Section 5 - Sample NPCs and Bibliography Ncazongwe History:Ncazongwe was born to a clan in the north-eastern areas of the Tanagoro lands 44 circles ago. Like all young Tanagoro, he started tending the herds at age 6 and maintained a fairly normal life for 11 circles. Then a Milenian raid hit his clan, destroying it, and enslaving the survivors. Ncazongwe, bereft of family, was forced to labor for a Milenian merchant for the next 18 circles of his life. At age 35, he rebelled against his situation. Carefully plotting out his moves, he slew his "owner" one night and escaped back to his homeland. He had picked up some negative manners from that evil merchant though and became a predatory trader himself, a cattle thief to be precise. He has since become somewhat of a feared man in Tanagoro lands, as the head of a small band of bandits steadily growing in infamy. Personality:After suffering for so long, Ncazongwe became rather sadistic himself, and enjoys hurting others and taking advantage of others. As mentioned, some of this attitude was derived from the Milenian whom he served, who felt a sucker was born every minute. The greed of the merchant class also plays a key role in Ncazongwe. Overall, the man has no true redeeming features. DM Notes:Relatives of the slain merchant may hire Milenians or other non-Tanagoro to hunt down Ncazongwe. The Tanagoro themselves would also reward any of their own who can rid the plains of this menace. Ncazongwe is not above letting his band handle any real threat as he makes his escape to form another set of raiders. Appearance:Standing 5'7" and weighing 145#, he is of typical build. Numerous scars mark his body, though, both from his slavery days and from his current occupation. He also has an amulet of Milenian fashion, which helps mark him out from other Tanagoro. Combat Notes:He is a 5th-level fighter. AC 8 (Shield); hp 38; at 1; d 1-6 (spear) or d6+2 (assegai, skilled), save F5; ML 10; Al C; S 9, I 7, W 10, D 12, Co 11, Ch 9. Languages:Neather, Tanagoro, Milenian. General Skills: Intimidation (S+2),Survival (Plains) (I). Nemiti History:Nemiti was born 20 circles ago, the daughter of an influential clan chief. She tired quickly of her father's domineering attitude and fought often for independence, making her a great disgrace. Now, though, her disgrace to the clan has grown as she has fallen for a herdsman from a nearby clan looked down upon by her own as inferior. She has yet to leave her own clan, causing major problems for both her former clan and the one she intends to join, but that action becomes more likely with each day. Personality:Nemiti is a very emotional and stubborn young woman. Like her father, she has to have her own way, which often leads to the confrontations between the two. Being so emotional, she can be extremely flightly - after causing trouble for her new clan by making them hated by the larger clan of her father, she may well realize her current beau is not for her, seeking after another, perhaps a PC. The most rewarding characteristic she possesses is her concern for fairness - she considers herself above others, but works hard to treat others alike, regardless of status. She knows all too well what it is like to be shunned. Appearance:Just 4'11", Nemiti is a beautiful young woman, well-proportioned and careful to make herself look "just so" at all times. She wears the latest fashions, and high-quality jewelry, though not enough to be gaudy. One prized piece of jewelry is a necklace made of sabre-tooth tiger claws. Unbeknownest to Nemiti, this is a powerful magic item that allows for protection from all manner of felines (AC to -3) (Adventure suggestion - if she leaves home and escapes into the wild, it may be enough to keep her alive long enough for the PCs [hired to bring her back safely] to arrive and find her being attacked by lions - who then may strike at the new meat.) Combat Notes:She is a 1st-level fighter. AC 9; hp 8; at 1; d 1-6 (staff), save F1; ML 12; Al N; S 10, I 11, W 8, D 10, Co 14; Ch 15. Languages:Neathar, Tanagoro. General Skills:Bravery (W+1), Singing (Ch), one unspent. Bukude History:Bukude was born a long, long time ago, when dragons freely walked the land. Or so he likes to tell it. To be exact, he is a fairly old 73 circles. He has worked all kinds of jobs in those times, collecting much lore and even more fiction. He now serves as the personal barber to king Doraka, and also as one of the greatest storytellers of the Tanagoro. Personality:A jovial man, Bukude enjoys those like himself - people who enjoy a good story and good entertainment and don't spend so much time being overly serious. As long as you contribute to society and do your work, you're a good person in Bukude's book. He often helps fuel the king's sense of humor, whether with told jokes or with practical jokes. He is more accepting of foreigners than most Tanagoro, applying the same basic standard of judgement to them - outsiders visiting the king's court will often find a friend in Bukude (though one loyal above all else to the crown). Perhaps his greatest flaw is that he dwells a lot on the topic of his grandchildren, the subject of many of his stories. Anyone who spends quite some time with him will know more about them than their own parents do. Appearance:Bukude stands 6'0" and is a rather thin man. Any muscle he had in his youth has mostly worn away with age, just as his once dark hair has turned a cloud white. Those who knew him in his youth tell that he was once a mighty warrior, something a couple of his stories also report, but the figure he must have struck in his glory days is not as evident now. He still carries his old spear, iGhanlasiku ("That which pierces hides"), at all times (and will use it should the king's life be endangered). Combat Notes:He is a 16th-level fighter (knight). AC 7 (shield+1); hp 26 (decreased by the effects of age from his prime); at 1; d 2d4+6 (spear+3, master, strength penalty, special power:breathing), save F16; ML 11; Al L; S 8, I 16, W 9, D 11, Co 7; Ch 16. Languages:Neathar, Tanagoro, Jennite, Milenian, Nithian. General Skills:Profession (Barber) (I), Knowledge of Tanagoro Folklore (I), Danger Sense (W), Storytelling (Ch+2) Kondlola History: Kondlola was born 42 circles ago to a common Tanagoro family. She has also lived a fairly common life, unevental for the most part. She married at age 19, moving a short distance to her new clan, and was accepted there in short order. She now is the mother of 3, still lovingly married. Since her arrival with that clan, she has served as the kraal's herbalist. Personality:A generally kind person, Kondlola will anger if pushed too far. She is friendly with all of her village, and with others as well, unless they have shown themselves unworthy of such kindness. An empathetic individual, she combines the skills of a doctor, nurse and social worker in tending for her family and her clan in general. She is currently also playing matchmaker for her eldest son, much to his dismay. Appearance:Kondlola stands 5'2" and currently is in possession of a rather matronly figure. Never a great beauty, she is on the chubby side. She is still in good health though, and also does make sure she wears fairly nice clothes, since she is aware her appearance does play as much a role in how her people view her as do her skills. Like all herbalists, she is always carrying around a wide supply of medicinal goods. Combat Notes:She is a 4th-level herbalist. AC 9 (none); hp 23; at 1; D 1d6-1 (staff, strength penalty), save C4; ML 10; Al L; S 8, I 14, W 16, D 9, Co 12, Ch 11. Spells: 2 1st, 1 2nd. Languages:Neathar, Tanagoro. General Skills:Healing [Doctor] (I+1), Nature Lore [Plains] (I), Detect Deception (W), Fire-Building (I). Bibliography Olden Times In Zululand by AT Bryant. Longmans,Green and Co., 1929. London, New York and Toronto. An early history of the Zulu, going into vast detail but not as intent on major events as some of the other histories. Religions of Africa by E. Thomas Lawson. Waveland Press, 1998. Prospect Heights, Ill. A very brief study of the religious beliefs of the Zulu and Yoruba, mixing together a study of modern thought and traditional ideas. Religious System of the Amazulu by Henry Callaway. Struik, 1970 (originally published in the 19th century). Cape Town. Callaway collected in the original Zulu (with English translations) opinions on religious belief. This may be hard to track down, and gets a tad repetitous, so you may want to find Hexham's book instead, which includes a long summary of Callaway's findings. Shaka's Children:A History of the Zulu People by Stephen Taylor. HarperCollins, 1994. London. One of the best of the histories I read, stretching on down to the present day almost, and presumably one of the easiest to find. If you were to read one book on the Zulu, this is perhaps the one I'd recommend the most. Texts on Zulu Religion by Irving Hexham. Edward Mellen Press, 1987. Lewiston, NY and Queenston, Ont. A collection of various older materials on Zulu religious thought. The Zulu People: As They Were Before The White Man Came by AT Bryant. Negro University Press, 1970. New York, NY. Originally published in 1948 by Shuter and Shooter. This focuses more on the social systems of the Zulu than Bryant's earlier, more historical work, and is also briefer. Washing of the Spears: Rise and fall of the Zulu Nation by Donald Morris. De Capo Press, 1998. New York, NY. A fair history, not the best of the ones I read in terms of interest level. Quite a bit of military history and focus on the latter days of the Zulus. Zulu Kings by Brian Roberts. Scribner, 1975. New York, NY. - one of the more in-depth histories I found. Seemingly well-researched and actually interesting to read. Focuses primarily (as the title suggests) on the heads of the Zulu nation. One book that sounded interesting that I failed to track down was Social System of the Zulus by Eileen Krige