Ekhram Almasi

Ekhram Almasi “If you're going to maintain any kind of self-respect, you're going to have to keep some secrets from yourself.” -David Eddings ■ Name: Ekhram Almasi ■ Alias/Sobriquet: Hornet ■ Age: 26 ■ Gender: Male ■ Race: Hyur ■ Clan: Highlander ■ Orientation: Heterosexual ■ Marital: Dating Myara Portwine ■ Deity: Byregot ■ Nationality: Ala Mhigan ■ Occupation: Dark Knight (secretly) / Adventurer ■ Alignment: Neutral Good BACKSTORYAPPEARANCEPERSONALITYRELATIONSHIPSRUMORS / RP HOOKSOOCCREDITS History Ekhram's story is one of family in every respect, so it is only fitting that it begins not with him, but his grandparents. Some twenty-five years before its fall, Eadwin Blackstone and Godard Fiske enjoyed a small amount of fame in the Highlander capital of Ala Mhigo. Having served in the military in their youth, they put their skills together as private contractors, founding a company that leased mercenaries to those who needed their expeditions supplemented by experienced muscle. Through the deployment of their well-trained sellswords, they were gradually able to expand their purview into everything from mining to armorsmithing, becoming increasingly self-sufficient over time. More than just business partners, Eadwin and Godard were extremely close friends; so close in fact that they were intent on matchmaking their children so that they could become family. To their great amusement and pleasure, Eadwin's son Halgrim and Godard's daughter Malena needed little encouragement on this front; friends since childhood, they became lovers by the time they were in their early teens, hours spent assisting their parents with menial tasks and playing in the springs of Gyr Abania forging an unbreakable bond. Unfortunately, this bond was put to the test more than any should be. The Garlean invasion of Ala Mhigo rolled in like a thunderstorm. Eadwin and Godard had vigorously tried to instill the virtues of dignity and pride in their children, but when the time came, they proved that they had very different ideals themselves. Without hesitation, the men offered their services to the invaders in order to lessen the chances of their business being dismantled. The Garleans provided a suitable reward, commandeering leadership of the mercenary corps and hiring its founders as consultants - stealing their status and power but allowing them at least a modicum of autonomy. Meanwhile, Halgrim and Malena fled. Disgusted by the actions of their parents, the pair cast off their former names, deciding on a new one together: Almasi. Like many refugees they were forced to wander, offering what services they could in exchange for food and a temporary roof over their heads. Complicating matters were their three children they had to provide for: Bartram, Imali, and Ekhram. For the next decade, the family traveled, their numbers expanding as Malena bore four more children: Bonhart, Ezera, Ivala, and Sigrun. Though money was scarce and luxury even moreso, they were mostly happy together, traveling as a caravan performing odd jobs. Still, Bartram was not content. Burdened by a self-imposed need to provide for his family as the eldest of the children, he left for Limsa Lominsa once he became of age. Halgrim and Malena received a letter six weeks later from their son and rejoiced. He told them that he had found a company of privateers in dire need of staff. They seemingly even had work for the youngest of the children. Sadly, things that seem too good to be true often are. The privateers were actually pirates and human traffickers, having fooled Bartram in hopes of an easy payday. As their ship arrived in the dead of night, the Almasi family was seized by the slavers. In an attempt to escape the raid, Ekhram took one of his little sisters and attempted to abandon the boat, but was caught when he called after her too loudly to get her attention, a mistake that would drive him to silence for years. To ensure complacency, the family was split apart. Unaware of the fate of his siblings and parents, Ekhram was forced to focus on his own survival. Due to his prodigious size and fitness from manual labor, he was sold to a noblewoman named Selene Collier. He spent ten years under Selene's yoke as an arena fighter and manservant, and at times as an unwilling lover - whether to her or to those she sought to curry the favor of. Retreating further into himself, Ekhram complied without question performing all but the most abhorrent tasks. When he faltered in those, Selene proved herself a creative woman. She made art with him as her canvas, and there were those who would pay good money to see the scars. Shortly before his twenty-sixth birthday, Ekhram finally had his chance at escape. Just after he'd finished a fight in the arena, a maddened Roegadyn infamous for his raw strength went berserk and began attacking his handlers. The sight inspired other gladiators to break out into fighting. Opting to flee over taking revenge on his captors, Ekhram fled, taking a stray arrow. In a turn of good fortune, he happened to pass out at the doorstep of a kindly alchemist who helped nurse him back to health. After spending a few weeks performing chores for his benefactor - and staying out of sight in case he was being sought after - Ekhram left Ul'dah, sickened just by the sight of the city that had unknowingly hosted his bondage. He had his freedom, but what else? Without family, it meant nothing. So he began to search. Appearance Physically, Ekhram is a creature of contrasts and ornamentation. Dark-skinned and blue-eyed, he sports a black and blonde mohawk that falls in places all the way to his waist when unpinned, though it's far more often tied up in an elaborate knot. For all his social shyness, he shows little of it regarding his many scars, gouges, and gashes that litter him all over; most heavily on his arms, hands, and face. Though often soft of expression, he's physically a very hawkish-looking man, with small eyes and a straight, long nose. His broad jaw is usually adorned with a thick but very short beard. Of the many habits he picked up during his time in slavery, a fondness for fashion was one of the few that truly stuck. Not used to having many options in what he wears, he often likes to experiment. He's generally free with colors and favors comfortable, flowing gear that at least provides some protection while traveling. Most unusually, he seems to very much favor wearing as much jewelry as he's comfortably able, rarely seen without earrings, as well as bracelets and rings when available. While these often vary, most consistent is a simple brass amulet worn over his throat no matter what else he might be sporting. Personality On first meetings, Ekhram can either seem unfailingly polite or standoffish and wary depending on the venue. In privacy, the Highlander is a curious and enthusiastic man, an eager listener who struggles at times to speak clearly but always likes to share his experiences as well. To those who meet him alone, he can be very nearly gregarious after some initial hesitation, social when given a little time to open up. In public, one might get a very different impression of the adventurer. Uncomfortable in greater numbers than one can count on a single hand, he often withdraws into paranoid silence, his attention focused on his surroundings to the point of being unable to participate in a conversation. Among trusted friends, these habits can be less dominant, but when too many people are about, the truth is obvious: he is like a cornered animal, always seeking an exit and expecting the worst. Aware of these instincts and not pleased by them, Ekhram often makes a conscious attempt to overcome them. How successful he varies by many factors; he tends to shy away from aggressive or loud people, while he gravitates towards those who are pleasant or gentle. Humor and music, in particular, seem to help crack open the man's shell; he likes to laugh and to dance, and those talented in the arts can typically expect an entranced audience in him. LIKES - Exploring - Training and martial arts - Animals and nature - Music - Trying new foods - Swimming DISLIKES - Loud noises - Aggression and threats - Rudeness or poor manners - Ul'dah - Controlling or domineering types - Hot weather Relationships Generally, any character Ekhram has interacted with on three+ separation occasions or he has known ICly for an extended amount of time is added here when I remember. If you would like your character removed for any reason (or no reason at all!), please just let me know! As always, IC is IC, and opinions this character has of others do not reflect my OOC opinions of these characters. Color Key ♥ In A Relationship ♥ Romantic Attraction ♥ Sexual Attraction ♥ Platonic Love ♦ Friend ♦ Friendly Acquaintance: Name considers this person mostly friendly, or as an ally. ● Good Standing: Name has no specific feelings about this character, however they left a good impression. ● Neutral ● Bad Standing ♠ Dislike ♠ Hate ♠ Fear ♠ Rivalry ♥ Family Member / Related by Blood ✔ Business ✖ Deceased ? Hidden Feelings/Unknown NPC Imali Almasi ♥ ♥ Ekhram's older sister, and the first member of his family who he has managed to find since escaping servitide; or, more accurately, who has managed to find him. A soft-spoken and focused woman, Imali carries herself with a quiet dignity that belies a survivor's true viciousness. Ekhram knows she would do anything for him and his, and he would do the same. Together, they're trying to find the rest of their siblings. Halgrim and Malena Almasi ♥ ♥ Ekhram's parents. Kind, if melancholy people, Ekhram remembers them as they were when they traveled in caravans as refugees: hardworking, tenacious, and moral people. Though he holds on hope that they survived the decade apart, he expects little and fears the worst. The Almasi Children : ♥ ♥ Ekhram's five remaining siblings: Bartram, Bonhart, Ezera, Ivala, and Sigrun. They are currently unaccounted for. Ekhram remembers them but fears focusing too much on these memories. He has no idea if they are even alive, and what changes their lives in slavery may have inflicted upon them if so. Though they never leave his thoughts, he's reluctant to focus too much on these increasingly blurry pictures in his mind. PC Myara Portwine ♥ A Hyur monk that Ekhram met while training. After a brief spar, he was struck not only by the woman's talent in combat but her sense of humor and directness. It didn't take him long to develop feelings for her after she asked him on a date during their second meeting. Though their relationship is young, it's increasingly important to the Highlander. Firm but never cruel, attentive but independent, Myara strikes a delicate balance that appeals immensely to Ekhram, and though it's taking him time to fully admit how much his time in slavery affected his ability to pursue a relationship, she has joined him every step of the way without making him feel either judged or pitied. Always on his mind, esteemed in her groundedness, it's safe to say she has him thoroughly enchanted. Tahla Jakkya ♦ ♥ A Miqo'te Keeper that Ekhram credits almost singlehandedly for helping him learn how to acclimate into society again. The pair met when Tahla found Ekhram performing a bit of ill-advised grunt work hunting a morbol for a cruel employer. After dissuading him from this task, she proved herself to be a kind and empathetic friend, gentle when needed and ferociously loyal. Though Ekhram briefly struggled with unsure and amorous feelings towards the woman, they have since cooled into a platonic appreciation and immense admiration for her. He considers her his best friend and she's the first - and so far only - person he fully entrusts with all of his secrets, including his progress as a Dark Knight. Raih'li Panipahr ♦ A Keeper that Tahla and Ekhram discovered during a mission in the Shroud, Raih'li made a poor first impression on Ekhram due to his rudeness and defensiveness. Their second meeting, however, went much better than the first, and the two became fast friends. In Raih'li Ekhram sees a kindred spirit, someone he can aid and pay forward the kind of generosity he was shown by Tahla. Recognizing his struggles with indignities inflicted upon him, he hopes to be a positive force in Raih'li's life, and has become rather protective of the miqo'te. E'Kalani Mahla ♦ A charismatic and remarkably gorgeous Seeker, and a member of the Free Company that Tahla helped Ekhram sign on with. An expecting mother, E'Kalani quickly charmed Ekhram with her musical talent, but just as apparent to him was a melancholy within her that he felt attuned to. Though he's not the sort to pry, Ekhram rather likes the woman and is hoping, with time, to get to know her better and reciprocate some of the joy she gave him with song. Cecily Reeve ♦ A kindly Midlander that Ekhram found in the Shroud. A talented and capable healer, the young woman strikes Ekhram as generous and optimistic to an excessive degree. Though he admires her pleasant nature and considers her a friend, he worries immensely for her safety and tries to keep an eye on her. Elyn Merielle ♦ Cecily's girlfriend, and a woman Ekhram knows little about but considers a friend. Though he finds her to be incredibly bratty, he tends to seek the best traits in people, and within Elyn he sees a great concern for the opportunity to do right by those she respects. Without really meaning to, Ekhram has become something of a consultant for Elyn - primarily in matters of her relationship with Cecily. He doesn't mind, always happy to help in whatever ways he can. Rumors / RP Hooks Some rumors are simply speculation, greatly exaggerated, or not true in the slightest. Anything listed here is free use IC within reason. RUMORS - "I think he's not right in the head. Spends hours digging holes for no reason, then stares at bugs until nightfall." - "Heard he used to be a gladiator. Washed out 'cause he couldn't hold a weapon right, only ever fought with his fists. Idiot." - "Saw him dragging topsoil into his house once. Don't know what you'd want to start a garden inside for." RP HOOKS - Ekhram is helpful to a fault. If he stumbles across someone performing manual labor or dangerous work, he'll instinctively try to lend a hand. - He has a great fondness for animals, and will happily stop and ask to give someone's pet a treat. - He's an absolute sucker for music. Street musicians can always expect a tip, and he'll sometimes even wander into public venues he'd otherwise avoid if he likes a song he can hear from the street. RP Limits & Info ■ Mature content and themes, up to and including coarse language, violence, sexuality, drugs / alcohol are all fine as long as they fit within the narrative. I do not do random ERP or godmoded fight scenes. Above all, the line between OOC and IC must be adhered to. I respect the time and attention of my partners, and I expect the same in return. ■ Any romances, with very few exceptions, must meet one of two requirements: the characters have known each other for at least a month, minimum, or the players have known each other for at least six months. Going on a casual date is one thing, but I will not tie characters down to anyone / anyone's character who doesn't meet this prerequisite. Currently, Ekhram is romantically unavailable and only open to platonic or antagonistic dynamics. Credit ■ Template based off the work ofBancroft Gairn. ■ Tabs based off the work of Suen Shyu.