Vocor
Ai Itaru Island NPCs - By B. Kellestine, and S.Robels v.1.1 2017
Class: Warlock
Age: 42
Even in a place such as Albadosia, where Starmetal is the currency that buys power, there are few that covet the metal as Awiliya Ili-Iqishaam does. A prominent scholar, this tall and lanky man with salt and pepper hair and a tightly trimmed goatee is an expert on Starmetal. Unlike many albadosian siphoners, his obsession with the metal has less to do with the acquisition of Starmetal for power, and more to do to its connection with Vocor and the Red Daughter.
Terse and crotchety, what Ili-Iqishaam lacks in social grace he more than makes up for in expertise. That isn’t to say the man does not have a lighter side, however, and is known for a dry wit and sharp tongue, usually at the expense of whoever he is speaking to.
Born to a merchant house with connections that stretch from Jhahkura to Bokunah and all lands in between, his family was more than prepared to ensure the young Ili-Iqishaam was trained in the ways of magic. What they did not, however, expect was that the brilliant scholar and warlock would not step forward to head his family after his father’s untimely death, instead doggedly pursuing his study of starmetal, Vocor, and old Vocoria. As such, he has lost all claims to his family wealth and influence to instead focus on his studies.
Race:Human (Taijuni)
Class: Ki-Kunja
Age: 37
Orphaned during the Second Godswar, Xhi Zemin grew spiritually and emotionally within Adnor’s monastery in the hills of central Tamayr Shiryu, west of Taijun proper. Though troubled after losing his family at such a young age, Adnor’s monks taught the man how to properly channel and direct his anger with a combination of martial arts, meditation, and prayer. The boy took these lessons, and embraced them wholly.
Years went by, and the boy grew into a man, though one slight of frame with a compact build. Adnor’s high priests were impressed, however, with the youth’s control and self-discipline. Given that, and Xhi’s unusual affinity for Adnorian fire, the priests began grooming him as a Nakun-Ja - the first man in generations with the control and temperament to become a Yun-Ja instead of a Ki-Kunja.
At first glance, many might think this compact, dark-skinned Taijuni is almost cold, accented further by his unreadable, dark chocolate eyes and chiseled features - a face that appears to be almost entirely made of hard lines and sharp angles. Even at his short stature of five-feet, eight inches, he carries with him an imposing air, controlling a room even in absolute silence. Xhi moves with confidence and grace that manages to enhance his stoic demeanor, not weaken it.
As with many things, though, appearances are often deceiving. Xhi is a soft-spoken man of few words, with a courteous, respectful nature and mild temperament. The taijuni’s unique place within the priesthood, though a point of pride for Xhi, is never a cause for arrogance. In fact, when asked questions of it, he often speaks as if humbled by it.
That is not to say that Xhi Zemin is not a dangerous opponent, however. Between the priest’s mastery of fire auras - to a degree that surpasses even many of his female counterparts - and his exceptional skill at martial arts, when seriously threatened he is a dangerous opponent, even if one who seeks a more restrained conclusion to conflict. This temperament makes Xhi an ideal voice of Adnor - and to a lesser extent - the Daimyo of Taijun both within and outside of Tamayr Shiryu, often acting as an ambassador and mediator to conflicts with Albadosia and beyond.
Race:Half-Elf (Moon Elf/Albadosian)
Class: Swashbuckler/Witch of Ghozoth
Age: 21
Few men and women can set eyes on Simti Salwii-Baan and not admit she possesses an exotic beauty that rivals even the Asyn-shei in majesty. Tall and slender, this concubine of the Warlock-King moves with a dangerously seductive grace, like watching a viper weave through tall grass. Her large, violet-black eyes are usually half-lidded, giving the illusion of disinterest. This is exactly that; an illusion to make the Half-Albadosian woman seem bored and unable or unwilling to follow her surroundings, a mechanism to drop the guard of those around her. In reality, she has a keen political mind, and readily accepts her station as a concubine to the Warlock-King; this position elevates her above all but the highest Albadosian houses, despite being technically property within their culture.
Beyond her socio-political acumen, Simti is also a devout follower of Ghozoth, and as a witch serves as a fortune-teller to the Warlock-King, who takes her readings seriously. As she often acts as an emissary on the Warlock-King’s behalf - a dangerous line of work in Albadosia - she trained in combat alongside the Ahemsherat, the Warlock King’s black operatives. Seldomly does she ever not have a pair of bladed fans on her person, often coated in a potent strength-sapping poison of her own design. This is not to say, however, that Simti is a combative individual. Though possessing the skills to kill an unsuspecting opponent, she is more likely to use her exotic beauty and soft, husky voice to smooth matters over.
Simti has earned the nickname ‘Nimble-Foot’ due to her skill at a form of Albadosian expressive dance called the ya-hariia, which combines a great deal of hip gyration and hand gestures with mild contortionism. Dancers of this art, Simti included, tend to wear dresses that are form-fitting and nearly transparent, though divided at the legs to allow free movement. She also wears a gold-chained veil of the same almost see-through material, and a thin starmetal choker that signifies her position as concubine and property of the Warlock-King of Albadosia. Half of her head is shaved to the scalp, with the other parted over and in dozens of tight violet braids tipped in jeweled beads, each of which is rumored to be a foci for her witchcraft.