Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
AMAZON ADVENTURES
Table of Contents Part One: Amazon Adventures Int...
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Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
AMAZON ADVENTURES
Table of Contents Part One: Amazon Adventures Introduction Why Amazon Adventures? Who Exactly Were the Amazons? Amazons: Race or Culture? Amazon Archetypes The Amazon Perspective Amazons and Their Relationships with Men Differences Between Amazons and Non-Amazon Women Goddesses and Deities of the Amazons Amazon Styled Campaigns Amazons By Any Other Name New Feats Amazon Archery Amazon Fighting Amazon Initiative Amazon Riding Amazon Strike New Prestige Classes Amazon Ambassador Amazon Archer Amazon Defender Amazon Horse Whisperer Amazon Scout Part Two: The Maidenheim Campaign Introduction The Races Character Classes Religions and Deities New Divine Spells Languages Currencies Weapons and Armor Available Armors Table Magic in Maidenheim Men as Characters in Maidenheim Humanoids and Monsters Using Maidenheim With Other Campaign Settings Index References Developed By: S.T. Kearney Written By: S.T. Kearney Typesetting and Formatting: S.T. Kearney Editing: S.T. Kearney Cover Art: Les Evans
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3-4 5 5-7 7 7-8 8-9 9-10 10-12 12 12-13 13-14 14 14-15 15 15 15 15-16 16 16-18 18-19 19-21 21-23 24-24 26 27 28-32 32-34 35-49 49-50 51-52 52-53 53-57 57-58 58-59 59-61 61-62 63 65 66-67
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
The man who stands at a strange threshold should be cautious before he cross it, glance this way and that: who knows beforehand what foes may sit awaiting him in the hall? -The Havamal
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn™, Amazon Adventures™, and Skald Books™ © 2001 S.T. Kearney. All rights reserved. Dungeons and Dragons® and the d20 System™ © 2001 Wizards of the Coast. All rights reserved. 'd20 System' and the 'd20 System' logo are Trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast and are used according to the terms of the d20 System License version 1.0. A copy of this License can be found at www.wizards.com. Cover art © Les Evans. Due to mature themes, reader discretion is advised.
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INTRODUCTION Some tell a story how the Amazonian women dislocate the joints of their male children while mere infants, some at the knee, and others at the hip-joint, that they may be maimed, and that the male sex may not conspire against the female, and that they use them as artisans to perform any sedentary work… -
Hippocrates, On the Articulations, Part 53, written 400 B.C.E.
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Amazon Adventures
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WHY AMAZON ADVENTURES?
sign of a real threat they will flee or surrender.
This may seem like a question not worth
Is it merely coincidence then that warrior
addressing, but it is an important one to
women are presented only as being a slight
consider and even respond to. Put quite simply,
threat as warriors, and that by relying upon the
the first and most obvious answer is because it
belief that women are “the weaker sex” they are
has never been done before. The answer
drawn in a fashion that may be designed to
extends beyond that, however.
remind us of this?
Women have not truly been represented
In any case, Amazon Adventures should help
throughout history as being capable as
game masters and even players to portray not
warriors, and even what credit they are given is
only Amazon women, but non-Amazon women
always done so in a way to serve as second-
who also happen to be warriors far more fairly
rate when they are compared to men of the
and accurately, with more of a sense of what it
same trade. Should a woman happen to best a
is to be a dignified human than it is to be a
man in a martial contest, he is nearly always
battle-hardened warrior. With this sourcebook,
mocked for being “less of a man,” or more
you will at least have a handy reference that will
accurately, being more like a woman himself. In
certainly add a new sense of depth to these
this regard, not only is he the object of scorn
largely misunderstood and unfairly judged
and ridicule, the woman is also being placed in a
women.
situation of having her own credit and triumph belittled as well. If the man she had achieved
WHO EXACTLY WERE THE AMAZONS?
victory over truly “been a man,” it is thought to
The Amazons were women who lived outside
be certain that she would have lost, with no contest.
of and apart from the larger societies ruled by
In art, particularly paintings and drawings,
as 2000 B.C.E. Although there is some
men in the Ancient World, dating back as far archaeological evidence that indicates there
women are still portrayed as objects of
certainly were tribes of women warriors who
affection even if they are supposed to be
existed during this time period, most of what is
warriors. Sure, artists will draw these women in
known about them has been passed onto us
armor, wielding a sword or a weapon and
through myth, legend, and speculation rather
conquering and overcoming some beast or a
than concrete evidence.
man. Yes, she is a warrior, but she will nearly always be wearing armored underwear, or armor
Since there are many such stories that tell us
that exposes and even enhances her feminine
what the people of the Ancient World thought
form rather than protecting it. Either that, or
about the Amazons, it is difficult to say exactly
she will be naked, fully exposed and vulnerable.
who they were. Some stories portray them as
People have a tendency to behave in a way
haters of men who would fight with and kill
that they will only conquer that which they feel
those who they could find, sometimes after
does not represent a danger to them,
mating with any male prisoners of war. Some
something vulnerable or weak, and at the first
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certainly could have been this violent, but there
establishing economic and mating relations.
are also stories that tell of the Amazons
The only time these Amazons would have
approaching Greek cities under a banner of
prepared for war would have been when
truce so that they could conceive children. The
territorial disputes with their neighbors became
fate of these children would also be different
evident, or when political or perceived
according to the particular story or the teller of
misunderstandings influenced one side or the
the tale. In one version, the Amazons would
other to attack. At these times, the Amazons
either return the male infants to the Greek
would rightly defend their territory as any
communities, while others would raise them as
nation would, or they would invade their
domestic servants or even slaves. Some would
enemies until either side won a decisive victory.
be killed outright.
The way the myths present the Amazons, however, generally shows these women as the
What can be said about them with certainty is
victors until the Greeks had one of their
that they were definitely not the women they
mythical heroes to protect them. These types
were “supposed” to be according to the social
of Amazons would have been the ones most
expectations of their day. They were thought
likely to maintain good, if distant relationships
to be a separate race of warriors
with the Greeks so long as no actions were
extraordinaire, with the blood of the war god
taken to invade their territory or to threaten
Ares in their veins. Along with their prowess in
their way of life.
battle came extreme courage and the determination to conquer adversity without
The worst relations the Ancient world would
hesitation or fail. With the belief that the
have had with the Amazons is that of these
Amazons had divine origins, it is easy to
women remaining a constant and lingering
understand why the myths portrayed them as
threat just over the horizon. Whenever the
nearly invincible, and why no mortal man could
Amazons were in need of men to mate with, or
defeat them while divine or blessed heroes like
perhaps for the wealth of an unsuspecting
Hercules and Achilles could.
community the Amazons would attack, plunder, and raid their neighbors to simply take what
It can also be assumed that there were several
they needed or wanted. With this perception,
different possibilities by which the Amazons
the Amazons would represent a similar threat
interacted with the male-dominated world
to the Greeks as the Huns were to the
around them. The best relations the Amazons
Romans in a later era. These types of
would have had with their neighbors would have
Amazons are likely the ones that earned them
been that of separatists or largely matriarchic
all the fierce and crueler reputations that we
tribes and communities that shared roles
are familiar with today.
equally between men and women, keeping to themselves and to their own territory. With
When using Amazons in your campaign, it will
their own functioning governments to rule their
be necessary to determine exactly what kind of
communities, there was likely to have been
relationships these women will have with the
some form of diplomacy between nearby tribes
rest of the campaign setting. Will they be
and the rest of the Greek world, perhaps for
violent and aggressive tribes of raiders, or small
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communities of separatists and isolationists
race permitted within the campaign. These
who largely wish to be left alone? Will they be
types of Amazons are cultural Amazons, which
somewhere in between? Knowing who these
would require them to live in areas where they
women are, what they think of the world around
would be somewhat isolated from the rest of
them, and how the rest of the world sees them
the campaign world that is likely dominated by
will give you and your players better ideas on
men and where women have variable degrees of
how to role-play Amazon NPCs and
power. Hidden valleys, mountain cities, and
characters.
thick jungles or forests would likely conceal
their communities and shield them and their way
AMAZONS: RACE OR CULTURE?
of life from the rest of the known world.
Since the Amazons were often believed to
AMAZON ARCHETYPES
have been a separate but human-like race that
Amazon mentality is largely misunderstood and
possessed some divine qualities, it will also be
often stereotyped. To many, she is a hater of
important to decide if the Amazons in your
men, a mere bitch lashing out with contempt
campaigns are also somewhat of a superhuman
akin to a bully. This is an unfair judgment,
race of warrior women, or merely mortal women
however, even if there are real women who do
who have developed into Amazon cultures.
behave in such an aggressive, rude, and foolish
Since giving the Amazons enhanced abilities
manner. It is appropriate to say that Amazons
and powers could give them an unfair
likely possessed the same variety of
advantage over the other races, it will have to
personalities that non-Amazon women and
be up to the game master to decide if she wants
even men did, from the rude and the cruel to the
to permit her Amazons to have any special
compassionate and the gentle. Some
powers or adjustments to their abilities. Good
Amazons certainly would have behaved as
examples include bonuses to their ability
bullies due to simple maliciousness, fear, or
scores such as Strength, Dexterity, and
misunderstandings, while others would have
Constitution, or perhaps free feats, attack
possessed a degree of wisdom, patience, and
bonuses, or extra ranks in skills relating to
tact despite acknowledging the differences
combat or war. Perhaps they could also have
between themselves and others, particularly
bonuses to initiative, extra beginning Hit Dice,
between themselves and men.
or other ways to enhance their performance and survival in battle. If the game master wishes
These personality differences would also have
for her Amazons to remain NPCs, then she
affected the Amazons within their own
can develop them as a separate monster race,
communities. Some Amazons would have seen
leaving their abilities a surprise for the players
themselves as better than their fellow sisters,
to discover on their own.
regardless of any truth to the contrary. Rivalries, jealousies, and treachery would be
If the game master decides that she would
just as possible between Amazons as they
rather have the Amazons in her campaign
would have been in any other Greek tragedy.
simply be just like the rest of the other races
The queens were likely the wisest of the
physically, then her Amazons can be of any
Amazons as well as the most charismatic,
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capable of keeping the rest of their sisters in
under Amazon scrutiny, and many Amazons
order.
could have felt that they were more complete as
In your campaign, detailing any significant
a people or race than the rest of the men and
social affects these differences in personalities
women of the Ancient World. The very idea of
may have within the Amazon communities
a woman being the warrior, an archer, or a
should also be addressed. Amazon
powerful and respected queen, as well as a
communities are likely to be relatively small
nurturing mother at the same time were all a
villages rather than large cities and nations in
part of the Amazon being a woman, while the
most campaigns, and the varying personality
rest of the women of Greece were defined as
conflicts and factions between these Amazons
women according to the roles largely
are likely to affect them all. When one Amazon
determined by the men who controlled the
warrior speaks against her queen for not going
society. The Amazons lived their own lives as
to war with the men of a neighboring community
they pleased, fulfilling their potential as a
due to a perceived offense or encroachment
people without any outside or overbearing
upon their territory, there are numerous
interference and resistance by men. The rest
opportunities for intrigue, infighting, and civil
of the women throughout the Ancient World
war within a single Amazon community.
were not raised to think that they could or
should live in such a way.
THE AMAZON PERSPECTIVE
This solid perspective on who they were and
It cannot be said precisely how these women
what they thought of themselves is likely to
would have seen themselves in relation to the
have given the Amazons their reputation for
world around them. There are several
“not being women” since they did not fall within
assumptions that can be made, however, since
the expectations that men believed women
they did share many of the same qualities and
should be confined to. In the modern world,
experiences that male warriors did during the same period of time.
very athletic women often receive a taste of this
The Amazon would have absolutely thought
women. Yes, even other women who had given
as well, from both men and more “feminine” in to and accepted their roles under the rule of
that she was truly what a woman was meant to
men would have likely found the Amazon an
be. She would have possessed feminine traits
outsider, and were likely to think of the
that were found in women, but she also would
Amazon as being “less of a woman” and more
have shared many of the same masculine
like a man than anything else.
qualities that were found within men. To the Amazon, the role of warrior was just as much
When playing Amazons in your campaign, it
the woman’s place as it would have been a
would be most accurate to give these women
man’s in Greece, and this model of womanhood
qualities found in both women and men.
was just the way things were and even expected
Women can certainly be courageous, even if
by the Amazons. Due to this, women in the
courage in battle is largely seen as belonging to
Ancient World who lived under the rule of men
men alone. Yet the Amazon would possess this
were also likely to have been seen as somewhat
form of courage and still remain a woman for it
“lacking” in womanly qualities when viewed
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in her own eyes, and perhaps be more of one
these types of Amazons that we hear stories
without losing any of her femininity. She would
of Amazonian mothers crippling their male
certainly be a capable and vicious combatant,
infants so they cannot grow up to be stronger
yet still possess a sense of humor, compassion
than women, or so that they could not
for friends, or even mercy for enemies willing to
effectively use weapons against them. These
surrender. Play her as a complete human or
Amazons would have raised their sons as
demihuman being rather than how you might
domestic servants or slaves, forbidding them
think a “woman” would act, and you will likely
from partaking in roles within an Amazonian
see the Amazon as she truly felt that she was.
society that they would have otherwise been
Keep in mind that our personality traits and
able to pursue in another culture.
emotions like courage, determination, bravery, compassion, and ambition are not gender
At both extremes, and likely everywhere
specific. Amazon women embraced them just as
between, the Amazon would still see men as
readily as men did; they were simply not blinded
capable warriors, far more of a threat than the
by predefined and limited gender roles.
women who lived under them. Amazonian
women certainly knew that men could kill them,
AMAZONS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WITH MEN
and due to this they did not treat them as being
It should not be overlooked how Amazons
inferior in war. If the stories of crippling were true, it would indicate that the Amazons even
would perceive men in the campaign as well.
feared the greater strength of men. The
The most obvious perception about men that
Amazons were also too wise to allow any
these women would have is a disdain for male-
contempt they may have had for men to blind
dominated societies, cultures, and
them to what they could accomplish in war.
governments, although the degree to which this
Men were likely seen as the best and most
contempt exists would vary between Amazon
challenging opponents that Amazons could
tribes or even individual women. At best, the
have faced in battle, and the opportunity to
Amazon would only have contempt for those
achieve glory and valor in a war against such an
men and societies that did not permit women to
enemy would have been just as much a symbol
live as they chose, and to partake in the roles
of their own greatness as women as men would
of those societies at an equal level to men.
feel against an enemy they also felt was worthy.
This would make her somewhat of a feminist, although the myths and legends of the
What would have helped the Amazons greatly
Amazons do not necessarily tell stories of
in their battles against men is the simple fact
Amazons attempting to liberate women living
that they were capable of instilling doubt within
under a socially oppressive rule. The most
them. It has been a long tradition among men
severe examples of Amazonian spite would be
that “any man who strikes or kills a woman is a
along the lines of sexism, hating all men just for
coward”. This may certainly sound noble, but
being men rather than having contempt for their
think of where it likely evolves from; “women are
actions. These Amazons would have likely felt
weak and incapable of protecting themselves
that Woman should rule the world, and that
against or defeating men.” There is a subtle
Man’s place was to serve her or die. It is from
slap in the face behind this otherwise
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compassionate and protective tradition, and
Amazons who inspired the myths did live with
the men who faced the Amazons would have
men in a truly equal society rather than a strict
been placed into a position to have that belief
matriarchy. The most recognizable story of an
challenged. These women were warriors
Amazon in love is that of Queen Hippolyta
through and through, and even though they
falling for Hercules, stating that if he could
could have felt fear in battle just as men did,
beat her in a wrestling match she would share
these women would not surrender to it just for
her bed and heart with him. Despite their
being women. Their courage at the very least
ferocity in war, Amazon women were no
matched that of the men who they fought with,
strangers to matters of the heart, and it
but when these men realized that they were
shouldn’t be assumed that they would all
facing women any doubts they would have felt
abuse, berate, and belittle men out of spite.
about the women and themselves were likely to
When deciding just how Amazons will respond
have progressed into hesitation and fear. If the
to men on more intimate levels, it would be
men attacked the Amazons, their own tradition
plausible and even expected that these women
branded them as cowards for fighting a
could and would fall in love with men who they
“weaker” enemy. If the men were killed, they
felt were their equals and were willing to
risked being mocked in their deaths for being
reciprocate the sentiments. There is no way
slain by “mere women.” If the Amazons won the
that an Amazon would tolerate abuse at the
battle or the war, would others ridicule the men
hands of a man, nor would she be likely to
who lost, claiming that they were “lesser men?”
tolerate for long any man who could not stand
This conflict of perceptions and the fear of
up for himself when faced with confrontation.
being disgraced would absolutely work to the
benefit of the Amazons. The men were much
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AMAZONS AND NONAMAZON WOMEN
more likely to be blinded by their arrogance and attack carelessly, expecting an easy
Many women in the modern world feel that they
victory and being fatally surprised by the
can be Amazons or that they already are, but
Amazons’ capabilities. Some would also
despite their admiration of the Amazons’
hesitate and hold back in battle by adhering to
courage and determination to live as she
a misplaced sense of compassion. Many of the
pleases, the closest most women will ever come
myths involving Amazons tell of their victories rather than their defeats.
to being an Amazon is in name. This is not
Even though many Amazons were known for
illustrate the differences between Amazons
meant as an insult, but merely a means to and non-Amazonian women and the influences
their hatred of men, these women also knew
under which they both live.
what love was as well. Since their villages and cities are often portrayed as being largely
One of the most important factors in
populated by women, many assume that
determining who we are is the society and
Amazons are all homosexuals, mating with men
culture we grow up in. From our childhoods,
only when it is necessary to have a child. This
both men and women are essentially raised to
certainly wouldn’t be true for all Amazons, and
believe that “men are this” and “women are
it may have been a possibility that the
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that” and that anything outside or beyond
The Amazon is raised in an entirely different
This is how we are raised in our world, and it is
place and right to be a warrior or a leader of
just as likely how men and women are raised in
women and even men. There would have been
your role-playing campaigns as well. This fact
absolutely no inhibitions set into her at an early
leads to the point that Amazons are not just
age by her mother or community that would
women warriors, and that all women warriors are
have conditioned her not to pursue the arts of
not necessarily Amazons.
war, archery, or riding into battle with her
these expectations is “not a man or a woman.”
world. She would feel no doubts as to her
sisters. Amazonian mothers would never have
said to their daughters “you can’t do that, war
Certainly, a peasant woman raised in a male-
is a man’s duty” or other similar statements
dominated culture could pursue a life of adventure, attain great skill with a sword or
designed to mold the mind of a child. As the
other weapon, conquer a kingdom by her own
Amazon grows older, by the time she attains
hand, lead armies into battle, and not at all
the same age as our peasant woman she will be
conform to what the rest of her world would
far more accepting of her role as a warrior,
expect of a peasant woman. Would this
including against the men who would still see
necessarily make her an Amazon? For the
her otherwise. The peasant woman will be
purposes of Amazon Adventures, the answer
further behind from a psychological standpoint
to this question is no. Even if our peasant
than the Amazon woman, with the likelihood of
woman became a capable warrior akin to Joan
her ever attaining the same sense of self that
of Arc, this woman will likely spend her entire
the Amazon possesses being extremely slim.
life trying to fulfill the need to prove herself to
Unlike the peasant woman who must always
the men who do not feel she can be as skilled or
seek to conquer her own sense of self and
as capable as they are at the same tasks. An
doubts, the Amazon has already done so by an
approach to life such as this is always centered
early age.
on self-doubt, fear, and shame to some degree, with the lingering thought of “what if everyone
These differences bring up another
This does not mean that our peasant woman
about non-Amazonian women? Although some
cannot overcome these psychological
may certainly think of them as women who have
obstacles or accomplish many great and heroic
more to learn, many Amazons are just as likely
deeds in her lifetime, but these doubts will
to have a degree of contempt for them, seeing
follow her the entirety of her life since they
them as lesser women without a true sense of
have been placed inside of her by the society
self and an absence in dignity. This is a direct
into which she was raised. This type of woman
comparison to attitudes found in both men and
is likely to become her own worst enemy,
women in the real world. Men sometimes feel
holding herself back from a potential that the
that they are “more of a man” if they excel
society she is a part of does not desire her to
other men at a particular task, expressing
achieve. She lives her life always seeking to
contempt and ridicule toward other men they
overcome not just the world around her, but
feel are lacking. Women do the same also, even
herself as well.
over such things as beauty and the size of their
else is right” somewhere in the back of her mind.
consideration; just how would an Amazon feel
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breasts. Many Amazons would not get along
perhaps fertility and virginity as well. The
too well with non-Amazonian women because
traditional goddesses of Greece can be used
of these conflicting behaviors, and any feelings
since we are familiar with them, as they will give
they have for these women would likely be
the Amazons an easily recognizable identity.
directed back at them also.
On the other hand, game masters are encouraged to either create entirely new
For role-playing purposes, these will be
deities for the Amazons in her campaign to
important considerations to think about when
worship, or even borrow goddesses from other
the game master and the players of female
religions and myths. Running into a tribe of
characters decides who is an Amazon and who
Amazons that worship a goddess of death and
is not. Amazon Adventures assumes that
necromancy can certainly present adventurers
Amazons will not be women who have to
with a different type of adversary than the
struggle to overcome themselves and the
traditional Amazon warriors would.
expectations that the societies and cultures in
which they live demand of them. This will likely
AMAZON STYLED CAMPAIGNS
lead Amazonian cultures to exist beyond the
The stories of the Amazons portray these
larger part of the campaign world that the rest
women as being a minority, controlling several
of the players will develop their characters
small tribal cities and villages and ruling
from. Women raised outside of an Amazon culture will not be Amazons.
territories that, although large enough on their
GODDESSES AND DEITIES OF THE AMAZONS
known world. The encroachment of male-
Much like the rest of the people of the
or assimilated any real societies that the
own, were always dwarfed by the rest of the dominated cultures is likely to have conquered
Ancient World, the Amazons worshipped
Amazons were based upon, which would
gods that represented some important aspect
certainly explain why the Amazons are often
of their day-to-day lives. Amazons were
portrayed as vicious and cruel enemies; they
primarily known for their skill at war and
were so cruel in war largely because they were
hunting, leading them to hold the traditional
struggling to defend their way of life.
Greek goddesses of Artemis, Hera, and Athena as deities they worshipped. The
When using Amazons in your campaign, it will
goddess Cybele or Rhea was also a very
be important to decide if the campaign will
prominent deity among the Amazons. The
either be entirely based upon the adventures
Greek pantheon is filled with several dozen
of Amazon women, or if Amazon women will
major and minor goddesses, all of who likely
simply be represented as foreigners in the
received some degree of prayer and worship by
campaign world as players or non-payer
the Amazons.
characters. Campaigns centered entirely within Amazon territories can contain adventuring
Amazons in your campaign should also worship
parties made up entirely of these women,
a variety of goddesses and deities that center
perhaps with a single man or two who has come
around warfare, horses, hunting, archery, and
from beyond their lands. Amazons can face the
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same challenges that other characters face in
them into stories where an Amazon and a male
their own worlds; rampaging monsters, disputes
character fall in love, while his home nation
between Amazon tribes, cities, and queens,
decides to go to war with the Amazons.
and the encroachment of foreign men or humanoids into their territory that threaten to
No matter how you decide to use Amazons in
destroy their way of life are all excellent
your campaign, it will make no difference
backgrounds and themes for campaigns based
whether or not they are player characters or
entirely around Amazons. Maidenheim is an
NPCs. These women will certainly provide
example of this style of campaign,
game masters and players alike with endless
incorporating all three of these elements as an
hours of excitement and role-playing memories.
exciting background for the setting.
Should only one or two players decide to take
AMAZONS BY ANY OTHER NAME Should you decide to use Amazons in your
on the role of Amazon characters, then they
campaign as player characters or when
will likely be the outsiders who have left their
developing Amazon territories in the campaign
homeland seeking adventures and glory in the
world, it may also be worth the effort to decide
lands of men. Whether or not they left by their
exactly what they will be called, both by the
own choice or due to banishment for some
Amazons themselves and by outsiders. The
crime is up to the player and the game master,
word Amazon itself is a Greek word that
but it will certainly provide the adventuring
loosely translates into “without breast,”
party with a bit of cultural flavor as well as
although this is certainly a figurative
plenty of great opportunities for role-playing
description of these women rather than a
when their perspectives, expectations, and beliefs clash with those of the outside world.
physical one. According to the legends, even
The game master may also decide to
Amazons, but the women who inspired these
these women referred to themselves as myths may have had other names for
incorporate Amazons as NPCs into an
themselves, feeling no similar identity with
existing campaign world by sending his players
“Amazons” from other regions. The
to their lands in the course of one of their
Thermodontine Amazons may not have
adventures. Perhaps the Amazons are
considered themselves allies or friends with the
guarding a magical artifact that the players
Gorgon Amazons. Perhaps they simply called
need to end a threat in their own lands, and
themselves Thermodonts, while it was only the
they have to either bargain with or steal the
Greeks who coined the word Amazon to
artifact from the Amazons. Maybe they have
describe them.
to pass through Amazon lands in order to reach a particular destination, and can either
Maidenheim shows an example of Amazons by
request that the Amazons assist them or seek
different names. The word Amazon is only
to avoid their wrath for invading their territory.
used to describe the setting and the women,
There are several Greek myths of Amazons
and is not used at all by these women or the
falling in love with men, and game masters who
men who have encountered them. The women
have players who enjoy role-playing can lead
13
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
don’t think to call themselves anything other
these feats, since they are designed
than their national or regional names, such as
specifically for Amazons. Remember, not every
Aegonian or Mesonian. The name of their
woman warrior is necessarily an Amazon, and it
continent is Marpesia, not Amazonia as may
is suggested that non-Amazon women not be
be expected, and they call the entirety of the
allowed to take these feats at all unless they
world Scythae. The men who have begun to
are willing to have spent a good number of
encounter them refer to them as walkurie, a
years living among the Amazons and casting
variant spelling of Valkyrie from the Norse
away their entire upbringing in the culture they
myths. This is due to their mistaking them for
were raised in.
the Valkyrie spirits who lead the fallen warriors to Valhalla. Ignorant of the name by which
Some of these feats rely upon the arrogance
Marpesia has always been called, these men
of men who feel that women will never be as
have taken to calling the lands Walkuria due to
good as they are in combat. The game master
their misunderstanding. In this manner, the word
should decide which NPCs fit into these roles,
Amazon does not need to exist in the setting
and should consider the behavior of a
at all, but the women who dwell there are
particular player character should he confront
certainly Amazons by our definition.
an Amazon. Even if a player vehemently states that his character respects women as warriors
Taking the time to develop some unique names
after he has mocked, ridiculed, or insulted them
for Amazons in your campaign will certainly
for being women, the game master is well within
add some diversity to them, but there is no
her rights to say that he will be exactly the type
need to stop with a name. Give these women of
of man to fall victim to these feats. As long as
different tribes and nations separate and
his behavior remains biased, obnoxious, and
distinct cultures and even ethnicities and races.
chauvinistic against women, it is suggested that he will always fall victim to them, refusing to
Maidenheim achieves this by detailing Amazon cultures based on not just the Greeks and the
learn from his errors in judgment.
Romans, but also the Celtic and Germanic tribes, the Ancient Egyptians, the African
Since these feats may mirror or duplicate feats
Kushites and Nubians, the Persians and other
presented in other d20 sourcebooks, game
Middle Eastern nations, and even Asia and
masters are free to use whichever ones they
India. The added cultural diversity will greatly
choose.
enhance the overall campaign, and give
Amazon characters an unmistakable identity
Amazon Archery
that may otherwise be lacking in other
!
campaigns.
1 2
!
NEW FEATS
Amazon Adventures presents several new
feats for characters that come from Amazon
backgrounds. It will be up to the game master
" !
just which characters will be permitted to take
34
14
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
!
!
5
Amazon Riding
Amazon Fighting
!&
!$
8
6%
.
!
!
!
! 34
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, 4
$
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!
Amazon Initiative
'
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Amazon Strike
! )
!,
8
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!
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"
37
15
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
!
" !
!
!
;
!
!
!
9 !
!
!
PRESTIGE CLASSES
No campaign setting would be complete
without several new prestige classes unique to
her world. Amazon Adventures and
Maidenheim are no exceptions. Below are new
Requirements
prestige classes that can be used not only in the world of Scythae, but on other worlds with
similar Amazon cultures. If you prefer to use
!
prestige classes from other sourcebooks and
5 13$
?
Class Features
!
!
)( $
!
! % ! !
5
$% &' ! $% &' 3*
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!
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5
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!
.
17
Maidenheim: The Age of Scorn
Amazon Adventures
Amazon Ambassador Prestige Class Abilities "
(
)
4
3+
3+
3+
3*
)
*
34
3+
3+
37
60 % 34
7
3*
34
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,
>
37
34
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3>
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34
34
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60 % 3*
A
3@
3*
3*
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,
B
3A
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23
Amazon Scout
Class Features
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5,
Requirements
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