Cults and Brotherhoods - The Sha'ir (part 2)

 The Situation

In my last blog entry, I started fleshing out the Sha'ir, which many of you know from Al-Qadim, and ended at the equivalent of the Follower rank. 

As with the Sha'ir from Al-Qadim, most of the spirits are built around casting spells for the animist, though some have other abilities as well. I did not detail out each kind of spirit, as I encourage you to take spirits from the book and construct examples as you need. However, if you need a starting point, consider this generic template which will require a bit of fleshing out. I suggest selecting 1 power/spell per intensity from the list presented in the last blog entry for many of them.

Djinn Template

Characteristics

INT: 3d6

POW: As per Intensity

CHA: 3d6

Spectral Combat = 50% + POW+CHA

Willpower = 50% + (POWx2)

The Organization

Sha'ir

Once the rawi demonstrates sufficient skill in poetry, djinn begin to take notice of him and decide he is worthy of speaking to. This marks the transition of a rawi into a true sha'ir, who can beseech djinn for favors. If a rawi gets to this point, they are already considered to be a very good poet, and worthy of reciting for chiefs and petty kings.

Requirements

Sha'ir must show at least 50% skill in the following: Art (Poetry), Courtesy, and Trance. In addition, their knowledge of their own Native Tongue and Customs must be 90%. Lastly, they must also learn Lore (Djinn), and up to 50%. This last requirement is especially challenging, as it does not come from easy training from within the cult, but rather through individual research, learning of stories, and observing the spirit world.

Benefits

Once the djinn are willing to talk to the young sha'ir, they learn through conversation with djinn, and expenditure of 3 experience points, the Binding skill at a base level. This is a natural progression where the sha'ir learns of true names and how to impress the djinn with their poetry and their courtesy. Binding for the sha'ir is capped (Mythras, p50) by their Art (Poetry) skill, reflecting that their skill in poetry is instrumental in bringing the djinn to service.

The sha'ir also gains the knowledge of a single Jann who "discovered" the sha'ir's eloquent composition. This Jann is Intensity 1, and none of them offer the ability for the sha'ir to shapeshift. This Jann can also act as a tutor to the sha'ir in the ways of Binding djinn, with a skill equal to it's own willpower. They can also be of assistance in finding other djinn.

Sha'ir do learn the art of creating fetishes, and often use containers for these.

Restrictions

Sha'ir are expected to maintain good relations with Friendly and Neutral djinn, and take an Oath to the organization with a starting value of 30%+POW+INT. This can be difficult to maintain, as djinn don't always think like humans, and are full of human jealousies and envies. 

The Invited

After some time dealing with djinn, the sha'ir's fame grows within the spirit world and he is eventually invited to recite for a minor djinn potentate. Traditionally, this poetry sings the praises of the ruler, but sometimes may stray into discussing the beauty of the world or even personal hardships. Whatever this poetry, this is the mark of a truly great poet.

Requirements

To even be considered for this honor, the sha'ir must have at least a 70% in Art (Poetry), Courtesy, Willpower, and Lore (djinn). In addition, the invitation gives the sha'ir the right to cross to the spirit world for the purpose of fulfilling the request. Once there, they must perform and extended task to impress the potentate:

1. The sha'ir must use Courtesy opposed by the potentate's Willpower (50% + (POWx2)) to impress them with their courtly manner.
2. Then the sha'ir is invited to perform and must make an Art (Poetry) roll against the potentate's Spirit Combat (50% + POW+CHA)
3. The sha'ir then celebrates with the court of the potentate for 3 days and nights, requiring a Willpower roll against the potentate's to avoid collapse
4. Lastly, at the end of the festivities, the potentate proposes a contest of poems, which is an opposed Binding vs the spirit combat of the potentate

Assuming the sha'ir wins, they are granted a standing invitation into the spirit world from then on. Failure leaves the sha'ir unable to enter the spirit world for one year for every success they lost by. After that time, they may receive another invitation.

Benefits

Primarily, the sha'ir gains the benefit of being able to enter the spirit world as a Shaman of other traditions. This allows for a rapid learning of the names and places for many djinn. Any experience expenditure in Lore (djinn) gains the The Invited 1d6+1 points in the skill rather than 1d4+1. Any training and teaching gains normally.

The Invited can expect hospitality from nearly any earthly ruler for themselves and their companions. This is normally lavish, as any earthly ruler is hopeful the poet will put in a good word with the djinn for them. 

Restrictions

None, though The Invited are expected to maintain their Taboo and Oath.

The Gifted

By this rank, The Invited are recognized both in this world and in the spirit world for their honeyed words, earning the name Gifted. They are widely copied, spoken on the lips of kings and commoners alike. Perhaps not quite once in a generation, but incredibly well known. Yet, at this time in their career, The Gifted often turn inward, exploring themselves. 

Requirements

With this level of fame, they must have Art (Poetry), Courtesy, and Willpower at a 90%. Their Oath must be maintained at at least 70% and they must be in good standing with regards to their Taboo.

Benefits

The Gifted need not worry about earthly survival concerns while within any community that speaks their Native Tongue. They are known and treated as an honored guest, and their companions are offered all hospitality. 

The Gifted, through introspection and writing of poems on the nature of the soul (represented by the expenditure of 5 experience points) gain access to an Allied Fetch, called a Qareen, who can assist the Gifted as needed. This fetch is created as normal, determining their Intensity based on the POW of the qareen.

Because they have studied the nature of the soul, The Gifted are able to take others with them to the spirit world and to the court of the djinn. This allows for earthly rules to petition djinn and for the Gifted to advocate for them.

Restrictions

Because of their Oath and their Taboo that they must continue to maintain, The Gifted are sometimes somewhat reticent to advocate for earthly rulers in the spirit world.

The Golden Ones

A few times in a generation, a sha'ir comes along that is truly magnificent in their poetry. These sha'ir become elevated above all others, and kings hang their poems in their treasure vaults along side golden statues and cups.

Requirements

Golden Ones are recognized by their incredible skills in the word. Courtesy and Art (Poetry) must be at masterful levels - 110% in each. In addition, virtually all have their Native Tongue at a similar level, as it caps their Art (Poetry), though it is not a requirement.

Benefits

The Golden Ones are treasured very highly, and each one is granted a Sanctuary (Mythras, p202), both in this world and in the spirit world. Normally, this is a domicile with a lord who wants nothing more than poems and the prestige of being host to such an august guest permanently.

Restrictions

None. They have reached such renown they are no longer bound by earthly concerns.