Kroad (fka Ibn-Ben Jezzar)

Kroad's olive-complected skin, greasy black hair, moustache & goatee and dark brown eyes are a direct reflection of his Caldian heritage.

On a day-to-day basis Kroad maintains a low profile and blends into the local background as best he can. While he strives to remain unnoticed by others, Kroad pays close attention to his surroundings - always in fear that he will be found by his hunters. In addition Kroad has not completely forgetten his noble upbringing and diplomatic training and at times his mannerisms have drawn unwanted attention. As a result Kroad rarely settles down for long and he is always prepared for a hasty departure.

While Kroad is frequently found in inns and taverns with a flagon (or flagons) by his side, careful observation indicates this is mere window-dressing for Kroad does not drink alcohol but instead prefers milk or tea.

Ibn-Ben was born the only child of Al-Zhara and Fatoosh Jezzar, Caldeain nobles and long-standing diplomatic ambassadors to Faberterra. Given his upbringing, Ibn-Ben's life was filled with all the priviledges of nobility - wealth, education, courtesans and the like. However the walls of House Jezzar housed a dark secret, for Fatoosh was an abusive drunk and Khav addict who was prone to violence against his son, wife, employees and slaves. Living in constant fear of his father, to survive, young Ibn-Ben quickly learned to lay low and hide during the worst of his fathers rages. Despite Ibn-Ben's best efforts, he was often subject to brutal beatings and became very familiar with broken bones, cuts and bruises. To this day, one of Ibn-Ben's most notable features is a scar that runs just above his right eyebrow. Looking closer the scar roughly resembles the crest of house Jezzar as it was a relic from one of Fatoosh's earliest beatings - before he learned to take off his rings to better conceal his abusive tendancies.

Outside of diplomatic events, Fatoosh greatly limited Ibn-Ben and Al-Zhara's exposure to the oustide world for fear that his behavior would be exposed. As a result, Ibn-Ben had few friends outside of his mother and the Valk house-slave known as Fingers (so named because his right hand had been severed as punishment for thievery). Despite this handicap, Fingers served as a willing mentor and taught Ibn-Ben many helpful skills that he himself learned during his more prosperous days as thief/ assassin and sometime spy.

Ibn-Ben's 16th birthday should have been a joyful occassion but instead it was a tragic event that shaped the rest of his life. Arriving home after many drinks, Fatoosh proceeded to beat Ibn-Ben with a vengence never before seen. Pleading with her husband to stop, Al-Zhara interposed herself between the two. This only further enraged Fatoosh and, before Ibn-Ben's own eyes, Fatoosh struck Al-Zhara so violently that she fell to the floor - dead with a broken neck.

Later that night as Fatoosh drunkenly slumbered in his room, Ibn-Ben took his revenge. Following Fingers' lessons, he cut Fatoosh's achilles tendons to ensure there would be no escape. As his father screamed obscenities and shouted for help, Ibn-Ben methodically broke every bone in Fatoosh's body. After ensuring Fatoosh's complete paralysis, Ibn-Ben completed his vengence by severing Fatoosh's vocal chords and cutting off his eyelids. Although the servants and guards were aware of what was transpiring, they feigned ignorance as Fatoosh was hated by all.

While Fatoosh's crimes were deserving of punishment, Ibn-Ben knew he would receive no mercy from either the local law or his father's kin given the heinous nature of his revenge. At Fingers urging, Ibn-Ben packed what he could carry (including Fatoosh's prized Caldeian diplomatic badge and dagger) as trophies of his deed and fled that night to Valkheim.

Ibn-Ben has since learned that life in Valkhiem is not nearly as exotic as made out in Fingers' stories and that it is difficult to shed a lifetime of diplomatic training. To aid in his disguise, he has adopted a new name and learned to live life on the street and on the run from both the Caldeian/ Faberterrian authorities and Jezzar-hired mercenaries who continue their efforts to bring him to justice.

Tired of Valkheim, low on funds and hearing that a Faberterran bounty-hunter has recently arrived in the area, Kroad has signed on as guard for a Gis-bound caravan. Who knows what the future may bring.

Agility - d8
Smarts - d6
Spirit - d4
Strength - d6
Vigor - d8

Advancements: Seasoned + 6xp

Pace: 6
Toughness: 6 + 1 armor = 7
Parry: 6 +3 (dagger, acrobat, block)= 9
Cha: +1/ +3 (situational)

Climbing d6 +2 (thief)
Fighting d8
Knowledge (Etiquette - Imperial) d4
Lockpick d6 +2 (thief)
Notice d6 +2 traps (thief)
Persuasion d4
Riding d4
Stealth d8 +2 (thief)
Streetwise d6
Tracking d4

Literacy Skills (Background specific/ no skill pts used)
Knowledge (Language-Speak)- Imperial Syranthian - d8
Knowledge (Language-Speak)- Caldeian- d6
Knowledge (Language-Read and Write) - Imperial Syranthian - d4


Edges:
Fallen Noble: +1 Cha, Minor Relic (Caldeian Diplomatic Badge - see equipment). Although Kroad has forsworn his noble background, his demeanor commands respect.

Luck: +1 Benefit per session. The Fates dealt Ibn-Ben a poor hand early in life but have made up for it lately.

Acrobat: +1 parry (unencumberd) and +2 agi-based acrobatic skill checks (including tricks). Fingers taught Kroad how move nimbly and squeeze into tight spaces. In addition, Kroad took many fencing lessons as part of his noble upbringing.

Thief: +2 various skills. Kroad has put Fingers' teaching into good use while on the run.

Block: +1 parry. Kroad fights defensively, waiting for his opponents guard to drop.

Hinderances:
Wanted (Major): By Caldeia, Faberterra and House Jezzar for the murder of his father (potentially true as he may or may not be kept alive by foul sorceries) and mother (false).

Trouble Magnet (Minor): Kroad frequently attracts unwanted attention from the local thieves guild who frown on his unauthorized activities. In addition, Kroad is no stranger to tavern fights given frequent social faux pas in these in environments as well as a strongly negative view of alcohol and Khav abuse.

Vow (Minor): With an abusive childhood never far from his mind, Kroad strives to assist/ protect children to the best of his ability and he has occassionaly gone so far as to spend his own coin to purchase (and subsequently free) child slaves.

Equipment:
Caldean Iron Dagger - No Cost per GM, 2 lbs, Str+d4 and +1 Parry
Poignard, Bronze - 25 moons, 1 lbs, Str+d4
Sling, Hunting - 10 moons, 1 lb
20 stones - 1 moon, 2 lbs
Leather Armor - 50 moons, 15 pounds
Backpack - 50 moons, 2 lbs
Flint & Steel - 3 moons, 1 lb
Lockpicks - 200 moons, 1 lb
1 pouch salt, 1 pouch red pepper - 2 moons
Bag of bronze marbles - 5 moons, 1 lb
Slightly out-of-fashion earring - 50 moons
Caldeian Diplomatic Badge (minor relic, situational +2 cha when used in context)

Money - 159 moons

Wish List (player note):
Formal Clothes
Rope
Climbing Tool
Jewelry