Saleh, al Malik, al Eali
al-Malik al-Eali Saleh ibn Wadi
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Slender, thin, haughty. Walks around with his shoulders back. Kingly.
Body Features
Olive-skinned, smooth like silk. He takes care of himself. He doesn't stress. Nothing can derail his rule. Though throughout the course of this story, his face is gonna get pretty lined.
Facial Features
Sharp nose, sharp chin. His face is all lines and edges. He has a full beard that is trimmed to perfection, black eyebrows so sharp they could cut a man. Mate, he looks like a straight-up model.
Identifying Characteristics
His face is smooth af. But his fingertips are calloused because he plays the oud so much. Sure he moisturises but he plays a heck of a lot.
Physical quirks
He is right-handed, very deft fingers. Imagine him just going to town on the oud. His fingers are hard to keep up with. He walks as though he is floating - that's a result of his real lineage. The Dahbi can travel through space, and therefore almost never have their feet on the ground. So he is very light-footed - which is funny, because he daughter is clumsy af. Maybe she gets it from her mum's side of the family. Back to Saleh - he is super calm when he walks. Slow, calm, collected. He never has to rush anywhere. The world is literally in the palm of his hand. Everyone waits for him. He does itch at his beard sometimes, when he's annoyed at someone. If he scratches the beard, you know you're in for it.
Special abilities
Dahbi powers, only when he's a Dahbi. And then every other magical ability because he has magic underneath his room.
Apparel & Accessories
Super luxurious. The most luxurious basically. Lots of fine silks, and thin linens. His mashlah is always of the highest quality, lavish and thick. Fit for a king. His white kaffiyeh is always on point and never threadbare. He has a lot of them. On more casual occasions, he wears royal blue turbans, with jewels hanging off them. That’s his casual wear. Jewels. The tail of his mashlah is always trailing behind him – like the train of a bride on her wedding day. He’s that extra. His shoes are leather, often embroidered, making his steps even lighter.
Specialized Equipment
His oud, that is imbued with magic. The oud itself is wooden, and has a light brown face, with a dark brown backing. There are several strings along the face, and tabs at the top of the neck for tuning. There are patterns carved all along it, and Saleh's first initial in cursive Arabic on the face. He loves that oud. He really does. It calms him because he knows, as long as he has it, he has control. He plays it for rebellious rayis too. When he invites them into the palace - or they get arrested. He plays and loves seeing the immediate change in their countenance. I just keep imagining him playing a jaunty tune in a fight. That would be hilarious.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Saleh ibn Wadi was the only son of Wadi and Safia. But he wasn't really the son of Wadi, because his mother wasn't exactly the most faithful of people. But Saleh didn't find that out until he had his own child with his wife Zarqa, al Malika, al Ealia. Their daughter came out looking not-quite-human. So Saleh is kinda messed up. Before he found out about his mother’s transgressions, he was also messed up. A kind of weird quiet boy. A bit of an outcast - well, he would be if he weren’t the crown amir. But he never could seem to hold on to friends. Except one. Anas, the Vizier - before he was Vizier of course. Anaz kind of worshipped him. Saleh had a darkness inside him always. But he wouldn’t call it that. He would call it something more like an unrelenting need to perfect the world. Like, it just can’t be helped. The world is broken and he needs to fix it. He has a sick idea of justice. And a very intense nature. It didn’t help that while his father ruled beings of all kinds were being persecuted in all quadrants. He found the solution and he would do anything to make sure it comes to pass.
Education
Super educated. He had the best tutors and scholars teaching him in the palace as a boy, and continued to read and learn as he got older.
Employment
He’s the king.
Accomplishments & Achievements
He created - no wait, he didn’t creat al-Ilaj but he found someone to recreate it. The grandaughter of the witch - read: Mealij - that made it for his mum when he needed to be changed. His accomplishment I guess is getting the whole kingdom to subject to al-Ilaj and believe it was a cure for a plague that wasn’t even real. Joke’s on them all I guess.
I suppose his achievement is capitalised by the fact that his father’s rule was pretty darn barbaric, and he stopped the persecution of all beings, and promised a better life. Al-Ilaj was the beginning of that better life. Maybe there were rumours about people being affected by the plague - like it came back. Obviously fake news. But it goes around, spreads like wildfire, and then Saleh proposes this cure. The cure that’ll stop the plague and create a better world for all. He has the cure!
Failures & Embarrassments
He's a pretty shy guy, and before people realised that he was a bit of an oddball - back in his youth, I mean - they tried to befriend him because he's the amir. It's good to be friends with rich and powerful people, right? But unfortunately, he was just a bit too weird to be liked. His wealth and position was not worth it. When he was born, because of his 'affliciton,' he was hidden away for a while. People thought he was sickly and wouldn't survive. It wasn't that long before he was out in society - because the potion was prepared beforehand. They just had to make sure it stuck. But he was hidden long enough for people to start dumb rumours about why. So people started laughing at him behind his back, whispering things about him. He heard them all - rumours that he couldn't speak, or was stupid, or his brain didn't work, or - worst of all - that he was half-Human, half something else. Because the persecutions were happening, and being anything but Human was not good. Of course those rumours were shut down because people are trying to insinuate that the Malika was unfaithful? Like, no thanks. But it still grated on him - that people dared to speak about him like that. Embarrassed and ashamed is what he felt. They thought they were better than him, and he began to feel it in himself. That maybe he was lacking something. He began to withdraw inside himself. Started to hate everyone, Human or not. And since he never spoke to or saw any other beings, that hatred was easier to stick. If they weren’t around, nobody would doubt that he was full Human. He even asked his parents if there was something wrong with him. His father yelled at him to never ask such a question – that he was perfect by birth, no matter what. He was an amir, the son of a Malik, and if he ever doubted himself again, his father would punish him for it. Bit of a weird parenting tactic, but okay. His mother was a bit gentler. She would do anything for him - because he was the only thing that remained of the man she had loved with all her heart, the man she'd sent to Death. So she assured him he was perfect, and everyone else was the problem. He was the amir, a Human of the highest order. She never wanted anyone to find out about the truth of his birth, and lineage, so she never spoke of other beings. If she was found out, her husband would have her killed, and her son punished for sure. So she kept quiet, and told Saleh that he was completely Human, completely perfect. And if anyone ever tried to tell him differently, they could answer to her. So, getting back to the question – his lack of confidence and assuredness was his only failing – if you’re asking him. He despises the fact that he was weak enough to ever let anyone get under his skin enough to make him question his own importance, and worth.
Mental Trauma
He was taught from the youngest of ages that Humans ran the world, Humans saved the world - Adira - and the world had to thank them for that. Safia's failure to tell Saleh of the value of others came back to bite them all in the backside. Saleh inherited his false father's views on race and power, and it was difficult to change his mind because he never even saw or spoke to other beings. So he grew to despise all others and when he finally learned the truth about his birth - that's when everything started falling into place. He was brainwashed, and he didn't know it. Mentally traumatised and unaware.
He was also hella affected by the fact that he only learned the truth of himself after age 30. That was uncool. Of course it kinda unhinged him a little bit. And made him more insistent on changing everyone, because if the world found out he was not the rightful heir to the throne, everything would be taken from him. That's his one phobia. If people found out that he had fire beneath his skin, and he lost everything.
Intellectual Characteristics
He is learned in the musical arts. Since he didn't have many friends, he worked really hard on everything he attempted. He's a brilliant linguist, knows how to use words in a fight. His words are like knives. And his oud playing is known throughout the kingdom. It's one of his more fun and friendly skills. The rayis love hearing his playing - he does it every morning, and the magical notes can be heard throughout the land. I say magical - and I mean magical. But we'll get to that. His own philosophies are very dear to him. He believes in certain things completely. Not a wishy-washy believer.
Morality & Philosophy
He tries not to think about Death. Because life is so good. His personal philosophy is that everything he does is for the good of the people. His father was persecuting them for the colour of their skin, and so, when he took over, he eliminated the problem. No, he couldn't just stop persecuting beings, because there were problems before the persecutions happened. There were fights between the different races, and nobody was getting along. The death toll was rising. (Because they're not supposed to be living on one land together, duh). So, he didn't want to go back to that. And he didn't want to keep persecuting them. That wasn't the answer. No. Al-Ilaj was the perfect solution. And he stands by it, forever. Make everyone the same, maintain peace.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
He wants his kingdom to be peaceful, and prosperous. Ok, maybe he doesn't really take much notice of the outer regions. Maybe he's not perfect. But he's given his kingdom and his people their best chance. They all started at the same place. They're all human, and they're all given the same opportunities. Nobody has magical abilities that may help them get ahead. Everything they have, they have earned. His world is fair and just. And that's all he wants.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Brilliant oud player. Brilliant talker. Not exactly emotionally present. Can check out quite easily from his emotions. Which isn't a good thing. He's a skilled fighter, but he's never actually been in a fight. So maybe he couldn't beat anyone. In fact, he's a little bit of a coward. Hiding behind his Palace Haris. Never getting his hands dirty. He's never been strong in physicality. His words are daggers, but his hands are cushions. He's never had to defend himself. And it's made him weak, complacent.
Likes & Dislikes
Doesn't eat sweets. He thinks sugar is a problem. And you're weak if you succumb to it. Probably another reason he can't look at his daughter. She loves the sweets. He does indulge in wine, though - khamr. It's luxury, after all. He doesn't drink in excess. He can control himself. But a glass of khamr with dinner, and before bed - he likes that.
Virtues & Personality perks
Patient. Mate, he spent years listening to his dad and his dumb rules. Come to find out, it's not even his real dad, and this guy killed his actual dad. What the heck. But he stayed patient, bided his time. And only when his cure was ready, that's when he ordered the assassination of his parents. Patience is a virtue. He also doesn't anger quickly. Or act brashly. He has all the time in the world. He's often sarcastic, and chill.
Vices & Personality flaws
He's a little bit crazy. Let's be honest. Don't tell him I said that. He's a bit biased, and judgmental. And, to be brutally honest, when he found out the truth about his parental lineage, he kind of came unstrung a little bit. When you find out your whole life is a life, things that used to matter don't really matter much anymore do they? So a string of his life came undone, snapped in two, and from then on, he was in only two minds - never let anyone know the truth, and get rid of my dad and his heinous rule. He used to be shy, because he was unsure of his position, and worth. But after a while, as he grew, he realised he's the damn amir. Nothing anyone says can change that - ahem - and so he took on an amused air. Sarcasm became his response. And he became way more chill. Some would say ... too chill.
Personality Quirks
Scratches at his beard if he's annoyed with someone. There's no other way to tell. His eyes remain calm, his lip always quirked in a semi-smirk, semi-scowl, but if he itches or strokes his beard, somebody's gonna pay. Doesn't laugh loudly. More like a soft chuckle, if anything. Nothing fazes him. His fingers sometimes twitch, because of muscle memory from playing the oud. It's like the strings and magic are calling to him.
Hygiene
A very clean person. He's the king after all. His personal office is meticulously clean, as he can't have important papers with important secrets just strewn about. He's a careful person. However, not too careful, because, if anything ever dared to ruin his position, he has his magic and his a-Znzana.
Social
Family Ties
Zarqa, al Malika, al Ealia is his wife. Zaria, the Heiress is his daughter. Sami, the Charming is his cousin. Gadi, the Annoying is his second cousin.
He doesn't much care for any of them, but he especially hates his daughter, for all that she is inside, and all that she represents, and the way she reminds him of what he is. As for his wife, he loved her once. Immensely. There was a time he would've done anything for her. But then she fell into a state of confusion, and sputtered words of despair at him, and he could no longer stand to look at her. Her eyes were taken from her - and he won't comment as to how - and he felt sorry for her, but he was happy at how she rose above it. He felt pride when she stood before the people with that sash across her eyes, unbeaten. And after her eyes were gone, he found it easier to be around her, easier to look at her, and speak to her, because he knew she could no longer see him - inside or out. But of course, his life became a bit hectic, and so he began to neglect or forget her. He still feels for her, some sort of way. If not love, then sympathy, or compassion. Or maybe like she is a part of him, no matter how hard he tries to separate from him. And cutting her out would be like cleaving his heart in two. So he will never hurt her - ahem - or wish harm on her, but they don't exactly have the same sort of relationship anymore. But if she left him, that would be the ultimate rejection.
Religious Views
Look he’s not all that worried about religion. Sure he knows al-Nahr is out there but life is too good to think about what’s gonna happen after he dies. He has it all. Maybe every so often he thinks a quick thanks to god. But really, he did everything himself, so thanks himself more often really.
Social Aptitude
That kinda charismatic that's also intimidating. Maybe because he's the malik. But you kinda can't help but like him. His sarcasm is sharp, and witty, and often he's mocking someone, but it comes off airy and effortless, and light. Can't really help but smile along. His charm is disarming. He can manipulate the emotions of people, with or without his oud - though it's never far from his reach, just in case. He's clearly confident, af - large group or not. His ego is extreme - he thinks humans are the best, and he's the best of the humans (even though he's not full human - solid logic mate).
Mannerisms
Calm. Cool. Cocky. He uses small hand gestures, slow, firm, sweeps his hands in front of him, opens them wide. Speaks like he's the most important person. Which he is. Never interrupts a person, though. Calmly waits his turn, then obliterates them where they stand. Sarcastic. Looks to the Heavens a lot, with open palms - as if he's in direct contact with a higher being.
Hobbies & Pets
Sand cat named Buthyana - nicknamed Bibi. But maybe she isn't really a cat. Have you ever heard of the Sila? No? Maybe you should look them up.
Speech
His words are like velvet, voice like honey. He even has a good singing voice. Words are clear and his sentences are concise. Never says 'uh' or stutters. He has great control over his tongue. The tone is soothing, and the pitch is loud enough to be heard in a large room. He rarely whispers. No need to. If someone isn't supposed to have heard, he can get rid of them. Never apologises for his words, and never speaks falsely - if he insults you, he means it.
Wealth & Financial state
The super richest person of all. He has it all. Opulent wealth, and all the luxuries life has to offer. Plus magic. The only person with access to it. Or control over it. He’s basically rolling in gold and magic. What a king.
Current Location
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Sayiddi Saleh al-Malik al-Ealia
Year of Birth
1156 AA
44 Years old
Circumstances of Birth
Saleh was born bronze-skinned, fiery haired, proof his mother had been naughty. It set off a chain of events nobody was ready for.
Children
Current Residence
Gender
Male
Eyes
Black, squinty - though they were yellow when he was born.
Hair
Black, cropped short, always covered underneath a turban.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Olive-skinned.
Height
177cm
Weight
Lean
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Would you like to hear me play?" That's a loaded question. Basically, do you want to die? Do you want to give up your will and your memories and forget where you even came from? Damn.
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