Shoanti Burn RiderShoanti Burn Rider CR 4Source Inner Sea NPC Codex pg. 51
XP 1,200
Human barbarian 5
CN Medium humanoid (human)
Init +1; Senses Perception +9DefenseAC 12, touch 9, flat-footed 11 (+3 armor, +1 Dex, –2 rage)
hp 58 (5d12+20)
Fort +9, Ref +3 (+1 vs. traps), Will +5; +3 vs. magic
Defensive Abilities improved uncanny dodgeOffenseSpeed 40 ft.
Melee mwk spear +12 (1d8+9/×3) or handaxe +11 (1d6+6/×3)
Ranged mwk composite longbow +7 (1d8+4/×3)
Special Attacks rage (14 rounds/day), rage powers (powerful blow +2, superstition +3)TacticsBase Statistics When not raging, the Shoanti burn rider’s statistics are AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 13; hp 48; Fort +7, Will +3; Melee mwk spear +10 (1d8+6/×3), handaxe +9 (1d6+4/×3); Str 18, Con 14; CMB +9, CMD 20.StatisticsStr 22, Dex 13, Con 18, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +5; CMB +11; CMD 20
Feats Mounted Archery, Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack, Spirited Charge
Skills Handle Animal +8, Knowledge (nature) +7, Perception +9, Ride +9, Survival +9
Languages Common, Shoanti
SQ fast movement, trap sense +1
Combat Gear oil of magic weapon, potion of cat’s grace, potions of cure light wounds (2), potions of protection from law (2); Other Gear mwk studded leather, mwk composite longbow with 20 arrows, handaxe, mwk spear, cloak of resistance +1, heavy horse (combat trained) with military saddle and mwk studded leather barding, 45 gp
The Shoanti Sklar-Quah, or Sun Clan, is the most violent and xenophobic group of an already violent and xenophobic people. Their rite of passage into adulthood, a dangerous trial known as the Burn Run, involves outrunning a wildfire, and their greatest warriors ride atop horses trained to carry their riders into flame—these are the burn riders. Their ferocity is known throughout the Cinderlands and beyond, both among the other Shoanti quahs and members of other races and ethnicities.
The Sklar-Quah, more than any other clan, find themselves surrounded by enemies: Chelish settlers to the south and orc raiders to the east. This has led to an attitude of extreme hatred of non-Shoanti, which even extends to members of other quahs. All are taught to hate outsiders from a young age. This extreme prejudice is viewed as an important survival instinct that’s necessary for any who hope to make it in the unforgiving Cinderlands environment.
The Shoanti, especially the Sklar-Quah, are a territorial people, and those traveling through the Cinderlands may find that they have encroached on lands of the clan. Anyone who is not Shoanti is an outsider in their eyes, but their true hatred is reserved for those of obvious Chelish or orc blood, the blood of their greatest current foes. Regardless, though, all outsiders are invaders, and invaders must be killed. Burn riders are the most likely warriors to be sent to deal with such foes.
On rare occasions, outsiders may participate in the burn run as a means of gaining honorary membership into the quah. In such cases, the hopefuls often have an even harder task before them than their Shoanti counterparts, as unaccepting members of the quah often work together to ensure they don’t survive.
While magic such as endure elements or protection from energy could aid a burn rider in their task, the Shoanti see the use of such spells as dishonorable and consider such methods of surviving the burn run shameful and beneath them.
To conquer their fear, burn riders train themselves and their mounts to ride through the brushfires that often ignite in the Cinderlands. As such, neither they nor their mounts fear any challenge. They will not back down no matter the foe.
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