Aboriginee Variant

Aboriginee
..........
Cousins to the Barbarians of the North, the Southern Aboriginees have
through their isolation developed several skills and traits
that help them in combat. The Aborinee people have several
factions/castes that bring variety, from the Serpentine
Witch Doctors, to the Craftsmen, to the Aborginal Barbarians.
Common to all is a simple tribal lifestyle, a love for
quality workmanship, and a superstitious nature.
In the Tristram region, there were no less than 9 castes.
Yet in the East, rumors of the emergence of five have surfaced.

Class: All (see below) Tag: (ABO)

Common features: Striving for highest 'quality', most have
high strength to wear exceptional items - Abo Mages often
aspire for Chaos Armor. All 'metal' prefixes are allowed,
as are piercing, puncturing, balance, stability, quality,
craftsmanship, fast case, and all reptiles. If an item
does not possess these properties, it is not worthy to
be worn. Some are superstitious about wearing duplicate
affixes, and would wear one platinum, one gold and a silver
rather than three golds, for example. ABO's consider maxing
resists as less important as choosing quality gear.
Shrines? They're too superstitious to use except for the gem
shrine and skill shrine, which are 'quality-improvers'.
Crystal swords are a disgrace and are never used.

All Aboriginees revere the Snake and are delighted to use
Snake items of any kind. Reptile items more powerful than 'Snake'
can only be used by ABO's who have defeated Fangskin, the viper boss
in Act 2 Viper Temple. Most ABO's will wear the Viper Amulet for as
long as they can. The mages typically have a distinct green hue.
Gems are allowed, but socketing less than a perfect gem, resulting
in a flawed weapon, would be unheard of.
(D1 Abo's had to struggle with low AC and low resists, while to
hit was good. There may be more restrictions later for D2 ABO. In
D1 the quest for usable DR, like AFPoHarm, was attainable)

Aboriginee Factions/Castes:
- Elitist - those of noble birth, keepers of Arcane knowledge
- Barbarian Soldiers - the most distrustful of magic
- Serpentine Viziers - harness the power of Reptiles
- Craftsmen - metalworkers of unsurpassed excellence
- Huntress - rare women who take up the call to the hunt

-- Barbarian Soldiers - Class: BAR
These warriors may also use Warrior's, and Soldier's
weapons. Unlike many others, they actually value a steely
defense. Iron Skin is a key skill, and is to be pumped.
Shout likewise should not be neglected. The sight of a Whirlwind
Bar scares these superstitious folk, nor do they use leap
attack (lvl 1 of each is fine for situational use). The main
attack forms are Frenzy, Berzerk, Concentrate and Stun.
If a shield is used, it is chosen for defense and quality,
not block percentage. Fast weapons and fast movement characterize
the Aboriginee Soldier. Warcries are allowed, except Grim Ward
(too superstitious). Natural Resist, and Masteries are helpful.

-- Craftsmen - Class: PAL
Defenders of the noblemen and craftsmen, Knight's and Lord's
weapons are allowed, in addition to Metallic prefixes.
A shield is normally used, with a solid and frequent Holy Shield
to back it up once an exceptional shield is found. The power of
steel, and an attitude of Definace, are characteristic. A variety
of combat skills are allowed and used. Might or concentrate are
virtually neglected, favoring auras like Fanaticism, Conviction,
Defiance, and Salvation. Some choose high speed weapons.

-- Huntress - Class: AMA
The rank-and-file Aboriginee, they form the backbone of defense in
the jungle. Some wear much lighter armor for quick movement.
They do not use spears or javelins, but bows or wpn/shield are
good. They take good care of their bodies, and will distribute
to keep STR equal to DEX until STR is 55. Those going S/S should
get str to at least 110, if not higher. The bows of the huntress,
unlike the D1 rogue, are sturdy, and need no repair.

-- Serpentine Viziers - Class: SORC
The most magic using of the Aboriginees, they may use staffs,
Snake's items from the start and Serpent's items after Fangskin is
killed. The Salamander is a joy for the Serpentines to use.
Fangskin is their arch-enemy, and any item dropped when Fangskin is
defeated solo may be used. The focus of the Vizier magic is on
Static Field and the Magiks of Nature- Blizzard, Thunderstorm,
and Meteor. Nova spells are viewed as an aberration of nature, and
not used (learned for prereq only). Blaze and Ice Blast may be learned
at low lvl for survival. The early years are difficult, until the
higher magiks and masteries are learned. Most choose to wear several
fast cast items and at least one hit recovery item, to be as fast
as the Cobra. Energy and Strengh are the most common pumped.
The Hydra is a serpentine form, and some choose to push this to a
high level. At least lvl 1 in Hydra, Blizz, TS and Meteor is highly
recommended. One sect, the Scorpions, has a particularly odd attack
style. They wear many blight items, spray the foes with Static
Field, and finish them off with a lethal poison strike.

-- Elitist - Class: NEC
The nobles of the Aboriginee tribes, disdain common and low quality
items, and will only wear uniques, rares and sets. Some are SNOBs,
and wear uniques only. The very key skill is Iron Golem, the
zenith of Aboriginee magic. As high quality materials as possible
are used for the golem. (One reason 'magic' items aren't worn, so
they can be used for this) Other high quality skills are used,
such as Bone Spirit, Life Tap. The do not ever traffic in undead -
so no skels, skel mages or golems other than Iron. Low end skills
like Teeth and Corpse Explosion are avoided. Some Noble ABO's take
fancy to the Poison path, out of reverence for snakes and serpents.
What better belt to wear than Snakecord?! Venom Ward is also popular.

Later:
ABO-BAR dual class (idea will be barbar + metal prefixes and
some skills, plus quests to gain use of Abo items)
ABOM ? In D1 Irate came up with a 'Metal Worker' ABO caste,
and he, Drasca, Shank, and Lemming all had useful input.
Comments on castes and other aspects very welcome...

Charis