Post by Za'lab Al'Zaid on Mar 18, 2017 23:43:39 GMT -8
Za'lab Al'Zaid
Name: Za'lab Al'Zaid
Alias/Codename: None.
Rank: Prince / Merchant / Shaman
Age: 25
Apparent Age: 25
Race: Claims to be stelvati. No one has heard of this race. Some believe him to be the species of dormodos. Those who know of the dormodos believe the species are extinct.
Appearance: 6 feet, 6 inches. He is an imposing figure due to his height and unusual appearance.
Za'lab is muscular and slender without being wiry. His build hides his massive endurance and incredible agility. He has long fingers and his hands have the well-worn callouses of someone who is used to pugilistic style combat. However, he is also a prominent callous on the inner edges of both middle fingers from his extensive writing.
Za’lab has elongated, vulpine features. His eyes are also unusual, with large golden irises, the sclera not visible unless he looks far off-center. His features are thin. Due to extensive years of not enough sleep, his eyes have thin lines on their edges and appear larger than they actually are. He wears silver earrings, one in each ear. A turquoise and silver earring in the cartilage of his left ear. A plain ring on his right hand.
Typical of desert-dwelling people, Za’lab’s flesh is dark of hue, ranging from his usual skin tone of rich brown to redder when he is hot and almost purple when he is cold enough. His skin toughens and thickens for a little while after he is injured. Thick fur-like hair that is more a mane than hair, it is generally sandy-red colored until emotion or temperature changes it. In addition, fine tufts of fur-like hair stretching back from his wrists, ankles, and face, starting at points like widows’ peaks, and broadening along his limbs until it joins his body. The tufts are on the outside of his limbs, the insides of his limbs having little or no hair. Though usually sandy-red, when he is hot it turns brighter red and tends to thin. At night, when the temperature drops, his hair thickens into a fur-like consistency, gaining blue aspects to its hues. When he is extremely cold, it darkens to almost purple.
His 'mane' is thick and somewhat curly, it extends to his mid-back and well over his shoulders when loose. However, he keeps it under his shemagh. His usual dress is well-appointed, clean and obviously from better tailors. He favors lighter browns and off white. The only blue he wears is his shemagh, which is dark blue and silver, a token of his old life. While among strangers or traveling he frequently covers his nose and lower face with the scarf.
He has a thin scar across his left forearm. For those who have seen his back, it is crisscrossed with deep scars that are layered atop older scars. Those without knowledge of his background might well think him once a slave.
Personality: Quiet with a soft voice. He is inquisitive and has a keen sense of intellect.
Known History: Appeared in the deserts of Zaroos. Destroyed the Walkers of the Waste, one of which was set to smash the last city within the desert. Has some kind of water source, allowing him to be quite well to do.
Known Abilities: The ability to communicate with spirits.
Claws: The ability to produce claws, like a feline's, from his fingers.
Reactive Adaptability: His body adapts to temperature, emotion, and injury. His hair and skin alter according to the temperature, ranging from bright red to a deep purple. His skin toughens and thickens for a little while after he is injured.
Family: Azitta - Sister.
Other Information: (Bio from alternative site)
Name: Za’lab Al’Zaid
Age: 25 years.
Height: 6 feet, 6 inches
Weight: 200 pounds.
Build: Za'lab is muscular and slender without being wiry. His build hides his massive endurance and incredible agility. He has long fingers and his hands have the well worn callouses of someone who is used to pugilistic style combat. However, he is also a prominent callous on the inner edges of both middle fingers from his extensive writing.
Face: His features are thin. Due to extensive years of not enough sleep, his eyes have thin lines on their edges and appear larger than they actually are.
Hair: Now it is the 'mane' of the stevalti. Thick and somewhat curly, it extends to his mid-back and well over his shoulders when loose. However, he keeps it under his shemagh.
Voice: Still a low tenor with a soft grate to it. He rarely speaks at great volume unless angered. When angered, his voice is somewhat deeper and gravelly as though it might belong to someone else.
Laugh: He does not laugh often. The rare laughter is genuine, deeper than his normal voice, with the edge of a purr or a rumble in it. This is best achieved when he has imbibed much liquor or is telling stories.
Walk: Quite graceful and light stepped for his height.
Tattoos/scars: He has a thin scar across his left forearm. For those who have seen his back, it is crisscrossed with deep scars that are layered atop older scars. Those without knowledge of his background might well think him once a slave.
Most prominent physical asset: Azitta believes his ‘lovely eyes’ are his best asset. Za’lab has elongated, vulpine features. His eyes are also unusual, with large golden irises, the sclera not visible unless he looks far off-center.
Most prominent physical flaw: Those aforementioned ‘lovely eyes’ are often haunted and older than his years, especially after the drink turns from good times drinking to sad-in-my-glass drinks.
Apparent health: Good health though somewhat tired.
Hygiene: Clean and presentable. He bathes regularly and washes his hands whenever possible.
Usual style of dress (Elegant, shabby, etc): Well appointed, clean and obviously from the best tailors. While at court or for official functions, he wears the proper robes, mostly of dark blues. Elsewhere, he favors trousers and a shorter izar in sandy colors that blend more easily with the shadows. He wears an old but well cared for shemagh, which is dark blue and silver. While among strangers or traveling he frequently covers his nose and lower face with the scarf.
Jewelry / ornamentation: Silver earrings, one in each ear. A turquoise and silver earring in the cartilage of his left ear. A plain ring on his right hand.
Meat
What does the character like most about himself? He is quite knowledgeable about many things and enjoys the strength of the stelvati that flows through him. He identifies with the stelvati more so since his father’s death.
What does the character like least about himself? The nagging want for something more, as though he is missing a great secret or understanding now lost to him that once he possessed. Also, his mortality, he does not like the idea of dying especially as both his sister and brother are nigh immortal now.
How does the character believe others see him? Black adder of the family, a thing to be looked upon and cared for but at a distance. Something to be tolerated until it passes from their lives.
What would the character change about himself? To ease the confusion he oft feels in determining what is truly part of the spirit world, part of what the mundane citizen sees and what… perhaps… is something that only he witnesses.
What motivates the character?
> The quest for knowledge – especially when pertaining to releasing and catching genii kind as well as how to give one’s self immortality.
> Strengthening and seeing prosper the mighty Al'Zaid Sultanate, including building a better city, securing trade routes, etc.
> Liquor.
What discourages the character?
> Being reminded of his mortality.
> Being ignored when he speaks.
> Other people taking credit for his ideas.
What puts the character at ease?
> Liquor.
> Storytelling.
> Azitta.
> Talking about his inventions (Airborne)
What makes the character uncomfortable?
> New faces are now what put him ill at ease.
> Public speaking.
> Filling in for Razir. He had his fill of being the sultan during the week he was a few years ago. This too is no longer his concern.
Describe something the character does differently in private versus public:
> In the public’s view, he is a near paragon of the helpful, community-oriented and easily approached prince. Za'lab is a healthy and lucid individual. The turmoil of his late adolescence left its toll on his smile and behind his eyes. However, it is obvious his loyalty still lays in ensuring the greatness of Za'idra and the Al'Zaid Sultanate. He throws himself into his personal projects and public work projects with the same passion and persistence that drove him to rescue Razir from the land of the dead. For those who knew him before the teleport, it is still somewhat obvious he hides his true feelings; however, for those who did not know him, he is the picture of the helpful, community-oriented prince who seeks to ensure the citizens of Za'idra know even royals can be approachable. He is the picture of the helpful, community-oriented person who seeks to create a greater and more prosperous Ur'dum.
> When the face to the public no longer need be shown, Za'lab's enthusiasm fades. He is a different person and though guilt-wracked for the first year (having attempted twice to take his life), it gradually faded. Even to those closest to him, he is withdrawn and does not often speak his mind during any family meetings or dinners, leaving the burden of the conversation to Azitta, and anyone else who happens to be with them.
> Alone, Za’lab still has the inability to tell the difference (sometimes) between the things he sees in the spirit world and those that he sees but no one else does. He has learned not to speak to any spirit that he sees when he is in public, so does not show that aspect of his shamanistic abilities in the public view. However, in private he speaks with them freely, often having one-sided conversations with those he sees, including Zaid.
Describe something the character would never do (a taboo):
> Give Azitta's amphora to anyone else.
> Betray his family.
Describe an interesting daily habit or ritual:
> When he is thinking, he plays with the trailing edge of his scarf.
> He always leaves two dates left in the bowl.
Describe a social peculiarity the character exhibits:
> Perhaps his dual nature. Those who see him in public vs. private (servants of the palace for example) find him quite a different person indeed in one versus the other.
> He continues to wear his scarf over his nose and mouth despite the fact that everyone can easily tell it is him.
> He disappears for several weeks during the year with no explanation where he goes during those weeks; however he has thus far returned from these voyages.
Describe a secret desire: To witness the glory of Teth's death aspect again and follow the lullaby of the waves into the deep ocean so once more the secrets between the stars are revealed unto him.
Describe something that would make the character blind with rage? A family member dying or being seriously injured.
Describe something that would bring the character to tears: Azitta dying.
Describe the character's greatest fear: Dying. Especially in some faraway land where no one will know who he is or dying without completing his major projects.
Describe an event that would change the character forever: Losing his family or becoming evil again.
How does the character express approval? A nod or a brief smile. Sometimes both.
How does the character express disapproval? A frown, a snort.
How does the character express happiness? Flashes a smile and becomes somewhat more loquacious than usual.
How does the character express anger? Dark silence and cold glances or an extreme rage; however the former is far more likely.
How does the character express fear? Rapid eye blinks and backing away from whatever causes him fear. (Unless of course, it means to kill him then he stands his ground and deals with the fear later).
How does the character express sadness? Sullen silence.
How does the character handle pain? Pain is a part of life. He bears it without complaint.
How does the character handle stress? Stress is something that Teth has put upon him to learn from. He deals with it in grim determination to get through it.
How does the character handle guilt? It churns within him and often manifests as something else (Zaid’s ‘ghost’ for example).
How does the character handle rejection? A short bout of frustration followed by dark thoughts of what to do to said person.
How does the character handle being wrong? In the academic sense, Za’lab studies what he was wrong about and writes notes so he can attempt the failure again.
How does the character handle being criticized? He listens to any advice he is given and deciding whether it is best for him.
How does the character handle being insulted? Sullen silence, narrowed eyes and a request for an apology or reparations for the insult.
How does the character handle being loved? It is awkward and he is unsure why someone would love him.
How does the character handle being hated? An understandable part of his existence. Something that Teth has placed in his life to strengthen him against his enemies.
How does the character handle humiliation? Bitter frustration and leaving the situation as soon as possible.
How does the character handle peer pressure? He is not swayed easily by peer pressure, his response is to merely stare at the person who attempts to pressure him. Even Razir’s influence on him has waned in the last five years.
How does the character handle offending others? Depends on who it is. Some he does not care about whether he offends them or not, and others – his family for example – he is like as not willing to apologize readily.
How does the character handle conflict with a friend? None of his friends are the types to get into conflicts with him. However, an apology and attempt to resolve the situation with words is his reaction to it.
How would the character handle the loss of a friend or loved one? Keep his grief to himself as much as possible. Be devastated and start seeing their ‘ghost’ for a few years (this is the pattern that has emerged with Neferty and now Zaid).
How would the character handle becoming physically disabled? Fight hard to adjust to it and figure out how to live around it. Resolve the situation with a spell, if possible. Do research on how to create an artificial –whatever he lost-.
How would the character handle being placed in an unfamiliar environment?
> Teth’s lands are wondrous; explore them with keen interest and eager curiosity, journal, and maps in hand.
> The so-called civilized world of cities is meant for trading. If they have no potential for trade, he is not as interested in them; however potential trading partners are researched and explored thoroughly.
How would the character handle an unexpected pregnancy? If it was from Azitta, he would welcome it as a child of Teth. Anyone else would likely be poisoned with the right amount of alchemical mixture to ensure swift destruction of the pregnancy. Truly depends on the situation.
Spirituality
What role does spirituality play in the character's life? He believes he is part of the cycle of death and life that is Teth, holding one end of the balance that creates the cycle of all things. The Green God chose him, this much he is sure, and as there has been no more direction save to show him corruption and torment in his life, this must surely be a sign that he is the claws of the hand. Just as Azitta is the waters of life, Za'lab is the claw of death. Of course, he does not share this with anyone.
Devoted to which God? Teth primarily and Usho also. He gives reverence to the others where appropriate.
Superstitions? Teth’s Holy Day is a day of rest and celebration. To do otherwise will anger the god and rains will not come this year.
History
Describe the character's greatest accomplishment: The designing and building of the Airborne. Creating a new village and life from the 'ruined' village. Taking down the impossible creation and turning the thing into his home (Walker in the Wastes).
Describe the character's biggest regret: Allowing the others to use the wish on him / not protesting more when the others used the wish on him.
Describe the character's darkest secret: He no longer regrets the majority of the crimes he has committed.
Describe a crime the character has committed:
> Poisoned his infant half-brother.
> Rape and continued sexual abuse of his sister.
> Murder of his stepmother.
> Execution of a man he was sure meant to do harm to Razir.
Describe a significant childhood event that shaped the character: During a family dinner that turned into an argument between Razir and the then seven-year-old Za’lab, he said to his brother, “I hate you and wish you were dead”. Their father reprimanded him and told him that the family was the most important thing he could have and that he should always watch out for his family. Family came first and he should be loyal to his family above all else. Za’lab never forgot that lesson for even when he was corrupted by the Star God’s touch, he was loyal to those he considered family.
Describe what the character has done that he is most proud of: See ‘Great Accomplishment’.
Relationships
Describe the criteria by which the character judges people: The way they treat Azitta. The motivations behind their words. Whether their scent suggests true intentions or not.
Describe the character's ideal friend: Azitta.
What do the character's friends like most about him? Azitta likes his stories. She says he gives sound wisdom, too.
What do the character's friends like least about him? Azitta does not like how silent he has become when not in the public eye. He has no idea what the others think of him on a negative scale.
Describe the character's sex life:
> On the exterior he appears to have no interest in sex at all, neither seeking a wife nor hiring anyone for such pleasures.
> Privately and in great secret, perhaps once or twice a month, he will bed Azitta. He has managed to stave off the physical illness that occurred during their first encounter after the Wish that changed him. He hopes there might be a child from the connection; however their relations are strictly secret.
Describe the character's ideal partner: A creature of passion and intellect. Someone who will build the nation of the Al'Zaid Sultanate with him, but will be as determined to keep it a place of pure trade and neutrality as he. Someone who enjoys the occasional scene from within the chamber that the siblings never told Zaid about. Someone who loves Teth in all his aspects as much as Za'lab. Someone who appreciates the mechanics and can manipulate them. Failing that, someone who will leave Za'lab alone while he is in his workshop.
Describe the character's first sexual encounter: With Neferty in the desert on the way to Quayyam.
Describe how the character would like to propose or be proposed to: Za'lab has never considered proposing to anyone since Neferty's death and has not considered what that would be like. He assumes it would compound with some romantic words and intentions. He would be the one proposing because if someone else proposed it would be met with confusion and laughter of the absurd.
Family?
Azitta.
Razir.
Describe the character's birth parents, whether they are still alive, together, etc: Dead.
What did they do for a living? Both his parents are dead. His older brother is the sultan of Zai'dra and his sister is the princess of Zai'dra. His younger half brother is dead.
Describe the character's relationship with his or her parents: He speaks with Zaid frequently, at least that which he believes is Zaid. He has learned to not do this in public, but will occasionally nod to something he believes Zaid said to him. Unlike Neferty, Zaid does not come with him all the time, only lingers in the palace and speaks to him there.
Describe one thing that might cause them to change their opinion of the character: Learning that Za’lab continues to practice such so-called ‘evil’ things as murder.
Describe the character's siblings and their ages:
Azitta – 30. She drifts between a servant to the family and their sister. She is a devoted to Teth and plans to heal the lands of Zaharum with her abilities.
Razir – 26. He is the sultan of the city and has been for the past six years. This is in contrast to what Zaid wanted, for the original sultan wanted the siblings to be a 'ruling consul' so they would not fight over the Al'Zaid Sultanate.
Razir the Younger - Infant. Died via poison prior to his first birthday.
Describe the character's relationship with his siblings:
Azitta - Occasionally comes to him seeking to bed him again, willingly wanting to give what he took from her. Despite their carnal relations, Za'lab still views Azitta as something of an older sister and knows she sees herself as a care taker for the family. He understands that he is her master, for the commands he has given her prove this, and though he does his best not to abuse this power over her, he enjoys it nonetheless.
Razir - Nothing now. He is no longer a factor in Za'lab's life since he is so far away.
Razir the Younger - Is dead. So, not a factor.
Describe family life now: Azitta and Za'lab take frequent meals together and the past five years have only served to continue their near perfect co-existence in the sense they are quite often seen together. Razir is a nonentity. Zaid is quite prominent in Za'lab's life still, coming to him in visions and dreams and generally being in attendance to all that Za'lab does.
Stuff
Favorite food and drink: Azitta’s date pudding. Some of the hard liquor he discovered from some city in the north.
Favorite music: Azitta’s singing. He has a developing fondness for the recorder that he has heard at the Sand Slider Inn.
Favorite books: Anything he has not read.
Favorite place to frequent: His workshop.
Current home or dwelling: The Walker in the Wastes.
Ideal home or dwelling: In the stillness of Teth’s lands.
Most prized possession: Azitta’s amphora.
Goals
Describe one long-term goal:
> Achieve immortality.
> Bind Azitta to something smaller than the amphora.
Describe one short-term goal: Find the World's Empress.
Describe ultimate success from the character's point of view:
>
> On a personal basis, Za'lab would have the understanding of immortality and have the secrets of the Star Gods revealed to him again.
Describe ultimate failure from the character's point of view: Any / all of the following occurring: losing Azitta's amphora, being executed or any other form of dying, specifically dying in a place that is not Zaharum.
If the character were granted a single wish, what would it be? Granting Azitta the ability to grant wishes. Failing that, his father's return so that Zaid may be the sultan of the new sultanate.
If the character had a motto, what would it be? Though the sand has no memory, the stars are the keepers of all knowledge.
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