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True Amazonians
True Amazon (AMZ)
by Charis
This page is adapted from the post here.
The destruction of Tristram was devastating to the Amazon nations. Scores of valiant Amazons had defended the city, and had laid waste to the dungeons of Diablo outside the proud city. The High Council met and decided this heinous deed would not go unpunished. They were also amazed at the tales of the East, where sister tribes long ago lost and separated, apparently now thrived. Major changes would be afoot for the Amazon tribes - but an Amazon is nothing if not fast on her feet, and flexible. In the areas surrounding Tristram there were many tribes with different strengths - the Jungle Amazons, Stealth Huntresses, Spellbinders, Sword and Shield experts, Barbarians, Valkyries. In the new lands to the East would be even a greater variety of Sisters. What follows is sketchy information on just a few of these. There will be more, and more details will follow with further playtesting. But those who wish to follow the Amazon role need not wait...
[Overview] [Title System] [Potential Rules] [Comments] [Acknowledgements]
Overview
The Amazon tribes around Tristram were known for the following:
- Pride and honor
- Excellence in multiple forms of combat, including but not limited to the bow
- Desire to defeat evil, overthrow wicked bosses
- Avenge specific bosses whose clans had attacked Amazon tribes
- (Most) Young Amazons have an inherrent distrust of the ways of the wizard
- (Most) Young Amazons get along less than ideal with men. Some completely overcome this
distrust/hatred, while some have become staunch feminists. Coop with worthy warriors and
wizards who show honor and excellence does a lot to help build trust.
- Excellent hunting skills
- Respect for tradition
- A strict training regime to build body, mind and spirit
Amazon Barbarians distrusted all forms of magic spells. Some used limited forms of magic or colored items, others use naught but non-magic gear. Amazon Valkyries were the sole advocates of the spear in Diablo 1. They also had unswerving loyalty to the heavens, and were strongly limited in skills until they were viewed as worthy, by the finding of the Gotterdamerung. Amazon Spellbinders and Elitists did not at all fear magic, but sought to excel in wizardry as well as combat.
The "Eastern Amazons", as the sisters of Diablo 2 are called, are a distinct people. They too call themselves "Amazons", yet most have lost sight of the ancient traditions. There are a few tribes that do remember, and more Amazons coming from Tristram to help retell the tales of the old ways. The Eastern Amazons are extremely agile, like spear and javelin, as well as being true masters of the bow. Valkyrie influence is clearly seen in their skills. To help distinguish the two, the variant Amazons are now called "Amazonians" (AMZ), although some refer to themselves as "True Amazons". The Eastern Amazons are most often called Amazons, and the abbreviation 'AMA' is used. Sometimes they are called "Zons", and the true sign of a lack of Amazonian heritage is referring to oneself as a Spearzon, Bowzon, etc. An Amazonian will scoff at such 'limited' self descriptions. (D1 Amazons are called "Classic Amazons")
Paths...
- True Amazon - advocate of tradition - axe, sword and shield, 2H, and bow
- Jungle Amazon - javelin lovers
- Desert Amazon - advocates of light armor, fast movement, bow
- Mountain Amazons - descendents of Valkyrie and Amazon alike, masters of the spear
- Barbaric Amazon - those who eschew juju, cousins to the Barbarian
- Amazonian Spellbinder - Amazon tradition in the Sorceress class
True Amazon
The Amazons of the Tristram region seek to bring their traditional skills to the new realms of the East. They maintain the training system, and are trying to understand their new home and its inhabitants.
Explorer - roams the Blood Moor and Cold Plains. To avoid disrepect to her new sisters, she uses a weapon new to her - the Javelin. The Javelin is used exclusively in this phase, so that she may gain the trust of Kashya, the leader of the Rogue Encampment. The Mausoleum and Crypt, and all bosses within must be killed, and the phase ends with the defeat of Blood Raven. All skill points assigned during this phase must go to the javelin tree (you MAY however, choose to save some, rather than assign) - at least one point must be assigned to Jab. The other goal, besides slaying the evil priestess, is to find an axe... Townfolk may not be used during this phase except as required for quests.
Defender - this is a grueling test for True Amazons. It was no piece of cake in D1, and it will not be easy now. Twelve bosses must be slain wielding a 2H axe, including the following: Rakanishu, Treehead Woodfist, and the cursed one in Tristram. For skills, at least one point must go to Critical Strike and one to Dodge. The hardest part of this quest may be the following. Kashya has assigned a mercenary to you. You MUST guard her with your very life. What greater shame could there be than to fail to protect her for even one quest?! (Tristram) Of course, if you die, all confidence will be lost and your mercenary will leave you in shame. All of the vile inhabitants of Tristram must fall under the blade of your axe. If the merc is lost, her death MUST be avenged, in an unusual way - barehanded. Considering Rakanishu or Woodfist may be the culprit, this may not be easy. The creature type responsible for the mercenary death is now a true enemy of the Amazon, she will not spare the life of any she sees from then on. Another Mercenary must be retained, with the same protect-or-avenge rule. Only when Tristram is clear may she be left there to mourn and protect. (No 'dismiss' skill, do what you need to, to make it so)
Warrior - now you have truly gained the trust of your new sisters. Your mercenary may now be dismissed, or may tag along, but now considered responsible for her own actions. A key new phase now begins, where sword and shield are used - the True Amazon must learn again how to block and to strike well. Only passive tree skills points may be assigned in this phase (although again, you may instead choose to hold them). No less than twelve bosses must again be slain, and amongst them will be the Countess and the evil Andariel. The latter will certainly not be easy for the young Amazon. Let her train to become ready. (Note on gifts - no self-respecting Amazon would accept something too good for her, which would make a mockery of the training) The heartiest of Amazons will try to pull this off wielding the Horadric Malus (!) although this is by no means required. Note that the gift of an imbue may NOT be utilized by an Amazon of rank less than Matriarch. (ie, save it until she gets the rank and a good item to imbue)
Avenger - to become ever more versatile in combat, the Amazon tradition requires a large two handed weapon in this stage. A Maul or heavy blunt was required to crack the skulls of several special bosses in D1. Here, a two handed Spear class weapon may be used. This both serves tradition and builds a bridge to the Eastern Amazons. And yet... the True Amazon wishes to prove herself above the Eastern AMA - so her choice of several key bosses (for example, Spider Queen and Radament) should be slain with a polearm (Voulge, Poleaxe, etc.) All quests in Act II must be completed, and the vicious Duriel slain.
Huntress - a joyous time for the True Amazon! It's back to her roots as a huntress with the beloved bow in hands! The city of Kurast must be helped, and the evil fetish foes put in their puny little place. Cold Arrow MUST be learned as a skill. None on the council may survive. Mephisto will die a painful death to your arrows.
Heroine - with Mephisto's defeat, the Amazon is now a Heroine, and may pass through the portal to Hell. Like the Classic Amazon, she has her choice now of weapon. The keeper of the Hellforge hammer must be defeated to destroy Mephisto's soulstone. Finally, Diablo will be met in combat. Proud traditional Amazons will plan to defeat Diablo with three different weapons on the three difficulties: Bow, Wpn/Shield, and two handed wpn (done in any order). Only a Heroine or higher may use Decoy. There is a tradition for this first slaying of Diablo. The Amazon should, if possible, select a socketable version of her intended weapon, and embed a stone of at least normal quality which represents the 'colors' of her nation - blue, green, red, amber, white, purple, or black. Other stones may be added for their effect, these will not affect the color of the weapon - just the first one. Tradition also suggests those with access to attendants (mules) save this weapon for a distant day after they have become queen, for Homecoming, when Diablo dies again to this very wpn in Hell difficulty.
Matriarch - title for defeating Diablo on normal difficulty (The True Amazon chokes at the thought of being called a Dame) ONLY a Matriarch or higher may use a Valkyrie spell or Lightning Fury.
Princess - title for defeating Diablo on nightmare difficulty (Lady?? Does this fit YOUR amazon?! What kind of Lady wields a Poleaxe?)
Queen - can there be any other title for defeating Diablo in H/H ? (Baroness??? A landowner? Nay!)
Potential Rule
No more than one skill point distributed into any non-passive skill before the Amazon becomes Matriarch (You can save 'em up if you like) I've been doing this so far with my AMZ, and it has made it tough (especially bow mode) but it's doable. This will insure she takes her development as a versatile warrior seriously.
Overall Comments
- The "no str" adder still applies for determining what she can wear. Ornate plate would be for Queens only, and Ancient for Princess.
- The lack of Stat caps mean that ANY class can achieve the STR to wear any desired gear
- Foes - witches have not been seen yet in the East - it is not yet known what form these ancient enemies of the Amazon have assumed
- Don't worry that rules not all set - those who have played Classic Amazons and want that role in D2 should try to follow the quests above and the spirit of the Classic Amazon rules. Even if something changes later, you won't have to 'restart' it.
- Those going wpn/shield long term will want to make heavy use of the passive tree. (Still, the nerfed critical strike is sad for W/S)
- More quests, the Stealth Hunt, the Raid, special games, etc, will be forthcoming, don't worry. Comments are highly encouraged.
- Normal diff will be a little tough, with skill points all over the place. NM will likewise begin tough, but now with the ability to specialize more (if she chooses), and with the availability of +skill items, it will not take long to catch up and be more powerful. Worst case, a half-dozen points in the tree opposite your specialty, is really minor at very high lvls.
- 'Preferred' sets and uniques, other AMZ distinctions, will come with time as well.
Acknowledgments
Abundant thanks to all royal Amazons who've made this a great variant. Thanks also to Whyte_Tyger for his help in playtesting, and superb stories.
Charis
July 24 2000
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