Pharazia Write-up

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

Since ewancummins was interested, I thought I'd share what I have done with Pharazia. I wanted to make it more than just desert-Nidala and play with the idea of Diamabel building a religion around himself and the good and bad that can bring.

What is enlightenment? What is purity? What is divinity? These are questions the Pharazians now ask themselves. A new decree has been set by their leader, Diamabel, that he is the "living god" and through him they may achieve the purity he represents.

History
According to your average Pharazian, the domain of Pharazia has always been there with their glorious leader always watching out for them. For it is Diamabel who has protected them from the harsh, unforgiving deserts and ruthless nomads. At first, he wanted them to only follow his strict rules, pray two hours a day (or four times a day), and not to leave the city of Phiraz.
Five years ago, Diamabel came to a revelation: if it was his faith in his god that brought him halfway to divinity, then could the faith of others in him finish the job? So with his "law-givers" beside him, Diamabel gave a rousing speech that as the domain's "living god", they too could become beings of purity and light through him. Worn out through the suffering they had faced, this sliver of hope warmed the hearts of the Pharazians as they collectively fell to their knees before him.
As the people rushed to build statues and temples to their god, the Dark Powers decided to let Diamabel's little experiment run it's course. Sure, he would get his subjects' love and the ability to grant his clerics powers, but his accursed night time form remains, reminding him that he will never be a true creature of light. While his more faithful subjects can become closer to what he desires.
With the arrival of the amnesiac, Belenus, and the conversion of Hans Dahmerhousen, Diamabel is preparing to spread the word of his worship to the rest of Ravenloft by word or by sword.

Populace
To the casual observer, the Pharazians seem like a shy, well-meaning people until you get to know them. Measuring their words carefully, they fear saying the wrong thing or else someone will rat them out or the law-givers will overhear and administer their punishment. This can range from beatings to even death depending on the severity of the crime and how lenient Diamabel is feeling.

For faith and snitching are a way of life to keep the pressures of their domain off of their backs. When speaking of the subject of their worship of Diamabel, their moods pick up as they sing his praises. Whether this is out of fear, greed for his benefits, or genuine love is debatable depending on the person.

As said before, the people are expected to pray for either two hours or four times a day or risk the wrath of the law-givers. Thankfully there are a variety of ways to pray from traditional methods to working on artistic projects in honor of the darklord to songs dedicated to Diamabel.

Looks-wise, the Pharazians are a handsome breed with olive skin and dark black hair (that never goes gray. Their eyes are brown, with the occasional child being born with black eyes. These poor souls are immediately slain out of the superstitious fear that these "black-eyed scoundrels" will spell doom for Diamabel and his city. The men prefer to keep the hair on their faces and heads short while the women will grow their hair out. Both genders favor robes and covering their hair for modesty and to keep the harsh Pharazian sun off of them. Women will also wear veils when going out in public.

On the other side are the nomads, lead by Allahn el Rashaan. According to their leader, Diamabel is nothing more than a corrupted mortal and now blasphemer who must be stopped. Constantly traveling in fear of being spotted by the Darklord and his law-givers. While ruthless and strict, the nomads are not above trading with outsiders to keep their coffers full.

The Faith

The Pharazians (who are not nomads) refer to their faith as the Children of Diamabel. While there are no paladins, Diamabel's clerics have access to the light and war domains. Dressed in white, these holy men and women organize the spiritual aspects of Pharazian life through sermon, song, and prayers. To further infuriate Diamabel, clerics who reach level five (and have a sincere faith in him) will notice their hair turning silver like their beloved darklord and becomes completely silver by level 7 (assuming their faith is still sincere). At level ten and beyond, their skin will take a bit of a golden hue. Granted, most clerics that advance this far and stay in Pharazia will die or "disappear" under mysterious circumstances. A lie about how "it was their time to return to the heavens" is believed.

While most clerics are various forms of neutral, good aligned ones have some difficulty with the harsher aspects of their faith, but have come to an understanding that this "just the way Diamabel is". As for the nomads, they don't follow a particular religion, though Allahn and his followers are more spiritual than anything else.

There is more, but I don't want to clutter this post. Any ideas or criticism is welcome.

[ewancummins]

This is indeed an interesting and fun take on the domain.

Some sources have the nomads worshipping Egyptian gods, but that doesn't click for me.

I'd consider having them follow the religion that Diamabel followed before he had his 'revelation.' His god might be their god, but each sect views the other as the vilest of heretics.

Animists or ancestors worshippers could work, too.

Or maybe use the gods from Sandstorm?

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

This is indeed an interesting and fun take on the domain.

Or maybe use the gods from Sandstorm?

I'm glad you like it so far. I was planning on making Allahn el Rashaan one of Diamabel's original soldiers during his pre-DL days. Allahn was getting disillusioned after Diamabel's little jihads became more blood-thirsty and was the sniper that shot him. I'll check out the Sandstorm book to see what gods they have.

(I've decided to add that jewelry is now allowed for both genders as long as it has a religious meaning or symbols on it.)

-----
Sites of Interest

The capital, Phiraz, is a sight to behold. While the square buildings made of stone brick and white plaster as pretty basic, it is the temples that will take your breath away wiith their stone and geometric mosaics and slender spires that try to touch the heavens. Another are the many finely-crafted, realistic statues of Diambel that not only litter the town, but can also be found in the homes of most of the residents. For the domain is entering a golden of art and music as long as it has a religious or moral theme, preferably glorifying the darklord. (Portraits and landscapes are tolerated.)

Outside of the holy places, the roads are more narrow, opening into plazas for vendors. Unlike other domains, there is so set price for things, making haggling a way of life. (Without it, things are 20% more expensive, but can be 20% cheaper if the buyer knows what they are doing.)

Trade: Wheat, barley, rice, millet, flax, melons, citrus, peas, beans, eggplant, figs, dates, coffee, camels, sheep, goats, cattle, and cloth
Money: Penence (gp), reproach (sp), blessing (cp)

Lately, the domain has become more open to outsiders to a point. (Clerics and paladins of other faiths are forbidden entry.) They must adhere to Diamabel's strict rules and not show favorism to another faith or no faith at all if they're atheists.

The Law

While Diamabel's word is law, his law-givers and clerics also play a hand. Both clad and white robes and carrying scourges, the clerics announce the darklord's decrees and manage his worshipers while the law-givers administer the punishments. Since confession is a way of life, the law-givers can be found roaming the streets, seeking crimes against the faith. What constitutes as a crime and how severe the punishment is depends on the law-giver. Because of this, only the most brutal Pharazians are chosen.

Travelers must also be aware of what the Pharazians refer to as Diamabel's agent of vengeance. This black-winged monster roams the skies at night, searching for nomads and enemies of the darklord.

Landscape, Flora & Fauna
Much like the rest of the Amber Wastes cluster, Pharazia is a harsh and unforgiving desert. Rolling dunes and rock outcroppings sparsely decorate the domain to break the monotony of the land. Both of the rock outcroppings and rare oasis (which have palm trees and dates) will provide shelter for travelers and animals, but the former should be aware of the later who jealously guard what they have.

There are three major water holes with the greatest being in the domain's capital of Phiraz. All of the rivers are fed from this spring, granting pure, but brackish water that the natives seem to have an immunity to.

The sun is a harsh master who can raise to 120 degrees in the day while becoming near-freezing at night. People are strongly advised to drink at least drink a quart of water an hour when traveling or risk dehydration. But the sun is not the only enemy travelers must face for creatures like crocodiles, scorpions, jackals, and snakes roam the domain along with the occasional mummy. Arguably, the worst encounters come from the nomads who love to hunt down Diamabel's loyalists.



More to come...

[KingCorn]

This is indeed an interesting and fun take on the domain.

Some sources have the nomads worshipping Egyptian gods, but that doesn't click for me.

I'd consider having them follow the religion that Diamabel followed before he had his 'revelation.' His god might be their god, but each sect views the other as the vilest of heretics.

Animists or ancestors worshippers could work, too.

Or maybe use the gods from Sandstorm?

It could be that the nomad's relgion is implied to be an evolution of the faith of Har'Akir. Cause Jinn are often depicted as having animal heads.
Speaking of Jinn, thats something that could be made native to the Mists. Rather than being from the elemental planes, they would be more akin to how they are depicted in Islamic Culture: Invisible beings who have great powers but are prone to extremes of emotions, with making a deal to one being similar to having a dread familiar.

[ewancummins]

Don't pee on bones because the jinn eat bones.

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

It could be that the nomad's relgion is implied to be an evolution of the faith of Har'Akir. Cause Jinn are often depicted as having animal heads.
Speaking of Jinn, thats something that could be made native to the Mists. Rather than being from the elemental planes, they would be more akin to how they are depicted in Islamic Culture: Invisible beings who have great powers but are prone to extremes of emotions, with making a deal to one being similar to having a dread familiar.

Are there 5th ed. stats for Jinn? Also, using Ra might work.

Now on to Who's Doomed...

Appendix: Who's Doomed

Diamabel, Darklord of Pharazia
Appearance: Standing at seven feet tall, Diamabell is a sight to behold. His gold skin and silvery white hair radiates like light with his intense blue eyes and a beautiful pair of snow white wings to compliment it. His clean-shaven face has a transcendent beauty, though it is marred with lines of fear and frustration. With the slightest move, his muscles ripple off his strong, powerful limbs. Tragically, his face still reflects a bitterness and quick temper.

At night, Diamabel's body takes a new form that while awe-inspiring is fearful to behold. Gone are the beautiful wings that decay into a rotting parody where black feathers cling to their hollow shafts. Handsome, muscular features wither away to something more fitting of a zombie with decaying ropes of rotting flesh. Last, his fine, silken clothes turn into blackened tatters that flap in even the slightest breeze.

Background: Ever since Diambel was a child, everything seemed so vile. That even being born the son of a wealthy desert sheikh couldn't ease that feeling. Sinful people, filth, vices, it seemed like there was no hope until his nanny told him of how people from faraway lands who lived good, clean lives ascended into beings of pure light. With this inspiration and his knowledge that he was destined to rule, Diamabel began to amass power in hopes of cleansing this world.

At the age of sixteen, his father's passing gave him the opening he needed to start his crusade. While there were rumors of him having a hand in this, those that spoke were quickly silenced. Proving to be a competent, yet erratic leader, his subjects placed their trust while the nomads who didn't were to be subjugated.

Eventually, that would not be enough as he desired to conquer all of the land beyond the dunes. His dreams of becoming a winged, gold-skinned being of light haunted him as he promised that if he and his people were to slay the infidels that refused to submit to his god and his creed, they would also become one of heaven's chosen. Taking his words to heart, Diamabel and his subjects began their crusade, not caring if even the young and infirm were destroyed.

As the years went by, Diamabel's dreams grew even more powerful; fueling his zeal to the point that he disregarded all safety for himself. As he was massacring a northern town, a stray arrow from a hidden sniper embedded itself into his stomach. Passing out from the blood loss, he lamented that would never become a being of light until the Dark Powers intervened.

When he awoke, he was overjoyed that his greatest wish came true. What he didn't know was that it came at a dreadful price. By day, he would become the divine being he dreamed about, but by night he would undergo a painful transformation into a foul mockery of himself. Worse yet, he was permanently cut off from his deity. Feeling betrayed by the world at large, he took it out on it in return.

For years, he sought to cleanse his domain of sin by using his law-givers to keep a watch on the sinful people of Phiraz while he used his night time form to eradicate the nomads who stood against him. Despite his best efforts, his efforts bared no fruit until a revelation came to him: if it was his faith that got him halfway there, could others' faith in him finish the job?

Current Status: Diamabel has a love-hate relationship with his new religion. He has come to adore the Pharazian's worship and the added power it brings him, but on the other hand it has done nothing to relieve him of his night form. Worse yet, he has to witness others achieve their own versions of ascension that might be more genuine than his.

During the day, he makes most of his form by managing his religion and lazing the hours away in his own hedonism. Until his night form rectifies that, forcing him into mad quests to destroy his enemies.

Combat: Unlike some darklords, Diamabel isn't afraid to fight his own battles and through this becomes a sight to behold. Both of his forms are so awe-inspiring that opponents need to make a fear save with a -2 penalty.

Even if they can get close, they will have to deal with his two-handed, flaming sword, Spiritburner. If that doesn't score a hit, Diamabel can use his wings to hit hard enough to leave his enemies stunned for one round. Thanks to the faith of his people, he can regenerate two hit points per round and can only be hurt by +2 or better weapons.

If he is killed, he will crumble to dust and reform within a week. This can be negated if his religion is destroyed, either by killing all the true believers or simply getting them to stop worshiping him. When this happens, all that is needed is to kill him in combat and he will be gone for good.

Closing the Boarders: If Diamabel wishes to close his boarders, he will summon a powerful sandstorm that can flay the flesh of anyone to tries to pass through (as well as suffering 10 hp per round).

-----
In case you're wondering, yes, Belenus (who I did in the U.S.S.) will be in this netbook. Also, given how I heard complaints about how Diamabel's pale-skinned transformation would be considered racist by today's standards, I changed it to gold.

[KingCorn]

What is Pharazia's relationship with the ruined land of Sebua, or the people of Har'Akir? What about Hazlan, which it has a pretty stable mistway with?
I figure Sebua is just an empty wasteland to Diambel, with its only noteworthy feature being that he cannot influence it, but theirs little there that he wants. For the people of the city, its also beyond notice, better to focus on how to keep the Law-Givers off their back, though there are rumors of dark cults based on artifacts found in the ruins, a dark temptation slowly working its way into the city right under Diambel's nose. For the desert nomads, Sebua is a place of refugee and potential riches, if your desperate enough or crazy enough to try. Diambel can't go their, the wild children are weird but mostly harmless. But their are things in the ruins, more ancient than the oldest Har'Akirian mummy, older than humanity. Many caravans have been lost in those lands, but the trade of magical artifacts from there and Har'Akir is too good to pass up.
Har'Akir is even more distant. To Diambel, its just distant heathens to be converted. Their supposed god-kings, the pharaohs are dead, proof their divinity was false. Some cross the desert, usually to leave via the Mists or get quickly grabbed up by the Law-Givers. The real problem is that land seems to attract foreigners like a flies to honey. The nomads have an alright relationship with them, even if there are few to trade with. That they sometimes act as guides to the foreign tomb robbers has soured relations somewhat.
Foreigners are a potential corrupting influence, but Diambel has softened his stance with his two recent converts, and he appreciates the way their doubt turns to awe in his presence. The people look down upon the foreigners from the mists, seeing them as dirty, while at the same time envying them. The Hazlani with there magic have been a long running problem, and their obvious double dealing with the nomads always leads to trouble, and many swear that any rumored cult is the work of Hazlani's and their hunger for dark artifacts.

[ewancummins]

Golden-hued skin seems more fantastic and otherworldly. That's cool.
Alabaster would also work.


Aasimar in Ravenloft?

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

Allahn el Rashaan
Appearance: A tall, olive-skinned man of 35 years with a beard that's grown wild, Allahn is proud, fearsome-looking. His brown eyes burn with a righteous passion that is in his word and deed.
Background: It was not supposed to be like this; Diamabel promised better. Being a poor beggar back when the darklord was still a sheik, there wasn't much room for advancement. That's when the promises came that anyone who agreed to help in his jihad would become a creature of pure light. Since this was open to anyone, Allahn signed up as a soldier immediately.

Taking to war and battle like a fish to water, Allahn quickly rose up in the ranks, becoming a feared warrior. Sure, ascension was taking its sweet time, but Allahn knew he needed to be patient and ignore his leader's growing fanaticism. At first they would only kill those that refused to submit to the worship of Ra, but then it soon became anyone who was in Diamabel's way. The guilt plagued him until he realized that he had to set things right. Being the sniper who struck Diamabel in the stomach, Allahn thought his work was done until the mists decided to take him along as well.

Current Status: With his love and devotion to Ra being stronger than ever, Allahn doesn't care about being a creature of light. His service to his god is reward enough and the destruction of Diamabel would make it all sweeter. To him, the darklord is a destructive blasphemer who deserves nothing more than death.

Because of this, Allahn is a strict leader who expects the best from his warriors. He will use almost any advantage to achieve his goals.

Combat: While he is not as powerful as Diamabel, Allahn can definitely hold his own. Just like he took out the darklord the first time, he will try to snipe his targets first before going in for the kill with his scimitar.

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

What is Pharazia's relationship with the ruined land of Sebua, or the people of Har'Akir? What about Hazlan, which it has a pretty stable mistway with?
I figure Sebua is just an empty wasteland to Diambel, with its only noteworthy feature being that he cannot influence it, but theirs little there that he wants. For the people of the city, its also beyond notice, better to focus on how to keep the Law-Givers off their back, though there are rumors of dark cults based on artifacts found in the ruins, a dark temptation slowly working its way into the city right under Diambel's nose. For the desert nomads, Sebua is a place of refugee and potential riches, if your desperate enough or crazy enough to try. Diambel can't go their, the wild children are weird but mostly harmless. But their are things in the ruins, more ancient than the oldest Har'Akirian mummy, older than humanity. Many caravans have been lost in those lands, but the trade of magical artifacts from there and Har'Akir is too good to pass up.
Har'Akir is even more distant. To Diambel, its just distant heathens to be converted. Their supposed god-kings, the pharaohs are dead, proof their divinity was false. Some cross the desert, usually to leave via the Mists or get quickly grabbed up by the Law-Givers. The real problem is that land seems to attract foreigners like a flies to honey. The nomads have an alright relationship with them, even if there are few to trade with. That they sometimes act as guides to the foreign tomb robbers has soured relations somewhat.
Foreigners are a potential corrupting influence, but Diambel has softened his stance with his two recent converts, and he appreciates the way their doubt turns to awe in his presence. The people look down upon the foreigners from the mists, seeing them as dirty, while at the same time envying them. The Hazlani with there magic have been a long running problem, and their obvious double dealing with the nomads always leads to trouble, and many swear that any rumored cult is the work of Hazlani's and their hunger for dark artifacts.

Those are good ideas.

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

Fatiha Ebeid
Appearance: A stern woman of 35, Fatiha is an intimidating force. Unlike the rest of the Pharazians, there is nothing humble or careful about her. Nor does she wear a veil like your average female civilian since it allows her famous scowl and glare to unnerve even the strongest of men.

Background: If Belenus is the example of Diamabel's grace, Fatiha is the example of Diamabel's fury. Born to a family where women were expected to be subservient, Fatiha held her tongue for their sake. Every feeling, urge of creativity, and dreams were squished down inside of her as she played the role of the good little daughter and later wife. Especially when putting up with her boastful, law-giver husband who prided himself in every thing he did.

To alleviate this, she would watch the law-givers (who didn't allow women), living through them, enjoying the power they had. One day, at the age of 30, something came over her as she mustered up all her flattery to ask her husband to let her tag along while he made his rounds. Being in a good mood, he decided to humor her. Things were running as usual until the sobbing of one of her husband's victims caused him to hold back. Disgusted, Fatiha called him a coward, snatched his scourge, and whipped the sinner herself. Impressed by her drive and sadism as the civilian died from her abuse, she was made the first woman law-giver.

Despite having to work twice as hard, Fatiha managed to raise up in the ranks. Under Hans' suggestion that having a woman in a high position would appeal to Diamabel's female worshipers, she was eventually given leadership of the law-givers.

Current Status: Thanks to her new position, Fatiha's loyalty and devotion to Diamabel has grown. She prides herself in being an instrument of his will, lashing out at those who would sully the domain. As well as being seen as a bit of a role model to the less good-aligned women of Pharazia.

Fatiha enjoys being the only female law-giver, but knows that won't be forever. So she's planning on having her only daughter (Aaliyah) follow in her footsteps when she's old enough. For now, she is trying to mold Aaliyah into her own image. Her three sons are either going to be initiated as law-givers or clerics.

Combat: Fatiha will have at least three law-givers with her when she goes out on her rounds. Since being a law-giver has awoken a sadistic side to her, she has no qualms about fighting with her scimitar.

[KingCorn]

The Skin of Apep: Long ago, during the golden age of Har'Akir, a great river winded its way through the region, bringing life to the land. For the people of Har'Akir, it was a gift from the gods, and so its was by a great offense against the gods that the gift was rescinded. As the great pharoah turned to ever darker extremes to achieve immortality, the great river slowly became befouled, its water bringing a horrible wasting illness. Over the ages, even that foul water dried up, leaving only a great cracked river bed, which courses its way across the Amber Wastes like the skin of Apep itself. The nomads of Pharazia find it to be a decent path across the desert, more stable than the shifting sands, but rarely tell the superstitious Har'Akirian that they use it. It is rumored that the wild children of Sebua sing to the river in their strange language, bringing up pure water from the dried river. Such water goes putrid in less than a day however, bringing with it the wasting illness.

The Caves of Zahhak: Besides ancient artifacts, the greatest export of Pharazia and its neighboring lands is Opals, which can be found in abundance among the many buried caverns hidden beneath the sands. While any could make the discoverer richer than a prince almost over night, the rumored caves of Zahhak are said to contain enough natural wealth to make one richer than any man. The ways are said to shine like a blazing mirror with fire Opals, the ground littered with diamonds and pearls and even gold dust, laying like glittering sand. Many believe that it lie below the Skin of Apep, for the people believe the dreaded serpents Zahhak and Apep are but one in the same.

Bayt al'ufyun: Meaning "The House of Opium", this is the distasteful name given to the Hazlan Trade embassy established in Pharazia. Much less militarized than a Falkovnian trade embassy, it acts not in the name nor interest of Hazlan itself, despite its name, but of the many merchants, beauracrats, and arcanists which live their. A large complex, it houses many rooms for the Mulan and their Rashimeni servants, giving them room to conduct business, be it dealing in artifacts, spices, or favors. Its name comes from an opium den the Hazlani operate out near a back room, which Law-Givers are kept from investigating through a series of bribes, blackmail, and simple misdirection. The room is rumored to be haunted by the soul of a Law-Giver who was poisoned in that room for fear he would tell Diambel of the place.

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

@King Corn: Thanks for all of these ideas, expect a mention in the thanks section when I make it an PDF.

Hans Dahmerhousen
Appearance: A Lamordian native, Hans has the common features of the people of that domain. His short hair and mutton chops (minus the mustache) are already going grey despite only being 40. While he misses wearing Lamordian clothes, he opts to dress like the rest of the Pharazians (though he kept his glasses). His demeanor shows a stern and proud man.
Background: Despite living in Ravenloft, Hans had a pretty normal, upper class upbringing where his intellectual needs where met. His favorite subjects being religion (in his case, his atheism) and psychology.

His first book at the age of twenty ("The Deity Delusion") was a hit in Lamordia and did get him grudging respect from his more religious critics in other domains. As time went on, Hans wrote a series of memoirs and books as his fame grew until a group of adventurers asked for his help. A merchant friend of theirs had fallen under the sway of Diamabel's religion and they wanted him to snap out of it. In his arrogance, Hans not only agreed to help, but demanded to be taken to Pharazia to do the work there.

This didn't last long when he was found by Diamabel. No one knows what happened during those three hours he and Diamabel were left alone, but after it, Hans was a changed man. Now devoted to Diamabel, he ratted out where the adventurers were hiding and gladly watched their public execution. Since then, he has served Diamabel with his knowledge in psychology and the core domains.

Current Status: Having published a new book called, "Being Wrong", Hans fans and critics aren't sure what to make of this. Not that he cares, all that matters is serving his new faith and exercising his intellectual muscles.

Combat: Not being much for fighting, Hans prefers to let others do it for him. If he has no choice, he will use his scimitar and in the case of emergencies, his pistol. (Finding the materials for gunpowder in the Amber Wastes is difficult.)

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

I was able to secure an artist who I've worked with in the past to do some portraits for my upcoming netbook. Here are the rough sketches for Diamabel and Allahn...

[Yaoi Huntress Earth]

Due to some ideas, I decided to rewrite the nomads' section on faith.

Despite their anger towards Diamabel, the nomads are not without faith. For the darklord's now-abandoned god, Ra, rings true in their hearts as they believe that they must set things right. They pity the Pharazians of never known their true god.

Ra
Deity of the sun
Alignment: LG
Domains: Life, Light
Symbol: Solar disk encircled by a serpent.

I've considered making Allahn a paladin just to piss off Diamabel even more that there is someone his former god hasn't neglected.