A wildcard

[dulci]

Name: Qali Shayr
Qali is a type of wildcard - no one can quite peg him. He's a mercenary-type who seems to move only for his own use, but there are hidden undercurrents that he hides well. He would most likely be working for the "bad" factions, but have tendencies to do his own thing for his own motives to help the "good." So no one on either side really completely trusts him, neither do they write him off as harmless. He has blackmail tendencies on both sides.

Half of Qali's face is blue, a wide-swatch diagonal tattoo that cross-cuts his face from left temple, across eye and nose-bridge to the bottom left of his chin - a remnant of an assasin's gang past. He has short-cropped hair, small, compact build, very peircing and unyeilding ice-blue eyes. Square jaw, scarred chin. Qali can also smile, though, and be everything charming - when it suits his need.

Qali carries around a small feather-duster-like whip - not a lethal weapon, but an intimidating one, which he tucks in his belt.

Not sure what would motivate this guy, but he's presenting himself to me as more than you initially see. On the surface, he's cynical, cold and uncaring - but I think he has very hidden and crossing motives that contradict the outer appearances. He has an empathetic side (I don't think I'd go so far as to see he's actually CARING) that would definately lend itself to a seperate agenda.

Don't have time to post a slice-of-life at this moment, but I'll tag that on sometime later.

Tell me what you think, and open to suggestions!

[pixydust]

This is great. He has a strong personality and a dark side. All main characters need a dark side. Love the tatoo idea, makes him seem very daunting.

Hmmm...he should fall in love with a woman from the "fantasy world". But not in an obvious way. Maybe he's sent to kill her at first cause she has some sort of significance to the fantasy world. I'll have to think about this...

[dulci]

Wouldn't it be great if this hardened assasin was...an assasin-poet? Maybe he knows the lore of old ages gone by (part of his mysterious bent) and tends to speak in verse and riddles? That might be a bit stereotypical, though.

Or maybe he's one of the scifi world's best musicians? Like he's cold every other time, but when he starts to play his instrument, that's when it's evident that there really is something deeper, that he really does have a heart. Maybe, hardened killer and all, he'd be one of the first to pick up on any sort of musical language.

[pixydust]

I just finished a book that was about a man who was an assasin for the king. It comes through as the story unfolds, however, that the man was born and raised as a bard. It was very touching seeing him come to terms with his past and becoming the bard again.

[dulci]

More on Qali Shayr:

Qali was once a quiet man, contemplative, poetic. He was a bard in his own right, and found great satisfaction in music. In fact, his great desire was to be a part of the Primera Orchestra, the performing faction for the ruler of the time.

Son of a wealthy merchant and engaged to the love of his life, Qali's life was made in every way. But then his wife was seen for her beauty and taken into the pool of the "ultimate specimen" women, women who were forcefully married to the nobles and high officials so that their family lines would continue to be beautiful and perfect. Qali's love was taken away from him by the cruelty of the system.

Qali was driven in grief to the streets, joining a violent gang to try and wreck vengeance on those who'd stolen his love. But the system was too great--he couldn't even get near them. So, when his training as an assasin was completed, he left the gang to work as a private mercenary for hire.

His ultimate goal, which he is subtly accomplishing, is to weave such a web of intrigue that he himself pulls the strings that hold the government officials, punishing them and brining down the system. This is his hidden motive, his only reason for living. He sees his fiance often, but does not speak to her, as she is married to an official. She doesn't even know who he is, as he is a far different man from the soft-spoken poet that she loved. But her life is horrible in her new marriage and that spurs Qali to his quiet fury.

Qali's disposition is like a gathering storm. He will brood for days, quiet and overhung with the heaviness of his grief and purpose. And then he will strike, quick as lightning, before retreating again into the clouds.

Inside of him there is still some remnant of that poet, but his anger is all that truly controls him now. He does manage to have some concern for others caught in the perils of the system, though, as inwardly he sympathizes and understands how they feel. But for himself, Qali has shut himself off from feeling. Or perhaps more accurately, he has made his feelings so acute as to punish himself for not being able to stop the legal kidnap of his love.

Now, picture a dark, cavernous warehouse, set low among the points of a spired city. An official sends three men to Qali for a job, and he meets them, brazenly without disguise, in the semi-light of the grimy place. Qali waits beside one of the supporting roof-poles, in silence, for the three to approach and still does not say a word as they stand before him. He despises their hooded faces, but does not show it.

"Be frank," he says, startling the three.

"Our master sends word to you, Qali Shayr."

Silence.

"He wishes you to find a way to eliminate the third consul."

More silence. One of the three extends a tube to Qali.

"This is the cartol. Three-fourths pint. One fourth more than you requested for payment."

Now Qali flips his short whip out, slapping hard the pole next to him and making all three thugs jump.

"Leave the vial. The job will be done," he says, then walks out without another word, in complete and unargued control.

[Jeff Gerke]

Great scene, dulci. Great character, too.

Jeff

[mongoose]

Ype. I got criticised once, though, for writing my PC as one who didn't allow emotion to guide his actions. Granted, this char has AN emotion guiding him, that is, anger. But beware. If he doesn't show other emotions that would make him, what? One dimensional! *gasp* The horror. Can't have a one dimensional, emotion free, calculating assasin. That would be cliche. *drips sarcasm*
>;-)= I like him.

[terry]

I enjoyed the romantic, soul searching elements. Reminded me of a Si FI version of The Robe. Thank you