, nothing happens (this is a VERY difficult task). You may even make another attempt, just that once you enter dlvl 16, you must switch off the monitor (to represent the darkness) again.

Title Upon Completion: Ultimate Savage Amazon Queen (i.e. add "Ultimate" in front of any titles you have attained).

Rewards: GREAT satisfaction.

~ Savage Weapons:

Savage weapons represent the ultimate weapon for Savages. Upon gaining hold of such weapon, he may not sell it for any

reason. Losing the weapon will incur very severe penalties (see Honour below). A Savage with possession of a savage weapon MUST use the weapon during the customary Blood Feast (note that for Savage rogues, she may use a savage bow - must be 'savage' !!!). If he successfully kills Sir Gorash with the savage weapon, he may add the prefix "Honorable" in front of any of his/her titles. The standard title of "Slayer xx" applies as well.

~ Honour:

Savages have a high level of discipline and honour. A Savage becomes dishonoured when: (i) he loses a Savage weapon (if he recovers it, it doesn't count), or (ii) he touches a cauldron or goat shrine. The gods will be enraged by the dishonorable behaviour of the Savage and will strip him of ALL his weapon proficiencies (so he may only use his bare hands). He regains those proficiencies only when he has cleansed himself. During this period, he may not attempt to master any weapons.

Cleansing: (i) first, touch a Purifying Spring or Holy Shrine to rid yourself of evil, (ii) nect, seek out 3 different non-random unique boss and kill them, to appease the gods and (iii) lastly, defeat Butcher and King Leoric naked to show your sincerity and determination to change. These three steps should be done in the order shown.

~ Phobia:

As the Savage mixed into civilization with the sole purpose of seeking revenge, he will co-operate with others but will not accept gifts from them. The only exception is LOL's who live off the land, just like the Savages in the past, so LOL's are treated as trusted companions and gifts from them can be taken.

Furthermore, even when he learns the value of gold, he may still not purchase weapons/armour from the townfolks due to their distrust for civilization and the items they produce (prefer to get their own items). This is especially true for Griswold, Cain and Wirt, who are men (or young men)... grrrr... men...

Repairs, identification, free healing, potions and books may still be obtained as the townfolks are the only feasible method.

~ Amazon Optional Quests

The normal three optional quests - Guardian, Champion and Spellbinder may also be attempted. However, some changes:

(i) Guardian: no change.

(ii) Champion: Staves are still not allowed (so no need to kill Vizier with staves) as they are not cutting weapons or crushing ones, thus going against the laws of nature. Axes and clubs may be allowed.

(iii) Spellbinder: The spells banned to all Savages are still banned (as explained by Savage rules) but Warrior spells such as Holy Bolt, Telekinesis allowed. +Magic, +Mana ban lifted though.

Personally, the principles of the advantages given to the Savage Amazons totally goes against the nature of Savages (i.e. archers really don't go around chopping ppl up with axes), so i would complete the quest but still play on without using any of the benefits.

Aaron Allston, "Warrior Kits: the Amazon" (in The Complete Fighter's Handbook <AD&D>)