Rashida

Rashida, the Half-Orc Monk of Ket

Basic Information

Full Name: Rashida (Surname unknown)
Race: Half-Orc
Gender:Female
Birth Year: CY 543
Place of Birth: Ket, World of Greyhawk
Faith: Loosely follows Istis, the goddess of fate
Profession: Martial Artist, Enforcer, Adventurer

Physical Description

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
Build: Swarthy and robust, with powerful, athletic features
Hair: Black, often tied back in a practical ponytail
Eyes: Dark and intense
Skin: Deeply tanned, weathered from years of hardship
Distinctive Markings:
Tattoo: Two intertwined serpents facing opposite directions, branded onto her upper right arm. This tattoo signifies her status as a former slave of the Castle of Ket.

Family Background

Rashida’s origins are steeped in tragedy and forbidden love. Her mother, a disgraced daughter of His Illustrious Glory, the Vaygrath of Ket, Shield of the True Faith, was cast out of her noble family after a scandalous affair with Rashida’s father. He was a celebrated champion in the Fights and a member of the elite Janissary warriors. Their love was deemed forbidden by Ket's strict societal laws, and when their secret was revealed after Rashida’s birth, her father was executed, and her mother was stripped of her honor and disowned. Rashida, seen as a symbol of their disgrace, was sold into slavery.

Early Life

Rashida’s early years were marked by servitude and hardship. After being separated from her mother, she was sent to an orphanage in the bustling city of Lopolla. Her rebellious nature quickly surfaced, and she clashed with the caretakers, leading her to be expelled. By age 9, Rashida had caught the attention of the local thieves' guild. She began working as a bouncer and enforcer, her natural strength and resilience making her invaluable despite her young age.

The Monastery Years

At 16, Rashida's criminal exploits caught up with her. Arrested and sentenced to reform, she was sent to a monastery. Though initially resistant to the monks' teachings, she grew enamored with their martial training. The structured discipline and physical rigor gave her a new purpose. Rashida lacked patience for philosophical discussions but grudgingly respected the monks' devotion to Istis, goddess of fate. Over time, she came to embrace the idea that her life, no matter how tumultuous, was guided by unseen threads of destiny.

Journey to Greyhawk and Adventures

Upon her release from the monastery, Rashida set out for Greyhawk, seeking adventure and a new start. She has little care for fashion, preferring plain, serviceable clothes suitable for fighting. At this time, she carried a +2 staff but often used her head as a weapon as well. Her signature move in combat became the "Armlock, Headbutt, Knee Strike."
During her years in the City of Greyhawk, Rashida earned the title of Pit Champion and befriended many notable individuals, including Gil’ethayne and his father Gil’layne, Delcar, Neltara, Shethba, Galderen Iron Hand, and her future husband Rygar the Fair-Haired, a pirate who fought fiercely for her affection. Together, they had twins, Rashgar and Rykina.
Over the course of her adventures, Rashida learned many languages and gained numerous skills while battling formidable foes such as Markhessa.

Current Life

Rashida now resides in County Blackheart, where she serves as a teacher of martial arts at Delcar’s academy. She wields the Rod of Lordly Might as her primary weapon and holds the titles of Knight of Furyondy and Undefeated Pit Champion of Greyhawk. Her legacy as a warrior and mentor continues to inspire those around her.

Skills and Combat Training

Rashida is a skilled martial artist, excelling in unarmed combat and defensive techniques. Her time with the monks honed her reflexes, balance, and ability to channel her inner strength. Despite her formal training, she retains a rough-and-tumble fighting style from her years with the thieves' guild, making her unpredictable and versatile in battle.

Personality

Traits: Rashida is fiercely independent, pragmatic, and driven by survival instincts honed from a harsh upbringing.
Beliefs: She holds a loose belief in Istis and the idea that fate governs the lives of mortals, though she often questions her place in the grand design.
Quirks: Rashida has a dry sense of humor and an uncanny knack for spotting lies, a skill sharpened during her time as an enforcer.

Current Appearance

At the time of her release from the monastery, Rashida has transformed into a formidable figure. Her build, posture, and piercing gaze command respect. She wears simple, practical clothing suited for travel and combat, with a dark sash around her waist—a subtle nod to her monastic training.

Legacy

Rashida’s tattoo serves as both a reminder of her enslaved past and a symbol of her resilience. She remains haunted by the fragmented memories of her parents, yet she uses this pain to fuel her determination. Now free from her shackles, Rashida roams the lands of Greyhawk, seeking to carve her own path and unravel the threads of her destiny.