Ashanti Warrior (Character Kit)

Ashanti warriors 
Description: The Ashanti warriors are the fierce warriors of eastern Africa, in the empire of Ghana south of the Songhai Empire. They are puissant in the saddle and noble warriors of their emperor. They dress in brightly colored clothes and carry an instrument like the drum, gong, chimes, or harp on horses that are seldom left unmounted. The horses themselves are dyed to resemble Ashanti clothing, in deep blood reds and bright yellows. 
Role: The Ashanti are the protectors and elite shock troops of the emperor of Ghana. They are free to roam, however, and often go on long journeys to display their prowess before the common people so that their deeds will be remembered outside the imperial court. The Ashanti are one of only two African warrior castes that have learned to use swift Arabian steeds in the art of war. Horses are rare in Africa and are seen as almost mythical beasts by some of the more superstitious tribes of the interior. This gives the Ashanti the advantage of surprise and mystery. It also gives them an advantage in that almost all of their enemies will be on foot while they tower above them with their striking colored horses. 
Weapon Proficiencies:
* Required: spear or lance; 
* Recommended: saber, short composite bow. 
Nonweapon Proficiencies:
* Required: riding, animal handling, animal training, musical instrument; 
* Recommended: singing, herbalism (for dyes), tumbling. 
Special Benefits: Whether an Ashanti is a ranger or not, he gains complete empathy with horses, being able to sense their basic drives, needs, and emotions with only a round of direct observation. This power is extended to make the horse almost a familiar to its master. The Ashanti and his horse both gain + 1 hp/level of the Ashanti, and both gain an armor class two places better than normal while the horse is being ridden (this bonus is given only to the horse if the Ashanti is not a ranger). An Ashanti automatically gains the landbased riding skill with horses only (horsemanship). This skill is at +1 and increases automatically by + 1/3 levels hereafter. 
The Ashanti may try several maneuvers on horseback and receives no penalties to his rolls for these maneuvers. These include: vaulting into the saddle, horse jumping, guiding the mount with his knees, leaping from horseback to attack, hanging behind the steed, and firing missile weapons fromhorseback. He may increase the steed's speed by double the amount and for double the amount of time that a normal rider could (Dungeon Master’s Guide, pages 62–63). 
The Ashanti may alter the mood of onlookers while mounted by producing music, shouting, and performing intricate feats of equestrian prowess. This should be treated as an emotion spell, with the saving throw taken by onlookers at -1 for each five Ashanti so performing. This is not considered magic for purposes of magic resistance, and takes at least two rounds of riding and music playing, during which no other actions may be attempted. 
Special Hindrances: If the Ashanti's horse dies, the Ashanti loses double the amount of hit points that were gained by riding it. These cannot be regained for one year, during which time a new mount can be trained. If the Ashanti is a ranger, any new mount may be used in this manner and the time limit is waived, due to the great empathy that rangers have with animals; however, an Ashanti ranger is not allowed empathy with any animal other than the horse. An Ashanti may never wear armor or carry a shield. All powers are lost with the hit points, except for the riding bonuses, until a new mount is chosen or trained.
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