Confused Wolf
Mongoose
Here are some suggestions for playing Hittite characters of the 13th century B.C. with OGL Ancients. Maybe they will be useful or otherwise interesting to some of you.
Social Classes
All Social Classes presented in OGL Ancients pp.8-10 are appropriate for Hittite characters.
Hittite Warriors
Warriors from a Hittite background, irrespective of social rank, are proficient with all martial weapons. For their Weapon Focus, they may choose between the spear, the javelin, the axe, the sickle sword, the short stabbing sword, the composite self bow or the composite recurved bow.
The Lands of Hatti (Regional Backgrounds)
The Hittite heartland lies roughly inside the great bend of the Marassanta river (known to the Greeks as the Halys, today: Kizil Irmak). Here the Hittite capital Khattusha (modern Bogazköy) is situated as well as other important religious centres. Characters from this region receive two levels in Knowledge: Hittite Religion for free.
Sprazzi Udne (The Upper Land): To the north and east lies the Upper Land. It is often subject to raids from the barbarious Kashka people. Living under the constant threat of an attack characters from this region recieve a +1 bonus to all (perception-based) checks made to see if they are surprised.
Katteran Udne (The Lower Land): South of the Hittite heartland there is the Katteran Udne, the Lower Land. Here, especially in the city of Purushkhanda, is the center of Hittite iron technology (the throne and sceptre of iron that are part of the Hittite royal regalia originally came from Purushkhanda). Characters from this region receive a +2 bonus to all Craft checks involving iron.
Kizzuwatna: Kizzuwatna is located in southeast Anatolia, beyond the Taurus mountains. Of all Hittite lands it was influenced the most by Hurrian culture. Characters from Kizzuwatna can speak Hurlili for free and receive two levels in Knowledge: Hurrian Culture for free.
Tarkhuntassha: This land lies south of the Lower Land and west of Kizzuwatna. Muwattlli II. (ca. 1290-1272) moved the Hittite capital hither, but his successor Murshili III. moved it back to Khattusha. In the second half of the 13th century BC Tarkhuntassha was transformed into a appanage kingdom. That didn’t prevent a power struggle between its ruler Kurunta and the Hittite king Tudkhaliya III. (ca. 1240-1215), though. The conflict between Khattusha and Tarkhuntassha seems to have dragged on till the downfall of the Hittite empire. – The people of Tarkhuntasha are known for their craving for power and their arrogance. Characters from this region receive a +2 bonus to all Willsaving throws, but suffer a –1 malus to all CHA checks when dealing with Hittites from other provinces.
Khalpa and Karkamissa: Khalpa (Aleppo) and Karkamissa (Karkamish) are not part of the “inner lands” proper, nor are they mere vassals. Ever since they were conquered by Shuppiluliuma I. (ca. 1355-1320) they are ruled by viceroys out of the Hittite royal family. Both kingdoms are important centres of trade and craftmanship. Characters from Khapla or Karkamissa receive a +2 bonus to all Appraise checks.
Social Classes
All Social Classes presented in OGL Ancients pp.8-10 are appropriate for Hittite characters.
Hittite Warriors
Warriors from a Hittite background, irrespective of social rank, are proficient with all martial weapons. For their Weapon Focus, they may choose between the spear, the javelin, the axe, the sickle sword, the short stabbing sword, the composite self bow or the composite recurved bow.
The Lands of Hatti (Regional Backgrounds)
The Hittite heartland lies roughly inside the great bend of the Marassanta river (known to the Greeks as the Halys, today: Kizil Irmak). Here the Hittite capital Khattusha (modern Bogazköy) is situated as well as other important religious centres. Characters from this region receive two levels in Knowledge: Hittite Religion for free.
Sprazzi Udne (The Upper Land): To the north and east lies the Upper Land. It is often subject to raids from the barbarious Kashka people. Living under the constant threat of an attack characters from this region recieve a +1 bonus to all (perception-based) checks made to see if they are surprised.
Katteran Udne (The Lower Land): South of the Hittite heartland there is the Katteran Udne, the Lower Land. Here, especially in the city of Purushkhanda, is the center of Hittite iron technology (the throne and sceptre of iron that are part of the Hittite royal regalia originally came from Purushkhanda). Characters from this region receive a +2 bonus to all Craft checks involving iron.
Kizzuwatna: Kizzuwatna is located in southeast Anatolia, beyond the Taurus mountains. Of all Hittite lands it was influenced the most by Hurrian culture. Characters from Kizzuwatna can speak Hurlili for free and receive two levels in Knowledge: Hurrian Culture for free.
Tarkhuntassha: This land lies south of the Lower Land and west of Kizzuwatna. Muwattlli II. (ca. 1290-1272) moved the Hittite capital hither, but his successor Murshili III. moved it back to Khattusha. In the second half of the 13th century BC Tarkhuntassha was transformed into a appanage kingdom. That didn’t prevent a power struggle between its ruler Kurunta and the Hittite king Tudkhaliya III. (ca. 1240-1215), though. The conflict between Khattusha and Tarkhuntassha seems to have dragged on till the downfall of the Hittite empire. – The people of Tarkhuntasha are known for their craving for power and their arrogance. Characters from this region receive a +2 bonus to all Willsaving throws, but suffer a –1 malus to all CHA checks when dealing with Hittites from other provinces.
Khalpa and Karkamissa: Khalpa (Aleppo) and Karkamissa (Karkamish) are not part of the “inner lands” proper, nor are they mere vassals. Ever since they were conquered by Shuppiluliuma I. (ca. 1355-1320) they are ruled by viceroys out of the Hittite royal family. Both kingdoms are important centres of trade and craftmanship. Characters from Khapla or Karkamissa receive a +2 bonus to all Appraise checks.