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Friends: Razan al'Abiad Nimr

(Razan the White Tiger)

Far south of of the Lands of Cult and thousands of miles to the East lies the the Land of Fates. Home to a simple slave warrior whose determination and dedication have earned him a respectable place in society.


Statistics:  l  AD&D 2nd Edition  l  D&D 3.5 Edition  l  D&D 5th Edition  l

Human m, F23 (Mamluk); SZ M (6', 195 lb.); ML fearless (19); AL LN.

Armor Class
Movement
Level
Hit Points
THAC0
No. of Attacks
22 (27)
12
23
102
+22 (base)
7/2
Str
Dex
Con
Int
Wis
Cha
16
18
15
13
15
14
Special Attacks
Special Defenses
Magic Resistance
Nil
Nil
Nil

Saving Throws

Para/ Pois/ Death
Rod/ Stave/ Wand
Pert/ Polymorph
Breath
Spell
3
5
4
4
6
Razan al'Abiad Nimr
Weapon
Desert Scourge
Jambiya
#Att
7/2
2/1
+Att/Dmg
+30/ +9
+22/ +1
Damage
1d10/ 1d10
1d4/ 1d4
Speed
0
0

Noteable Nonweapon Proficiencies: Reading/ Writing Zakharan Common; Bureaucracy; Riding Land; Riding Camel Spec.; Survival: Desert; Tactics; Display Weapon Prowess.
Weapon Proficiencies: Grand Master: Scimitar, Single Weapon Style Specialist, Jambiya, Khopesh; Light crossbow.

Special Equipment: bracers of defence AC +8, defender +5 scimitar (Desert Scourge), carpet of flying.


Human Fighter 23 (Epic), Lawful Neutral

Provisional conversion, awaiting review by DamienRahl.

Hit Dice23d10+46 (102 hp)
Initiative+8
Speed30 ft.
Armor Class22 (+4 Dex, +8 bracers of armor), touch 14, flat-footed 18; 27 when Desert Scourge's bonus is shifted to AC
Base Attack/Grapple+21/+24
AttackDesert Scourge +34 melee (1d6+16/15–20) or jambiya +25 melee (1d4+3/19–20) or light crossbow +25 ranged (1d8/19–20)
Full AttackDesert Scourge +34/+29/+24/+19 melee (1d6+16/15–20)
Space/Reach5 ft./5 ft.
Special AttacksWhirlwind attack, improved feint, improved disarm
SavesFort +15, Ref +11, Will +11
AbilitiesStr 16, Dex 18, Con 15, Int 13, Wis 15, Cha 14
SkillsDiplomacy +10, Handle Animal +28, Intimidate +28, Ride +32, Survival +7
FeatsCombat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Dodge, Greater Weapon Focus (scimitar), Greater Weapon Specialization (scimitar), Improved Critical (scimitar), Improved Disarm, Improved Feint, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Leadership, Mobility, Mounted Combat, Quick Draw, Spring Attack, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (scimitar), Weapon Specialization (scimitar), Whirlwind Attack
Epic FeatsEpic Weapon Focus (scimitar), Epic Weapon Specialization (scimitar)
LanguagesMidani, Common

Whirlwind Attack: As a full-round action, Razan makes one melee attack at his full bonus against every opponent within reach.
Improved Feint: He can feint in combat (Bluff against the foe's Sense Motive) as a move action, denying the foe its Dexterity bonus against his next attack. This is his Display Weapon Prowess.
Leadership: The warmasters of the Order of the Tiger serve as his cohort and followers; the order's 10,000 mamluks answer to him as their commander, beyond what the feat covers.

Desert Scourge: A +5 defending scimitar. At the start of his turn Razan can shift some or all of its +5 to his Armor Class until his next turn (included above).

Possessions: Desert Scourge (jeweled), bracers of armor +8, flying carpet, jambiya (dagger), light crossbow with 20 bolts, bronze helm of Zakharan design, white silk aba.

Conversion notes (how conversions are made):

  • His 2e Fighter 23 becomes Fighter 23 under the Epic Level Handbook. His base attack bonus is +20 plus a +1 epic attack bonus, and his saves include a +1 epic save bonus.
  • Grand mastery of the scimitar becomes the Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats, their Greater and Epic versions, and Improved Critical. Weapon Finesse lets his Dexterity 18 set his attack bonus. Single weapon style becomes Combat Expertise, Dodge and Improved Disarm.
  • His bracers of defence AC +8 become bracers of armor +8, and the defender +5 becomes a +5 defending scimitar. His AC is 22, or 27 with the sword's bonus shifted to AC, both the same as his 2e entry.
  • The khopesh has no core 3.5 version, so that proficiency isn't converted; his jambiya is a dagger.
  • Riding (land and camel) becomes Ride, Handle Animal and Mounted Combat; Tactics and his command of Qudra's forces become Leadership; Bureaucracy becomes Diplomacy. His 2e Mamluk kit has no 3.5 equivalent.

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Medium Humanoid (Human), Fighter (Champion) 20, Lawful Neutral

Provisional conversion, awaiting review by DamienRahl.

Armor Class16 (bracers of defense); up to 19 with Desert Scourge
Hit Points164 (20d10+40)
Speed40 ft. (includes Mobile)
AbilitiesStr 16 (+3), Dex 18 (+4), Con 15 (+2), Int 13 (+1), Wis 15 (+2), Cha 14 (+2)
Saving ThrowsStr +9, Con +8
SkillsAnimal Handling +8, Athletics +9, Intimidation +8, Survival +8
ToolsDice set, vehicles (land)
SensesPassive Perception 12
LanguagesCommon, Midani
BackgroundSoldier
FeatsAlert, Defensive Duelist, Inspiring Leader, Martial Adept, Mobile, Mounted Combatant, Savage Attacker
Proficiency Bonus+6

Fighting Styles (Dueling, Archery): +2 damage with a one-handed melee weapon when he holds no other weapon, and +2 to hit with ranged weapons (both included below).
Extra Attack (3): Razan attacks four times when he takes the Attack action.
Action Surge (2/Rest, once per turn), Second Wind (1/Rest), Indomitable (3/Day).
Superior Critical: His weapon attacks score a critical hit on a roll of 18–20.
Remarkable Athlete: He adds +3 to Strength, Dexterity and Constitution checks he isn't proficient in (initiative included), and his running long jumps reach 3 feet farther.
Survivor: At the start of each of his turns, if he has no more than half his hit points left (and at least 1), he regains 7 hit points.
Defensive Duelist: When wielding Desert Scourge, he adds +6 to his AC against one melee attack as a reaction.
Martial Adept: Menacing Attack and Riposte, with one d6 superiority die (regained on a short or long rest, save DC 18). Menacing Attack is his Display Weapon Prowess.
Initiative: +12 (Dexterity +4, Alert +5, Remarkable Athlete +3); Alert also means he can't be surprised while conscious.

Actions
Desert Scourge (+3 Scimitar): Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (1d6+9) slashing damage. Once per turn, Savage Attacker lets him reroll the weapon's damage dice and use either total.
Jambiya (Dagger): Melee or Ranged Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft. or range 20/60 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d4+6) piercing damage in melee, or 6 (1d4+4) thrown.
Light Crossbow: Ranged Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, range 80/320 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8+4) piercing damage.

Legendary Prowess (for his levels above 20th):
Legendary Resistance (1/Day): If Razan fails a saving throw, he can choose to succeed instead.
Legendary Actions (3/Round): Razan can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature's turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
  Attack. Razan makes one attack with Desert Scourge.
  Commander's Call. One ally within 60 feet who can hear him can use its reaction to make one weapon attack.
  Tiger's Whirl (Costs 2 Actions). Razan makes one attack with Desert Scourge against each creature of his choice within 5 feet of him.

Desert Scourge (weapon (scimitar), legendary, requires attunement): A defender scimitar: +3 to attack and damage rolls, and at the start of each of his turns he can move some or all of that bonus to his AC until his next turn.

Possessions: Desert Scourge (jeweled), bracers of defense, carpet of flying, jambiya (dagger), light crossbow with 20 bolts, bronze helm of Zakharan design, white silk aba, dice set.

Conversion notes (how conversions are made):

  • His 2e Fighter 23 is built as a 20th-level Champion, with a +6 proficiency bonus. Legendary Resistance and legendary actions stand in for his other three levels; they are new to this conversion.
  • Champion's widened critical range matches his unmatched skill with a single blade. The Soldier background reflects his life as a mamluk.
  • His seven Ability Score Improvements all go to feats, so his ability scores stay as in his 2e entry. Defensive Duelist and the Dueling style cover his single weapon style; Martial Adept his Display Weapon Prowess; Mounted Combatant his riding; Inspiring Leader his command of the Order of the Tiger.
  • 5e weapons stop at +3, so Desert Scourge is the 5e defender, a legendary item, as a scimitar.
  • 5e bracers of defense give only +2 AC, so his AC is lower than in 2e. 5e has no khopesh, and his Bureaucracy and Tactics proficiencies aren't converted.

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Description: Razan is a middle aged man with gentle features. His skin is pale by local standards and his short jet black hair only serves to emphasize this fact. His piercing blue eyes are framed by a network of intricate facial tattoes (the markings of his station) that meander across his forehead and form a tiger on his left cheek. He is of average build with solid muscle tone. He is most often seen wearing a white silk aba and a bronze helm of Zakharan design. He wears his jeweled scimitar at his belt and keeps a jambiya hidden within the folds of his aba.

Personality: While Razan's appearance might suggest a gentle demeanor, he is quite the opposite. He is disciplined, focused and unyielding. He commands nothing but the best from himself and his soldiers. He treats his superiors with a contemptuous respect, knowing that he could cut them down so fast that their rediculous grins would be forever etched on their faces. Only his honor prevents him from rebelling against his masters and claiming the life of a free man. He has an insatiable love of artwork and women. As a figure of power in the city of Qudra his seed is in great demand. If fathers bring the artwork, Razan gladly takes the women.

Game Uses: Razan is the unquestionable master of the scimitar. His skill level far exceeds any mans. He has progressed far in the relatively short span of his life. Razan is the Leader of the military forces in Qudra, city of Power. Although he is legally a slave, he enjoys a large degree of personal freedom. He is an unforgiving task master and those who would seek his tutelage should beware. Provided that he has the time, Razan will train individuals who wish to become masters of the blade. His fee for such training is not small. He demands a piece of artwork from a foreign land valued at over 1,000gp. This he puts in his personnal collection. To compensate his Lord, Razan requires all his trainees to serve in the Qudra military for one year.

History: Razan was born Razan ibn Alia (son of Alia). He was a bastard. His father being an unknown corsair from the north; his mother Alia, a serving wench in a local brothel. Alia had discovered her pregnancy too late, unable to root out her unborn child, she was forced to carry it until birth. She lost her job at the brothel and so Razan was born in a filthy alley down by the docks of Hiyal. Angered over the hardships of her life and blaming her newborn son, she sold her son into slavery and used the money to restart her life. She never lived through the first night, an enterprising thief took her money, took her and left her for dead.

The boy was taken to the slave pens of Hiyal. A rare thing to find a slave so young, he was bought by an enterprising trader from Qudra. The trader gave the babe over to his daughter to care for and raise. The caravan first headed south to Huzuz, the City of Delights collecting more slaves for trade in the North. Razan was two by the time he reached Qudra and fetched a fair price in the slave bazaar. He was sold to Thali ibn Harlu, a dwarf of considerable standing and within a year was serving as a paige. Two years he spent with Thali. Impressed with the boys intelligence and convinced of his physical capabilites, Thali enlisted Razan into the Order of the Tiger, an elite training center for the mamluk warriors. Razan fared well in the first years. He excelled beyond his classmates in all areas of combat. He absorbed the teachings of the masters like a voracious tiger.

In his tenth year at the academy, he began filed excercises. The patrols ventured forth on land and sea to better train their warriors. Razan was repeatedly frustrated in these early campaigns. The mamluk ranks are rigidly maintained, experience and capability far outway any sort of persoanl popularity. Razan being young was not given the oppurtunities he desired. On their way back from a particularly long venture into teh High desert, Razan was given his chance. He was sent as the scout for the party and soon found a peculiar trail crossing their route. He followed the trail over several dunes before he came across a small encampment. They were bandits, horses bearing the Emir's brand were tethered to a large stake and they talked openly about their succesful raid. With grim determination, Razan drew his scimitar and made ready to attack. He managed to kill two before arousing any suspition. Two more fell before the bandits could organize but he soon found himself outnumbered and outflanked by sixteen men. His patrol saved his life, they had followed his trail and charged into the ranks of the bandits with undbridled fury. In the confusion, Razan took down four more men dazzling them with feats of swordplay. He beamed with pride over his discovery and his success in the attack. His initiative was rewared and he recieved a horse from the Emir for his reward.

Razan's audacity grew even greater as he got older. His skill with the blade was unmatched and he seemed to improve daily. Trained by the warmasters of the Order of the Tiger, he soon surpassed even their considerable knowledge. He was given a command and made enemies of pirates and bandits alike taking to the water and the desert in pursuit of those who would wrong his city and his Emir. In the great barbarian raid upon Qudra, Razan became local legend, his skill with the blade is said to have dropped some fifty warriors. He assumed control of the forces when his mentor and leader was killed on the battle field. His poise and control in the face of overwhelming odds led the great city of Qudra to victory.

Razan was granted the title Abiad Nimr, the White Tiger. For the first time in his life, he no longer felt like he was a slave. The dwarf who had purchased him those many years ago was elected Emir of Qudra following the attack of the barbarians and Razan pledged his devotion to him for the oppurtunity that he had been given. His position was secured as the Leader of the Order of the Tiger. His influence soon extended beyond Qudra's great walls to many of the other Zakharan cities.

Allies:
The Order of the Tiger (10,000 1st level mamluk warriors), Emir Thali of Qudra (dwarf m; F5), Rashid (he m; W18), Zebula (human f; W15)

Enemies:
Tulith (1/2orc m; F16/T14) Leader of the Pirates of Schamosch; Galeex al' Ubin Nem (human m; F22) Mamluk leader of the city of Huzuz.


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Original content ©1999–2001 Brian D Swedorski. New content ©2025–2026 Jeff. User-submitted material remains the property of its respective authors.