Appearance

Physical Description

healthy male A'mau, a bit thinner than normal human males and more nimble

Body Features

several spots across his fur coat with a white belly. Sharp claws

Identifying Characteristics

has a 'tattoo like pattern in his fur on his forehead of a mystic eye, several of his spots are 'arranged' to look like he's got magical tattoo lines across his body

Physical quirks

tends to make every movement he makes seem as if he's an actor in some kind of theater production, he talks in a similar manner

Apparel & Accessories

wears blue robes that he treasures greatly, wears a smaller cowl underneath his hood to hide his eye 'tattoo when in places where magic isn't as well looked upon, has his favorite creation on his belt at almost all times (only time it isn't is when he's either using it or showing it off)

Specialized Equipment

tinker's tools, alchemy tools, and jewelers tools

Mentality

Personal history

In the great dunes of Nisiar once there was born an A’mau of, relatively little importance. His name is Zaki al-abdullah. Zaki al-abdullah was born to a pair of traveling A’mau. His parents were the sort of wild eyed adventurers that his people are known for. This instilled him at a young age a sense of wanderlust and intrigue, to go boldly and talk swiftly to explore the land. However, it is rare for good things to last. Or so I am told. Zaki’s parents suddenly disappeared one day, vanishing without a trace. To this day I know not of where Zaki’s parents went nor what became of them. Perhaps they yet live and are doing as they have always done? Regardless their part in this story is as of yet unimportant to this story.
 
Now alone with naught but his wits and ‘education’ Zaki was very much alone. This did little to dampen the young A’mau’s spirits and soon he was back to doing what had found him comfort; exploring and tinkering with what scraps he could find in his adventures. One day he came upon a ruined temple of sorts in the desert. During his exploration he found a large set of stone doors with elaborate markings etched upon them. Finding little else in the ruined temple Zaki assumed that they held the greatest riches of the ruin. They held fast though and without any means of prying them open Zaki was forced to leave the ruined temple in search of a key to the door. Unfortunately for him the Desert had other plans. The sands beat down hard upon him, fiercer than he had ever felt before and soon he passed out from exhaustion.
 
To his surprise this was not the end of his tale. He awoke some days later inside a wonderful place. He had seemingly been rescued by what he assumed was either luck or perhaps some twist of fate. He had no idea why he had been rescued but swore he’d repay the debt to them. His time with the Caravan was much more than even he could have imagined it to become however. His rescuers were uninterested in his vow to repay them, only helping to help a fellow traveler. Zaki insisted however and got the attention of a man by the name of Robert. Robert as it turned out was in fact one of the Caravan’s senior members and the one who noticed him half buried in the dunes after the sandstorm had passed. Despite Robert’s insistence Zaki stuck around and helped the Caravan as well as he could. At first he was pretty bad at it, his upbringing had only really taught him how to be an adventurer and did little to help him adapt life with a traveling band of merchants and performers. Things began to change when the Caravan made its next stop. A small city nestled in the dunes that the Caravan frequented on its near constant journey. Zaki stuck around the Caravan for a while in the hopes of repaying his seemingly self-perceived debt to them. While the Caravan was in town Zaki was about to leave to try and make up his debt by finding a quest or ruin to delve when he came across a young crying child. Unsure of what to do he approached the child and began to tell the young boy a story of a hero who united the land against a terrible foe. The tale of a great hero of the A’mau completely enthralled the young boy and soon they were not alone. Without noticing it Zaki had gathered quite the crowd of onlookers and attentive listeners as he retold the story of one of the A’mau’s greatest heroes. Once he was finished Zaki knelt down to the young child and gave him a smile. “Even in the darkest hour there is always a bright light of hope to be found.” He stated with a smile before standing up to notice the dozen or so onlookers. Completely stunned by his sudden crowd he was about to leave when one of the other children asked for him to tell her a story. The request was almost instantly demanded by the rest of the children and soon Zaki was telling one story after the next about heroes, villains, and magic. It didn’t take long for Robert to catch wind of this and before the end of Zaki’s third story Robert joined the crowd. After telling more stories than he could recall Zaki took a break only to realize that night had fallen. The original crowd had almost doubled in size, most of them being children and a few parents, they wished to hear more when Robert stepped up to begin telling his own story. Now it was fairly well known by the city and the Caravan itself but Robert was known as one of the best story tellers of the Caravan. Zaki sat in awe of the stories Robert spun with an unusual flair. He even added various illusions to enhance the stories, often by portraying the events as they unfolded with exaggerated images and what Zaki could only assume at the time was some sort of magic to enhance his voice to portray a wide variety of voices, tones, and depths to his characters.
 
After a few hours Robert finished his grand tale, a story weaved from various other smaller stories, and dispersed to return to their homes. Before anyone could leave however Robert thanked them for their time and thanked Zaki for his hard work ‘stirring the crowd.’ Completely stunned by this Zaki asked Robert after the crowd had left what he had meant only for Robert to simply smile. Stating only that he had to return to his duties before bed. Before the stunned Zaki could do anything however Robert asked him if he had a bed for the night. Zaki had at that point only had a place to sleep due to the Caravan allowing him to tag along until they got to the next stop. With what little money Zaki had on him he simply replied he did not and that he was going to try his luck at one of the inns in town. Robert laughed and offered him a place to stay provided he could keep his storytelling to himself until late afternoon. Confused, tired, and hungry Zaki took his offer without a second thought. Zaki stuck around with Robert and after several weeks of traveling he became fairly well known throughout the Caravan as a storyteller in the making. Robert took great interest in Zaki’s talents and soon Zaki was being trained by Robert in both the art of story telling and illusion magic. In time Robert would become like a second father to the young Zaki. In time Zaki chose to take up a second name, Kevin, due to the people he performed for as well as a few of the other members of the Caravan having difficulty actually pronouncing his A’mau name. In time Zaki eventually learned to harness magic under the tutelage of Robert’s watchful eye. Taught by Robert to use magic to enhance the lives of those around them rather than for self-gain Zaki practice magic whenever he got the chance, seeing magic as a profound thing that he felt could only enhance the lives of others.
 
Life was good for the first time in a long time for Zaki. His new family was a colorful sort and would often meet new people and see places he never once thought he’d see in his lifetime. His skills only improved with time and after several years with the Caravan it was generally agreed those who heard his stories that he was almost as good as Robert was. Zaki never put much stock in these claims as he always felt he could do better next time. This did lead him to try and one up himself constantly, often to mixed results, as he continued to improve. He became particularly well known for his over the top performances. Often making very theatrical poses and sayings in an attempt to entertain and occasionally inspire. He learned from many of the caravan including an older looking man called Clovis. Clovis wasn’t the best of wizards within the Caravan but he was better known for his talents with crafting jewelry. Clovis had another trade however; within the Caravan he was known for making unique devices that could do anything from holding and spraying various types of perfumes to cleaning just about anything that could have been dirtied. Most of the Caravan looked to him when things began to break or needed improving. While most of his work looked mundane, they were often just what was needed to fix the problem. Zaki studied much of Clovis’ work in hopes of understanding how it worked. Seeing it as a puzzle to be solved and to be hopefully used to better the lives of the Caravan. Clovis took note of Zaki’s studies and began to educate him and with his help Zaki learned how to create some devices of his own. His first ever creation that didn’t break though was a small metal box that he kept on his person at all times that could record and play music. Often using it to match his stories when appropriate for it could only hold at most two or three songs at a time, depending on the length of the songs.
 
Another of his teachers was a young A’mau woman about his age called Freya who taught him how to properly use alchemist tools to create various potions. Freya would often supply the various perfume bottles with perfume as well as produce healing potions to treat the injuries of the Caravan’s people. Freya was born to the Caravan by her mother shortly before her passing due to a run in with bandits by the time Freya was four years old. Raised almost entirely by the Caravan and adopted by the Caravan’s leader, a man called Elijah, Freya has a deep connection with most of the Caravan and is expected to take up the mantle when she’s old enough. Zaki became close friends with Freya and in time learned how to create potions of his own. It was often said that Zaki and Freya would one day become lovers but their own relationship was bit closer that of siblings in their eyes. Especially given how Robert took her own as an apprentice mage while Zaki was still learning from him. This led to some rather interesting situations when the two had to practice their magic against each other in mock duels. Zaki and Freya were often seen together either trying to best each other’s illusions, stories, or potions for fun. Often keeping just a step or two behind the other with neither gaining much ground over the other.
 
It was not to last however. Years after Zaki joined the Caravan during a particularly busy season they were forced into taking an alternate route to one of their regular trading posts on the southern end of the desert due to a sandstorm. They reached a small city on the border of Nisiar and Laelon and set up shop like normal. Hoping to gather some trade to bring to their next stop. At first everything went like normal for the Caravan. That is until one of the performances began. As one of the Storytellers began to use illusions to enhance the story one of the citizens of the town freaked out in horror of the magic on display and quickly spread the word about the ‘witchcraft’ being used. When this information reached Elijah, it was too late. They had barely enough time to pack up their supplies before the Witch Hunters arrived with an Inquisitor in front. Elijah tried to barter with the Inquisitor, stating that since they were on the border of Nisiar and Laelon that it was just a misunderstanding. That the offending wizard had simply used visual ticks to help embellish the performance. Calling it smoke and mirrors instead of magic. This did little to appease the Inquisitor who demanded that each and every member of the Caravan that could feel even a pinch of magic should be brought before him to face the righteous judgement of Laelon. Noticeably concerned since at least half of his Caravan could feel and use magic Elijah attempted to plead with the Inquisitor further in an attempt to spare the lives of his friends and family. The Inquisitor cared little for his assurances and promises and made one final demand for the surrender of all magically gifted individuals and any magically imbued items in the Caravan’s possession. Left without much choice Elijah stated that he would comply to the laws of the land while secretly relaying a message to his fellows to start running.
 
The Inquisitor wasn’t so easily fooled and quickly discovered Elijah’s attempt to buy time for the magically gifted to flee. Without hesitation he slew Elijah before the Caravan and demanded that all mages come forth to face the judgement of Laelon. Naturally this didn’t go over so well. Furious at this action many of the Caravan’s members including Zaki raced to avenge and defend their family. This was just what the Inquisitor had planned however and soon more than half of the Caravan was slain. Robert quickly realized how dire the situation was and quickly grabbed as many people as he could to enact a daring escape. Zaki and Freya would have none of it, but Robert gave them little choice. Robert bravely sacrificed himself to give them time to escape. It was not their preferred plan but given the grievous casualties the Caravan had already sustained and wanting to honor the memories of the fallen they reluctantly fled with only three wagons. The small group of survivors fled north while the Inquisitor and his men made sport of their prey. Zaki came up with a plan to mask their escape as the fires of the doomed caravan by using illusions to hide their appearance. Also making use of a simple trick the Caravan often employed when in danger; using a low riding ‘skirt’ of sorts to naturally sweep the desert sands and effectively erase their wagon’s trail. Together with Freya they managed to elude the rest of the Witch Hunters.
 
The following days were hard for every member of the Caravan. Many if not all of them had lost loved ones. Zaki had lost his second father, a man who was more of a father to him than his first, along with the rest of his family. Freya had lost most of her entire adoptive family and the scars showed. They had lost much of their leadership leaving the Caravan to be led by the young blood. Many wanted just vengeance for the brutality the Lealonian people had shown them for simple theatrics and magic. Even the kind Freya thirsted for blood. Not wanting to have the sacrifices their family had spent for them to go to waste Zaki tried to voice caution. While eager to punish the foolish barbarians that had stolen so much from them Zaki was concerned that the pent-up rage would waste their loved one’s sacrifices if they did not control themselves. This did not do much to win over the survivors’ thirst for vengeance but Freya, as the adoptive and sole remaining member of the Elijah’s family, after some heated counseling agreed and vowed they would return to punish the fools when the time was right but no sooner. At first this did not go over well with many of the younger and more hot blooded of the survivors calling her a coward and barking that she brought shame upon her house for even daring to suggest retreat. Freya was adamant however that their time would come but they didn’t have long to argue about this. During the night of the sixth day a loud bellow was heard. The had been followed and the Inquisitor was right on their heels.
 
The hot-blooded youth unleashed blasts of magic so brilliant that the almost looked like dancing art upon the barbaric Witch Hunters. Only then did they realize how woefully outclassed they where when their magics did next to nothing to their hated foe. Thinking quickly Freya and Zaki quickly cast an illusion to once more hide their trail as the hot bloodied members of the Caravan quickly realized how doomed they were. Thanks to the show of magic they had managed to cloak themselves under the veil of a potent illusion and the Witch Hunters passed them by. The next few weeks were hard on the Caravan’s survivors. They spent days without knowing where they were going due to trying to elude the Witch Hunter’s dogged pursuit. Often changing course multiple times a day and rarely staying in one place for long. Some days not even stopping to sleep or let the horses sleep. Things came to head when one of the wagons broke down and they were forced to make a decision. Without the wagon they’d have to pile on what they could take onto one of the remaining two including the people that they had barely managed to stow upon the third. Plus the supplies and merchandise the third wagon held that they hoped to sell to help regain their health as a caravan. As they tried to figure out a plan once more did the howl of the Witch Hunters echo in the dunes. The Witch Hunters had found them once more and now they were ragged and tired. It looked like the end was upon them as the rabid men came over the sands like dogs when a single arrow pierced the head of one of their more decorated members. The Witch Hunters stopped at the command of their Inquisitor to a new group take the field. A band of what looked to be soldiers and mages came charging into the battle and unleashed a deadly barrage of steel and magic upon the Witch Hunters. The braver, or more thoughtful really depends on who you ask, of the Survivors saw their opportunity and unleashed what little they had left upon the Witch Hunters and soon the battle was over. However, the inquisitor fled the scene leaving the survivors without a feeling of true justice being served.
 
Now rescued the Survivors had a new problem on their hands. As the leader of the soldiers approached a great unease was felt throughout the Caravan. When asked who was the leader of this ‘sorry lot’ was none of the Survivors dared speak. When asked again Freya stepped forward and explained what had happened. To everyone’s surprise the Soldier apologized they had not arrived sooner. They offered to take the survivors to safety at no cost. Explaining that they had been hired by the City of Nisiar to rescue potential mages from the Witch Hunters of Laelon. Even offered to help fix the wagon, or at the very least keep them well protected while the Caravan saw to the repairs. While grateful to the now known mercenaries for their work Zaki was concerned. He had heard tales of mercenaries such as these gathering up potential mages to be brought to the capital to be trained in the mystic arts. Normally this wouldn’t concern him too much for the opportunity to escape to safer lands and the continued survival of those still alive was frankly too much to pass up on. However he had also heard rumors that if any of the people saved by these mercenaries were found to be lacking in the mystic arts they would be turned aside and left to fend for themselves at the city gates. Treated as little more than the sands that surrounded them. Freya too had heard of these rumors but both could agree that the possibility of survival was too good an offer to pass up on. Even if it meant leaving behind their only chance at revenge against those who wronged them.
 
The trip to the Capital was a difficult one. They were quite literally on the other side of the desert all together when they where found. Thankfully the roads proved to be far safer with a band of well trained mercenaries not far from them. They even managed to make some profit by selling their wares to various cities and villages they came across during their travels. Something that everyone appreciated as it allowed them the safety of food and water. After several weeks of travel they reached the great City of Nisiar. Zaki looked upon the city with awe as it was simply beyond any description that any had tried to give him in the past. He could taste the magic in the air, feel it coursing in his very veins as he got closer to the City itself. When they reached the gates they were introduced to a woman garbed in rich robes who offered her tidings of welcome and regret at the news of what the Caravan had endured by the time the mercenaries had found them. She asked one question to the survivors. “What does thou seek to achieve with thine magic?”
The normally talkative group was perplexed at the question. Many had been taught by Robert and the other mages that magic was to be used to better others, to create a better world for all to enjoy in harmony. The last few weeks however had hardened them to question this very notion. Zaki was one of the first to answer. Stating that he wished to make the world a better place, even if meant the removal of certain elements. The Woman looked intrigued by Zaki’s answer and asked for his name. Zaki gave her his full name, but the Woman appeared to have difficulty saying it. Zaki then gave her his more common name of Kevin. The Woman offered him and the rest of the mages a place to study and train in the city and means to avenge those they had lost. They eagerly accepted this deal but asked what would become of those without magic? The Woman simply stated that they would be escorted to the nearest market to ensure they were well supplied for their unique brand of mercantile. Freya, knowing this was the best they could acquire for their non-magically gifted members thanked the Woman for her hospitality and soon she and the other mages were admitted to the first schools any of them had been a part of.
 
Each mage was screened for their magical talents and enlisted in the school that the Woman thought best for their talents. It was of no surprise that Zaki and Freya wound up in the same school and even in the same classes. Together the two quickly advanced through the beginner level classes and wound up making a name for themselves among their peers. The ‘Comic Duo’ as they were called were known for their ability to use illusions and words to make even the dullest class memorable. However what was largely unknown was that their humorous tones and mannerisms were well crafted facades. Zaki blamed himself for not seeing the danger that stopping in that small city posed to the Caravan and swore he’d make up for his mistake one way or another, even if it would kill him. Freya was much the same way and together they would study even late into the night. Often devising ways that their magic could be used to make those responsible pay for their inhumane actions. Over time they did begin to heal but their anger never truly faded.
 
Years later during a particularly heated competition between schools Zaki would be approached by a strange looking man. This man called himself Kasvaar and claimed he was interested in Zaki, or rather Kevin’s, work at defeating one of his opponents from the more direct school’s magic. Asking if he had ever considered making a name for himself on the road as an adventurer or mercenary. At this point Zaki was quite interested in the idea but was concerned that he had neither the time nor the coin to begin such an undertaking. His studies into the arcane occupied much of his time and if he did take up the opportunity he felt obligated to at least inform if not gain the aid of his most trusted friend. This did not deter Kasvaar and he pressed on, stating that he had a job he was working on and was wondering if Kevin would at the very least like to get out into the dunes to do a bit of hands on studying. Zaki was more inclined to do this and asked what was the destination of this ‘field trip.’ The destination was some ruin that he had a vague recollection of from his studies. Kasvaar even added that the goal of this expedition was to retrieve a magical orb of some kind from the ruin’s deepest chamber. Intrigued by the knowledge of acquiring a magical artifact Zaki agreed to join this Kasvaar on the adventure but requested some time to prepare his things and to allow him enough time to inform the teachers of his leave of absence. Kasvaar agreed to this and requested that Zaki join him at an inn near the wall to leave in two days time.
 
Zaki quickly set about to his tasks. The teachers were at first stunned by his request. It was not normal for Zaki to leave the city without one of his friends from the Caravan but agreed that it would be an excellent learning opportunity. After ensuring that his absence would not cause issues, he then went to the libraries in search of knowledge of the ruin they would be investigating. After a few hours of research, he discovered that the name he had been given was the one listed on a map and not the local name for the ruin. The ruin was in fact the very same one he had been lost in before he was rescued by Robert so many years ago. Armed with this newfound knowledge he quickly sought out Freya to inform her of his journey. She was concerned about the adventure. Even though she was still quite eager to find the ones responsible for their suffering she rather enjoyed their life in the City and didn’t want to risk losing him to the dunes. She warned him to be careful and to return safely before helping him find necessary supplies for the trip. After tending to his duties Zaki arrived at the inn to find Kasvaar. While waiting for Kasvaar he took note of the people in the inn in question. The inn was a well-known hangout for the rowdier mages of the City and had a reputation for trouble. Before finding Kasvaar he noticed one of his friends, a woman by the name of Ember, dancing onstage. The woman was known for her performances and he had ‘crashed’ a few to help improve the performance from time to time. Most peculiar about her was that she wasn’t your average human. She was in fact something she called a ‘Fire Genasi.’ Her unique nature allowed her to drag in quite the crowd of interested onlookers especially considering how rare her people are in the world, or so she says. She took well to the playful tricks and the two became good friends. Even Freya took part in the performances from time to time. It didn’t take long for Zaki to find Kasvaar and soon the two were ready to head out to find the ruin.
 
The journey to the Ruin wasn’t too difficult. They stuck to the road mostly, staying at inns as they reached towns to resupply and to rest before the next trek of the journey. In a few weeks they arrived at the ruin. The Ruin hadn’t improved much since Zaki had last seen it but thankfully it hadn’t deteriorated much either. Zaki’s experience with the ruin helped them navigate the ruin. They soon found the chamber where the magical orb was thought to be kept only to find a strange woman that seemed familiar to Kasvaar. The woman boasted that she was surprised it took them so long to arrive and was toying with the idea that she should leave with the orb in hand. Only stopping with considering that idea when she recognized Kasvaar. Surprisingly, Kasvaar also recognized the woman, calling her Ashe and expressing his interest in her talents. She gave the orb to the pair and was about to leave when Kasvaar stopped her and asked her to join their team. Slightly confused by this Zaki asked what sort of team Kasvaar meant only for Ashe to explain that Kasvaar was the well-known hero of the realm. At first Zaki assumed that this man was someone with either a similar name or trading by the famed hero’s name. It wouldn’t be the first time that he had heard of such a thing in his travels. Kasvaar then asked if they would join the Klif Company, being sufficiently impressed with their talents and abilities for managing to make it this far. A bit taken aback by this Zaki learned later on that the mercs who saved the Caravan were the Klif Company and was completely taken by surprise by this revelation. Honored by the request he simply responded he’d be honored to be a part of such a group especially after what all they had done for him and his family in the past leading to him explaining how he had been saved by them in the past. Kasvaar wasn’t surprised by the news but happy to know that one of their rescued mages had become such a competent wizard and welcomed Zaki into the Company.
 
Zaki spent the next few months working odd jobs for the Company, befriending many of his local co-workers. Ashe was one of the ones he worked with the most. Usually doing the occasional odd job and making a general nuisance of themselves on and off the job. Freya took the news of his new employment quite well as did the rest of the surviving members of the Caravan. He writes to them or checks in himself every so often to make sure they are alright while he works for the Klif Company with the hopes that he can make up for his past failures by hopefully preventing others from suffering similar fates to him.

Education

Trained under various wizards while a part of a wondering caravan and formal training at a school in the City of Nisiar

Employment

Mercenary of the Klif Company

Failures & Embarrassments

failed to protect his 2nd family

Mental Trauma

grief gained from his failure to save the caravan has led him to try and make amends for his perceived failures

Morality & Philosophy

Try to make the world a better place even if you're not. Magic should be used for the benefit of all, not just oneself.

person.sexuality

heterosexual

person.gender_identity

Masculine

Taboos

finds the use of drugs to enhance or dull the minds of other to be distasteful. Especially when used to enhance a performance of any kind. Sees it as cheating or coping out of a decent challenge.

Known Languages

Common, Celestial

Personality

Motivation

to make the world a safer and better place for all. To make at least one more person smile.

Vices & Personality flaws

always trying to do better, never thinking his last act was good enough

Social

Mannerisms

tends to make almost theatrical poses when ever casting spells

Hobbies & Pets

often tinkering with various pieces of seemingly junk to make something out of nothing. Practicing his illusions to try and improve himself.