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jeriendhalJust an article I submitted to Pyramid a couple of years back that was never published, along with the picture I commissioned for it.
Tzevi the Lame and Abisha the Stupid
By Royce Easton Day
Tzevi limped along the alleyway, deep in the slums of North Tredroy. She leaned on her crutch for a moment, gasping for breath. The day’s shadows were growing long, and she had promised Abisha that she would be back to their home, in the remains of a burned out merchant’s stall, before the sun had set. It had been a good day. A merchant, blessed by Allah with a good day’s trading, had dropped ten coppers into her begging bowl that afternoon. That was more than enough to buy food for her and Abisha for the whole next day, even with her partner’s prodigious appetite.
“It’s late, Tzevi,” she heard a familiar, despised voice behind her. “Little girls shouldn’t be wandering about the souk by themselves.”
“Leave me alone, Makin,” she said, turning around. Makin was fourteen, older than her by five years. He was also a great deal taller, a great deal meaner, and had two working legs to her one.
“Or you’ll do what, Tzevi?” he mocked. “Yell for help? No one listens in this part of the city. But if you give me money pouch I know you’ve got under your chador, maybe you won’t have to do even that.”
She smiled, as she saw a shadow detach itself from the walls of alleyway. Makin had enough wit and speed to turn, before Abisha’s scaly hand caught him by the throat and lifted his feet well above Tevzi's head.
“Your or-ders, Prin-cess?” Abisha asked.
“Put him somewhere high, Abisha,” she told him, as Makin clutched at the reptile man’s arm and tried to gain a breath.
Abisha blinked, then threw the boy into the air. He landed on the roof of a nearby building, some ten feet and one story away, with an audible crack. The reptile man then bowed to her, tucking his hands into the arms of his kimono.
“Suit-able, Prin-cess?” he growled in barely comprehensible Tredroy pidgin.
“I was thinking more that pile of boxes at the end of alley, but it’ll do Abisha, it’ll do.” She let the tall reptile man place her carefully on his shoulders, and they walked home, Tezvi’s head above all the crowd.
Introduction
One evening, as Tevzi dragged herself back to the piece of alleyway she called home, she stumbled across an enormous figure lying unconscious in the street. She recognized him as a reptile man, but he was dressed like no reptile man in Tredroy, wearing a fine silk robe and a carrying an odd sword in the sheath at his side. Figuring she had come across some exotic noble’s guard, she stood watch over his body until he regained consciousness.
For his part, the last thing Abisha remembered was escorting his Most Gracious and Benevolent Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Gardens through his clan’s domain in upper Sahud. The next thing he knew he was waking up in the back alley of a city he’d never seen nor heard of before in his life. At a loss as to what to do or where to go, he stayed close to the young human woman, whose language he couldn’t understand, but who’s kindness and need for protection was obvious
For her part, once she managed to get some basic street pidgin into Abisha’s remarkably dense brain, Tevzi realized she had just stumbled across a gold mine. The Reptile Man, used to the comfortable environment of a nobleman’s household, was far from home and completely out of his element. He was also very, very gullible, taking her every word as honest truth, and not even blinking as she declared herself a princess in disguise, in hiding from a rival noble house. It wasn’t much of a step to ‘beg’ for Abisha’s protection, which the warrior was more than happy to provide, grateful for some kind of order and purpose being restored to his life.
These days, if Tevzi isn’t exactly rich, she can at least count on having enough money to buy dinner in the evening. Aside from begging, and occasionally selling information she’s gleaned from listening to conversations in the Souk, she’s developing a thriving sideline in the “Rent-A-Thug” business. It’s an easy enough scam to run. Some local scum wants some other scum beaten, they come to Tevzi to make arrangements, and she sends out Abisha, telling him the place or people he’s to destroy belongs to a rival clan. So far all the jobs she’s gotten for him have involved local predators feeding off of each other, but it’s only a matter of time before somebody wants to use Abisha to kill off innocents merchants and their families.
This, and the fact she’s been lying to Abisha about her true status, is starting to prick at Tevzi’s limited conscience. The reptile man’s doggish loyalty is the closest thing she’s felt to love since her mother died, and she’s dreading the day when she might have to tell him the truth about her being a beggar, and worse, a liar. For the last thing she wants now is to be alone again.
Tevzi the Lame
Description: Nine year-old half-elven girl, 4’ 2”, 70 lbs., with dark curly hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin, and a club foot. Usually wearing a patched chador and a headscarf.
Characteristics:
ST 8 [-20], DX 11 [20], IQ 11 [0], HT 10 [0]
Dmg: 1d-3/1d-2
HP 8 [0], Will 13 [10], Per 13 [10], FP 10 [0]
Basic Speed 4.75 [0], Basic Move 2 [-10]
Basic Lift 9.8 lbs., SM -1
Appearance: Pitiable [5], Unattractive [-4], Skinny [-5]
Culture: TL 3, Muslim (native) [0], Christian [1]
Languages: Arabic (native) [0], Anglish: Spoken (accented)/written (none) [2], Tredroy Patios: Spoken (native)/written (none) [3]
Wealth: Poor [-15], Status -2 (beggar) [-10]
Reaction Modifiers: Unattractive -1, Pitable +3, Status -2, Social Stigmas -2.
Advantages: Half-Elf [27], Ally (Abisha) 75 pts., appears 15- [30], Contact (street), skill 15, appears 9-, usually reliable [4], Empathy [15], Extended Lifespan 1 [0]*, Magery 0 [0] *.
*From Half-Elf template.
Perks: Honest Face [1], Deep Sleeper [1]
Disadvantages: Curious, 12- [-5], Greedy 12- [-5], Jealousy [-10], Lame (Crippled leg) [-10], Sense of Duty to Abisha [-2], Social Stigma (Minor) [-5], Social Stigma (Second Class Citizen) [-5].
Quirks: Imaginative [-1], Observant Moslem [-1], Feels guilty about lying to Abisha [-1]
Skills: Area Knowledge: Tredroy - 14 [8]; Carousing - 12 [4]; Escape - 10 [2]; Fast Talk - 12 [4]; Filch - 12 [4]; Merchant - 12 [4]; Observation - 14 [4]; Panhandling - 13 [4]; Scrounging - 14 [2]; Streetwise - 12 [4], Urban Survival - 14 [4].
Equipment: Patched and dirty chador and headscarf, begging bowl, crude wooden crutch, prayer rug, money purse hidden in chador (usually empty).
Background
Born to a prostitute mother, in the aftermath of a brief business transaction with an elven adventurer, Tevzi’s life would have been hard enough. It was worse with her crippled leg, which she dragged through West Tredroy’s rough streets with increasing cynicism and determination. By the time her mother died when she was five, Tevzi was used to living on her own, counting on no one save herself. What little money she earned begging went for food, and she could afford to set none aside to purchase a healer’s services for her leg (which had proved resistant to the few mages providing their services for charity in Tredroy’s slums.) Though reasonably quick of mind, and a keen observer of the streets, Tezvi had nearly resigned herself to following in her mother’s profession when she was old enough to attract a man’s attention.
Personality
Tevzi isn’t by nature an evil person. She is however, painfully aware of how far down on the totem pole she is in Tredroy’s slums. Her struggle to survive has left little room for the innocence most children her age have, and she’s envious of even her fellow slum dwellers, some of which at least are healthy enough to take the occasional odd job.
With her partnership with Abisha has come a welcome time of stability, and the chance for more positive aspects of Tevzi’s personality to come forward. For one thing, she’s always been a devout Muslim, the faith’s traditional focus on charity providing her with more than a few meals over the years. That and despite her occasional frustration with her fellow man, Tevzi figures that at least God (and Abisha) cares about her, if no one else does. For another, while she’s perfectly willing to spy, cheat, and steal to survive, she’s never willingly stolen from or cheated on anyone that really was in need of help. Of course people that poor don’t have that much to steal from in the first place.
Abisha the Stupid
Description: Seven foot tall, 230 lb. Reptile Man, with scales in a red, black, and gold diamond pattern, similar to a coral snake’s, and golden eyes. He’s normally dressed in a worn kimono, and carries a katana kept in a wooden sheath in his sash.
Characteristics:
ST 14 [0], DX 11 [20], IQ 8 [-20], HT 12 [0]
Dmg: (katana, one-handed): cut 1d+2, impale 2d+1; (katana, two-handed): cut 1d+3, impale 2d+1
HP 14 [0], Will 8 [0], Per 8 [0], FP 12 [0]
Basic Speed 6 [5], Basic Move 6 [0], SM +1.
Culture: TL 3, Sahud [0]
Languages: Sahudese (Accented) [0], Tredroy Pidgin: Spoken (broken)/Written (none) [1]
Wealth: Poor [-15], Status -2 (beggar) [-10]
Reaction Modifiers: Social Stigma -2, Status -2.
Advantages: Reptile Man [58], DR 1 (tough skin -40%) [0]*, Ally (Tevzi) 50 pts., appears 15- [9], Combat Reflexes [15], Longevity [0]*, Nictating Membrane 3 [0]*, Peripheral Vision [0]*, Sharp Claws [0]*, Sharp Teeth [0]*, Signature Gear (Fine Katana) [6], Temperature Tolerance [0]* .
Disadvantages: Code of Honor: Sahudese [-10], Gullibility 9- [-10], Major Delusion “Tevzi is a princess in disguise and I am her sworn protector.” [-10], No Sense of Humor [-10], Pacifism: Cannot Harm Innocents [-10], Shyness (mild) [0]*, Social Stigma (Barbarian) [0]*.
Quirks: Sleeps sitting up. [-1] Keeps practicing calligraphy and poetry, even though he’s no good at either of them [-1].
Skills: Artist (Calligraphy) - 8 [4]; Camouflage - 8 [0]*; Fast Draw (Katana) - 12 [2]; Gardening - 10 [4]; Intimidation - 10 [2]**; Karate - 11 [4]; Melee Weapon (Broadsword) - 15 [16]; Melee Weapon (Two-Handed Sword) - 15 [16]; Poetry - 8 [2]; Running - 12 [2], Survival (Desert) - 8 [0]*; Urban Survival - 8 [2]
* From Reptile Man racial template.
** +1 added from SM.
Equipment: Fine katana in a wooden sheath, patched and ragged kimono.
Background
Actually his name isn’t Abisha, Tevzi just calls him that because his true name (Sahudese for “Bountiful Flower of Well Directed Force”) was well nigh unpronounceable to her. He can’t properly explain how on Yrth a infant Reptile Man ended up being sold to a Sahud noble clan either, but the practical upshot was that he was considered somewhat exotic even by Sahudese standards. Noting his prodigious strength and blunt train of thought, he was raised in the traditions of the Samurai, where he found a comfortable existence as the Most Gracious and Benevolent Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Garden’s bodyguard.
He also cannot properly explain how he was transported from Sahud to Tredroy either. One moment he was walking two paces behind Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Gardens, the next moment he was waking up in the alleyway of a strange city with a very painful lump on the back of his head. Lacking any cash (and absolutely adamant that he won’t hock his sword), he’s unlikely to find the money to buy passage back to Sahud anytime soon, even if he could discover the whereabouts of someone who knew the way. His current language barrier makes getting any help (or any sympathy) from the close knit Reptile Man enclave in Tredroy unlikely as well.
In the meantime, he finds contentment serving as his Jade Princess’ bodyguard. It gives him a purpose to his existence, and it eases the necessity of having to think all the time.
Personality
Abisha, even by Reptile Man standards, is remarkably dim. His Gullibility stems from his complete lack of understanding of Tredroy’s triangular culture, which is as confusing to him as Sahud is to the average Christian or Muslim. The only thing that has saved him so far from making an awful mistake is his habit of staying just two steps behind Tevzi and following her orders. This isn’t all that dissimilar from what his former employer demanded, which mostly consisted of standing in one place and looking intimidating during negotiations with rival clans.
In truth, Abisha actually is not that violent of a person. His Sahudese Code of Honor demands that insults from his peers be answered for, but given that in Tredroy he doesn’t actually have any peers makes his life much more peaceful than it might otherwise be. Though he is quite skilled with his katana, Abisha would be just as content to working in his small flower garden back home, or attempting to improve his meager abilities in the traditional Samurai pursuits of poetry and calligraphy. He is mildly uncomfortable with Tevzi’s occasional order to engage in head breaking, but as he has sworn himself to her service, he has not aired his misgivings aloud.
One thing that will provoke him to extreme violence is any threat upon Tevzi’s person. His gratitude towards the little crippled girl for giving him a purpose is bottomless, and his conviction that she is truly a princess in disguise is absolute and unwavering. Attempts to convince him of her true status will be brushed off as Foreign Lies.
Campaign Uses
Tevzi and Abisha are suitable as PC’s in a low point value Banestorm campaign, or as NPC’s for PC’s to encounter if they ever go adventuring in the souk. Anyone searching for information about Tredroy’s underworld would find consulting with Tevzi a good place to start. On the other hand, if the party thinks they might need some additional muscle for an upcoming encounter, a quick Streetwise roll will probably lead them to Abisha, and they’ll find that the rates Tevzi offers for his services are cheap.
PC’s with a less mercenary frame of mind will find doing the pair a good turn will also bring results. In particular, PC’s with the Healer advantage or spells that might repair Tevzi’s club foot will gain the young girl’s undying gratitude if they help her. Those who actually know Sahudese, or might be able to help Abisha find his way home, will find the Reptile Man is also keenly appreciative of their aid. Though this will certainly put Tevzi in a quandary, as she wouldn’t want to lose Abisha’ protection, and she can’t see herself going with him on the long and possibly perilous journey to Sahud.
Adventure Seeds
The Littlest (and Poorest) Princess - In recent days all of Tredroy has been abuzz with the arrival of a troupe of elves from faraway Caithness. The only thing really known about them is that they appear to be nobility of some sort, or at least they’ve got plenty of money, and that they’re attempting to find any and all half-elven children born in Tredroy during a certain period nine years back. Why they want the children is unknown. Rumors abound about an elf lord wanting to locate his long lost offspring to reward him/her with riches beyond price. But there are plenty of other rumors, of Dark Elves seeking to cleanse Tredroy of forbidden and despised half-breeds, one of which may be a Dark Elf’s secret and forbidden shame.
PC’s might be either investigators hired by the elves, trying to track down tales of a crippled half-breed girl and her Reptile Man companion, or friends of Tevzi, who are trying to determine if the elves’ intentions are benevolent or sinister. And even if the elves’ goals are entirely honest, and Tevzi is the girl they’re looking for, will she be willing to go with them, back to elven lands she’s never seen nor even dreamed about?
Gojira Yojimbo - Recently, black clad figures have been afoot in the souk, leaping from roof to roof, and disappearing in clouds of smoke when confronted. No one has been hurt yet, but property has been damaged, and several people have reported being pied in the face, or sitting on air bladders that had been left in their favorite chairs. Confusion reigns, and no one has a clue as to what’s going on.
Well, except for Abisha, who realizes that the souk is under siege by a group of ninja, engaging in the typical tactics of a High War (Banestorm, P 152). Why they would target the Souk is anyone’s guess. Certainly there’s nothing here that would interest the average Sahud clan. Well, except for a certain scaly samurai, but how would any enemy even know he was here? Unless, perhaps, they were hired by the same clan that originally attacked Abisha and his old master…
Tzevi the Lame and Abisha the Stupid
By Royce Easton Day
Tzevi limped along the alleyway, deep in the slums of North Tredroy. She leaned on her crutch for a moment, gasping for breath. The day’s shadows were growing long, and she had promised Abisha that she would be back to their home, in the remains of a burned out merchant’s stall, before the sun had set. It had been a good day. A merchant, blessed by Allah with a good day’s trading, had dropped ten coppers into her begging bowl that afternoon. That was more than enough to buy food for her and Abisha for the whole next day, even with her partner’s prodigious appetite.
“It’s late, Tzevi,” she heard a familiar, despised voice behind her. “Little girls shouldn’t be wandering about the souk by themselves.”
“Leave me alone, Makin,” she said, turning around. Makin was fourteen, older than her by five years. He was also a great deal taller, a great deal meaner, and had two working legs to her one.
“Or you’ll do what, Tzevi?” he mocked. “Yell for help? No one listens in this part of the city. But if you give me money pouch I know you’ve got under your chador, maybe you won’t have to do even that.”
She smiled, as she saw a shadow detach itself from the walls of alleyway. Makin had enough wit and speed to turn, before Abisha’s scaly hand caught him by the throat and lifted his feet well above Tevzi's head.
“Your or-ders, Prin-cess?” Abisha asked.
“Put him somewhere high, Abisha,” she told him, as Makin clutched at the reptile man’s arm and tried to gain a breath.
Abisha blinked, then threw the boy into the air. He landed on the roof of a nearby building, some ten feet and one story away, with an audible crack. The reptile man then bowed to her, tucking his hands into the arms of his kimono.
“Suit-able, Prin-cess?” he growled in barely comprehensible Tredroy pidgin.
“I was thinking more that pile of boxes at the end of alley, but it’ll do Abisha, it’ll do.” She let the tall reptile man place her carefully on his shoulders, and they walked home, Tezvi’s head above all the crowd.
Introduction
One evening, as Tevzi dragged herself back to the piece of alleyway she called home, she stumbled across an enormous figure lying unconscious in the street. She recognized him as a reptile man, but he was dressed like no reptile man in Tredroy, wearing a fine silk robe and a carrying an odd sword in the sheath at his side. Figuring she had come across some exotic noble’s guard, she stood watch over his body until he regained consciousness.
For his part, the last thing Abisha remembered was escorting his Most Gracious and Benevolent Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Gardens through his clan’s domain in upper Sahud. The next thing he knew he was waking up in the back alley of a city he’d never seen nor heard of before in his life. At a loss as to what to do or where to go, he stayed close to the young human woman, whose language he couldn’t understand, but who’s kindness and need for protection was obvious
For her part, once she managed to get some basic street pidgin into Abisha’s remarkably dense brain, Tevzi realized she had just stumbled across a gold mine. The Reptile Man, used to the comfortable environment of a nobleman’s household, was far from home and completely out of his element. He was also very, very gullible, taking her every word as honest truth, and not even blinking as she declared herself a princess in disguise, in hiding from a rival noble house. It wasn’t much of a step to ‘beg’ for Abisha’s protection, which the warrior was more than happy to provide, grateful for some kind of order and purpose being restored to his life.
These days, if Tevzi isn’t exactly rich, she can at least count on having enough money to buy dinner in the evening. Aside from begging, and occasionally selling information she’s gleaned from listening to conversations in the Souk, she’s developing a thriving sideline in the “Rent-A-Thug” business. It’s an easy enough scam to run. Some local scum wants some other scum beaten, they come to Tevzi to make arrangements, and she sends out Abisha, telling him the place or people he’s to destroy belongs to a rival clan. So far all the jobs she’s gotten for him have involved local predators feeding off of each other, but it’s only a matter of time before somebody wants to use Abisha to kill off innocents merchants and their families.
This, and the fact she’s been lying to Abisha about her true status, is starting to prick at Tevzi’s limited conscience. The reptile man’s doggish loyalty is the closest thing she’s felt to love since her mother died, and she’s dreading the day when she might have to tell him the truth about her being a beggar, and worse, a liar. For the last thing she wants now is to be alone again.
Tevzi the Lame
Description: Nine year-old half-elven girl, 4’ 2”, 70 lbs., with dark curly hair, dark brown eyes, olive skin, and a club foot. Usually wearing a patched chador and a headscarf.
Characteristics:
ST 8 [-20], DX 11 [20], IQ 11 [0], HT 10 [0]
Dmg: 1d-3/1d-2
HP 8 [0], Will 13 [10], Per 13 [10], FP 10 [0]
Basic Speed 4.75 [0], Basic Move 2 [-10]
Basic Lift 9.8 lbs., SM -1
Appearance: Pitiable [5], Unattractive [-4], Skinny [-5]
Culture: TL 3, Muslim (native) [0], Christian [1]
Languages: Arabic (native) [0], Anglish: Spoken (accented)/written (none) [2], Tredroy Patios: Spoken (native)/written (none) [3]
Wealth: Poor [-15], Status -2 (beggar) [-10]
Reaction Modifiers: Unattractive -1, Pitable +3, Status -2, Social Stigmas -2.
Advantages: Half-Elf [27], Ally (Abisha) 75 pts., appears 15- [30], Contact (street), skill 15, appears 9-, usually reliable [4], Empathy [15], Extended Lifespan 1 [0]*, Magery 0 [0] *.
*From Half-Elf template.
Perks: Honest Face [1], Deep Sleeper [1]
Disadvantages: Curious, 12- [-5], Greedy 12- [-5], Jealousy [-10], Lame (Crippled leg) [-10], Sense of Duty to Abisha [-2], Social Stigma (Minor) [-5], Social Stigma (Second Class Citizen) [-5].
Quirks: Imaginative [-1], Observant Moslem [-1], Feels guilty about lying to Abisha [-1]
Skills: Area Knowledge: Tredroy - 14 [8]; Carousing - 12 [4]; Escape - 10 [2]; Fast Talk - 12 [4]; Filch - 12 [4]; Merchant - 12 [4]; Observation - 14 [4]; Panhandling - 13 [4]; Scrounging - 14 [2]; Streetwise - 12 [4], Urban Survival - 14 [4].
Equipment: Patched and dirty chador and headscarf, begging bowl, crude wooden crutch, prayer rug, money purse hidden in chador (usually empty).
Background
Born to a prostitute mother, in the aftermath of a brief business transaction with an elven adventurer, Tevzi’s life would have been hard enough. It was worse with her crippled leg, which she dragged through West Tredroy’s rough streets with increasing cynicism and determination. By the time her mother died when she was five, Tevzi was used to living on her own, counting on no one save herself. What little money she earned begging went for food, and she could afford to set none aside to purchase a healer’s services for her leg (which had proved resistant to the few mages providing their services for charity in Tredroy’s slums.) Though reasonably quick of mind, and a keen observer of the streets, Tezvi had nearly resigned herself to following in her mother’s profession when she was old enough to attract a man’s attention.
Personality
Tevzi isn’t by nature an evil person. She is however, painfully aware of how far down on the totem pole she is in Tredroy’s slums. Her struggle to survive has left little room for the innocence most children her age have, and she’s envious of even her fellow slum dwellers, some of which at least are healthy enough to take the occasional odd job.
With her partnership with Abisha has come a welcome time of stability, and the chance for more positive aspects of Tevzi’s personality to come forward. For one thing, she’s always been a devout Muslim, the faith’s traditional focus on charity providing her with more than a few meals over the years. That and despite her occasional frustration with her fellow man, Tevzi figures that at least God (and Abisha) cares about her, if no one else does. For another, while she’s perfectly willing to spy, cheat, and steal to survive, she’s never willingly stolen from or cheated on anyone that really was in need of help. Of course people that poor don’t have that much to steal from in the first place.
Abisha the Stupid
Description: Seven foot tall, 230 lb. Reptile Man, with scales in a red, black, and gold diamond pattern, similar to a coral snake’s, and golden eyes. He’s normally dressed in a worn kimono, and carries a katana kept in a wooden sheath in his sash.
Characteristics:
ST 14 [0], DX 11 [20], IQ 8 [-20], HT 12 [0]
Dmg: (katana, one-handed): cut 1d+2, impale 2d+1; (katana, two-handed): cut 1d+3, impale 2d+1
HP 14 [0], Will 8 [0], Per 8 [0], FP 12 [0]
Basic Speed 6 [5], Basic Move 6 [0], SM +1.
Culture: TL 3, Sahud [0]
Languages: Sahudese (Accented) [0], Tredroy Pidgin: Spoken (broken)/Written (none) [1]
Wealth: Poor [-15], Status -2 (beggar) [-10]
Reaction Modifiers: Social Stigma -2, Status -2.
Advantages: Reptile Man [58], DR 1 (tough skin -40%) [0]*, Ally (Tevzi) 50 pts., appears 15- [9], Combat Reflexes [15], Longevity [0]*, Nictating Membrane 3 [0]*, Peripheral Vision [0]*, Sharp Claws [0]*, Sharp Teeth [0]*, Signature Gear (Fine Katana) [6], Temperature Tolerance [0]* .
Disadvantages: Code of Honor: Sahudese [-10], Gullibility 9- [-10], Major Delusion “Tevzi is a princess in disguise and I am her sworn protector.” [-10], No Sense of Humor [-10], Pacifism: Cannot Harm Innocents [-10], Shyness (mild) [0]*, Social Stigma (Barbarian) [0]*.
Quirks: Sleeps sitting up. [-1] Keeps practicing calligraphy and poetry, even though he’s no good at either of them [-1].
Skills: Artist (Calligraphy) - 8 [4]; Camouflage - 8 [0]*; Fast Draw (Katana) - 12 [2]; Gardening - 10 [4]; Intimidation - 10 [2]**; Karate - 11 [4]; Melee Weapon (Broadsword) - 15 [16]; Melee Weapon (Two-Handed Sword) - 15 [16]; Poetry - 8 [2]; Running - 12 [2], Survival (Desert) - 8 [0]*; Urban Survival - 8 [2]
* From Reptile Man racial template.
** +1 added from SM.
Equipment: Fine katana in a wooden sheath, patched and ragged kimono.
Background
Actually his name isn’t Abisha, Tevzi just calls him that because his true name (Sahudese for “Bountiful Flower of Well Directed Force”) was well nigh unpronounceable to her. He can’t properly explain how on Yrth a infant Reptile Man ended up being sold to a Sahud noble clan either, but the practical upshot was that he was considered somewhat exotic even by Sahudese standards. Noting his prodigious strength and blunt train of thought, he was raised in the traditions of the Samurai, where he found a comfortable existence as the Most Gracious and Benevolent Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Garden’s bodyguard.
He also cannot properly explain how he was transported from Sahud to Tredroy either. One moment he was walking two paces behind Lord of the Sparkling Peacock Gardens, the next moment he was waking up in the alleyway of a strange city with a very painful lump on the back of his head. Lacking any cash (and absolutely adamant that he won’t hock his sword), he’s unlikely to find the money to buy passage back to Sahud anytime soon, even if he could discover the whereabouts of someone who knew the way. His current language barrier makes getting any help (or any sympathy) from the close knit Reptile Man enclave in Tredroy unlikely as well.
In the meantime, he finds contentment serving as his Jade Princess’ bodyguard. It gives him a purpose to his existence, and it eases the necessity of having to think all the time.
Personality
Abisha, even by Reptile Man standards, is remarkably dim. His Gullibility stems from his complete lack of understanding of Tredroy’s triangular culture, which is as confusing to him as Sahud is to the average Christian or Muslim. The only thing that has saved him so far from making an awful mistake is his habit of staying just two steps behind Tevzi and following her orders. This isn’t all that dissimilar from what his former employer demanded, which mostly consisted of standing in one place and looking intimidating during negotiations with rival clans.
In truth, Abisha actually is not that violent of a person. His Sahudese Code of Honor demands that insults from his peers be answered for, but given that in Tredroy he doesn’t actually have any peers makes his life much more peaceful than it might otherwise be. Though he is quite skilled with his katana, Abisha would be just as content to working in his small flower garden back home, or attempting to improve his meager abilities in the traditional Samurai pursuits of poetry and calligraphy. He is mildly uncomfortable with Tevzi’s occasional order to engage in head breaking, but as he has sworn himself to her service, he has not aired his misgivings aloud.
One thing that will provoke him to extreme violence is any threat upon Tevzi’s person. His gratitude towards the little crippled girl for giving him a purpose is bottomless, and his conviction that she is truly a princess in disguise is absolute and unwavering. Attempts to convince him of her true status will be brushed off as Foreign Lies.
Campaign Uses
Tevzi and Abisha are suitable as PC’s in a low point value Banestorm campaign, or as NPC’s for PC’s to encounter if they ever go adventuring in the souk. Anyone searching for information about Tredroy’s underworld would find consulting with Tevzi a good place to start. On the other hand, if the party thinks they might need some additional muscle for an upcoming encounter, a quick Streetwise roll will probably lead them to Abisha, and they’ll find that the rates Tevzi offers for his services are cheap.
PC’s with a less mercenary frame of mind will find doing the pair a good turn will also bring results. In particular, PC’s with the Healer advantage or spells that might repair Tevzi’s club foot will gain the young girl’s undying gratitude if they help her. Those who actually know Sahudese, or might be able to help Abisha find his way home, will find the Reptile Man is also keenly appreciative of their aid. Though this will certainly put Tevzi in a quandary, as she wouldn’t want to lose Abisha’ protection, and she can’t see herself going with him on the long and possibly perilous journey to Sahud.
Adventure Seeds
The Littlest (and Poorest) Princess - In recent days all of Tredroy has been abuzz with the arrival of a troupe of elves from faraway Caithness. The only thing really known about them is that they appear to be nobility of some sort, or at least they’ve got plenty of money, and that they’re attempting to find any and all half-elven children born in Tredroy during a certain period nine years back. Why they want the children is unknown. Rumors abound about an elf lord wanting to locate his long lost offspring to reward him/her with riches beyond price. But there are plenty of other rumors, of Dark Elves seeking to cleanse Tredroy of forbidden and despised half-breeds, one of which may be a Dark Elf’s secret and forbidden shame.
PC’s might be either investigators hired by the elves, trying to track down tales of a crippled half-breed girl and her Reptile Man companion, or friends of Tevzi, who are trying to determine if the elves’ intentions are benevolent or sinister. And even if the elves’ goals are entirely honest, and Tevzi is the girl they’re looking for, will she be willing to go with them, back to elven lands she’s never seen nor even dreamed about?
Gojira Yojimbo - Recently, black clad figures have been afoot in the souk, leaping from roof to roof, and disappearing in clouds of smoke when confronted. No one has been hurt yet, but property has been damaged, and several people have reported being pied in the face, or sitting on air bladders that had been left in their favorite chairs. Confusion reigns, and no one has a clue as to what’s going on.
Well, except for Abisha, who realizes that the souk is under siege by a group of ninja, engaging in the typical tactics of a High War (Banestorm, P 152). Why they would target the Souk is anyone’s guess. Certainly there’s nothing here that would interest the average Sahud clan. Well, except for a certain scaly samurai, but how would any enemy even know he was here? Unless, perhaps, they were hired by the same clan that originally attacked Abisha and his old master…
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Date: 2007-08-04 10:34 am (UTC)Too bad she doesn't live in the megopolis fantasy city that almost got started (started off with someone deciding what was needed was an open write up of a fantasy city with a population over the one million mark) on a forum I was on about fifteen years ago. The portion I started to work on was a orphanage started by a half elven wizard when he found himself guardian of the children of two of his old adventuring buddies. Now that I'm reminded of that I may have to write something up (unfortunately I suspect my old notes are long lost by now).