Qassir's page

"Agreed. I'm a Dawnflower Dervish. A holy warrior of almighty Sarenrae. I learned some combat tactics to strike at enemies with my scimitar when they least expect it, damaging them with these 'sneak attacks', but I would never call myself a 'rogue'. Especially since many people would see a halfling rogue and think me a thief! Nothing could be further from the truth."

Dawnflower Dervish bard 1/Rogue (converted to unchained relatively late in life) 4/Halfling Opportunist 2

You've all seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, right? Well, my character looks just like the guy with the sword - typical loose fitting Arabian style clothing, turban, scimitars on his belt... but half as tall. He's a halfling.

The halfling draws a finely crafted scimitar and starts swinging it around, tossing it from hand to hand, and spinning impressively to show his swordsmanship ability. He ends with a flourish, bringing the sword to his waist, and bowing low, but keeping his eyes looking up at the assembled Pathfinders.

He stands back up, and introduces himself.

*in vaguely Middle Eastern accent*
"Greetings, noble Pathfinders. I am Qassir, dervish swordsman of Qadira, and servant of the almighty Dawnflower."

A halfling enters wearing light, loose Qadiran clothing, suitable for a march through the desert, including a turban, and scimitars of various materials sheathed on his belt.

"Greetings, noble Pathfinders. I am Qassir, dervish swordsman of Qadira. Like Nisha, I am disturbed by the recent turn of events involving the Trade Prince joining forces with those Sczarni thugs to put his own business interests ahead of the common good. As a loyal Qadiran citizen, I want to stay loyal to my country. But as a good man who follows the teachings of the Dawnflower in all things, I cannot continue to follow my former leader."

"I have not decided which of the Society's factions I should ally myself with at this time. Given the Grand Lodge's obvious disregard for the safety of its agents, as demonstrated by the mission I was recently sent on to explore the ruins of Bonekeep, I cannot swear loyalty to Ambrus Valsin, either."

"I think my decision comes down to the Silver Crusade or Liberty's Edge. Both seem like good and noble causes, worthy of my sword. I will have to think on it further."

I already have 4 of my 16 PCs in the Silver Crusade, compared to just 2 in Liberty's Edge, so I'll probably put Qassir there just to spread them out. And it probably suits his personality a little better, anyway. But I haven't decided for sure.

A halfling wearing very loose, typically Qadiran style clothing, with a turban on his head and scimitars on his belt, responds in a thick Qadiran (Arabian) accent:

"Trade Prince Aaqir al'Hakam, while I wish you the best in your future endeavors, I cannot in good conscience support this merger and your emphasis on business profits above all else."

"I am loyal to my home nation of Qadira, to the Dawnflower Sarenrae, and to the principles of goodness and light that she has brought to our great nation. I am NOT loyal to the almighty gold coin."

The halfling pauses from his short rant to catch his breath, then proceeds more quietly and slowly.

"I shall have to think long and hard which faction of the Pathfinder Society I believe will best suit me now. Or perhaps, I shall quit the Pathfinder Society altogether and return to Qadira, where I can do the most direct good for our people."

As it is said, "The Dawnflower offers mercy to those who would repent their evil, and justice to those who won't."

While I appreciate Lady Gabrielle's suggestion of negotiating with these pirates, we cannot allow their thievery to continue. Just giving them money for our property will encourage them to continue such behavior in the future, possibly with lives on the line, and victims who cannot afford their ransom. We must be sure they truly repent their sins and see the light, or put them to the sword. For those are the only two possibilities that prevent future evil acts.

1. Why are you a Pathfinder?

To earn fame, respect, and fortune for proving what a skilled swordsman I am, while carrying out the orders of the Satrap and spreading the word of the Dawnflower.

2. Do you have a name and surname that is not ripped straight out of existing Earth mythology or popular culture?

OOC: He's a halfling from Qadira and his name is the Arabic word for "short". :)

3. Which nation did you grow up in? How did this nation influence you?

I am a true Qadiran, but not a merchant. The dervish swordsmen of the desert are honored and respected warriors. I grew up wanting to be one of them, despite the prejudices that a halfling couldn't succeed with a sword. So I trained hard to eventually earn my way into the warrior society.

4. What do you look like? What are your wearing? How does this vary when you’re stalking through forests, sewers, deserts or in glittering cities?

As you can see, I am an average sized halfling, with brown hair covered by my turban. I wear loose fitting clothing, similar to what is commonly worn by all Qadirans in the desert. I have armor underneath, and two scimitars on my belt, though I only use one at a time. The second is merely a backup weapon.

5. What do you love? (Treasure and experience doesn’t count)

The pure artistry of true swordsmanship. Skill with a sword isn't dictated by how hard you can swing a large chunk of metal. It's the graceful, artistic maneuvers, as if the man is dancing with his sword and his foe. This is true swordsmanship.

6. What do you hate? (Unclear and irritating darkness level rules don’t count)

Being underestimated as a swordsman because of my size. A halfling can be a successful warrior!

7. Which other Pathfinders (PCs) do you rely on for teamwork, survival and butt-kicking? Do you have a bro? a mentor? a father figure? maybe a rival?

I have not been adventuring long enough to have traveled extensively with any particular Pathfinders. But all I've traveled with have earned my respect.

8. How does your race influence your views? Are you a stereotype of a certain race? How are you different from most humans/elves/gnomes/orcs/tengu?

I am the opposite of what many expect of me. They expect a jovial halfling, while I am a serious warrior. They hear I have training as a rogue, and think me a thief! Nothing could be further from the truth. I merely use tactics that are sometimes common among thieves, because striking at foes unexpectedly makes one more effective in battle.

9. What are you afraid of? Do you have any phobias or worries?

The light of the Dawnflower shines in my path, so I know I have nothing to fear.

10. What is your most treasured possession?

This scimitar. Forged by the finest dwarven artisans. Enchanted by a Qadiran wizard. It is a work of art, and I am honored to wield it in battle.

OOC: For anyone confused by the description, Qassir is a halfling rogue with a one level dip in Dawnflower Dervish bard. He'll be going Halfling Opportunist prestige class once he hits level 6.

"Yes, many halflings from Qadira are successful merchants, or lower forms of laborers."

"But in Qadira, and most of the Kelesh Empire, the most revered of noble swordsmen are human. Other races must work twice as hard just to earn the honor of training among them. And even then, those of us who succeed in earning glory and respect among the dervish warriors might still not have the respect of civilians who look down at us as less than a human of the same accomplishments."

"It will take much work for me to overcome this prejudice and prove myself an equal among the finest swordsmen of Qadira. But it is work worth doing, both for my own glory, and the glory I will bring to the Satrap through my many adventures!"

"Well said, friend Tariq. The Dawnflower guides all that I do. But as a halfling born to a human culture, I often feel the need to prove myself an equal to those who think little of me."

"Greetings, fellow Qadirans", says a halfling dressed in typical Qadiran desert clothing, with two scimitars on his belt. "I am Qassir, dervish swordsman of the Qadiran desert." He draws one of his swords and bows with a flourish of the sword in front of him.

"I know that most honorable swordsmen of our native desert are human, but as a loyal citizen of Qadira and servant of the Satrap, I aim to make a name for myself as a loyal warrior, despite my small stature. I have recently completed my first two missions for the Pathfinder Society, in the name of the Satrap, so you haven't read my name in the Pathfinder Chronicles yet. But I promise, my time will come."