Masoud Ur'Kha-Sidim

Masoud is a T'kel, a race of reptilian humanoids from the Gerborian Grasslands. Historically, the T'kel were a war-like and violent race, until one of their great Philosopher-kings, Zuras, led them to an enlightened age (see T'kel histories, Dragon magazine, March 2004). As a result, the T'kel have progressed toward a civilization of martial artists and nature worshipers. Although they still follow a somewhat nomadic hunter-gatherer way of life, most T'kel live in walled towns and villages near their legendary monasteries.

Masoud is from the Kha-Sidim clan (Clan of the Night), a nomadic clan that travels the breadth of the Grasslands and beyond. Theirs is a clan of Shamans, warriors and to some degree, assassins. It falls to the Ur'Kha-Sidim, the Ur'Shadrii (Clan of the Whispering Shadows), and Ur'Vor'Paxx (Clan of the Swift Blade) to administer judicial sentences and the like throughout the T'kel clans. Together, the three clans are called the Hama-tolla (the Sworn Justice)and the carry out the will of the clans as a whole. The Hama-tolla are never used against each other, nor are they used as a tool of revenge.

Masoud grew up among the various clans of the T'kel alongside his three brothers and two sisters. The fifth son of a warrior father and healer mother, he lived much like the rest of the T'kel children, until his eleventh harvest. During one of the annual clan Gathers, Masoud travelled with his grandfather, Va-diir, to the Competition Circle to watch one of his older brothers wrestle. As the two watched the various competitions, one combat round piqued Masoud's interest. Two T'kel warriors dressed in simple garb were battling with blade and magic, to the excitement and delight of the crowd. Drawn to the competitors, Masoud was fascinated by the graceful dance of martial prowess and spellcraft exhibited by the two warriors. At last, one failed to defend himself properly, and the winner soundly struck a non-killing blow.

With a child's innocence, Masoud led his Grandfather to the two warriors and announced that he would like to be "just like them" when he was older. Chuckling, one of the warriors removed the head-covering they wore and revealed a female T'kel. With a smile, she asked Va-diir how old Masoud was and to which clan he belonged to. When the details were exchanged, both warriors exchanged a look and said they would speak with Masoud's father, mother and clan chief. Nodding a polite dismissal, the two returned to their previous discussion. Masoud and his Grandfather returned to their clan area.

Unknown to Masoud at that time, the two warriors were Swordsages, an elite group of martial adepts, who guarded the T'kel clans and administered the justice of the clan Elders, Shamans and Chiefs. The next day, the two Swordsages, in ceremonial dress, approached Masoud's parents and their Clan Chief. They petitioned Masoud's entry into the Monastery of the Six Dances as a Novice. Proud of this honour, Masoud was granted permission and left with the two Swordsages for the monastery after the Gathering.

Masoud trained with the Masters of the monastery in weaponry, martial arts and magic for fifteen years. His own unique style has been further aided by an unexpected event during one of his training years. During his fifth year of training, Masoud trained with one of his Instructors along the edge of the grasslands. As the two sparred and his instructor sought to teach him one of the magical abilities of the Swordsages, Masoud's dormant shamanic abilities manifested. Without warning, as his instructor swung her battleaxe at Masoud, it encountered a shield of energy which blasted the startled Swordsage with electricity. Confused, Masoud dropped his practice blade on the grass and ran to his instructor's side. Dazed, but alive, his instructor ended the session and both returned to the monastery. There, the Masters conferred with one of the monastery's Shamans about what occurred. Masoud was given additional shamanic training along with the swordsage disciplines. Both his Swordsage and Dragon Shaman abilities have grown since then.

Masoud is a powerful looking T'kel. Standing at 5', 4" and weighing 200 lbs, he is a striking creature, especially since the years of study as a shaman have developed his link to his Blue Dragon totem. Masoud's fine scales are a blue-black colour, with indigo belly and back patterns. Emerald, slitted eyes gaze out of a masked face, with his body covered in leather armour under desert robes. Usually, his head is wrapped in the desert turban and shoufa, with his mask only showing. Besides his backpack, Masoud wears a belt with two pouches and a dagger attached to his right leg. His scimitar is strapped to his back, with his kama attached to either side of his belt. A ring is on the index finger of his right hand. Currently he is on his journey-quest, a path that will enable him to know and understand the world around him. This journey-quest provides a swordsage with the chance to develop his or her abilities and skills