Physical Information
* Race: Human, Benshira
* Birthdate/Age: Spring Day 20, 479 AV; 37
* Gender: Male
* Height: 6'
* Weight: 210 lbs
* Hair Color: Dark Brown
* Eye Color: Bright Blue-Green
* Skintone: Swarthy
Physical Description
Abashai's six-foot frame is muscular and lean with skin a dull bronze. His hair is dark brown, with some graying at the temples. His mane is usually unruly and hanging loose past his shoulders to end in loose curls. He keeps a closely trimmed beard, framing a face lightened by piercing bright blue-green eyes that can at times appear either color or both. His face appears worn by the elements and hardships.
Abashai prefers dark garments, blacks and browns, with a long outer garment, leather riding boots and a wide belt, through which is thrust his khopesh and a dagger. A second, smaller dagger is carried in a boot sheath.
Markings
On Abashai's upper back is what appears to be a rudimentary tattoo roughly in the shape of a pair of wings, this is actually a first gnosis mark from Yahal. On the left side of his neck, below his ear, is a red scar, a Chaon mark given to him by Rhysol. Oh his chest, above his sternum, is a lacun mark mourning the ending of his marriage bond with Nya.. It is in the shape of two forms entwined, one feline, the other like a sword that twists into an Eytolian stringed instrument. On the back of his right shoulder is a tattoo in the design of the Salvatrice's of Ravok, a minor house under whom he served for a time. It has been branded over with the identical image, giving the tattoo an embossed appearance.
Character Concept
Abashai has been destined since before the Valterrian to know both great power and devastating sorrow, a pawn of the gods, a cycle he has lived out again and again over the ages with Nya Winters. Though divine one's themselves have told him that his fate is already written, he resolves to forge his own way. Again and again, all he had was taken from him, but Abashai begins again, anchored with devotion to whatever god ruled him in that life, determined to free himself, and hopefully Nya with him, from their destiny.
Character History
Abashai was born into the Tents of Eliab of the Sons of Havid. His father was eldest of four brothers, two traveled among his Tents and a third dwelt in Yahebah. The youngest of three and the first son, Abashai was a true blessing, being born to his mother Jaela when both she and her husband were quite old. Abashai was a strong infant and thrived in Eliab's tent. However, when Abashai reached the age of six, tragedy struck. While his father tended to the flock, his mother brought fresh fig cakes to him. A sudden and severe sandstorm blew in. In the unexpected blast of blinding, choking sand, the couple lost their way, and were unable to find shelter ... both were virtually consumed by the storm. It was determined that Eliab's two brothers would each take in one of the orphaned daughters. Neither uncle was compelled to adopt the rambunctious Abashai, adopting the boy would decrease the inheritance they could leave to their own sons. It was decided Abashai would be sent to their brother in Yahebah, Joashel, whose chronic illness prevented him from living among the Tents in the desert. When a Rapa arrived at the Tents, the priest agreed to take Abashai upon his next journey to Yahebah. Joashel and his wife Sarela welcomed Abashai into their home and their son Omri became as a brother to the young boy. When the boys came of age, Joashel managed to gain them admission to the Seat of the Sons school. Abashai, who grew agile and strong, studied the art of warfare in the school of Havid, while Omri, intelligent and perceptive, studied history in the school of Jeroab. Abashai matured into a handsome teen, displaying great potential with both the bladed weapons of war and stringed instruments. He was chosen to train in the use of the Eypharian short bow, a rare weapon in the Benshiran forces. He faithfully worshipped Yahal, relishing in the precious Penita scrolls that once belonged to his father. At the age of seventeen, in a moment of poor judgment, Abashai succumbed to temptation when seduced by the wife of a merchant who provided baked goods to the school. The two were caught in the act and charged with adultery, a serious crimeamong Benshirans and punishable by the harsh penalties. At the next High Masha, Abashai was given the traditional sentence for fornication and adultery, blackening of the palms. Black tattooed hands were a permanent symbol of an adulterer's impurity and shame. Devastated and horrified, Abashai sank to his knees. Then he heard the voice of his cousin, Omri. "I will be Abashai's Kiban." Sarela wailed mournfully and Joashel tore his robes in despair as their son volunteered to take Abashai's punishment. Abashai cried for Omri to stop, but Omri only gave him a loving glance and then allowed the yahalmen to take him away. Wracked with guilt, shame and confusion, Abashai gathered together a handful of supplies, a sword and bow, and his father's penita scrolls. He managed to steal a horse from the stables and fled Yahebah into the desert night. The next few years were ones of physical hardship, emotional torment and spiritual deadness. He could find no place in other's Tents. Shame prevented him from facing his uncles, both in Yahebah and his family's tents. Feeling infinitely alone and worthless, Abashai wandered dejected. He turned his back on the worship of Yahal. Abashai learned to live on the hospitality of the nomadic Benshira, never staying long or wearing out his welcome. When asked about his Tent, he would simply say that he was orphaned and quickly changed the subject. Abashai became a courier and informer of sorts, delivering messages and news between Tents. A generous Rapa gave him a small stringed instrument called an ould, and Abasahi entertained his hosts with simple tunes. With the bow he was able to kill wild beasts, the meat and hides he could trade with both Benshira and Chaktawe. His appearance when danger threatened, astride his desertbred mount brandishing his khopesh and deadly bow, earned him hero status among some Tents. Eventually it didn't matter that he didn't belong to a Tent, and he simply went by the name Abashai of the Sons of Havid. The arrival of Abashai at the gathering of Tents became a welcome sight and a sign of blessing from Yahal. However, Abashai could never shake the guilt and loneliness he so carefully concealed from others. One afternoon his life would change again. This event too began with a harsh, sudden sandstorm. Caught in the open, Abashai led his mount to the only shelter, a small rock outcropping. The only safety was in a narrow crevice, which Abashai was able to squeeze into face-first, leaving his back exposed. He held the reins of his horse, but in the fury of the storm, the beast panicked, pulled free and fled. After the sand settled, he found only the worn leather tube that still held his father's Penita scrolls. Though he searched for most of the day, he found no trace of his horse or his belongings. He had lost everything...his mount, his weapons, his ould, everything but the scrolls. As evening neared and the sun began to sink behind the dunes, Abashai met a traveling Rapa. The elderly priest listened to Abashai's tale as they walked. With a wise and knowing smile, the elder spoke. "It seems Yahal has given you an opportunity." Abasahi did not see his situation as an opportunity in any way. "You have tried to find your peace by trusting in yourself. You cannot find true peace in any man. You must trust in Yahal. While you have lost all that made you who you are, you have been given the occasion to place yourself in the hands of the Holy One." The two found a gathering of tents to take them in for the night. The generous nomads offered Abashai another horse, some food, water and supplies. The old priest gave him a small leather pouch filled with mizas. When Abashai asked why, the old man replied with a twinkle in his eye, "You'll need it where you are going." Abashai then realized that to truly put his trust in Yahal, he would have to leave the lands of the Benshira. Only outside of the care of the tents of the Benshira would he have to truly rely on Yahal. Abashai's journey took him to Sylira where he met the kelvic Nya Winters. They bonded soon after, and eventually married. Eventually, the revelations came, unveiling their multiple lifetimes together and the quest laid upon them by the gods to undo what they had done eras earlier. Rhysol intervened, and the two were captured and taken to Ravok. Where their memories, their lives were destroyed. Even when they escaped together, Shai and Nya were different. They sought to pick up the pieces and continue their quest, but failure led to their separation. Abashai returned to the deserts of Eyktol.
Things to KnowLanguages: Shiber (fluent), Common (conversational), Tawna (poor)
Home: Nomadic
Employment: Currently none
Religion: Worships Yahal
Voice: Smooth baritone with a heavy accent
Temperament: Good natured, passionate, occasionally brooding
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Humor: Subtle
- Positive Traits: Courageous, Disciplined, Empathetic, Faithful, Friendly, Honorable, Protective, Sober.
- Negative Traits: Cautious, Inhibited, Melancholic, Regretful, Secretive.
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![[Verified by Radiant]](./images/checkmark.png "[Verified by Radiant]")
Abashai 
by Abashai on August 28th, 2009, 3:23 pm 
