Shikari (Character Kit)

:This was originally published in Dragon Magazine #225
Shikari (Indian ranger)
Shikari Lashkar Khan stood perfectly still; so still the icy wind chose to bend around him rather than ruffle a single garment. He was as one with the snow leopard, the silent predator of the Himalayas. Lashkar slowly breathed in the mountain breeze, and visions of tearing into an Alpine ibex filled his thoughts. The smell of death was in the air, and the hunt was on.
Description: The Shikaris are the big game hunters in a land where the natural beasts are as deadly as the magical ones. They lead the hunt (shikar) for elephants, tigers, and other such creatures. They are often as at home in the courts of rajahs as they are in the dark wilderness. A Shikari's greatest challenge is an impossible hunt, such as tracking the uncapturable king-monkey Mahakapi- Jataka. Every Shikari has such a goal, and knows it is the striving for and not the attainment of the goal that matters.
Shikaris often lead huge hunting par- ties through difficult terrain. Hunts can go on for months, especially for prize creatures such as Kshatriyas' bonded mounts. If a Shikari serves a Kshatriya or other noble, the hunt can include dozens or even hundreds of participants. Often the hardest part of such a hunt is to bring back the animal alive rather than dead. Shikaris occasionally are asked to find more than animals, such as tracking a vicious band of Thugs or finding a maharajah's kidnapped daughter.
Class role: The kit is not socially ranked very high, but it often serves very high-class characters. Shikaris may be in the employ of powerful persons, or they may hire out their services to all comers.
Minimum requirements: Intelligence of 13 in addition to other standard requirements. Shikaris can be of any alignment and are not penalized for un- good acts. This kit may be taken by elves and half-elves.
Primary terrain: Any Indian terrain, from mountains to plains.
Weapon proficiencies: One must be appropriate to the hunted species (see below), such as an elephant goad or tiger's claws.
Nonweapon proficiencies:
* Bonus: Hunting, tracking.
* Required: Animal lore, trail signs*.
* Recommended: Alertness*, animal handling, bowyer/fletcher, camouflage*, distance sense*, elephant care (see below), endurance, etiquette, falconry*, foraging*, herbalism, mountaineering, observation*, riding, rope use, set snares, survival, weather sense,
* Forbidden: Agriculture.
: (Proficiencies marked by an asterisk are from The Complete Rangers Handbook.)
Equipment: The Shikari may carry anything he thinks he may need. Shikaris almost never wear armor heavier than studded leather.
Special benefits: instead of a species enemy, a Shikari has a hunted species that he specializes in hunting. This species must be Semi-intelligent or less, including animals under the Kshatriya mount listing plus birds, sharks, and other creatures. The Shikari gets +4 on proficiency ‘checks and attack rolls vs. this species.
At 4th level, Shikaris gain the ability to freeze. The Shikari stands perfectly still and enters a meditative state. During this state, which can last one hour per level, the Shikari appears to be under a  feign death effect, though magic can detect life signs. All senses are height- ened, allowing scenting and long distance hearing of prey. If animals or humans come within 10 yards per level of the Shikari, he gets an immediate tracking roll to uncover the location.
Special hindrances: Shikari followers are always other shikaris, though a shikari may have one animal follower that can go on hunts; falcons might make good hunting companions, but wild boars would not. Shikaris gain no advantage by building anything but may have servants, hirelings and so forth at any level.
Every Shikari has a major target which would be considered nearly impossible. Every species has at least one divine avatar, and so the avatar of the Shikari's hunted species is his quest. (These can be equivalent to the animal lords of PLANESCAPE™, or perhaps the Nehwonian Cults of the Beast in Legends & Lore.) Whenever the Shikari discovers a track of such an avatar, he must pursue it regard- less of consequences. They are unlikely ever to catch their species avatars, unless the gods deem it important.
Wealth options: Poverty option or 5d4x10 rupees. Shikaris are never paid well even by royalty and thus may not accumulate monetary treasure. They may live well, however.
Category:Character Kit
Category:Character Kit Dragon Magazine