Zeklai

Zeklí (a.k.a. Zeklai, Zeklí-shrâ)

Physical Description

Body Features

Like all Sareth, Zeklí has several horns on their head, a long tail, claws and scaly skin. Their scales are golden-bronze or brass in colour depending on the light.

Facial Features

They have a short, narrow snout, prominent brow arches and deepset, mismatched eyes. Their left eye is a natural amber colour while their right is pale blue, a rare colour for their species.

Identifying Characteristics

Zeklí's colouration is typical for an Akadí Sareth. They are slightly on the shorter side of typical. Their most unique feature is their single blue eye which they hide with an enchanted metal band worn on heir horn.

Physical quirks

Despite living on mainland Oritas for thirteen years, they still express themself in a way typical for Sareth such as snarling or hissing. This can be offputting or even seen as an act of agression to individuals unused to Sareth manerrisms as these actions are merely a common way to express themself, similar to an eye roll or a sigh.

Special abilities

Zeklí believes they are cursed and so avoids doing any magic for fear of worsening the curse, despite having a natural affinity for it. They can control the "curse" to some degree, darkening shadows and making themself apparently disapear. However, since they lack any magical training, what they can achieve is limited.

Apparel & Accessories

Zeklí typically wears a red brigandine, plain trusers and leather boots. They carry two daggers, one forged of steel, the other of Klényók. They are never seen without a silver metal band aroung the largest horn on the right side of their head. It appears fairly plain, the pattern having been worn down with time. On the inner side it is engraved with an enchantment which hides their unnaturally blue eye so that it is harder for them to be tracked by the guild.

Specialized Equipment

The Klényók dagger they carry is stronger and more resilient than ordinary steel. It was a gift from their mother when they joined the Guard.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Zeklí grew up in Vâk Nôt, a fishing community in the south of Âkrát, the tropical island home to the Sareth south of mainland Oritas. Zeklí was born to Újku-adz, Čleysejuz-ik and Têjnurč-rí on the 12th day of the month of the Assassin in 1443. They hatched alongside three siblings, all part of the same clutch of eggs and was named Árn for their then copper coloured scales. Unlike their siblings, they had one blue eye, the colour being exceptionally rare amoung Sareth. Their parents were told it was nothing to worry about, simply a harmless oddity. For several years, they lived happily, playing and exploring with their firends and siblings. They took an interest in becoming a warrior, following C̥leysejuz around whenever possible. She gave them some training with weapons when they were old enough, along with their brother. When they reached the age of seven, they named themself Êldhah, meaning "other eye". At this age, the copper colouring had faded from their scales, giving way to a bronze colouration, resembling Újku. When they were eight years old, Zeklí began to experience disturbing dreams. They could never remember any details other than a blood red sky and a vast expanse of open land, something rare on Âkrát. Only a few weeks after the onset of the nightmares, Zeklí found their nightmares began to have real world effects. Shadows would darken and draw in, sometimes to the point where candles were extinguished. Concerned, their parents took them to a preist of The Asssassin asking if there was anything that could be done to help. The preist examined Zeklí and concluded they were cursed, likely a dormant bloodline curse. Even after their parents pointed out the fact that Zeklí had siblings, the preist refused to change his mind. The preist gave Zeklí a sedative to help them sleep and warned them not to practice magic as it could cause the curse to worsen. The nightmares didn't last long after that, though whether it was because they went away on their own or due to the sedative is unknown. Ten years later, Zeklí had joined the Akrian Guard as a recruit. While training in Idarka, they were spotted by some human sailors at the port. They had a short discussion with them, but it was nothing particularly memorable. Later that night the sailors broke in to the barracks where Zeklí was staying and abducted them. Zeklí woke up in the hull of a ship, shackled and unable to escape. They tried to call for help but recieved no answer. After roughly a day of sailing, the ship docked and Zeklí was dragged onshore. They were still within Akrayt's territory but had relocated to one of the smaller islands to the north, popular with smugglers. The "sailors" from earlier took them to a building where they were presented before a man dressed in red and black, a silver brooch on his cloak depicting a strange symbol. The man didn't speak Mâg so Zeklí didn't know what was being said but they seemed pleased to have them. They were then taken to a cell in the basement. They asked one of the "sailors" what they were going to do to them. The "sailor" told them they would be taken to mainland Oritas where they would work for "The Guild". Zeklí knew they had to escape before that happened or else they may never get another chance. The next night, as they were being taken back to the ship to sail away under the cover of darkness, Zeklí fought back. In the fight, they unconsiously summoned shadow which blinded their enemies. This gave Zeklí enough time to escape, grabbing the keys to their shackles on the way out. Once free of their chains, Zeklaí ran to the sea and jumped in, hoping to swim away. They made it to another remote island, evading recapture but stranding themself in the process. A Sareth fishing vessel happened to pass by two days later which Zeklí managed to flag down. They gave them a lift back to Idarka where they were greeted by a very worried guard captain. They told the captain of what had happened and what they had said. No one knew who or what "the Guild" could have been referring to but they assured Zeklí they would try to track down whoever they were and bring them to justice. They were sent home to recover from their ordeal. Two weeks later, the town was attacked. The attackers were all human and wore red and black, clearly sent by the mysterious guild. No one was killed in the first attack, but they kept coming, even after more reinforcements were sent. It soon became clear they wouldn't stop until they had Zeklí. As the number of dead rose, Zeklí decided they only way to bring peace to his clan was to leave. He discussed it with their family who tried to convince them to stay but ultimately they gave their blessing for them to go. Zeklí acquired an enchanted decorative band to go around one of his horns. It his their distinctive blue eye, turning it amber like the other. Something they had loved about his appearance now a danger to their life. They secured passage to Oritas on a trade vessel with few posessions and no plan. They eventually became a mercinary and theif for hire as they travelled while also hunting down members of the Guild and finding more information on them.

Gender Identity

Sareth have several genders which don't fit neatly into the binary of other species. Zeklai is deshrâ which would be equivalent to "none". They use 3rd person singular pronouns such as they/them in Shigan but is happy for strangers to use he/him if that's what they default to. They use the 4th set of personal pronouns in Mâg which correspond to absent gender.

Sexuality

Zeklai has never been in a relationship with anyone, nor do they particularly want to be. They're quite happy travelling around with Himzig for company and don't feel like they're missing out on anything.

Education

Zeklí recieved a basic education in Akrayt, initialy in their hometown where they learnt to read, write and count as well as the local history and culture. Later they attended the Academy for Akrian Guard recruits where they expanded their knowledge and learnt more of Oritas, law and combat training.

Employment

Zeklí travels Oritas, taking contracts as a bodyguard as well a thief for hire.

Accomplishments & Achievements

They showed great promise while in the academy but unfortunately did not have a chance to prove themself.

Mental Trauma

Zeklí has not been able to see their family for thirteen years. They write but do not give a way for their family to contact them back. They have no idea if their family is even still alive but they have to hope so. They miss their home and long to return but know they won't be safe to do so until the Guild is entirely eliminated.

Intellectual Characteristics

Zeklai is intelligent. They enjoy learning new skills but have little patience for sitting and reading dusty old tomes. They are more of a doer than a thinker but they are able to grasp abstract concepts. This often surprises people.

Morality & Philosophy

Zeklí trained as an Akrian Guard. This means they were instilled with a strong sense of right and wrong. Part of the code is to avoid violent conflict whenever possible. This is in opposition to their work where they are often hired as armed protection. Zeklí will not hesitate to fight or even kill if it means their survival, which includes getting paid. They feel conflicted about this but try to accept it as an unfortunate result of their circumstances. They take no pleasure in harming others.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Zeklí wants to eradicate the Guild of Shadows so that they can be certain they and their familr will be safe. They will finally be able to return home knowing no more blood will be shed.

Likes & Dislikes

They like when people are nice to Himzig, their pet cat. They love being able to see their friend Verelith Chudo and to talk about what they've been doing since they last saw each other. THey don't like when the people they care about are hurt or threatened in any way and will become very protective.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Their best friend is Verelith, a magic historian and relic hunter. They have known each other since Zeklí arrived in Oritas. She helped them when they struggled to communicate to anyone, Zeklí not knowing any Shigan at the time. They became close friends over the years to the point where either would go to the ends of the world to help the other.

Family Ties

Zeklí writes roughly four times a year to their family in Vak Zash. They don't give a way for them to write back to them however for fear of their messages being intercepted.

Religious Views

Like most on Oritas, Zeklí believes in the Celestials. They don't tend to pray, leave offerings or go to any temples as they believe the Celestials have nothing to offer them. They do wear a pendant with a depiction of the Traveller for luck.

Social Aptitude

Zeklí is fairly easy going, often coming across as confident and charming. They can however become easily flustered and awkward in unfamiliar situations. They have a calming presence which makes diffusing high tension easier.

Hobbies & Pets

He has a ginger tabby called Himzig who they love very much, but they consider him more than just a pet.

Speech

As a native speaker of Mâg, Zeklai hisses the "s" sound, like an imitation of a snake. This sometimes also applies to the voiceless "th" sound but not always. His pronunciation of the "b" and "p" sounds in other languages is passable but noticably off as these sounds are absent in Mâg, as are "f","v" and "w". His voice is deep, throaty and rough making him sound like someone most people would want to avoide. Despite this, he usually manages to sound upbeat and friendly.

Relationships

Wealth & Financial state

Money is constantly tightly managed. While not wealthy, they always have enough to buy food and supplies as well as occassional extras for fun. All their possessions are either carried with them or sometimes left with Verelith.

Species

Sareth

Ethnicity

Akadí

Date of Birth

12th of Sarasa

Year of Birth

1443 LE 34 Years old

Birthplace

Vâk Nôt

Spouses

Siblings

Children

Pronouns

They/He

Gender

Male

Eyes

Amber

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Bronze scales

Height

5'6"

Known Languages

He is fluent in Mâg and Shigan, as well as being able to speak rudimentary Perrunic.

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