Zayed Tahan
Image credits: Alessandro Poli
AppearanceGender: Male
Race: Human
Age: 32
Height: 6'2" (189 cm)
Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Eyes: Chartreuse
Hair: Thick, jet black
Facial hair style: Groomed, full black beard
Physical health: Good
About
Deity: Istishia
Initial alignment: True Neutral
Languages: Common, Alzhedo, Celestial and Aquan
Profession: Mystic, scholar and priest
Base class & proposed development: Cleric/Bard
Weapon of choice: None at the present moment
Areas of interest and hobbies: Astrology - Dance - Illusion - Literature - Music - Philosophy - Pottery - Theology
Habits:
- Typically Calish, Zayed got used to performing the most trivial tasks with arcane magic
- From simple cantrips to more complex rituals, Zayed found Illusion spells quite entertaining to watch and perform
- He was often seen smoking a long pipe
- Tahan enjoyed drinking, especially beverages he hadn't tasted before
In-depth
Background:
Being the only son of a wealthy family gave Zayed a good start on his early life. His parents' leather business in Keltar flourished, paving his way to a great education in Calimport.
From his teens to his early adulthood, Zayed studied with a few sages in the capital, with high hopes of becoming a wizard. It took some time until his teachers and Zayed himself realized it was not meant to be his path. Despite his seemingly innate arcane gift, the young man's mind was, in the words of one of his teachers: "wild and impossible to tame. He is gifted, without a doubt. But his gift does not fit the path he desires, nor the one we can offer."
With thoughts running over themselves, dancing letters in his parchments and a mind that took him from the ground to the skies with the same speed and unpredictability it did the other way around, Zayed saw no other choice but make his way back to Keltar, ashamed.
On his way back home, his eyes and mind together were drawn to something he was too young to notice when he first left: the Steps of Istishia.
At that point in his story, Zayed would insist this was the most cliché moment of his life. He received a divine calling from the Water Lord.
"I heard no words, but my mind felt in peace like it hadn't in a long time. I was, and forgive the poor metaphor, drawn to the place as if waves wafted me in. I did not know why. I did not know how. The only thing I knew was that it was true."
Zayed was soon ordered priest of the Water Lord, earning the tools he needed to tame his chaotic mind. He was also able to aid his parents with their business.Peace lasted for a while.
Until recently.
Months before his arrival in the Sword Coast, Zayed's family was attacked by thieves. No lives were taken, but the material losses were considerably high.
Hefty sums of gold were taken, as well as the family's prime leather crafts. One stolen item, however, was priceless: Zayed's family heirloom (an exquisite-looking enchanted scimitar).
Using his contacts in Calimport, Zayed managed to track the unique weapon's location: Baldur's Gate.
With no names but a city to search and vows to spread the Water Lord's faith in the Sword Coast, Zayed made his way to Baldur's Gate...
Physical description:
Zayed stood with a tall and somewhat strong build. Despite not being overwhelmingly muscular, his broad shoulders and fit body demonstrated he could handle a beating or two.
He walked with confidance, yet not in a boastful manner - which was challenging considering his attire: the Calish wore rich garments of fine silk, adorned with gold accessories and jewelry.
Zayed's scent was, for those alien to his homeland, exotic. It had faint spicy and smoky notes.
His voice was of a bass-baritone, deep and melodic.
Current goals:
• Track and recover his family heirloom
• Discover the thieves' identity
• Earn resources to ensure his family's well-being in Keltar (an estimated sum of 200.000 gold pieces)
• Spread the Water Lord's faith
Plot hooks and misc facts:
• Zayed wasn't known for his boundaries in the love area, making lovers with the same pace he made enemies; some families of the men and women he got involved with may have not forgotten his name - Zayed tries to avoid thinking of it, but wonders sometimes if the crime commited against his family has any connection to this
• Some Calish may not be yet aware of his family's economic situation, and the fact he still dresses as a quasi-noble from Calimshan might make Zayed look like an easy target
• Despite having found the methods for dealing with his mental conditions, Zayed still struggles with them
• Born and raised amidst wealth in the Calish aristocracy, Zayed viewed slavery and servancy as something normal, an opinion that might go against the Sword Coast's moral beliefs
