And here's Ramzi al-Sahar. --- **Name** Ramzi al-Sahar **Description** Ramzi al-Sahar is dark skinned, human male with sharp features and a face creased with age. A salt-and-pepper beard goes under his chin, around his lips and up the side of his face to meet into a crown of receding, black curls ([Bearing a resemblance to His Imperial Majesty](http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2011/iconic_leaders/icon00000000010.jpg), of course). Age has taken its toll on Ramzi, as his once imposing physique has become noticably weaker in recent years and his height has developed a slight stoop. Despite his physical weaknesses, Ramzi is still sharp in mind and skilled in his use of the spear. Ramzi has adopted the cultural norms of Belencrest and his clothing fits the norm of the city. **Backstory** Ramzi al-Sahar is of a small, desert tribe in the far-south, called the Sahars (hence the 'al-Sahar' surname). He was born into nobility of this tribe and as tribal culture dictates, this required him to become skilled in the art of warfare. The deserts were (and still are) a land of constant bickering among the patchwork of tribes and this meant that before he reached adolescence, he had already killed another human being. In his youth, Ramzi was known as being rather aloof and arrogant and this gained more enemies than allies. Ramzi's father often called Ramzi his favourite son, which inflated his ego and made him colder than ever. When he turned 16, Ramzi's father decided he was to be married off to a female of another tribe in a ceremony that would cement an alliance and cool the growing tensions. He met the bride on his wedding day and they were married without any hitches. Ramzi never showed any interest towards his wife, however and this lead to an unhappy marriage that never bore children. As was common in tribal culture, Ramzi also took on several other wives in political marriages, none of whom he showed any interest in after the wedding day. Instead, Ramzi enjoyed hunting, horse riding, fighting wars for the tribe and was rumoured to have relationships with other men, which is frowned upon in Sahar culture. Shortly after his 30th birthday, Ramzi's father died and the head of the family was passed to an older half-brother. Ramzi began facing intense lines of questioning from his family, who had previously stayed silent while his father was alive, as to why he had not yet bore a child. Although at first waved off as impotency, he was eventually accused of homosexuality, which he strongly denied. Due to his noble blood within the Sahar tribe, he was given two choices - face death publicly or quietly live in exile for the rest of his life. Despite choosing the latter, rumours of his alleged homosexuality spread like wildfire and Ramzi was soon forced to escape the entire desert region into the western lands, where he took up mercenary and bodyguard work. He learned common tongue quickly enough and was fluent by the time he was 35, despite speaking with an accent. His darker colour of skin and deadliness with a spear has often seen uneducated people refer to him as an evil demon but problems with race/colour end there, as people of all races can be found in his line of work. Ramzi joined the White Guards 12 years ago after hearing stories of their prowess on the battlefield. In his earlier days in the organisation, he often fought in the vanguard of several famous battles and was involved in the defence of Belencrest two years ago, during which he was injured. The injury to his knee, mixed with his older age, has lead to Ramzi taking the backseat in the White Guards, doing work in the administration, training of new recruits or doing rounds in the guard. He will not hesitate to fight if provoked but is also careful not to get himself killed. Ramzi's dedication to the White Guard, as well his older age and experience, has led to a certain respect developing around his character among the younger or green-eared White Guards. He is vague when the subject of his own past come up, thinking of his time spent amongst the Sahar as an old life, one he does not wish to dwell on. **Goals/Fears** Ramzi, at this point in his life, is looking forward to a retirement when he reaches his 60th year. Although he has already amassed a small fortune, he is going to try and squeeze as much money out of his line of work until he retires to a southern city, far from the dangers of mercenary work. Ramzi fears an early death. He holds his own life in high regard and looks forward to the day he can hang up his spear and armour for retirement. A particular fear he holds is that someone will discover his homosexuality, which he has gone to great lengths to keep secret. **Mastery** _Long Weaponry:_ Ramzis speciality is with longer weapons, such as spears, pikes and javelins. In his youth, he often used feeble wooden spears and javelins but as an older man, he finds himself turning the previously clumsy pike into a weapon of deadly accuracy and defensive capability. Spears and javelins are still occasionally used but the pike is now Ramzis weapon of choice. **Equipment** Ramzi is usually equipped in lighter armour, as the heavier armour bears a lot of pressure on his weaker shoulders. His pike is 10 foot long and is usually carried casually over one shoulder. It is not a weapon for strapping to ones back. A short hunting knife, a remnant from his year in the deserts, hangs from his belt for non-combat use. **Personality** Ramzi has grown from a brooding bed of adolescent arrogance into quite a cheerful, friendly older man. His interactions with people are generally quite positive and as shown by the creases in his face, he enjoys laughing and loves life. He is shown to have a serious side in dire moments and in his rare moments of anger, he is said to become reminiscent of his younger self. True love is not something Ramzi has ever experienced, instead preferring short flings with male prostitutes. He has his moments of brooding sadness when reminded of his beloved father or his exile from his family but is never nostalgic when it comes to the past. He is often rather vague when it comes to his past in the desert, preferring not to talk of days gone by. **Totem** Ramzi's totem is a smooth, brown pebble with Sahar markings embedded in the stone. When near water, it begins to lightly glow and pulsate. He often found this useful in the desert, where water sources were few and far between but rarely finds use for it in Belencrest. He keeps it as a memento from his time in the desert and usually doesn't carry it on his person.