AngelofOctober — Roleplayer Guild

Shayzani

“How humans have spread and continued to destroy each other at the same time is a perplexing logic. They are like desert cockroaches. You see one. One turns to many. They destroy each other. Only to make more.”

Age:  45 

Race: Anfau'Quessir  [Desert or Dust Elf]

The Anfau’Quessir are rarely seen by human eyes, they often come down from the Savannah in roaming caravans in the last few months of the Harvest to trade goods with only the cities that greet them with kindness. The Anfau’Quessir left the forest thousands of years ago when they were being overrun by humans. 

They warned their brethren Taur'Quessir [Wood or Sylvan Elf] of the Human's presence, declaring them N'Shanesti [not an elven friend] or N'Tel'Quess [not of the elven people]. The Anfau’Quessir decision to leave the forest thousands of years ago have created the bloodline you see today known commonly as Dust or Desert Elves, but in their tongue they are called Anfau’Quessir.

They are known for their bronzed skin, almost golden in color, that protects them from the heat. Their culture seems much more wilder than other elves liking, more spiritual, more coveted in mystery. They often have deserted colored eyes, of fiery red amber [almost like a hot blade a blacksmith once described], golden sandy color [almost the color of coin said a merchant once], and rarely some are born with earthy toned green eyes like the forest they once came from [gleamed like a green gem it did described a dwarf once].

Average Height - M 5’5” - 5’8”, F 4’9” - 5’5”

Alias: Anfauglith [Grasping Dust]

Amin quant'nyérë yassen mani ron a' Tel'Quessir
[It fills me with great sorrow with what they did to the elven people.]

Edain on-n'uma grith tenna' amin rese ron edain.
[Men lent no kindness until I helped their men.]

Ta' karandi o ron carda
[Only then did they care about their wrong deeds]

Amin ve' Tel'Quessir ar ron lerya-heke amin
(I was like other elven people then they took away a part of myself)

*It should be noted he's just scowling, he can close his mouth just fine, but does have burn scars on the bottom of his face and it gets progressively worse from the neck down as seen in the first photo with him veiled.

Shayzani might have been no different from other Desert Elves, from the Dust as they would say, he once had beautiful bronze golden skin, believe it or not. Though that was mostly taken away from him, to onlookers it is clear the 5’6” elf is burned at part of his torso, arms, and part of his neck. Which he keeps mostly covered with either bandages or layers of fabric. Dawned in the typical fashion of his people which is suited for travel. You can see the glimpses of his beautiful, sun touched skin of what little skin is exposed of his mostly covered face. His eyes are like dried jewels of sap, if you ever get to see them when most of the time he is seen shrouded. For decency reasons. 

He has narrow facial bone structure. And is rather lithe, but toned. 

His clothing might seem strange to those not part of his culture. The Anfau’Quessir live in primarily desert environments or really arid savannahs, to take clothes off is much easier than to put clothes on when you are out. Layers are essential for survival in the arid climates they have grown accustomed to, but not acclimated to. 

It begins with the waima [robe] though robe isn’t quite an appropriate term humans might call it a robe, the waima as seen in the picture is more like a three quarter coat or jacket. When the waima is dressed, they layer over the waima with cloth breeches, which the waima is tucked into. 

The waima is then wrapped around the waist, where the breeches ride, with a sash. They wear thick collos with several layers that can be stripped down depending on how hot it gets or to add back on depending on how cold it gets. Shayzani also wears a padded cuisse around his breeches indicative of some kind of “warrior” position.

Ohtarvar [Guard Watch] In the Anfau’Quessir “authority” is raised by the choices of fabrics you wear and have gathered during negotiations. The Anfau’Quessir have a habit of collecting fabrics from the places they travel as indicators of their experiences. It seems Shayzani wears a Niqāb with a high collar scarf around his neck as an indication of one’s modesty.

His voice is husky and hoarse, somewhat smoky, and gravely though it has its own unique elegance. Though his accent is heavy and strange to understand at times when he speaks in broken up common at times. 

Personality:

Amin aa’ weeril yassen eidan nan’ amin sad ten’ ilya edregol ten’ N’Shanesti. Khep aminima ar’ Sha’Quessirnatul. N’at lle manka wistë lle amin garilaith. 

(I may not agree with men but I show respect for all, even for Not Elvish Friends. Keep my favor to become Elvish Friend.  Otherwise if you change your mind you let my respect slip away.)

There can be a common language barrier between others and Shayzani. He often speaks half in the common tongue and the other half in his more comfortable native language. If he doesn’t know the word he will use the elven equivalent [most common used phrases are in misc section]. He seems rather calm and not nearly as restless as many in the team seem. 

He almost comes of shamanic despite his previous occupation as his people’s protector. Though he will probably not lend you any useful advice, mainly because of how chewed up his common can be. But also because it comes off entirely vague and useless due to his deep spirituality the Anfau’Quessir hold onto. 

And that is exactly what Shayzani is a holy priest warrior, in his clan they would have been equivalent. He holds onto a deep sense of the world that was taught to him at an early age. That turns the ordinary world around the Eidan, Quessir, Naugrim, Periannath, and more into something magical and deeply connected to something more magical.

Some believe the Anfau’Quessir turned to their own religion after they departed the forest in the harsh climate of the Feanor, as they call it though more commonly known as Dark Wilds, though few understand how deeply entangled the Quessri were to their own native religion. It simply modified and changed over the years to the environment they raised their children in.

To Shayzani To Understand the Minds of Others, To Kill The Impurity, and To Create A New View are the duties of his people and himself. He is logical. Deeply curious and questions what he does not understand. And while he may have hints of distrust of Eidan, and rightfully so, he will still be friendly towards them or help them if they are threatened by something they have no way to defend themselves.

Eidan ndormap vára sina Arda en’ Seldarine.

(Man seizure of this land has soiled Gods’ Land.)

Everyone has a part to play in Shayzani’s world view, it is something he has been taught as a child. The balance of life [Meiva en’ coia]. Tend and take care of the land you were born on and the land will favor you. Though as of late there has been a perversion to this cycle and it has been mainly due to human influences in the lands. 

It was first disrupted when the Dust Elves fled from the Woods thousand of years ago. It was then disrupted when the Naugrim fled underground. It was then disrupted when the Quessir [People Elves] were placed into the cities as secondary citizens and slaves. And in the city where they found freedom gave rise to the Aredhel [noble elves]. They forget that life was wild, filled with spirit, and even if magic seemed rare in people, life was clearly magical. 

Shayzani may have not been so set in believing humans were merely malevolent spirits sent from some maikar [demi-god] of chaos. If not for the things he had to experience happen to his people. While he feels sorrow for the city elves who are now secondary class citizens or face slavery, he doesn’t see them as elves they lost their identity. The Wood Elves who were once warned now lose land has man seized. Shayzani fights to change the world. To Change Its Mind of Elves. He also is here for his own safety. 

In short Shayzani can be a bit hard to stomach, he holds onto a very ancient religion that might offend human sensibilities with their own religious views, though it’s not like he takes every second to tell you about his multigod religion. 

He can be mildly racist to Humans who show no wish to show him respect when he has shown them his. He can also be mildly racist to his own people who perverted the nature of their identities, that being the People Elves as he calls them or the Half-Elves. Though his own racism towards them is not built on the belief that his own kind is superior. But that they lost their way.

He wants to see a world that respects old elves for what they are. To see new elves not be abused by humans, but have no place in the old elven societies. And to see Humans develop compassion for the land they now spread across and those that have lived there for longer or as long.

Equipment:

Maksa - Mount - Anfauglir Aras [Desert Deer]

Rangw’kelvar lle kanta gwend yassen, rangwa coia ed’ coiaon enta.
(To understand nature you give with friendship, understanding life by giving to another.)

When an Anfau’Quessir comes of age they are given a responsibility. Some are given task such as harvesting from prickly trees, and others are given an animal [no different from a dog as a family pet and more] to take care. 

In a way this test if they are ready to take further responsibility like helping others in their clan and shows the clan what they are good at and what they aren’t. Shayzani was given Maksa when she was a baby, she lost her mother in a desert storm and needed someone to tend to her. Shayzani was chosen to tend to her. This was his rite, his duty. To be able to protect his people meant to shelter this small innocent creature till it could stand on its own.

If it died in his hand, he would be left to help with Harvest or Making of the Goods. If she were to make it a year in life he would be honored with other opportunities. 

The Anfauglir Aras are less much a deer and more a camel at least to the common tongue, but they were given their name due to the spots on their coat and overall appearance. Unlike a camel they live 20 more years of life than they do at 60 years, if well taken care of by their owner. It is considered an honor to have a Anfauglir Aras reach maturity and those in the clan have been praised for Anfaulgir Aras who are both loyal and stubborn and have lived well past their years. In their recorded history one is said that a chief of their kind had an Anfaulgir Aras live to 70 years.

Maksa has reached her youthful prime at 40 years of life and seems to have a strong bond with Shayzani. He doesn’t command her, not like Eidan command horses. He understands her and she understands him, all he needs is simple clicks and whistles, she understands them and changes her path based on what she hears. 

Maksa is no battle mount. She is a personalized mount that carries his bedroll, his cooking pan, she has a simple saddle, with a rope at her side, a tent rolled up, a small bag which carries the stakes to hold up the frame of the of the bag, a small money pouch, his food rations things like dried fruits, and nuts and sometimes his staff when he has to steer her reigns. And bandages and other first aid kit like style stuff is kept in his bag as well.

Isilme [Moonlight], Ironwood Staff 
*As seen in his appearance

Moon Crystals, some kind of quartz crystal, were said have properties like reflecting memories back onto the world. It is said when the crystal touches a scar of once was it reflects it for those to be visible. In layman's term, it reveals hidden passageways and illuminates scars of old magic when the crystal comes into touch with it.

*Anfauglir Lissuin Salve
*Stored in bag on Maksa

In a small compact bowl made of ceramic is a minty smelling lotion that is rubbed on the skin. It is both used in the treatment of dulling wounds pains, but also to sooth the skin with its numbing, tingling qualities. Shayzani uses it on the burns on his hands before wrapping them with fresh bandages, so he does often smell rather like a minty tea leaf.

Racial Traits:

It has taken several generations for the Dust Elves to acclimate to their new life in the arid deserts of their home, Feanor Asto. The Dust Elves are less delicate than their city brethren or woody brethren, they are a hardier species noticeable by their stocky frames and more lean, muscular frame. They do not harbor the same delicate frame that makes elves. Though they are still by human standards far more exotic in beauty than them. With that said their species has a few noticeable traits;

Survivor - You’ll eventually have to adjust with the lack of resources in the arid climates. With little farming opportunities, and having to follow the rains when they come. You have to learn to be like the Desert Deer, being able to survive through the extreme of times. 

It is possible for a human to last up to 10 days without water, though the recommendation is 3 days. A Dust Elf can survive 20 days without water, and subsist off of a meager amount of water to the point of what humans would considerd dehydration, but not for a Dust Elf. A human can go three weeks without food, a Dust elf can go a month without food. And a Dust Elf can subsist on a mere 3 hours of sleep if they chose to do so. 

When you live in a world that requires you to react as unpredictably as the world around you behaves your mind and body needs to be attuned to this kind of subsistence living. Though these are more like in case of extremes like food shortages and or an unsuccessful hunt.

Extreme Weather Conditioning - Dust elves can toughen out the most extreme of weather conditions. Mainly because they live in a climate that favors heavy rains that flood the savannah for a short period of time, to dry desert climates dealing with extreme heat and extreme cold. In that sense it might be harder for them to suffer from heat stroke or hypothermia, but eventually they would succumb to it.

Low Light Vision - Sometimes traveling at night when it is cooler is a much better option. They have a somewhat low light vision up to 30ft. 

Not Limited by Terrain - Crossing dunes, deep sands, then deep floods that bring sinking muds, little terrain does to stop them when they need to get to one place or another.

Skills:

Animal Care - If it hadn’t been cleared Shayzani is rather good with animals if Maksa is anything to show for it. While he cannot speak with them directly through some kind of magic, he certainly seems to have whisper animal powers that sooth the most feared horse, or to make a common dog tuck its tail between its legs in intimidation. Shayzani pretty sure though that none of this is useful on things really determined to eat them and he isn’t going to risk limb to try.

Innate Arcane Casting - Shayzani is born the rare few who can naturally cast magic from his sheer Will. He is quite skilled and quite trained if that is any consolation. 

Navigator - Shayzani is quite good at navigating terrain and maps. He reads them quite well, mainly because it was part of his job when he was traveling with the Travel Bands. He can tell you north from west to east and south, but also navigate which are the best passages and even point to unknown passages if that is so what people wishes.

Spiritual Guidance - A lot good it might do in this current party. But for some Shayzani’s way of speaking is quite clear the message and meaning he is giving. And for those some who understand what he says, even conveys they find something soothing in his presence that guides them spiritually.

Basic First Aid - Shayzani is no doctor, but he can put a bandage or two on you, or clean up your wound with necessary tools to do so. He also can close up your wound with a needle and some stitches given he still has the supplies to do so. But it will not be a professional job.

Magic:

Litse Fanya [Sand Veil] -Basic

Shayzani can spray a stream of sand in a small radial cone. This can be used for a number of purposes, as a distraction to be able to escape freely or a way to cause irritation in someone’s orifices, be it nose, mouth, and eyes. The cone is a 10 ft cone of sand that shoots directly outwards. While it may not be a spell that causes damage it can be quite unpleasant to experience getting a full face of ground rocks.

Stupify - Basic

What’s that sparks, like fireworks? But they are so shiny. Look at them dance in the air, they don’t even hurt you. They just look pretty. Shayzani is able to create sparks with a snap of his fingers, these sparks have an enemy distracted with the lights in a daze for 30 seconds before they come back to reality. Though by then it might be too late. 

Limbe Litse [Quick Sand] - Ritual - Intermediate

Beneath your feet the ground begins to swallow you whole. The ground has become quicksand or mud depending on the terrain you step on. The quicksand or mud takes up a 5ft wide surface circumference. And while it remains permanent it requires the need for actual sand or mud to perform this ritual.

Harwa Rehtië - [Wound Recovery] - Ritual - Advanced

There is no such magic that can heal a wound and make it disappear. But there is magic that can sooth wounds pain, or stop you from bleeding out profusely by clotting the blood much faster than it would on its own. It’s only a temporary solution for major wounds, but for minor wounds it’s an easy close that might still need to be checked out by an actual healer. 

Valalak - [Power Rush] - Advanced

Shayzani can create a small shield for a few short seconds, this shield deflects most damage aimed at him, though breaks if the ability is too powerful for the shield. Shayzani has the ability to use the built up momentum of the energy it deflects to throw the shield into a sweeping rush of raw magical energy. That knocks enemies back 2ft away and lighter creatures are prone on their back till they get back up.

Shocking Grasp - Basic

The last tool up Shayzani’s spell list is his shocking grasp. A hand of electricity wraps itself around an opponent, binding them for a few precious seconds 30 seconds, while continously giving them paralyzing shocks. They either die or withstand the grasp. Any allies who tried to break free the small fingers wrapped around their body are also shocked. Elsewise the grab is limited to its singular individual.

History:

When a child is born in Feanor Asto they are said they come from the Dust. It is an odd thing to consider that they were once thousands of years ago wood elves, when their spiritual beliefs seem so vastly different you’d think that they were completely different types of elves. When a mother is suspected to have concepted their first child, she takes the Naurvan [Fire Walk] she crosses Aina' Men Naur [Holy Path of Fire] to symbolize the challengers of the new life the Dust provides them. 

I’Atara [The Mother] will eventually have three children and each celebration symbolizes a different stage of a family's life. A mother who raises her first child to the point they can speak and walk, though still dependent on the communities resources and assistances, is respected the title of Honored Mother. 

While a mother who raises all three children to maturity and has not lost a single child in the extreme conditions they live is titled Elder Mother, she and several other Elder Mothers tend to the babies, children, are midwives to new mothers, and have several duties when the Lende Armar [Traveling Trade] left to the Eidan lands.

 Shayzani was born the second child. His coming was symbolized by alu [water] that brings life to the land like a second birth. Sooraumo En’ Men [To Follow the Sound of the Storms Path]. This ceremonial ritual seems to add onto the hardships and trials of both parents. 

While the Path of Fire celebrates both parents. This trial is a celebration, but it is meant to see the strength and determination of both father and mother. It takes several weeks of preparation. A Father must go out to a small oasis and collect water for this ceremony. 

This symbolizes his willingness to protect his mate and how he’ll provide for his child. While the mother prepares for a dance to celebrate the oncoming storms, she is taught by the Elder Mothers and her Mother the steps they have been dancing for many years. When the Fathers return, if the Fathers return, the community prepares an honorary meal for the families.

 If a father doesn’t return, the strongest Fathers known as the Vara may chose to allow the woman into their families, adopting their children, and taking in the woman, though she is not considered his partner. A Father who has the biggest family is often the Chief of the Dust Elves. Though government doesn’t quite work the same way as it does for Humans and other species. It should also be noted the woman whose partner doesn’t return will never be honored the title of Honored Mother or Elder Mother and she will not have another child with the man who takes her into his home. 

In The Sound of the Storms Path, a big celebration is put on, with the sound of drums played by young male Ohtarvar. Woman are painted by their Mothers, and the Community Mothers. Some even have their children paint them. When the woman dance, the families splash her with water the father has collected in his vase. This symbolizes the coming storms and washes the paint off of her like the land is washed away of its impurities when the rain comes. 

Afterward they tend to eat. Ceremonies are usually the only time they reserve for special meals. And resources are often stored or collected months in advance beforehand. 

The third child was symbolized by the Entulondol [Returning of the Rock] after the rains came the lands would dry up. The simpler ceremony was meant to symbolize the strength of family, the strength of bonds, the coming of hardships as scarcity came, and survival of the family. A Mother and Father would take the holy path to sacred sites nearest to the camps of the Dust Elves. There they would stay for a day, praying to the multiple of their Gods. This prayer was said to bless the family with protection. The Mother would collect a unique stone or pebble which she would then give to the child when he or she was old enough.

Before Shayzani, to his parents Wahanni and Shuzille their first was his eldest brother Kotoko. When the First Child’s brother or sister is born, there is a small celebration for the First Child and the Birth of the Second Child. The First Child is said to have entered their First Life when their sibling is born. 

And the same goes for the Second Child, when the Second Child reaches maturity and the their Third Sibling is born both him or her and their Elder Sibling are said to have reached their Second Life. When the Third Sibling makes it to maturity, all three siblings are said to enter their Third Life. A Child’s “birthday” or something like it, is always celebrated upon the date they were claimed to be on their Third Life. 

Shayzani youngest sibling was Tavahni, symbolized by Returning of the Rock. Wahanni, unfortunately never earned the title of Elder Mother when Tavahni was struck with disease at five that proved fatal and killed him. It was not something uncommon in the tribes to have a child either die by a slip of a watchful eye and a child wandered off, but more due to either starvation or disease. 

Children who were diseased were often separated from the village in sick tents and if their healers could do nothing for them, the children were often left when it was time for the camp to move to the nearest and next best location for the Dust Elves.

Death and Life were simply a way of life. The sick left behind were often left gifts by their families. When the camps returned months after their deaths, they would burn the sick tent and perform a ritual of passing on the spirits and cleansing the dead. Few received honorary deaths unless they were someone of high rank in the community.

Government was based on the community. As Dust Elves among themselves traded goods for goods, while someone may be able to make basket out of reeds someone may be able to make necklaces out of crystals. The Community decided on laws and regulations and settled disputes themselves. Casual sex among the same sex helped relieve tension, it would not be unsurprising to see a Mother touching another Mother when having tempting thoughts. This helped relieved tension and stopped the tribes from arguing with one another. 

In the Ohtarvar, young men who were not yet allowed relations with women often would practice on each other. Or simply practiced on themselves. Sex and nudity were not necessarily frowned upon by the Dust Elves. Fathers, however, often reserved themselves for their wives in a practice known as Showing Modesty. The more a father reserved himself simply for the woman he chose to court and mate with, the more respected he was by the younger men.

Some young men adopted the same stance as the Fathers, by Showing Modesty, they reserved themselves until the time came for them to court a woman. Most young men would not have a partner until the age of 60. For a Dust Elf that is the equivalence of a 20 year old human.

Though to reserve yourself or not was personal choice and no one frowned on a young man who had not. Though it is said that some young woman preferred young men who had reserved themselves, then the ones who had freely and openly performed in early sexual relations.

The Chief in the Communities often was there to mediate any disagreements that may have arisen, but his main job was to delegate with their Eidan neighbors. The Chief had no higher power than the people and the people could chose to kick him off his seat if they felt he wasn’t representing them well.

With that said it was common practice for Dust Elves to collect different fabrics along their travels, if they were part of the Traveling Band. These different exotic favors showed their diverse culture experiences and symbolize to others the abundance of their knowledge.

For Shayzani things were slightly different. It became clear to those in his clan that he was unique and special. The elements seemed to respond to him, water was drawn to him, fire flickered around him. It became clear to his parents and to the tribe that he was one who could cast magic freely from the mind. Before becoming part of the Ohtarvar, Shayzani was trained by the Spiritual Guider of his clan to learn to control his talents.

While the Spiritual Guider had no magical capabilities themselves, the spiritualism of their people was deep enough to understand the tools of magic. But because Shayzani was trained by the shaman, he had greater expectations of his life, almost close to the shamans themselves. 

He was expected at an early age to practice Showing Modesty, more than his brother Kotoko. He was expected at an early age to embrace the rites and rituals of the Shaman. But he was also expected to follow the same paths at youth his age as well.

When he was seven he was bestowed Maksa, since he could use magic, he was expected to be a priest warrior. The expectation for his life would be one that performs the duties of Ohtarvar and the priesthood. Shayzani, however, did not live a lonely life. Communities were deeply supportive and each person had something to teach him and him to learn from. 

From the Healers he was trained basic healing capabilities, a duty Shamans and Ohtarvar were supposed to know. But Ohtarvar boys were only expected to show to the Healers a few times and learned less than Shayzani and the Shamans who were expected to consistently help.

From the Fathers and the Vara, and the Ohtarvar he learned to cook, hunt, track, and trade with the Eidan. 

From the priest he learned to speak Common, to use his magical capabilities, learning to also read and write for it was an important task of the Shaman to record their text and historical ceremonies and events. But Shayzani would also use it to keep records of the trade negotiations, eventually. 

Shayzani and Kotoko had chances to play with each other. Though there was always a social pressure for Shayzani to behave with modesty. His play was restricted to certain behaviors that were acceptable and unacceptable. Things like not cursing, or yelling at his brother, or perhaps using a vulgar gesture. 

His mother Wahanni often the one to enforce this as his father Shuzille was either performing the First Duty. That meant protecting the camp during times the harvest did not come. And the Second Duty. Which meant traveling with the Traveling Trader to protect them in the land of Eidan. 

When he was fifteen it was the first time he would travel with his father, his brother, and several other young men in the Ohtarvar and the communities Mainkar [Community Trader] who collected goods from every family important enough to sell and trade to the Eidan and other races who traded when they came to the forest of the Eidan regions.

For the young men like himself. They were taught the dos and don’ts of the Eidan world. Some of the Ohtarvar chose to cover their faces in order to not strike Eidan suspicion. He learned very early on the Eidan were a fickle a creature. Who could be your ally one minute. And an enemy the next. This is why the Ohtarvar on these trade expositions were so important.

At thirty-two Shayzani had become a mostly respected individual in his clan. Still a young man to many, but he was honored for his abilities to take his duties responsibly. Some said he was like his father, honored and respected the opportunities given to him with little fuss. 

Kotoko and him still had a strong bond, family was important and if family severed their relationship it could be a sign of ill fortune for the family. His brother was more of a warrior and he was more like a priestly warrior of the Ohtarvar. The brothers often accompanied each other on First Duties and Second Duties. Though being seven years apart Shayzani’s brother had many things on his mind. 

One of them being girls in the village, but he had several more years to go before he would be allowed to perform the ceremonial rite of union with a female. Still Kotoko was flirtatious with many of the woman. Shayzani would not be allowed to perform in a rite of union, unless the woman was a Holy Woman, he was also not allowed to practice in the same sexual relations others had. He had to perform his duties with the expectation of Showing Modesty.

Not that Shayzani complained or found it unfair. He knew nothing, but this Modesty since he was a child. Though he chose to delve deeper into the spiritual side than his brother, but he felt a closeness to the Spirits of Dust that his brother or his mother or his father could never understand. Even the Shaman, Tahamune, who had taught him and continued to teach him knew that Shayzani may truly become the clan’s next Shaman when he passed. 

Shayzani chose to wear even more layers of clothing and even before the incident he’d never predict, chose to veil himself as Tahamune veiled himself. Shayzani dawned his skin in ritualistic tattoos that depicted his connection with his religion and his spirituality, something the Shamans practiced in regularly. Their skin a highlight of the stories of creation and connection with the Dust.

The Ohtarvar always switched duties and one year when Shayzani and Kotoko were on their First Duty. The Ohtarvar lead by Vara, one including their father, went on their Second Duty. The Ohtarvar that year barely came back in pieces, several Vara include Shuzille their father had died during an Eidan skirmish. It seemed the war the Eidan practiced in was beginning to drag their people into their prejudice and judgement. Something the Dust Elves had always feared and predicted.

Upon decision of the community, the clan decided not to trade with Eidan until things settled in their land. 

This decision would spell trouble for a clan that had relied on traveling at least once a year with the Eidan for fresh goods, salted meats, and vital goods they needed.

It would be three years until his clan decided to trade again with Eidan. Those three years were hardest on the clan. Many died of lack of food, their village ran dry of supplies and they scraped by what they could, but it was clear they needed to trade with Eidan again. The Community decided on it, and between Kotoko and himself it was Shayzani who was chosen to take their father’s place in order to command the rear guard.

The Community decided to take a safer route to the safest city in the Eidan kingdom. In hopes not to draw attention. In general this decision worked. Shayzani and Kotoko accompanied each other once again across a much safer path. They met with little problems, until a storm hit, creating a landslide of the passage they were using and blocking their safest route. The Vara made the decision to use the roads they knew may be dangerous, but they had to take the goods back to their people one way or another.

Little did they know they had been followed by a group of anti-elvish group. Inspired by the current war and fuming with anti racial tension and hate, they saw the weakened Dust Elves as an opportunity to send a message.

And a message they did send. When the Ohtarvar settled for the night at a camp, deciding to take a break and rest. The Ohtarvar sent a small group to protect the perimeter of the camp as they always did, while the rest relaxed. They would rotate guard duty as they have always done. Some slept, some played games, others chatted with old friends they rarely got to speak to. In any other circumstance they would have been able to defend themselves, but the anti-race group attacked in a swift blitz that none of them were alerted to. 

It started with a range of fire arrows thrown at their tents, which caught ablaze, and so did their wagon. The Desert Deer began to screech in panic. The Ohtarvar caught off guard, not sure where the attack had come from. The Anti-Race group coming out of the bush to leap at the chance of attacking the startled and surprised Ohtarvar. 

Shayzani at the time tending to a man who had sprained his ankle in one of the tents saw the flames begin to rise. 

“Aikanaro!” his brethren, Numat, screamed out seeing the flames consume his tent.

“Quilda!” he said helping Numat up. Both of them fleeing the small burning tent.

Only to find themselves in the middle of a battle. Ohtarvar blood spilled onto the soil. Tents with screaming brethren in agony as they were burning alive. Numat yelled out a cry before battle, unsheathing his curved sword before running into engage the group. Shayzani scanning the area to see if there was anyone to spare with healing. 

“Leave our lands knife-ear!” screamed one of the men at him.

The human charged with his sword, Shayzani snapped his fingers, distracting him with a display of dazzling lights. An arrow struck the man in the chest. It became clear these were not soldiers, but merely common farming folk. Why would they take the risk to attack an armed group of elves? 

“Toror’” Kotoko called out.

“Diol,” he said looking at Kotoko who was equipping another arrow.

“N'alaqueltir,”

Shayzani smiled. 

“Ndanmē!” the Vara Maza called out.

The remaining five or six Ohtarvar began to call their personal mounts. What a disgrace. The humans only gained a victory because they were not expecting them. They had been so focused on getting home and giving goods they hadn’t been as watchful as they should have.

The first battle for their lives would remain in Shayzani’s mind every time their clans took a risk to trade. It was rare to come across anti-race groups such as that, but it seemed the war in the Eidan Kingdom was inspiring small minor groups. But it was enough of a rarity to make them cautious entering the lands farthest away from the Dark Wilds.

The Ohtarvar became smarter, though more paranoid every time they trade. Going route from route. Never taking the same paths. Never trading in the same cities. They feared like the city elves, maybe more than them. Though that was hard to determine who feared the most. 

The second time they would have to fight cost the Ohtarvar many lives and forced Shayzani to make a decision for the betterment of his people. And for basic protection. Shayzani was thirty-nine at the time. They had cut the size of the Ohtarvar Travel Bands, instead of one large caravan they once traveled in to trade, they split the Ohtarvar into three small groups that would meet a central point and return to their homeland together.

Shayzani decided to take a route into the canyons. While it was an easy place to ambush, it seemed like a place the Eidan would not risk to travel. Or so he thought. The Ohtarvar were cautious on the road of course, to see an Eidan near a broken down caravan. A trap or genuine? How could they tell? How could they know?

Commoners inspired by fear had attacked them once before. 

“Excuse me,” the human calls out.

Best to leave the Eidan affairs to the Eidan affairs. Children. They had children with them. Best to leave them be though. Surely they would die if they could not get another traveler to help them. Shayzani had to turn a heart on this one. He simply did not know their intentions, how could they trust them? Humans use sympathy as a trap once before.

“Do you speak the common language?” the human male asked, he walks up to one of the Ohtarvar soldiers desperately, “Please we’re stuck and we need help to get to the town back behind you.”

“Stay back Eidan,” spat Numat.

“Please I am not here to hurt you!” the human male desperately watched as they passed him by.

Four personal mounts and the one pack animal they took with them, with their trader. He looked hurt. Shayzani wished him luck though in all of his endeavors. Sadly Eidan were fickle. One minute their ally. Next minute their enemy. You couldn’t lower your guard when around them any more. Not after what they did to the people. Not once, but have tried many times. 

Shame. They had coexisted for years. And now they tried to kill them. Hurt them. Even if there were good Eidan. There were also bad Eidan and when with the Ohtarvar it was harder and harder to tell what Eidan was using a way to gain their favor and a Eidan that truly meant their words. 

Unfortunately for them their pack animal needed a rest in open plains. Not a position they favored, but the stubborn beast would not be pushed past its means. It refused to move, tired from the long trek and it dreaded going back into the rocky crevices of the canyons.

Resting, but always on guard the Ohtarvar refused to make the same mistakes. The Eidan on the road left them on edge. Watching every inch of where they set up their camp. Everyone was tense. There was no chat. No games. Everyone scanned the area for possible threats. At least the plains provided that. Clear sight.

The Vara, Manwa, suggested some of the group rest their eyes. Though it seemed virtually impossible for the group. Too on edge. Too afraid to close their eyes in open plains, vulnerable. Helpless and powerless is what they felt. 

Going over it again, it’s unclear where the mistake was made. A group of them went to collect water for the mounts before deciding to head on the road again. Manwa commanded him to go with the group, he did so.

Maybe it was that. Maybe it was that they split their numbers even further than they should have. Out collecting water they were jumped by another small group of anti-race groups. The Ohtarvar had been so cautious up to this point they often fled confrontation instead of trying to get themselves killed. Oddly they were not killed by this group. Instead taken as prisoners.

It seemed Manwa’s group did not make it, mainly because Manwa was not one to sit back and let someone take them. Though Shayzani and the two others accompany him had their backs turned to the group who attacked them when they were collecting water. Numat had managed to struggle to stay alive, but he was bleeding onto the mud.

Another disgraceful lost. Staring at the Eidan with uncertainty to their fate, the Eidan looked across the plain at first. Why did the Eidan seem nervous? On edge themselves.

“What do you have to say for yourselves?” the Eidan asked.

“Nadorhuanrim!” Ilme shouted at the Eidan.

“I guessed I say that too,” the Eidan laughed taking wordlessly the torch from another one of his members and dropping it on Ilme who spoke. His clothes caught fire quickly. Ilme began to scream. While Rosha tried desperately to unbind himself as the flames began to spread from grass to clothes.

The Eidan began to flee as smoke began to rise and before Rosha, and him had flames touch them the smell of cooking flesh, clothes, hair, filled their nostrils. In truth Shayzani should have died like the rest, but instead he was rescued by a member of the Order. This member would eventually be known as Daveon.

It has been five or so years since that event. Shayzani chose to stick with the Order to be safe. But to also honor them for helping him. And in conclusion hopefully to use it as a way to gain something for his people.

Misc:

Before Shayzani leaves a building, room or outpost he makes sure all candles have been extinguished. And if he feels it is getting dark and the guards have not already begun to light the lanterns, he will light as many lanterns as he can on his way out of town or on his way into town. He has a habit of also making sure the team has good candle and lantern habits as well.

Elvin Translations

“kirma lithlad" [part of the plains of ashes]

"Val gwaith.” [to power the people]

Kyremcoia antvarna. Heren uummali ten loth. [Pray your life will not need saving. Fortune tends to not favor hate.]

*Heren is Fortune as in Luck
*Mande is Fortune as in Riches
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