Mamluk (Slave Warrior)
In the Wild Lands of Alcirya, slavery has been comdemned as a system perpetrated by the Appollonian establishment and almost all cultures have made the practice illegal. Almost all. In the Yusuf, slavery is seen as a part of the culture (one of the main reasons for schism between Xanthios and the Yusuf is the continued practice of slavery) and it is widely accepted even though it is technically illegal (many say that its illegality is a result of treaties made with Xanthios for trade and other support). One such member of the slave under class is the Mamluk. These male professionals began their training at a young age as slaves, either purchased for that purpose or captured in raids and combat. The slaves then underwent rigorous training, not only in combat and tactics, but also in government. Such slave warriors have became the professional infrastructure of the Yusuf. These young men are not only trained for war, they also operate the civil service. With no hereditary ties, advancement depended on ability, not birth-station, and the lowliest warrior can rise to the position of army commander or vizier on his own merit.
Role
An intelligent slave-labor force, mamluks keep the militia and government moving forward. They are regarded as the main support of civilization. That is not to say that all individual mamluks are held in high regard, but some do gain sufficient power and prestige after proving themselves to be capable leaders and warriors. Outstanding mamluks are visibly rewarded, and set a goal for all other members of the force. Mamluks, despite their enslaved status, disapprove of slavery unless the enslaved are given a chance to better themselves. Other practices are a waste of manpower, in their opinion. Mamluks follow a strict chain of command. Experience level is considered to be equivalent to the warrior’s direct rank within the mamluk hierarchy. A lower-level (and therefore lower-ranking) mamluk is expected to follow the orders of a higher-level individual without question (see “Special Hindrances”). Outside the Yusuf, mamluks are treated at best as curiosities, at worst as agents of the powers they represent, or as examples of horrid slave practices. “I’ll sell you to the mamluks” is a common threat used to discipline children in Xanthios. Children are not taken into servitude in their own countries. (Nor, for that matter, will a mamluk’s children become slaves; they are free to choose their own destinies.) Mamluks in the Yusuf wear simple facial tattoos to indicate their rank and organization. Common tattoos include lines, circles, or patterns on either or both cheeks, or on the forehead. The more ornate the design, the more powerful the mamluk. Imitating mamluk designations for rank, or giving oneself a higher rank artificially, is grounds for severe punishment in mamluk societies. Individuals from rival mamluk societies tend to recognize each other with respect. However, a mamluk is under no compunction to follow orders from someone of another society, even if the other mamluk is of greater power. PC mamluks often receive a leave of absence from their own organization to gather information or perform reconnaissance. They are expected to report what they learn to their superiors. No time limit is provided for such leaves, which are usually granted to exceptional, strong-willed individuals. It is hoped that either the individuals will gain the field experience they need to become better warriors, or - if they are truly unworthy - that they will die in a fashion that does not endanger other mamluks.
Distinctive Appearance
None
Special Benefits
Members of this kit benefit from a chain of command (provided they’re above the bottom “links”). Any higher-level mamluk can give lower level mamluks of the same organization or nation an order. The superior mamluk can expect this order to be obeyed immediately by those who are three levels or lower in rank. Thus, 4th-level mamluks can command 1st-level comrades. Those giving an order may then be held responsible by higher-ups, however. Strange or foolishly dangerous orders call for an NPC morale check to see if the order is followed (morale = Elite for most mamluk organizations). Orders such as carrying messages, summoning reinforcements within the organization’s home nation, and seeking priestly aid for wounded mamluks are followed immediately and unquestioningly.
If individual experience point awards are given in a campaign, mamluks also receive experience points for participating in large-scale battles. A typical soldier receives 100 xp for taking part in a battle, over and above those awarded for other reasons. A mid-level officer (from sergeant to captain), or an officer commanding fewer than 100 men in action, receives a 1,000 xp bonus per battle. Generals and army commanders of the mamluks receive a 10,000 xp bonus per battle. If the character’s force is outnumbered by two to one (or more) during a battle, all of the above mamluk bonuses are doubled. If the character’s force loses the battle, the bonuses are reduced to a quarter.
Special Hindrances
The chain of command works both ways; the greatest benefit of mamluks is also their greatest hindrance. A higher-ranked mamluk can call upon a character’s services (even a PC’s) and expect that character to comply. If the superior is three or more levels higher, orders are expected to be obeyed immediately and without question. Orders from mamluks fewer than three levels higher usually must be verified by a more powerful officer. Noncompliance without a valid reason or excuse constitutes treason. Such a reason must be presented to a mamluk higher than the one who gave the original order, and that high-ranking mamluk determines whether the reason is valid. Personal business is never a valid excuse for refusing an order; all mamluks are assumed to have no personal business when their unit requires their services.
If a mamluk is accused of treason, a mamluk court determines the outcome. Death may be the punishment under two circumstances: if the mamluk deserted his or her unit, or if lives were lost as a result of the character’s inaction. For lesser crimes, the punishment may be humiliation: the guilty party is drummed out of the mamluks, loses all special benefits, and his or her facial tattoos are painfully removed with brushes made of pumice (-3 to Charisma). Treason trials are often performed in absentia. In such cases, a “guilty” verdict is likely. Guilty parties are outcast completely from their organizations. If they are ever caught by former comrades, punishment will be meted out according to the decision of the court, and applied immediately.
The optional feminine title is mamluka (mahm-LUKE-ah).
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