Salam Darkkal

Behind the bar at this time in the morning is that kind bartender, Salam. He's cleaning a mug as you come down the steps, and you can see his trained eyes scan the mug for chips and dirt. He's changed since last night, wearing an orange robe with a pair of dark brown trousers. You can also notice that he's trimmed his beard and plucked his eyebrows, making him that much more striking in the morning light.
He puts the glass he was cleaning away as you come into the dimly-lit tavern. "A good morning to you, traveller!" his sonorous voice says. "What can I do for you on this fine morning?"

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Salam isn't particularly fat or skinny, but he is particularly handsome. He has dark skin and he commonly carries a short black beard.

Body Features

He has a solid build, with round shoulders and coffee-coloured skin.

Facial Features

He could be considered classically handsome, with a short black beard and supple cheeks. He trims his eyebrows, although he refuses to get rid of them like many Gratics do.

Apparel & Accessories

He sticks to bright colours, as he likes to wear something with a little flash. Oranges and yellows are his favourite, but he can also be found in pinks and reds from time to time. As for the clothing itself, he generally chooses a loose robe and brown trousers, with the occasional ring for extra flair.

Specialized Equipment

He often carries his sketchbook on him, and may be caught scribbling in it early in the morning or during quiet times.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Salam was born to one of the Hayim merchant families that made their fortune during the long peace following the Red Rose War, trading Hayim silks and flowers across The Gratic Empire. Salam, however, did not want to go into the trading business, wanting to be an artist. Learning under a painter in the capital, he became incredibly proficient in frescoes and canvas painting. Unfortunately, the teacher turned out to be a wanted criminal and Salam had to serve time in jail for being his "accomplice". Because of this, his family withdrew their support of him and he had to leave town. Settling in Freebrook, he took a job as a bartender for Alté's Old Cane Inn, where he has been working ever since.
Gúrda Thérun of the Drakeslayers stayed at the Alté's Old Cane Inn before joining that group, and they and Salam got to know each other in that time.

Education

He learned how to read and write like many Hayim, although he learned the Gratic script instead.

He spent a couple of years learning to paint under a master painter.

Employment

At a young age, he helped sell some of his parents' wares in the markets of Gratic City.

After that, he learned to paint and draw.

Then, he went to Freebrook and worked there as a bartender.

Mental Trauma

He has a fear of guards and army men, leading him to be reluctant to call the guards unless it's absolutely necessary.

Intellectual Characteristics

Salam is a very visual person, having spent years memorizing what faces, trees, and buildings look like so that he can replicate them perfectly in his paintings. Being bilingual, this has come in handy while learning Gratic, but it does make it difficult to explain things to him.

Morality & Philosophy

Salam is a kind man, holding to his religious beliefs and doing good for the community, even if people in the town don't share his beliefs. He is always willing to lend a hand to a weary or confused traveller, as part of his good deed for the week.

Taboos

He is a bit of a vegetarian, and he doesn't often eat meat.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

Salam would love to go back to his job as a painter, although he doubts that that would ever happen. He enjoys his work at Alté's Old Cane Inn, but his passion is art, and he still scribbles and draws from time to time.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

He is an amazing person with paints, being able to describe or draw most things off the top of his head.

He has more trouble with words, however.

Likes & Dislikes

He generally dislikes Alana Darges, as she yells too much and likes to overhear his conversations with customers.

He finds travellers fascinating, and he likes to ask them about their travels when appropriate.

He loves artists, and will always question them at length about their work.

Virtues & Personality perks

He is incredibly kind-hearted, always looking out for pilgrims and making sure Alana doesn't swindle them too much.

He also has a love for his community, trying to help out where he can.

Vices & Personality flaws

He doesn't stand up for himself all that much, which usually leads to people trampling his passions.

Personality Quirks

He sometimes scratches his beard when he's thinking about something.

Hygiene

He keeps himself well-washed, and he keeps his beard and eyebrows expertly trimmed. His house is a little cluttered, but that's mostly due to the fact that he's rarely there due to his work.

Social

Contacts & Relations

He gets on well with the patrons of the inn and with pilgrims and travellers.

He has a fondness for Sari Fehaz's young son Dilgar, often giving him gifts or playing with him.

Family Ties

His family still live in the capital, although he hasn't talked to them in years.

Religious Views

Salam holds true to his roots, and still venerates the Hayim goddesses. Still remembering the prayers from when he was a kid, he says them every day. Even though there is no temple here in Freebrook, he still makes sure to light a candle and give some money to beggars at least once a week, and usually even more often than that.

Social Aptitude

He isn't particularly charismatic or confident, although he does like a good conversation with interesting people. He doesn't think too highly of himself, but he is still proud to be himself and wouldn't trade that away for the world.

Mannerisms

He peppers his speech with "you know?"s, especially when his grammar gets confusing.

Hobbies & Pets

Painting and drawing are his hobbies, and he spends most of his free time doing that.

He also spends time with some of the local children, especially orphans.

Speech

He has a smooth and high voice, and he often repeats himself for emphasis.

Wealth & Financial state

Salam does reasonably well as a bartender, and Alana, for all of her yelling, does appreciate his efforts and rewards him well for his work. He has a reasonably nice house and it remains cluttered with his belongings and furniture. If he ever shows off his wealth, it is through his rich clothes and his impeccable grooming.

Current Location

Freebrook

Species

Endamian Human

Ethnicity

Hayim

Year of Birth

1984 CE

Birthplace

Gratic City

Current Residence

Freebrook

Gender

Male

Eyes

Brown

Hair

Short and black.

Height

5' 11" (6 and a half handspans).

Weight

136 lbs. (412 IS's).

Known Languages

He speaks Hayimic fluently and his Common Gratic is nearly as good now.

Art Credit: emperorcharlesii (me!)