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somethingclevermahogony · 1 year ago

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OC Intro: Wadikir the Lord of Oaths

Hello everyone! Here is Wadikir, Bidani, Oligarch of Chibal and "The Lord of Oaths" he was the winner of the last Character intro poll, I will be posting the next round shortly after this!

Name: Wadikir

The name Wadikir is a pseudo-noble name based on the noble name Adikur. Names like this are meant to emmulate the prestige of noble naming conventions for those whose blood is not noble. Though Wadikir is among the wealthiest and most powerful individuals in all of Kishetal, he and his family are not technically noble by blood, nor have they been given a noble title by a king. Here is an explanation of Kishic Noble names.

Continues below the cut!

Family:

Father: Enkamish, Merchant and Bidani (Dead)

Mother: Kadira, Merchants daughter, originally from Fifna (Dead)

Brother: Hubaru, Merchant and Bidani heir (Dead)

Sister: Buruna, Currently married to a minor Ikopeshi chieftain (Alive)

Nephew: Warut, Currently with his mother (Alive)

No children

No Partner

Homeland/Place of Origin

The Palace (Bidanlum) of Chibal, Chibal, Coastal Region of Kishetal

Ethnicity

Coastal Kishite

History

To properly understand Wadikir it is necessary to understand a little about the City-State of Chibal.

The city was founded shortly after the settlement and conquest of Western Kishetal by Tamel roughly 1,400 years before the birth of Narul.

While initially part of the Kishite Empire under the 500 year reign Tamel, Chibal would be amongst the first of the Kishite cities to declare independece after the death of Tamel and the subsequent war against and destruction of Arkodai.

The first king of Chibal, Adikar participated minimally in the civil wars preceding the end of the empire and chose instead to expand economically, creating the Palace of a Thousand Stone Trees, the original name for the grand palatial complex which stands at the center of the city.

The line of Adikar itself would end 300 years later after his descendant, also named Adikar, vanished along with an entire fleet of ships. In the subsequent chaos, a group of 14 powerful merchants, calling themselves the Bidani, named for their leader Bidan, seized control. Subsequently Chibal became an Aristocratic Oligarchy, controlled by a council of powerful merchants, elected and nominated by that same council. Historically the number of members has fluctuated between 6 and 20.

Along with claiming ownership of the Palace (renamed Bidanlum or Home of the Bidani), the Bidani would begin the construction of a massive library.

This library, The Hall of Oaths, is the largest collection of tablets, scrolls, books, and artifacts in the Green Sea. Also called the Hall of Secrets, the hall is infamous for the secrets which it carries, secrets which have historically allowed the Bidani to hold considerable power over much of Kishetal.

Wadikir was born the middle child of the Bidani, Enkamish and the Fifnian, Kadira. Enkamish had secured his place on the council through his aggressive and far-reaching control of the copper flow into the city as well as his contributions to the city's considerable slave trade.

From a young age, Enkamish's eldest son, Hubaru, was groomed to follow his father's path and to eventually take his father's seat as a Bidani.

Wadikir was born seven years after Hubaru, his father did not attend the birth as he was embroiled in a rather intense auction over a ram.

Kadira died of unknown causes shortly after the birth of Wadikir's sister, Buruna. Wadikir was two years old.

Wadikir and Buruna, were in large part ignored by their father. The care of both of these children primarily fell to Nutia, the Pyrian wetnurse/slave purchased by Enkamish.

Around the age of 19, Hubaru was given three ships and named an official partner of Enkamish. Hubaru would go on to follow his father, becoming a copper merchant. Hubaru was known for his friendly attitude and charisma, however his business sense was lacking, and somewhat ironically he had trouble keeping track of his finances.

While Enkamish showered his attention on Hubaru and Buruna was fawned on by local boys and her nanny, Wadikir ingratiated himself with the other members of the Bidani. He became a constant facet around the palace, working on various errands and chores, among other things for the old merchants of the city. Thus from a young age, Wadikir was able to compile a sizeable mental portfolio on the upper levels of Chibalic society. Rather than receiving a ship from his father, as Hubaru had, Wadikir was gifted a ship and crew by the Master of the Hall of Oaths, Renatu, one of the older members of the Bidani. Wadikir used the knowledge of trade routes and international politics learned from the halls and bedrooms of the Bidani to quickly weasel his way into the trading retinues and good graces of several Korithian lords (and their wives, sons, and daughters). At the age of 20, Wadikir was already among the most prominent traders of Korithian oils and resins to not only Chibal but the entire western coast of Kishetal.

Around this time Wadikir became closer to his sister, and became aware of her affair with her father's slave, Kumad. Though at this time, none of them were aware that Buruna was pregnant. This fame did not escape the attention of Enkamish or Hubaru. The confrontation between Wadikir and his brother and father was a fiery one which resulted in Wadikir being ejected from the family manor.

Perhaps as a way of punishing her for not taking his side in the argument, Wadikir sent a letter to his father detailing Buruna's involvement with Kumad. Enkamish sold off Kumad and promised Buruna, who was visibly pregnant at this point, to an Ikopeshi chieftain, where the shame of her impropriety would be kept far away. Wadikir himself untied the last rope on the ship which would take his sister away from her homeland forever.

Wadikir through an almost unanimous vote (all but Enkamish) was allowed to take up residence in the Palace itself. Hubaru's business would continue to flounder, while Wadikir's continued to soar. Hubaru's reputation was certainly not helped by the vicious rumors that Wadikir spread; including that it hadn't been the slave at all but Hubaru who had impregnated his own sister. Though these accusations had no basis in fact they did have the desired effect.

Wadikir began to dress lavishly in Apunian jewelry and eastern silks, many of which were gifts sent by his various clients.

Renatu, Master of the Hall of Oaths, passed around this time, his position thus going unfilled. Around this time Wadikir began to spend more time within the Hall, taking note of the various records and secrets kept within.

At the Festival of the Fall Harvest, a drunken Hubaru would confront Wadikir. The confrontation ended in a physical altercation, though drunk, Hubaru was far bigger and stronger than his younger sibling, and handily beat Wadikir, breaking his nose in the process. Wadikir was left bloodied and humiliated in the mud.

Less than two months later, Hubaru would be captured aboard one of his vessels and subsequently tortured and killed by Korithian pirates. Wadikir of course, denied his involvement, though his sudden burst of new business with the Korithian city that the pirates had come from, certainly raised eyebrows.

Enkamish was inconsolable at the death of his beloved son. The merchant drowned his sorrows in wine, and rapidly became dependent on it. How fortunate (or unfortunate) that jugs of expensive Korithian wine would mysteriously appear on his front doorstep. Enkamish would regularly appear at Bidani meetings heavily intoxicated.

The precise cause of Enkamish's death is not known, though it is believed that he fell down the stairs of his manor.

A vote was called to fill Enkamish's seat with Wadikir as the obvious candidate. However, much to the surprise of the Bidani, Wadikir requested, that rather than being given his father's chair at the council that he be given the title of the Master of the Hall of Oaths. The duty was considered to be lacking in prestige, dealing with dusty records and dank halls, a far cry from the glittering and charismatic merchant who had clawed and wormed his way so deep into Chibalic society.

Ultimately Wadikir was granted his wish, thus becoming the youngest "Lord of Oaths" in the history of Chibal.

Wadikir would make great use of the archives, using the secrets and knowledge held within to increase his influence and bolster his trade.

Additionally his ties with Korithia allowed for Wadikir to create his own merchant army of sorts, a particularly relevant fact when one considers that the city of Chibal has no standing army.

Wadikir deals in secrets, bribery, and coercion, and through this has become not only the richest of the Bidani, but among the richest men in all of the Green Sea rivaled only by the kings of entire countries, and the de facto king of Chibal.

Wadikir, in addition to trading in his secrets, has a hand in everything from slaves to copper, perfume to exotic animals, and jewelry to manure.

Appearance

Wadikir is a tall and thin man in his mid-thirties. He is quite handsome with angular features, though his nose is somewhat crooked. He has lost some of the good looks of his youth, however there is no denying that he is still quite attractive when he wishes to be. His hair and beard are carefully tended to and perfumed. He decorates his body and hair with various beads, necklaces, rings, earrings, and bangles and wears expensive clothing. His eyes are green, a rarity in Kishetal, and something which he is quite proud of.

Personality

Wadikir is incredibly charming and charismatic when he wants to be. This is however a front which hides his true nature as self-centered, greedy, cruel, misogynistic at times, and overly pompous. He can best be described as a "dick."

Gender/Pronouns

Cis-man He/Him

Sexual Orientation

Aromantic Bisexual

Relationships

Wadikir is not in a relationship and has little interest in relationships and sexuality outside of the realm of business and manipulation

Favorite Color

Navy Blue

Favorite Food

Kisitur Shuliwanash (Salted Scallops, a raw preparation of scallop, very expensive and high class)

Biggest Fear

That he will lose his grasp on the Hall

Drowning

Death

Sage?

Literate?

Can read, speak, and write in Kishic, Korithian, Ikopeshi, and Shabalic

Excerpt

Suru coughed in the man’s face. A glob of phlegm trickled down the merchant's cheek. The man stumbled back in disgust, and wiped his face with his shawl. “You foul little beast!” The man roared. The first thing Suru felt was the pudgy hand smashing into his cheek and then the wooden stage beneath his head. “I’ll have you flayed and then dragged through the salt beds for that.” The pig-faced man snarled. “Do you know who I am, you little worm?” “Kadir, have you purchased this slave?” Kadir spun to look at the tall figure cutting his way through the crowd. His face was soft and yet angular. His black hair was braided and decorated with shells and silver, his beard was cut short, little more than stubble. The red tan skin of his hands was barely visible beyond his extensive collection of jeweled rings and the wide sleeves of his blue robes. At his side was a rodent of a man dressed in the white linen skirt of a servant, his black hair was close-cropped and spikey and his head seemed far too big for the rest of his body as if someone had stuck an artichoke on the end of a small stick. Kadir wiped his hand against his clothes. "The waves be with you, Wadikir. As for this dog, I was considering it, but he would be a waste of silver." Wadikir sighed and bent to inspect Suru's cheek. "A nasty welt here, Kadir. Soiled product I'd say. Really you should have known better. We Bidani have a reputation to uphold. You can't go spoiling goods you have no intention of buying. Don't worry I will rectify this little incident and buy it myself." Wadikir bent to rest a palm against Suru’s cheek. It was soft and uncalloused.

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