Omid al-Shidar
Grand Vizier Omid al-Shidar (a.k.a. “First Ray of Vel’Shavas”)
Grand Vizier Omid al-Shidar is a pillar of wisdom, diplomacy, and integrity within the Sultanate. His unwavering moral compass and commitment to governance have earned him both immense respect and dangerous enemies. While he is cautious and measured, he understands that adaptability is key to survival—and he ensures the Divan Vel’Shavas remains strong, stable, and effective in an ever-changing world.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Humble Beginnings:
Born in Al-Hajjad to a family of mid-tier scholars who served as scribes in the Golden Ledger (Al-Sijil al-Dhahabi), the Exchequer’s financial bureau.
His father was a skilled accountant, his mother a poetess and philosopher who taught at Amirik Al'Zahad, the foremost learning institution in the Sultanate.
Prodigious Youth:
Showed early talent in linguistics, philosophy, and economics, frequently debating policy matters with his tutors.
Studied at Amirik Al'Zahad, specializing in jurisprudence, statecraft, and trade relations, where he gained renown for his ability to balance ideological debate with practical application.
Rise Through the Bureaucracy:
Began his career as a junior clerk in the Golden Ledger, rapidly earning promotions for his forensic accounting skills and administrative acumen.
Uncovered a noble smuggling ring siphoning funds from grain tariffs, leading to his appointment as a royal investigator under Sultan Arvad Vorr’Khal.
Demonstrated unwavering integrity, refusing bribes from high-ranking officials—an act that earned him powerful enemies but greater favor from the Sultan.
Appointment as Grand Vizier:
When Sultan Grada Vorr’Khal ascended the throne in 460 AEL, he sought a stabilizing, trustworthy force to lead the Divan.
Omid, having remained untainted by factionalism, was named First Ray of Vel’Shavas, the highest-ranking Vizier, responsible for balancing political tensions within the court.
Education
Institution: Amirik Al'Zahad (The School of Ascendence and Knowledge)
The oldest and most esteemed center of learning in the Sultanate, located in Al-Hajjad, specializing in philosophy, governance, economics, and arcane studies.
Omid studied under the renowned philosopher-scholar Sheikh Harun al-Dabir, who instilled in him the belief that true leadership is not in dominance but in guidance.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Architect of Modern Governance:
Reformed the Vizierial Selection Process, introducing peer reviews and public commendations to ensure meritocracy.
Established quarterly audits for all major trade houses, reducing corruption within the merchant class.
Crisis Mediator:
Prevented a trade war between Basara Trading Company (BTC) and Rahani Mercantile Consortium (RMC) by proposing joint caravans and neutral arbitration policies.
Negotiated a non-aggression pact with the Dominion of Kafka, ensuring a balance of power in the region.
Trusted Confidant of the Sultan:
One of the few men Sultan Grada trusts implicitly, frequently advising on long-term governance strategies and internal stability measures.
Ensures the Divan remains a unified and adaptable force, even in times of political turmoil.
Morality & Philosophy
Pragmatic Idealist: Believes that true governance lies in guidance rather than control, ensuring that knowledge is shared for the collective good.
Ethically Unyielding: While he understands the necessity of diplomacy and compromise, he refuses to bend to corruption or coercion, believing that “A single thread of dishonor unravels the entire tapestry of the realm.”
Sees the Divan as a Stewardship: Does not view power as a privilege, but a responsibility to history and future generations.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Preserving Stability: Ensures that the Sultanate remains strong, just, and prosperous, shielding it from the corruption and incompetence that plagued past dynasties.
Mentorship & Legacy: Encourages young scholars to rise by merit, hoping that the Divan remains a beacon of wisdom long after he is gone.
Guarding the Sultan: Protects Sultan Grada from political manipulation, ensuring he does not repeat the mistakes of past rulers.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Close Relations:
Sultan Grada Vorr’Khal (Trusted Advisor & Mentor): Grada often seeks his counsel in private, trusting Omid’s wisdom beyond all others.
Sheikh Harun al-Dabir (Former Mentor, Scholar of Amirik Al'Zahad): Taught him the principles of wisdom and leadership.
Halim Al-Sarif (Vizier of Finance) (Professional Ally): They often work together to ensure economic policies align with long-term governance strategies.
Tensions & Rivalries:
Certain Noble Houses: Resent his non-noble origins and his refusal to engage in political patronage.
Arshan Taldir (Vizier of War): Respects Omid but sees him as too cautious, advocating for more aggressive military policies.
Some Merchant Lords: Dislike his strict enforcement of tax audits and trade regulations.
Current Location
Age
64
Date of Birth
4th of Huegard,
Children
Eyes
Sharp amber with a piercing but measured gaze, assessing situations rather than intimidating.
Hair
white with age, kept neatly trimmed just above his shoulders.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Olive-toned, weathered slightly from years of exposure to the desert sun and the dim candlelight of study halls.
Height
5' 11" Lean but upright, his posture conveys quiet
Quotes & Catchphrases
Speaking to Sultan Grada Vorr’Khal, soon after the death of his father:
"A ruler’s burden is not in his crown, but in the shadows he must stand against. Your father’s throne is not an inheritance—it is a battlefield of wisdom and will. Rule not as a son who seeks to honor his father, but as a man who seeks to serve his people."
On Governance & Corruption:
"A kingdom is not built in the grandeur of palaces, but in the honesty of its ledgers and the fairness of its laws."
On Diplomacy:
"To negotiate is to listen to the silence between words, for it is in the quiet where true intent is found."
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
