Character:Ziyad Antarah

Ziyad Antarah

Appearance

Zayid appears as a man in his mid-twenties. He has long black hair he tends to keep within a turban, and maintains a well trimmed and oiled beard. He has a gaunt face with intelligent brown eyes and maintains tanned olive coloured skin even in this colder eastern climate. He has two light duelling scars on his face He is a lean and tall man who moves with a remarkable amount of grace.

He normally wears a pair of silk wrapped curved blades on his back and has been quick to call men to duels for what he considers slights on his honour. He tends to favour silks like most Delzahn but in the winters in Nexus is known to go about in more local (and warmer dress). He goes without a veil a fact he contributes both to the climate and his status as an outcaste.

[[Image:[url=http://tektek.org/avatar/27549525][img]http://public4.tektek.org/img/av/0906/d03/0457/ba5e595.png[/img][/url]]]

Background

Eldest Son of one of the wealthiest Orkhan's amongst the Noble Delzahn of Chiaroscuro, Ziyad Antarah grew up in wealth. He spent much of his youth in study of both the traditional methods of war among the Delzahn and the recovered first age knowledge of his home city. As first among the Antarah Orkahns children, he was heir to the sept and leader in both the glass trade and when the sept was called to war.

Thought young Ziyad seemed able for these duties, his passions seemed to lie elsewhere. By adolescence he was an accomplished hunter and duellist but also an inspired poet and historian. Enough that the Tri-khan wished for the youth to study be a member of his own court, to act as an emissary and functionary for the Tri-Khan.

By 24 he was considered one of the greatest poets in the south, entertaining Dynast and other exotic guests at the hospitality of Tri-Khan. His sonnets, odes, ruba'is and ghazals were renown as far as the realm. He had also gained a infamous reputation for womanising, his affairs with the young brides of several prominent nobles within the city had earned him enmity from members of the court.

The disgrace on the family honour was causing friction with young Ziyad and his father the Orkhan. Threats were made between the two after an incident involving the young wife of a visiting diplomat from Gem but they did little except incense Ziyad to look for greater conquests. By Ascending Flame he had found them.

On the twenty third day of Ascending Flame, Ziyad was caught 'performing' within the Tri-Khan's personal harem by one of his lords most trusted bodyguard. Fearing for his manhood and the repercussions that would ensue should this come out, Ziyad tried desperately to reason with the man. When that failed, he with as much dignity as he could manage fled from the guard by leaping out of nearby window into a fountain within the Tri-Kahn's personal garden.

Unluckily for Ziyad the garden was at that point being frequented by the Tri-Khan himself. Being quickly the focus of many armed guard and attempting to disarm the situation he said the first thing that came into his head...

To this day Ziyad is not exactly sure what he said to the Tri-Kahn but when he calmed enough the garden was filled with light and the Tri-Kahn was laughing. The two had a short negotiation, ending with Ziyad's banishment from Chiaroscuro, the most favourable result Ziyad was likely to get and Ziyad walked away from Chiaroscuro a member of the Exalted.

Over the next year he worked his way through city to city in pursuit of his passions and ending up with many a jealous local lord, Satrap or Perfect and entourage pursuing him out of various cities for dalliances with their wives. In between cities he looted ruins in search of lost literary work, cataloguing it and attempting to artistically surpass it.

Six months ago he arrived in Nexus, accompanied by a young girl who Ziyad claims as a ward. He quietly became the guest and courtier of one Councillor Brueghel, a situation that seems to suit the both of them despite his reputation.

About two months into moving into Nexus, Ziyad got involved in a heated argument after flirting with a Lord Jidan’s wife at a party on the river. It culminated in a bet with the young lord: If Ziyad could climb a Mt. Giruyana, one of the largest mountains in the local area; Jidan would cede the lands surrounding the mountain to Ziyad. If Ziyad failed Jidan’s wife would be safe from Ziyad’s escapades forever. Not being one to resist such a challenge Ziyad climbed the mountain with Shofei in tow.

The climb was tense and would have been near impossible for a mortal but for a couple of Chosen of the Sun, it was just trivial. A few spirits of the mountain hounded them but for but a minute until Ziyad forced them away with glare, the threat of Shofei and a well timed speech backed up by ancient oaths. Having reached the summit and explained to Shofei why they had climbed. The night he returned having beaten the mountain and taken the summit, he claimed both the Lord’s lands and his wife’s virtue.

On surveying the property some weeks later, deep in a valley in the foothills, he found shards of a ruined structure and found the vines overgrown twisted into prayers to the sun. In the centre of the valley there lies a broken alter with two curved blades jammed deep within the stone. Around the ruined alter as if the outer wall of a room is a circle of vines and moss which tell of the fall of a mighty prince here.

Ziyad felt called to the valley and pulled the swords from the ruined alter with ease. He carries the blades with him even now, normally wrapped in silks until he is required to use them. He did not mark the valley on the map but felt compelled to write a poem about it, calling it the Valley of Twisted Words and Echoing Sighs. He knew the place has power, he could feel it in the air. Fortunately for Ziyad he recorded the place in a poem so as he left he though he did forget the valley, the poem triggered his memory. Within a month he had returned and attuned to the place, making it impossible to forget. Now with what funds he can scrap together he has begun investigating constructing a structure there, investigating those that know of such things.

Questions

HOW OLD ARE YOU? I am twenty-nine, not that I would admit that to most but a woman of your beauty intrigues me.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAMILY LIKE? My father was an Orkhan, leader of our sept within our family. He was a wealthy merchant who amused himself by keeping the sept ready for war, never have I seen men more blood thirsty than a group of bureaucrats playing at the game of war. Or cousins in the desert and those among my former tribe that make war their profession, like one of my uncles, they are both more merciful and more competent.

My father wished me to join the family business but I took less of the merchant business in and more of my studies as a child. We Delzhan of the cities are taught both civilised pursuits like history, numeracy and art and the ancient ways such like riding and warfare. I disappointed my father as despite my talent for duelling I never cared much for it. For settling matters of honour it sufficed but beyond that it bored me.

My mother was a terror and the head of our household. She reared us till we were handed to the teachers and ran my fathers books. She was supportive as a mother is of sons even if when my interest in poetry surfaced she may well have been the one who thought I would take the grey. When I did not she was surprised and when I shamed the family she was the only one who would still talk.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I am from Chiaroscuro, a city of wonder. Maybe someday you will go there, I alas am forbidden to return.

HOW WERE YOU EXALTED? Many will speak of me, most say I am quite the womaniser. In that they are quite correct, though I have loved every woman I have met. I do not believe I shame them, though most of their husbands do. But that is side tracking.

My Exultation came to me when I found myself talking down the Tri-Khan, in his own garden, surrounded by his guard after being caught in intimate relations with his harem. Because of it I survived without becoming a Eunuch, which my lady I will be delighted to prove to you later.

WHEN DID YOU MEET YOUR COMPANIONS? Shofei wasn’t always as she is now, once she was brighter... and colder. That Shofei helped me loot a ruin a few days ride from my home. I was mortal then and the blessing the Sun had given her was a terrifying and helpful resource in that blasted ruin. I didn’t run into her again until I had exalted myself and been made an outcaste. Alone and directionless I ran into a woman who looked like the girl I once met but was just a child. Feeling sympathy and knowing I owed this woman a debt I have become her protector from those who would manipulate her and her strength. After all it was a purpose, so she became my ward.

Nuwa we met in an Inn and bath house, several days ago. Something happened when Shofei was bathing. I was in the male baths drinking the local beverage and the next thing I know three woman come flying through the connecting wall. I look through to see Shofei and a monkish woman fighting back to back. We were introduced once the fight had ended and drank tea together, an interesting woman, that one.

Larana is a craftswoman I was recommended too. We have met twice briefly and discussed the construction of a certain property of mine on a piece of land I recently acquired. The woman knows her business well, having spoken to two other artificers; she will definitely be the one who does the work, the best is what I want and the best is what she is.

Furthermore somewhere in this town is someone I have discovered I have rather an intimate connection too. Is it you my dear? No I didn’t think so, a shame that meeting is no doubt soon. I wonder how it will unfold.

HOW HAS POWER CHANGED YOU? Other than making me stronger, faster and better? I would say not that much at all. It may though have made me consider long and hard that perhaps I should endeavour in to me selfless, after all that is why I have pleased so many wives dutifully ignored by their husbands.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MORTALS? We were all mortal once. Many of us seem to conveniently forget that. Most of the chosen I have met have only had their mortal flaws accentuated by being chosen and I am no exception. They all seem to forget that by virtue of being chosen we should strive to be better. This is a mortal world and we are just exceptions to the rule. Ultimately though this is there world we just happen to share it and this leaves us with a decision: Attempt to make the world better, attempt to make the world worse, or do nothing?

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Help or Hinder. One seems much like the other, so I write to make the world a little more tolerable. I collect the great work of the past. To preserve it and hopefully surpass it, bringing joy with word and turn of phrase. I seek to save people in my own way because my way helps or at least it doesn’t hinder.

WHO DO YOU WORSHIP? As a Delzahn, even an outcaste, worship is practical. We worship whoever we believe can help us, after all why worship one god when another may be more able to come to your aid. Worship is like a, a currency for favours with the gods. That is all the purpose it serves.

WHAT WOULD DRIVE YOU TO COMMIT MURDER? Murder? Little could drive me to murder. I have killed in duels and I have killed in self defence but I would not call that murder. Both times they had a chance and had I not acted I would be dead. I do not know what would drive me to cold blooded murder. I hope never to find out. Do you know enough about me know? Perhaps we should retire, you will not regret it?

Stat Block

Concept: Adulterous Wandering Poet Caste: Eclipse Motivation: Find, catalogue and surpass the great Literary Art of the 1st Age. Anima: Script slowly being written in a variety of languages. Intimacies: Shofei, Perfect of Paragon (-), Literary Art Work, Beautiful Attached Women.

Attributes:

Strength 2, Dexterity 5, Stamina 3.

Charisma 4, Manipulation 4, Appearance 4.

Perception 5, Intelligence 4, Wits 5.

Abilities:

Caste: Bureaucracy 2, Linguistics 5 (Delzahn dialect), Ride 3, Sail 1, Socialise 5.

Favoured: Athletics 5 (Climbing +1), Awareness 4, Lore 3 (Literary Works +2), Melee 4 (Duelling +1), Performance 5 (Poetry +1), Presence 5 (Seduction +3), Craft: Air 5 (Literary +3), Craft: Earth 1 (Sculpting +1).

Non-Favoured: Archery 2, Dodge 1, Integrity 4, Larceny 2, Occult 1, Resistance 2, Stealth 1, Survival 2, War 1.

Virtues:

Compassion 4, Conviction 3, Temperance 2, Valour 4.

Virtue Flaw: Paralyzing Lethargy (http://wiki.white-wolf.com/exalted/index.php?title=Paralyzing_Lethargy)

Essence 3

Personal: 17

Peripheral: 42 (6 committed)

Charms:

Whirling Brush Method, Flawless Brush Disciple, Discerning Savant's Eye, Sagacious Reading of Intent, Letter-Within-A-Letter Technique, Twisted Words Technique, Mastery of Small Manners, Graceful Crane Stance, Perfect Poise Stance, Flawless Pickpocket Technique, Dipping Swallow Defence, Bulwark Stance, Respect Commanding Attitude, Irresistible Salesman Technique, Majestic Radiant Presence, Terrifying Apparition of Glory, Temptation Resisting Stance.

Backgrounds:

Influence (Nexus) 3, Backing (Councillor Brueghel) 3, Resources 3, Contacts 3 (1 major contact in Nexus, 1 major contact in Chiaroscuro, elsewhere), Followers 1 (His household retinue: Cook, Butler, Secretary, several servants), Artefact 4 (Rhyme and Rhythm, A pair of curved Orichalcum Short Daiklaves. Damaged Functioning as Artefact 2, I don’t yet know what they do beyond be weapons.), Manse 3 (Level 4 Demesne, Valley of Twisted Words and Echoing Sighs).

Merits:

Lucky – 2pt (1st Ed Merit),` Hidden Demense – 1pts (1st Ed Merit), Carouser – 2pts (2nd Ed Merit).

Flaws:

Vice (Temperance: Sleeping with Beautiful Married Women) – 1pts (1st Ed Flaw), Dark Secret (I slept with Brueghel’s Wife) – 3pt (2nd Ed Flaw), Enemy (Perfect of Paragon) – 2pt (1st Ed Flaw), Damaged Artefact – 2pts (1st Ed Flaw).