Mr. Pai
(a.k.a. the Foreign Pugilist)
As I step into the Rakshasa Room at Al-Mizān, my eyes are immediately drawn to the floor. There it lies, the skin of a slain Rakshasa, stretched out beneath the tables as if inviting diners to tread upon it. A curious choice for a rug, but then again, Farid always had a flair for the dramatic.
The room is dimly lit, casting shadows that dance across the walls, but the Rakshasa skin seems to absorb the light, almost as if it's still scheming in death. I can't help but think of the symbolism here—diners feasting away, oblivious to the evil that once roamed in that very skin. It's a silent testament to the audacity of carelessness, a critique of complacency wrapped in the guise of luxury.
I chuckle to myself, a soft, almost inaudible sound. The irony is delicious, almost as much as the spiced lamb that's a house specialty. Here we are, a room full of people dining atop the remains of malevolence, as if to say, "Evil, you're underfoot, and you'll stay there."
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Mr. Pai is a paragon of physical fitness, his lean, muscular frame honed to perfection through years of rigorous martial arts training. Exceptionally agile, he moves with a fluid grace that belies his strength, making him a formidable opponent in any physical confrontation. A peculiar scar on his chest, left by a molten crystal from Mount Origin, serves as a constant reminder of the mysterious abilities that augment his already impressive physical prowess.
Special abilities
Mr. Pai, known in the shadows of Al-Zaluma as the Foreign Pugilist, possesses an array of abilities that set him apart from ordinary combatants. Unbeknownst to him, his unique capabilities stem from his Remnari heritage, a lineage he is unaware of.
- Durability: One of the most striking features of the Foreign Pugilist is his extraordinary resistance to damage. Whether it's the sharp edge of a blade or the crushing force of a mace, he seems to withstand physical harm with an ease that defies natural law. This durability is a hallmark trait of the Remnari species, whose adaptive physiology allows them to endure conditions that would be lethal to others.
- Radiant Energy: During a chase that led him to the Plane of Elemental Fire, Mr. Pai discovered another latent ability. In a desperate attempt to summon more ki, he inadvertently unleashed a wave of radiant energy. This event suggests that he may possess the Remnari trait of astral resonance, which allows them to channel energies from different planes of existence. However, since his return to the Material Plane, he has been unable to replicate this feat, leaving him uncertain if it was a one-time occurrence or an ability yet to be mastered.
- Adaptive Physiology: Mr. Pai's experience in the Plane of Elemental Fire revealed a limitation to his durability, indicating that his adaptive physiology has its bounds. This aligns with the Remnari trait of mutable physiology, which adapts to different planes but is not infallible.
- Unrealized Potential: Given his Remnari lineage, Mr. Pai likely has other latent abilities yet to be discovered. His third eye, a common feature among Remnari, remains dormant but could potentially allow him to discern alignments of good and evil. His highly efficient metabolism, another Remnari trait, may also play a role in his stamina and recovery, although this is speculative.
Apparel & Accessories
By day, Mr. Pai is often seen in a keffiyeh and fine robes, a sartorial choice that reflects his role as Farid's bodyguard and his integration into the culture of Al-Zaluma. The keffiyeh, a symbol of dignity and respect in the region, signifies his commitment to his duties and his respect for the people he serves. His robes, finely crafted and adorned with subtle embroidery, speak to the prestige of his position and the esteem in which he is held.
By night, Mr. Pai transforms into the Foreign Pugilist, donning a form-fitting outfit designed to maximize agility and conceal his identity. The dark, flexible fabric allows him to move with the grace of a shadow, while a mask obscures his features, turning him into an enigmatic figure of justice. This attire is not just a disguise; it is a symbol of his dual life, a fabric embodiment of the moral and ethical complexities that define him.
Specialized Equipment
The Foreign Pugilist, for all his martial prowess, is notably sparse when it comes to specialized equipment. His hands and feet are his primary weapons, and his agile mind his greatest tool. This lack of gadgetry is not a limitation but a choice, a testament to his belief in the purity of skill and the potency of improvisation. He can turn the environment itself into an arsenal, using whatever is at hand to gain the upper edge.
However, a peculiar incident involving a criminal known as "the Glider" revealed an unexpected facet of his character. The Glider, armed with an array of magical gadgets, seemed for a moment to have caught the Foreign Pugilist's admiration. "Aw, I need a gizmo like that," he mused, before effortlessly neutralizing his technologically-armed opponent. This momentary expression of interest suggests that while he may not rely on specialized equipment, he is not averse to the idea. It hints at a latent curiosity for magical items and clever inventions, a subtle layer to his otherwise straightforward approach.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Early Life and Training
Born into obscurity, Mr. Pai was left at the doorstep of an orphanage in Jiaohai. At the tender age of seven, he was taken in by a local monastery renowned for its martial arts teachings. The monks quickly recognized his innate talent and began to train him rigorously. As he grew, so did his skills, turning him into a formidable combatant by the age of 19. Yet, despite his achievements, a sense of longing for a home he never knew gnawed at him.The Fateful Journey
It was during this period of introspection that Farid Al-Qamar, on a secretive holiday, discovered Mr. Pai. Impressed by his skills and depth of character, Farid offered him employment as a bodyguard. Mr. Pai accepted, leaving behind his monastic life with a blend of optimism and melancholy. However, destiny had other plans. During their journey back to Ritan, Mount Origin erupted. A molten shard, transformed into a glowing crystal midair, struck Mr. Pai, leaving an indelible mark on his chest.The Awakening
This event triggered a profound transformation in Mr. Pai. Unbeknownst to him or Farid, he was a Remnari , and the crystal's impact awakened latent abilities within him. After a period of introspection and training, he gained control over these newfound powers. It was then that he approached Farid with a daring proposition: to use their resources and abilities to set up and thwart criminals in Al-Zaluma. Thus, the Foreign Pugilist was born, a mysterious combatant who would come to symbolize the intricate balance of justice and power in the city.Education
Jiaohai, the city of waterways and martial prowess, cradled the Temple of Longwang within its labyrinthine canals. Here, young Mr. Pai, a prodigy discovered at the tender age of 19, began his tutelage. The temple, a sanctum dedicated to Longwang—the Dragon King of cosmic harmony and Elemental fury—was not merely a school but a crucible that forged souls.
Longwang's essence, a blend of Celestial wisdom and earthly ferocity, permeated the very air of the temple. His teachings, channeled through venerable monks, emphasized not just martial skill but also cosmic balance. "Harness the storm, yet be the calm," they would often say, a mantra that resonated deeply with Mr. Pai. His training was grueling, a relentless cycle of physical trials and meditative trances, designed to awaken not just the body but also the spirit.
Yet, the temple was not all austerity and rigor. Moments of profound tranquility punctuated the arduous routine. Mr. Pai would often find himself by the temple's koi pond, contemplating the fluid grace of the fish—a lesson in harmony, a reflection of Longwang's dual nature.
As years turned into mastery, Mr. Pai became a living testament to the temple's teachings. His combat style, a fluid dance of strikes and evasions, mirrored the elemental wrath and celestial serenity of Longwang. But it wasn't just his martial prowess that marked him as exceptional; it was his unyielding pursuit of cosmic balance, a quest that would later guide him through trials both mundane and mystical.
Employment
Leaving the Temple of Longwang behind, Mr. Pai found himself aboard a ship bound for Al-Zaluma. Farid, his new employer, was more than a mere merchant; he was a visionary like Mr. Pai himself. Their year-long voyage was not just a physical journey but a philosophical odyssey. Farid's wisdom and Mr. Pai's martial prowess found a unique synergy, laying the foundation for a partnership that would redefine justice in Al-Zaluma.
Two years into his tenure, Mr. Pai donned the guise of the Foreign Pugilist. By night, he was a spectral avenger, a moral enigma navigating the labyrinthine ethics of justice and retribution. Each punch thrown in the moonlit alleys was a philosophical statement, each criminal thwarted a question posed to the society that bred them. Farid, ever the visionary, saw the potential for a new kind of justice and gave his tacit approval.
When Farid began operating Al-Mizān, Mr. Pai incidentally took on the mantle of chief of security. But Al-Mizān was no ordinary establishment; it was a microcosm of Al-Zaluma's complexities. Guarding its golden halls presented ethical quandaries that tested Mr. Pai's philosophy. When he thwarted an attempted heist, he faced a moral dilemma: what to do with the young thief who claimed to steal out of necessity? It was a question that would haunt him, challenging his beliefs and adding another layer to his complex persona.
Morality & Philosophy
Mr. Pai's moral compass is as finely tuned as his martial prowess. He loathes corruption in all its forms, be it the petty bribery of a city guard or the grand machinations of a corrupt official. This aversion is not merely a personal preference but a deeply ingrained philosophy. To Mr. Pai, corruption is a cancer that erodes the very fabric of society, a blight that must be excised lest it consume all that is good and just. His actions, both as Farid's bodyguard and the Foreign Pugilist, reflect this unyielding stance. He has been known to go to great lengths to expose and thwart corrupt individuals, often putting himself at great risk to do so.
While Mr. Pai is a formidable combatant, he is not a killer. His strikes are calculated to incapacitate, not to end life. This commitment to non-lethality stems from a complex moral calculus. He believes that every life, no matter how flawed, has the potential for redemption. To kill is to snuff out that potential, an act he considers the ultimate form of corruption. His martial arts training at the Temple of Longwang emphasized this philosophy, teaching him techniques that neutralize threats without causing fatal harm.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of Mr. Pai's philosophy is his commitment never to throw the first blow. This is not a tactical choice but a moral one. He views aggression as a failure of diplomacy, a breakdown of the social contract that binds civilized beings. By not initiating violence, he forces his adversaries to confront the moral implications of their actions, turning each conflict into a philosophical dialogue enacted through physical movement.
Relationships
Alignment
Chaotic Good
Current Status
Employed
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Year of Birth
1504 PE
26 Years old
Birthplace
Spouses
Siblings
Children
Current Residence
Pronouns
He/Him
Sex
Male
Gender
Man
Presentation
Masculine
Height
5'8"
Weight
155 lbs.
Belief/Deity
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