Okaris al Abbas's page

It is a little before midnight, and inside the bathhouse of the inn, Okaris soaks in a stout wooden tub, relaxing, the warm water soothing the knots in his back. Another fruitless night of searching for Haleen, he reflects as he begins to nod off, his mind wandering drifting back on his life.

Okaris was born and raised amongst the tightly packed streets of the great desert metropolis of Katapesh. His parents, Abbu and Jaheria, were weavers of rugs and carpets, enjoying a deal of notoriety for the tightness, vivid colors, and intricate designs of their weaves. His parents enjoyed a reputation as shrewd bargainers, competent craftsmen, and honest business owners. As successful merchants they owned a small sized, blue and white striped tent, in the great bazaar of the lower city. While they were a family of modest income they enjoyed the cosmopolitan lifestyle offered by living within the walls of the city of coin.

Okaris was an energetic and curious child, although he didn’t show much aptitude or interest in weaving. Okaris was raised to take up his father’s trade and the goal was that he would eventually have his own small stall to make and sell carpets from. His lessons began at a young age and his father was a hard task master in showing him the weaver’s art. Suffice to say that after a short while it became clear to Okaris that he was not meant to be a weaver. He was too much of a free spirit and time at the weavers loom chaffed at him. It seemed that he was always dying, shearing, knotting, or tying. When he would rather play on a borrowed rug, imaging he was a great Sultan, vanquishing his enemies as he rode his magic carpet through the air.

Inspite of his parent’s skill they slowly lost business to Ahkmed's Carpets another thriving business in the bazaar. Slowly their debts mounted until they lost their place in the bazaar. Close to being destitute and sold into slavery to pay their creditors Okaris looked for a way to quickly earn some money. As fortune would have it Okaris and his family was rescued from their fate when he won a poetry contest held during the Sunwrought Festival. He was able to use the prize money to pay off the families debts. As a result of his victory Okaris came to the attention of a local bard named Haleen. Haleen was several hears older then Okaris but offered to take him on as an apprentice as she was impressed with his natural talent. His parents were happy to let him go reducing their expenses as they prepared to relocate their business to Solku, a city to the west.

Thus, Okaris’s training began, his earliest memories of his training are of words, the tone, pitch, and melody of Haleen’s rich and vibrant voice lifted words from the pages of books as she read to him or related stories. But for him words were much more than a well written verse, words was alive, thick sensual, and intoxicating. Words were a mystical force that touched his soul to its very core, a thing of beauty. He quickly realized most people did not understand words in this way. It was true that most people enjoyed music or a good debate, but they got the same enjoyment from watching a horse race or partaking of a fine meal. No for him words, their sounds and intonations were pure joy and it was like a language that communicated with his very essence. Fortunately, Haleen had the same feeling, and wound up being Okaris’s mentor in developing his gift.

Okaris’s classroom was the various inns, taverns, and street corners of the great city Of Katapesh. His primary instructor was Haleen who was… well she was hard headed, sharp tongued and uncompromising. She had a fiery temperament that didn’t win her many friends but she always had a smile and a kind word for Okaris. She was also magical, she possessed a gifted ear for music, writing her own songs as well as playing several different instruments.

It seemed that they were always on the move, either running from something or running to something. Along the way Okaris learned how to use music to change reality. He flourished under Haleen’s tutelage and he grew in ability and skill. Not only were there lessons about music and magic but there were lessons on oration, body language, diplomacy, etiquette, audiences, and numerous other subjects. He learned the stories of the heroes of the land as well as tales of the Zephyr Guard, Osiriani Epics, and Taldorian Ballads as well as treatise on human behavior. He learned to recite entire poems, discourses, and plays from memory. However, the lessons he enjoyed the most were the daily sparring sessions. It was here where he learned to mix his magic with the martial. Under Haleen’s watchful instruction he learned the forms of the dervish.

In spite of their skill the pair struggled to survive in the mercurial city where coin was king. Life was hard for the two and, thanks to Haleen’s temperament as well as Okaris’s prefectionism, steady jobs were hard to come by. As a result they supported themselves by whatever means necessary often forced to take odd jobs after odd job to pay their debts.

It was after they had a string of such losses that Jaboo, a mercenary in the Sword and Shield guild of Katapesh appeared in Haleen’s life. The handsome warrior tried to worm his way into Haleen hart. Haleen and Jaboo began spending more and more time together, leaving Okaris to his own devices. Okaris felt abandoned but found solace in the arms different women. Okaris actively atagonized the mercenary on at every opportunity he had. It all game to a head and Joboo challenged Okaris to a game of knivesies. This was exactly what Okaris had wanted, the warrior had fallen into his trap. Although Okaris was smaller than his opponent he came away victorious as he cheated by greasing the knife handle. While Jaboo in his anger kept trying to pick up the knife Okaris was safely able to pick up the coins and get the victory. Haleen was furious with Jaboo and ended their relationship but things were never the same between Haleen and Okaris and they started spending more and more time apart. While Okaris regreted the strain on his relationship with Haleen he felt that the pompous and overbearing Jaboo got the humiliation he deserved.

After this event is when Okaris heard Vashi a Seer of Sarenrae utter the words from The Birth of Light and Truth, from the top of a box on street corner in a crowded squar. The words of this book, Sarenrae’s main religious text, literally changed the direction of Okaris’s life, moving him toward the light of the Dawnflower. After hearing the words of hope and inspiration he found less joy in entertaining and slowly he and Haleen drew more and more apart. Where once Okaris spent every day with Haleen he now found more and more of his time was spent in the company of the Seer learning about Sarenrae and her ways. More importantly Vashi fortold that Okaris would enter the service of the Dawnflower and be pivotal in expanding her influence. This foretelling cause great concern for Okaris and the already meticulous man tried to everything right to ensure he fulfilled his destiny.

Haleen’s was supportive of Okais’s choice and he soon began preach the word of the Dawnflower, to heal the sick and tired, to show mercy to the weak, and to bring justice by the sword if necessary to the citizens of Katapesh. That is until Haleen disappeared with no warning but a suspicious note. Okaris became convinced that something happened to Haleen and could not forget her and get on with his life has her note suggested. Now he spends most days looking for a trace of his friend.

Roused from his reminiscing by the cooling water Okaris begins scrubbing his weary feet as he thinks, that would have been a great ending to your story; drowned in a bathtub. Over the next several minutes Okaris quietly finishes his ablutions and gets out of the cooling tub. He stands their naked for a few seconds and lets the water run off his well-muscled body onto the cold stone floor before he grabs a towel to dry himself off with.

Okaris is a serious and ardent worshiper of Sarenrae, The Dawnflower. As such he tries to exercise temperance and patience in all things. He is altruistic but is stern when necessary, often standing up for the down trodden and oppressed.

He is a lover of debate, swordplay, as well as smoking his pipe. He can be meticulous, especially when it comes to his appearance. He is polite and well-mannered but isn’t afraid to speak his mind which has led to trouble on occasion.

Okaris stands a little under six feet tall with a thin but well-muscled build, he looks older than his years and carries himself with an air of confidence. He is well tanned with grey eyes, the color of the sky right before a storm, and has shoulder length dark black hair with a luxurious mustache, a small goatee, and long sideburns that extend to his chin. No matter the weather he is always wearing dark blue robe that reached to his knees, which has a gold emblazoned sunburst on its back and a Keffiyeh, weaved with a blue and gold pattern, to cover his head. Okaris favors tan and brown colors in his dress and attire. This is usually worn over leather armor which has faded to grey with age. He always has his scimitar within easy reach.

LOYALTIES
1. Disciple of Sarenrae: Okaris is an ardent worshiper of The Dawnflower and tries to live his life in accordance with her tenants of temperance and patience in all things.
2. Mercy’s Hand: Okaris believes all can be redeemed and will give intelligent creatures the opportunity to surrender.
3. A Friend in Need: Okaris will not willingly leave a friend behind and will avenge fallen comrades.

1. Enforcer, H. Toughness, C. Dervish Dance,
: 0 - Detect Magic, Read Magic, Prestidigitation, Dancing Lights:
:1 – Cure Light Wounds, Saving Finale
2. : 0 – Ghost Sound:
:1 – Grease
3. Arcane Strike
: 0 - Light:
:1 – Expeditors Retreat
4. :2 – Allegro, Glitterdust
5. Lingering Performance
:2 – Heroism
6. :2- x:
7. Power Attack?
: 1 - x:
:3 – x, x
8.
: 3 - x:
9.
10.
11. Discordant Voice
12.
13.
14.
15.

f- Had two babies, scar on back of left hand, drinks loads of water, dislikes the dried food

a- likes fresh pomegranates and olives, enjoys fire-roasted goat or sheep, but dislikes fish and shellfish of all kinds.likes simple jewelry - even wooden bracelets and bangles, copper rings, anything with very clean lines and simple forms. loves genie stories.

L-likes to race horses, Doesn't like dates(fruit), Never learned how to dance, refuses to talk about his cildhood

I - is a passionate artist whom specializes in painting desert scenes, has a scorpion familiar named Seker, believes her mother was abducted by gnolls