Elmario Benisci's page

Explorer's Outfit
Hot Weather Outfit
Dagger
5 Whips
Sap
2 Bolas
Chain Shirt
MW Thieves Tools
Barbed Vest
Waterskin
Rations (10 days)
Bedroll
Winter Blanket
Flint and Steel
Torches (5/5)
MW Backpack
Chalk
MW Composite Longbow (+4 str)
Arrows (60)
Amulet of Mighty Fists +1
Eyes of the Eagle
+1 Arrow of Seeking (2/2)
Cloak of Resistance +1
Wand of Cure Light Wounds (50/50 charges)
Acid Flask (5/5)
3pp, 13gp, 12sp, 14cp (46gp)

Elmario Benisci never knew his father, or even the identity of the man, but that is only to be expected given the profession of his mother. The cruel insults of his fellow gang members suggest that his father must be tainted in some way, for why else would he have such dusky skin and hardened, claw-like nails?

Regardless of his heritage, or perhaps because of the mystery surrounding it, Elmario has forged for himself a fearsome reputation in the criminal underground of Shelzar as a brutal and efficient enforcer for the Sa’an Syndicate. Unfortunately for Elmario, such a career is unavoidably going to attract numerous enemies, both powerful and vindictive. One such enemy, the proprietor of one of the subterranean skin dens named Jarveed Mayoss, who has lost several major sources of ‘performers’ due to Elmario’s actions, has taken covert action to see to the young enforcer’s untimely demise. Had it not been for a serendipitous event, whereby the orders to kill the young man were carelessly kept on the person of an unsuccessful assassin, he would have never known of the danger, but as it is, he has taken the information as a sign that he should temporarily take his leave of the City of Sins. Where he will travel to, he does not know, only that it must be far away from the influence of his local enemies.

Unbeknownst to Elmario, his father is one of the gamekeepers at the Shalzar Menagerie, whom had been magically charmed by the ‘captive’ black dragon Qashami and infused with a measure of her own blood. Elmario’s resultant birth has been marked therefore with the blood of dragons, causing his unusual features, and gifting him with a yet unawakened arcane talent. Qashami’s influence in the city has subtly provided the boy with the opportunities he needed to build his reputation, and it was her manipulations which lead to the threat on his life being revealed. To what purpose the dragon has orchestrated Elmario’s birth and life is unknown…

“Mayoss is gonna love this one, Bern,” the unkempt ruffian named Lerro boasted through the darkness of the alley to his wiry companion, who was busy restraining a bloody nosed woman, “that fightin’ spirit ought to make a good showin’ in the Den.”
“Yeah?” his struggling friend asked, breathing heavily from exertion, “then why don’t you give me a hand over he–“ he cut off with a grunt, the woman’s knee buried between his legs.
“Unhand me, filth!” the woman spat, drawing up proudly as her assailant staggered back, hunched over, “And stay back unless you want more of that!”

Bern let out a long breath through clenched teeth before looking up from his crouched posture, grinning cruelly at the defiant woman, “I’ll see you bleed for that, b&!@&." he spoke with deliberate calm, pulling out a wickedly curved knife from beneath his shirt, and provoking a sadistic chuckle from Lerro, who took advantage of the woman’s distraction over the blade to circle around her and block her escape.

“You’re going to suffer,” Bern whispered pointedly, stepping forward slowly.
“I said stay back!” the woman pleaded, her confidence draining away at the sight of the vicious looking weapon, taking a step backwards and gasping sharply as she collided with Lerro’s hulking figure.
“Oh, I’m going to enjoy this,” Bern continued, as Lerro took hold of the woman’s wrists. He lifted the knife, allowing it to glint faintly in the dim light, holding it there threateningly to draw out the moment before he would strike. A loud crack rang out, and the woman flinched.

“This is Sa’an territory,” came a growl from the darkness behind Bern, who’s arm was held taught by a black leather cord, “I’m the only one here with hunting privileges on these streets.”
Dropping the whip, the dark form sprang from the shadows at Bern before he had chance to react, tearing out the man’s throat with a single motion of the arm then hunching over his limp body to look menacingly at the remaining thug.

“Stay back!” the words rang out again, though it was Lerro’s fear tinged voice this time, the large man holding the woman to shield himself from the unknown threat posed by the black skinned creature, which stooped over the lifeless form of Bern.
“Don’t worry,” the newcomer spoke firmly, raising a bloody hand to point down the alley, “you can leave with your life, this time. But be sure to tell your employer he should keep his business off these streets; they don’t belong to him, and he’ll pay dearly for any attempt to challenge that.”

“You don’t know who yer dealin’ with!” the thug shouted in impotent challenge, before shoving his captive to the ground and fleeing the scene, his footsteps echoing loudly. The prone woman looked up with worried eyes, sensing from the conversation that her ‘saviour’ may be no better than the thugs from whom she had been liberated, “thank you?” she offered hesitantly.
“You’re welcome,” the dark skinned man replied, rising from his hunched pose to stand upright, his voice softer now.
“You should really know better than to walk unescorted through this district, especially at night. Perhaps I could remedy your oversight?” he continued, offering her a hand.
When she did not immediately take it, Elmario began to feel slighted, but then grinned inwardly as he withdrew the bloody hand and offered her his other, which she accepted after only a few moments of hesitation.