Inspired by the travels of Ibn Batutta and other Arab, Moor and Persian explorers, I thought it would be cool to RP an explorer scholar from Araby. He could have been sent as an Emmisary by a Sultan or Emir, he could go on his own steam or maybe be seeking out some mystic sage or Sufiesque Pir.

I however found the information on the net about Araby to be pretty sparse. I could gather little more than Araby is basically an exaggerated Orientalist parody of the Ummayad's, Abbasids, Almohads and Safavids. There are references to them being monotheistic, but no details on what they call their God or any details on their culture. Should I just make it up as I go along, maybe using the Persian 'Khoda' to refer to their monotheistic God, and scattering my conversation with pseudo, or real, Arabic and Farsi?

Basically does anyone know of any descent resources regarding Araby, and how much is appropriate for me to make up?

Ottoman Scribe said:

That's what I would do. Even if you found some 500 words more of information about Araby somewhere, it isn't worth the digging. Just go for something that feels and sounds arabian and make things up. But you should try to add some grim and perilous flavour to it. Because in the Old World, everything is like that, you know .

Specific information about Araby is very scarce, regardless of edition.
References can be found in Marienburg about the Arabyan quarter, some WFB rulebooks, and scattered throughout various supplements through the years. And some of the early novellas/shortstories GW published (might be around re-packaged) contains references to far-away lands, such as Araby, Nippon and Lustria.

You will have to go fan-based. For my own group, we are developing some cultural traits and Copher, the Spice Port.

Cheers and good luck!

Not official, but completely AWESOMESAUCE for a WFRP game. I'd say a full 90% of this is usable fluff, with a map.

Araby

Enjoy!

Jay H

Thanks all

I think Korknadel touched on something important. I liked the fan-fluff in the Araby Rulebook, but I think it really lacked the character of Warhammer, as an orientalist depiction of Arab history, it came off sounding nicer than the real thing lol.

I am planning on playing the character making heavy use of the conservative stance, maybe I could play him as aloof and unflinching, despite, or maybe because of his travels and education. I could go down the stereotype of a Muslim fanatic, but Ibn Batutta was far from that, and that is what Witch Hunters are for : P it is also too cookie cutter I think.

The only book I can think of which actually has source material for Araby is Lure of the Lich King for second edtion WFRP. If you look for Khemrian source material alot of it is the similar as Araby is what became of the people of Khemria, their life style is much the same bar alot of them being nomads. I believe they worship Khemrian gods but only the undead Tomb Kings can now draw on their power.

Not sure how much of THIS is straight from the linked armybook, but checking it out could not hurt.