Contents Outline
Introduction
~ 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.
Equipment Restrictions
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.
Special Rules for the Savage Amazon
~ 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.
Quests and Promotions
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 Bards)
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).
BONUS Fire Quests:
Explosive Projectiles (Fireball quest)
- level 8 firebolt and get toasted by Laaz, learning from your mistakes and using fireballs
to your advantage from then on.
Homing Projectiles (Elemental quest)
- kill any unique with fireball, as a hiit-seeking fireball is an elemental.
Blazing Ground (Fire Wall quest)
- level 12 firebolt and level 4 fireballl... knowledge of fire leads you to try out your
own experiments.
Stream of Fire (Flame Wave quest)
- cast a fire wall and burn yourself in it, understanding now that a moving fire wall
should have been better.
Burning Oils (Inferno quest)
- defeat any 2 different Balrog-class unnique boss, observing how they throw out flames of
death.
Rapid Fire (Immolation)
- kill Laz with level 8+ fireballs, now knowing importance of multiple fireballs.
BONUS Lightning Quests:
Lightning Projectiles (Lightning quest)
- defeat a cabalist boss and have level 5 charged bolts
Rapid-fire Lightning Projectiles (Chain Lightning quest)
- defeat any 2 different lightning demonn boss and posses level 8 lightning, seeing the
strength of multiple lightning bolts.
Charged Ground (Lightning Wall quest)
- level 12 lightning and level 4 chain llightning... knowledge of lightning leads you to
try out your own experiments.
Static Electricity (Nova quest)
- level 15 lightning and get hit by a noova from chests/shrines, learning from your stupid
mistake.
Special Event: Stealth Hunt
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.
The Destiny Quest
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.
Optional (but Recommended) Rulings and Quests
~ 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.
Bibliography
Aaron Allston, "Warrior Kits: the Amazon" (in The Complete Fighter's Handbook <AD&D>)
Amazon Rules by Charis, with modifications by Ice(BNR)