Pendraken
Kolao was the first child of air stagyar Gracca and fire stagyar Adon. But the newborn’s fleshy appearance and stillborn Bound One revealed Gracca’s infidelity. Still, Adon raised Kolao as his own. The fire stagyar told the child stories of a legendary freedom fighter Phendarakhuan. Little Kolao listened in all ears, rejoicing as Phendarakhuan shackled the wretched slavers.
One day, when Adon was on a trip, khalib Isaac visited Kolao’s home. The man’s eye patch and scarred chest caught the boy’s attention. Images of epic battles flooded little Kolao’s mind, and he tagged along the blacksmith. Isaac often ruffled the boy’s hair with affection and a gentle smile.
Kolao noticed Isaac frequently entering Gracca’s room. The boy sneaked close, peeked through the door, and saw the two lying together. Confused and flustered, the child rushed outside. In the evening, Isaac tried patting Kolao’s head before leaving, but the boy ran away and hid in his room. Adon returned several days later. Kolao wished to speak about Isaac, but spared the father’s heart and didn’t utter a word. The event caused Kolao to distance himself from Gracca and develop deeply ingrained trust issues.
Several years later, Gracca gave birth to a fire-air daughter, Shani. Unlike Kolao, the girl was born elemental and resembled Adon. Still, the father didn’t treat her any differently than Kolao, and the two siblings became close. Shani and her bound one, Weret, stuck to the older brother and always followed his steps.
One day, Adon left to fight in Shesepta, a southern Taraakhi kingdom in conflict with Shuyetta. For months Kolao awaited his return, but a year later, he learned of the father perishing in a battle. Devastated, the youngster couldn’t stand living together with Gracca and left his home.
They took orders from Hyksoshi, a stagyar supremacist group spreading throughout Taraakh. The gang raided merchants entering Taraakh and kept a percentage of the stolen goods.
Several months later, Pendraken met Shani and learned Gracca was living with Isaac. Bitter at his mother’s adultery and wanting to impress his gangmates, Pendraken offered them to raid Isaac’s home filled with expensive Khalib weaponry.
One day, when Adon was on a trip, khalib Isaac visited Kolao’s home. The man’s eye patch and scarred chest caught the boy’s attention. Images of epic battles flooded little Kolao’s mind, and he tagged along the blacksmith. Isaac often ruffled the boy’s hair with affection and a gentle smile.
Kolao noticed Isaac frequently entering Gracca’s room. The boy sneaked close, peeked through the door, and saw the two lying together. Confused and flustered, the child rushed outside. In the evening, Isaac tried patting Kolao’s head before leaving, but the boy ran away and hid in his room. Adon returned several days later. Kolao wished to speak about Isaac, but spared the father’s heart and didn’t utter a word. The event caused Kolao to distance himself from Gracca and develop deeply ingrained trust issues.
Several years later, Gracca gave birth to a fire-air daughter, Shani. Unlike Kolao, the girl was born elemental and resembled Adon. Still, the father didn’t treat her any differently than Kolao, and the two siblings became close. Shani and her bound one, Weret, stuck to the older brother and always followed his steps.
One day, Adon left to fight in Shesepta, a southern Taraakhi kingdom in conflict with Shuyetta. For months Kolao awaited his return, but a year later, he learned of the father perishing in a battle. Devastated, the youngster couldn’t stand living together with Gracca and left his home.
Hyksoshi
Kolao called himself Pendraken, a misremembered name from the childhood legends. Petty thievery became his daily life. During one such endeavour, a peer offered him to join a small gang. Pendraken agreed without a question. A roof above the head beat sleeping in the streets.They took orders from Hyksoshi, a stagyar supremacist group spreading throughout Taraakh. The gang raided merchants entering Taraakh and kept a percentage of the stolen goods.
Several months later, Pendraken met Shani and learned Gracca was living with Isaac. Bitter at his mother’s adultery and wanting to impress his gangmates, Pendraken offered them to raid Isaac’s home filled with expensive Khalib weaponry.
The Miscalculation
Pendraken’s proposal tempted the gang and they didn’t waste time preparing for the heist. Each donned a pharaoh’s mask resembling the demi-god Hykso. The plan was simple. Barge in the house, swiftly tie up the owners and take as many weapons as their arms could hold.
What Pendraken didn’t expect was armed Isaac and Gracca defending their home. A second after the intrusion, the pair struck the gang, wounding many and killing several members. Just as Gracca was ready to cut Pendraken down, the youngster uttered, “Mom…”.
What Pendraken didn’t expect was armed Isaac and Gracca defending their home. A second after the intrusion, the pair struck the gang, wounding many and killing several members. Just as Gracca was ready to cut Pendraken down, the youngster uttered, “Mom…”.
The woman froze, her face twisting in confusion and disbelief. But before Pendraken could embrace her, his accomplice stabbed Gracca in the back. She gasped for breath, glanced at her son and fell apart in front of him.
Pendraken tore the mask away, fell to his knees and wept. He heard cries and screams fill the room and his gang rushing to escape. The heavy steps grew closer and a figure loomed over him. But Pendraken could only stare at the floor where Gracca perished without a trace.
Pendraken tore the mask away, fell to his knees and wept. He heard cries and screams fill the room and his gang rushing to escape. The heavy steps grew closer and a figure loomed over him. But Pendraken could only stare at the floor where Gracca perished without a trace.
“Don’t you ever show me your face, boy.”
A Tempting Offer
The mage promised endless power and prosperity if the youngster stole a particular gem. Temptation won over and Pendraken took Shani along the venture. With Solomon’s guidance, the siblings avoided Rakheem’s prying eyes and found their target. The stone’s vivid colours danced around each other, as a rainbow trapped inside a mirror cage.
Mesmerised by the gem’s lustre, Shani reached out and touched the stone. In an instant, the gem clutched the girl and started fusing with her. Pendraken rushed through and tried prying the artefact from the sister’s hand, causing a small piece to break off and fuse with his flesh. Just as the stone disappeared inside their bodies, Rakheem emerged from the sand and stood over the youngsters.
The petrified siblings awaited the deity’s wrath. Yet, the Desert of Creation remained calm. He explained how the stone was an artefact able to command Rare Stagyars. Its fragments had now become Pendraken and Shani’s hearts. Uttering a single command towards a rare stagyar would shatter the artefact, killing the order-giving sibling. Rakheem let Pendraken and Shani go, with a reminder to never trust Solomon again.
After the event, Shani observed how she could form and manipulate four out of the five rare elements, while Pendraken found himself limited to a shadow. To protect his sister, Pendraken claimed to be the artefact’s sole host. Meanwhile, the Northern Taraakhi Pharaoh Havranapeth and Queen Elinaroshapshutt took Shani in and promised her safety.
Mesmerised by the gem’s lustre, Shani reached out and touched the stone. In an instant, the gem clutched the girl and started fusing with her. Pendraken rushed through and tried prying the artefact from the sister’s hand, causing a small piece to break off and fuse with his flesh. Just as the stone disappeared inside their bodies, Rakheem emerged from the sand and stood over the youngsters.
The petrified siblings awaited the deity’s wrath. Yet, the Desert of Creation remained calm. He explained how the stone was an artefact able to command Rare Stagyars. Its fragments had now become Pendraken and Shani’s hearts. Uttering a single command towards a rare stagyar would shatter the artefact, killing the order-giving sibling. Rakheem let Pendraken and Shani go, with a reminder to never trust Solomon again.
After the event, Shani observed how she could form and manipulate four out of the five rare elements, while Pendraken found himself limited to a shadow. To protect his sister, Pendraken claimed to be the artefact’s sole host. Meanwhile, the Northern Taraakhi Pharaoh Havranapeth and Queen Elinaroshapshutt took Shani in and promised her safety.
Thieves
In panic, he manifested a shadow around himself and ran away.
Magic
Unlike a shadow stagyar, Pendraken can’t turn himself elemental. He can grow a shadowy arm for a limited time. The hand is tangible and able to hold items.
A New Profession
Pendraken became a sailor, going from crew to crew, developing a taste for the black market. He quickly mastered the vessels and turned into a skilled seafarer. Pendraken kept his eye on local skirmishes and snatched any lost item he came across. Corpse-looting wasn’t beneath him either.Along the voyages, he came across Pirate Queen Qalethia’s crew and joined her “Sea Dogs”. Slave trading became second nature to Pendraken and human life - just another commodity to sell. Qalethia entrusted him with the smallest and shabbiest ship in her fleet.
Pendraken got bored following orders. Several months later, he turned the ship around and left Qalethia, becoming the sole captain and continuing slave trading. He often transported people for money, while hiding the slaves in cabins. If a customer asked about the occasional noise, Pendraken replied,
“They are sick! No one would take them. Look, they deserve their chance to survive. But I don’t want you to catch it, right?”
The last such customer was Vivien, a blue-haired and-eyed woman he picked up in Firoz and promised to take to Niiberah, the largest port in Nikophsia.
The Knight
An orange glow caught his eye amidst the rubble. A blond man lay face down, his greyish-black armour adorned with orange feathers and golden embroidery. An enormous sword was by his side, with “Tsatmkhlechi” written along the blade in Dayani.
Pendraken tried using the sword as a lever to turn the corpse and loot him more easily. But the smuggler couldn’t move the metal chunk and stepped aside to rest.
“Could have checked if I was alive.”
Pendraken felt the sword touch his neck, preventing him from turning around. The failed thief lied through his teeth, saying he was there to save the knight. The blond man laughed and demanded Pendraken to say his name. Tears flowed down the smuggler’s cheeks as he awaited death. Only for the knight to point at Pendraken’s ship and ask about its captain.
After learning Pendraken sailed the vessel, the knight demanded to be taken to Vinwardisi and introduced himself as Remus Kin’Ghaard. Remus also offered the smuggler a fresh start in Vinwardisi.
Pendraken had heard of Dayani commander Reon Kin’Ghaard dying several weeks before, so he tried consoling the son. Losing a father was a familiar sorrow. But Remus’s confused expression took Pendraken aback.
“How long have you been at sea?”
“Six weeks. Why?’’
“Reon Kin’Ghaard died at a feast. ‘Twas three weeks ago, I assume. Aakhir handiwork, they say.”
“What?”
“Six weeks. Why?’’
“Reon Kin’Ghaard died at a feast. ‘Twas three weeks ago, I assume. Aakhir handiwork, they say.”
“What?”
Notable Relationships
Adon
Kolao adored his father and awaited his bedtime stories. He often noticed Adon’s sorrowful expression and a pained smile whenever he glanced at Gracca. Little Kolao always tried to cheer the father up, either by crass jokes or silly expressions.Pendraken lights a small candle during Adon’s birthday and often misses the gentle warmth father’s fire brought.
Isaac
The Khalib fascinated Kolao and the boy wished to learn more about him. But Kolao despised Isaac after peaking through the door. Pendraken knows Isaac is his biological father, but feels no attachment to him.He began hating Khalibs as a whole, not denying how irrational it was.
Gracca
Gracca often took young Kolao on beaches and the boy loved watching the waves.Kolao had a strained relationship with Gracca after witnessing her infidelity. He often ignored her and avoided her affection. The boy’s feelings slowly turned into growing resentment and Gracca didn’t try mending the relationship.
Pendraken hasn’t forgiven himself for causing Gracca’s death and frequently recalls her confused face before perishing. The sea often reminds him of his mother.
Shani
Kolao was slightly annoyed at Shani constantly tagging along, but always enjoyed her company. He often showed off the pickpocketed trinkets and loved seeing Shani’s eyes sparkle in awe.Pendraken feels guilty for taking Shani for the Solomon’s Stone. He cares deeply about the little sister and wants to protect her, even if it means putting a target on his head.
Vivien
The woman’s boldness and directness intrigued Pendraken. Vivien seems unconvinced by the slave trader’s lies, but hasn’t shown much consideration towards the chained folk.Pendraken seeks ways to woo her before they reach Niiberah.
Remus
Since the first encounter, Remus has terrified Pendraken. He fears his days are numbered if Remus finds out about slaves, and mulls over a believable excuse if things take a turn for the worse.Remus offering a new life in Vinwardisi took Pendraken aback and made him wonder if there’s an empathetic side to the knight. The smuggler finds Remus’s mild reaction upon learning of Reon’s death odd.
The aaaaaart <3 I love that it feels like we are in the middle of his story. I feel kind of sorry for him, but he'll have to do some work to make up for the slave trading if I'm ever going to like him...
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales
Will be difficult to carry on slave trading under Remus's nose.
That sounds like trouble. :D
Explore Etrea | March of 31 Tales