12 replies to this topic

[Scipio]

A Zulu warrior would combine the skills of a fighter and a druid. This NPC would appeal to me because I live in the heart of Zululand, South Africa, among the descendants of King Shaka and his united Zulu tribe. But our Zulu should have general appeal, too.

As a fighter, our Zulu would have highly specialised and narrowly focused combat skills. The Zulu warrior wears no armour and uses no missile weapons. He carries a medium shield made of hide, which one of the sangomas (traditional magicians) may have enchanted. His principle weapon is the assegai, a short stabbing spear, which he wields with blinding speed and efficiency. His back-up weapon is a kierie, a sort of staff-mace, which can bludgeon most opponents into submission. Imagine my Zulu with a plus-5 assegai?.

Zulus tend to be shorter and slighter than Caucasians, so our Zulu would have no strength advantages. However, he should get bonuses in Dexterity and Constitution. These guys could run 50 miles in a day, then win a battle before sunset. They are the warriors who, armed with nothing but stabbing spears, annihilated a British force armed with breach-loading rifles, rockets, artillery and Gatling guns at the famous battle of Isandlwana.

In her other persona, as a druid, our Zulu is so closely tied to Nature that she is almost a living projection of Mother Earth. Her deep knowledge of herbal and other traditional cures makes her an excellent healer. Her outdoor danger sense, stealth and disguises are unmatched. Her combat spells would be drawn from the powers of the mighty beasts in the environment where she grew up. If it?s too difficult to have her shape-shift into something devastating like a were-lion, maybe she could summon a pride of fell cats. Hey, and how about elemental-resistant Rhino Skin instead of Iron Skin?

This Zulu?s alignment would have to be Lawful Good. Lawful, because the Zulu armies of the 19th century were as drilled and disciplined as Roman legions, and just as respectful of authority; Good, because traditional Zulus are renowned for their hospitality, care of the elderly and the less fortunate, extended family bonds, ingrained respect for tribal law, and absolute commitment to their religion (which would be animist? also fitting for a druid).

Good names for a Zulu: female, Thandi; male, Sipho.

If she gets her own sub-quest, I?m sure she would relish the opportunity to smash a ring of slavers or recover a sacred tribal artifact from a gang of bandits.

[vilkacis]

I'm pretty sure the Forgotten Realms setting has an "africa-inspired" region. While they may not call themselves "zulu" here, there is probably something very similar.

A custom ranger kit would probably be the simplest way to implement your idea - rangers already combine great fighting ability with druidic spells. That also gives you a stealthy character with the "hide in shadows" ability. You could also give them some custom spells, allow mastery in spears and forbid missile weapons. Shapeshifting can also be done - there is no were-lion in the game as far as I remember, but you could use a panther or similar creature.

If you want to see this NPC made, the best way is to start making her yourself. Check out the tutorials and feel free to ask any questions you may have, there are tons of competent and helpful people on these boards.

[Tempest]

Interesting idea, Scipio, but you would have to find compromises when trying to translate this character into an actual npc. You're basing this on the romanticized, mythologized ideal of the Zulu, and unless you want this character to be blatantly overpowered, you would have to narrow down the character's actual focus-is she a mainly a warrior-type who emphasizes the wilderness and has some nature-based magic, or is she a highly mystical character, with an emphasis on magical and supernatural abilities, with some degree of martial prowess when necessary? If the former, a Beast Master ranger would be ideal. If the later, a druid, particularly of the totemic variety, would work.

And if I'm remembering my geography right, the African plains-themed region is known as the Shaar.

Edit: Another idea, if you're willing to make this character a half-elf: a fighter/druid ala Jaheira.

Edited by Tempest, 31 January 2008 - 09:16 AM.

[vilkacis]

Click me for experimental Zulu Warrior Ranger kit!

(c'mon, you know you wanna)

[leahnkain]

I could be mistaken but older references to the Jungles of Chult, also had an african theme. Shaar and Chult I think were the two areas most like Africa.(I haven't read any AD&D in 3rd edition so they may have changed this.)

[Choo Choo]

I think of Chult more as a mayan/incan culture... but I don't know much about it at all.

[Tempest]

Chult is the African jungle-themed part of Faerun. The Shaar is the African savannahs.

[leahnkain]

I think of Chult more as a mayan/incan culture... but I don't know much about it at all.

Maztica is the name of the Maya/Aztec area. (It was a shame the boxed set failed.)

[Choo Choo]

Ah, thanks to both of you. I have very little check on those things.

EDIT: Oh, and maybe I should add that this mod looks very interesting! A NPC from those areas would be a novelty.

Edited by Choo Choo, 02 February 2008 - 09:36 AM.

[Scipio]

Yow! What can I say?

First of all, vilkacis, you are an absolute star. I followed your link and I've downloaded the newer RAR file. I will have to fire up BG2 again as soon as possible (right now I'm having a great time with BG1Tutu) and draft your lion warrior into my squad. He looks like a perfect substitute for Minsc and a much more interesting option than Cernd. I suppose this may mean leaving dear old nagging Jaheira out since I shouldn't need two sets of druid skills. No problem, I'll just have to get Aerie pregnant again. Or see if there is a Nalia romance somewhere that actually downloads.

This looks like a good time to be a cleric, with my new Zulu and the enigmatic Yasraena as my front-rankers. The YoshImoen duality must be included -- when she joins us, Immy can deliver the mage skills. Take little Aerie because I love her voice, and see how we get on with our party of five. Hmm... if I need six, Solaufain?

Secondly, to all of you, I only recently discovered that there was this modding community. You have brought new life into my all-time favourite RPG. You modders are all amazing.

Finally, I'm sorry I have been so tardy in posting this reply. I have been farting around with a blasted heart problem. This means I haven't been doing anything serious lately, such as installing mods or doing work, and this is the first time I've been back to this particular forum since I asked for a Zulu NPC. Instead I've been footling around with the totally recreational stuff, including the general chat room part of SHS where I've been posting nonsense... and eliciting remarkable lateral thinking from members.

I look forward to giving my road-test review of the lion warrior after I get back from the hospital in a few weeks. Thank you!

[vilkacis]

I'm glad you like it. It's not a full NPC mod with voice and quests, though, just a kit you can use for characters you create, so you'll have to create both your cleric protagonist and the lion warrior when you begin playing.


Also, don't worry and take the time you need, one's health is more important than a hobby - even a fascinating one like Baldur's Gate.

[Scipio]

I'm glad you like it. It's not a full NPC mod with voice and quests, though, just a kit you can use for characters you create, so you'll have to create both your cleric protagonist and the lion warrior when you begin playing.

Hey, no problem if the lion warrior is a kit rather than a character. I was eager to try out the abilities against foes rather than any interaction with allies. Now I get to BE this new spear-carrier! I will have to select a good name for my Faerun-type Zulu, though; I don't think my standard PC name of Robert the Ballbearing would be appropriate.

Hmmm... a female... "Sawubona, Thandi. Bulala lo tokoloshe! Shaya lo tsotsi! Usuthu!!!" (Hi, Thandi. Kill that demon! Smack that bad guy! To battle!)

She can look like a downloaded photo of Jada Pinkett. I haven't been a female PC before. I bet I'll be a hit with those guys in the Underdark. So who shall I woo in a lesbian romance? Maybe that tiefling, Fade....

[Scipio]

Right then chaps, I'd like your advice, please. I've made a portrait of Thandi the Lion Warrior in case anyone may want it to go with the kit that vilkacus made. If you included a portrait, vilkacis, I apologise -- I haven't installed your mod yet!

Where should I post Thandi's pictures? I bet one of the SHS bosses will move this message and my pictures to the forum for artwork. I bet if I'd posted it there they would have moved it here.

Thandi is a morph of Jada Pinkett-Smith (left, below) and Halle Berry (right). She is neither of them but also both of them and therefore yummy.


To make the morph into a warrior (below) I montaged six elements -- the face, the African background landscape, the beaded headband, the assegai spear, the hide shield and the body of a nubile young Zulu dancer.


Have I named the medium and small portraits (below) correctly? They are NTHANDIM.bmp (110x170)and LTHANDIS.bmp (38x60). I presume there's no need for a large portrait because the PC doesn't get that nice epilogue spiel after ruining Melissan's day.
 NTHANDIM.bmp   55.17K   375 downloads  NTHANDIS.bmp   6.85K   370 downloads