Motto: “Make the plan, execute the plan, expect the plan to go wrong, throw away the plan.”
Personality
He loves to drink and sharing said drinks with companions. Especially after a recent victory in combat. From where Zenberu comes from it is customary to share drinks with ones companions. It is seen as a bonding experience which improves trust and companionship.
He makes it a point to befriend and help people wherever he goes. In his travel, he stops to aids other, tell interesting stories, and often buys rounds of drinks for patrons at the local taverns.
He is proud of his home and does not at all mind sharing that fact. Often he shares it through saying his people have. A few of said sayings:
- “For the glory of the dunes!” – A war cry.
- “Sand covers your wounds.” – An insult and a threat.
- “Blood and honour.” – Means various things but is most often used as a farewell.
- “May the cold night watch over you.” – Get well soon.
- “One grain of sand is nothing, but many make a desert.” – A wise saying of a Nagaji sage that is believed to have lived in Zenberu’s home.
The people in Zenberu’s homestead and himself are firm believers of Askia. They believe raw strength, cunning and nerves of steal are the tools of their Deity. And many young warriors often leave in search for powerful foes to test their strength so they can prove themselves to Askia. Most often the Zenberu’s people will train whenever they are not drinking, fighting or sleeping.
Rite of Passage
In Zenberu’s home it is customary to complete a rite of passage. This rite is called The Wander. The only way a male could be considered a man was to go through warrior training, at a place called the anarkas until he was seventeen. When he turned eighteen, he would be sent off into the dunes with nothing but a knife, and had the task of collecting a giant scorpion’s stinger while trying not to get lost and returning to his anarkas in one piece. If he completed this task, he would be considered a man and a warrior.
Backstory
At the age of seven Zenberu and his two older brothers were removed from society and taken to their anarkas. Here they trained for ten long years in the art of combat. At the age of 18 they were sent off to complete their Wander. Two and one year before Zenberu’s Wander he patiently awaited the return of his brothers. His first brother hadn’t survived. When he heard his second brother had also perished, Zenberu’s heart sank deeper than the deepest pit of an ant lion.
During his rite of passage he found his second brother’s corpse it had been covered by many layers of sand which had slowly moved over the many months that it laid there. A giant and hungry scorpion approached the two and right in that moment, with his brother in his arms, Zenberu felt something inside him snap. A primal fury came out as he steadily held his dagger and readied for the scorpion’s attack. He roared as the scorpion swiftly charged towards him. Zenberu leapt towards his approaching foe and slashed with ferocious precision, dismembering the tail that held the stinger from the scorpion. The scorpion, now frightened by this creature’s ferocity, retreated.
Zenberu had completed The Wander with great effort. He spent a total of 8 days and 9 nights wandering the dunes before he returned with the scorpion’s stinger.
After around 6 years (age 24) of completing his Wander he left his home in search for greater foes to test his skill and to improve himself as a warrior and a person.
During this time Zenberu made the most unlikeliest of friends. A Half-Orc in a forest near a town who had been caring for the woods and its inhabitants. Zenberu got hired by the town to defend it against a coming raid. When setting up his defense in the nearby forest he met a Half-Orc, but before they had any time to chat the enemy had made their way to them. They attacked the Half-Orc first who got caught by surprise. Zenberu quickly recovering from a moment of shock rushed to the Half-Orcs aid, pushing back his attackers. Together they stood as brothers in arms.
When the battle finished, Zenberu noticed something about the Half-Orc. His eyes spoke of a trauma. A loss of a comrade, perhaps multiple. Having lost comrades himself, Zenberu felt empathy for this creature. He sat down with it and they spoke for a long time.
After heading back to collect his payment, a thought crossed Zenberu’s mind. He returned to the woodland creature and made it an offer. To come along on Zenberu’s travels and — together — defeat the mightiest of foes.
Stories are told from Zenberu’s perspective.
Desert Bandits
After I had completed my wander I joined the local guard force. It was a rather quiet life. The most exciting events as a guardsman were the resolving of tavern brawls and thievery. I did this for a couple years until my home got attacked. Men from the desert came to raid us. All of those who could stand and fight were called to arms, including the women. Our chieftain, the man I admired, lead our troops in this battle. Seeing him fight the desert men with all his might is most likely the reason my people stood their ground. It was battle hard fought, but we managed to push them back. Seeing the fire in the hearts of my people must’ve broken their morale. It was then that I realised what it means to be a warrior.
A warrior is a being who accepts the call and walks the long, arduous path of becoming one’s full potential.
Achievements
- Defeated a cockatrice on his own.
- Killed a bugbear in a single hit.
- Bull-rushed a minotaur.
- Caught a shark bare-handed.
- Defeated an ogre single-handedly.
Quips
Before battle
- Cue the bards. With this fight, we’ll win our place in history.
- If we should die, let us die with our ax in hand and courage in our hearts.
- When we meet in the Glorious Afterlife, we’ll drink together as comrades!
- Brothers, join me as we make ourselves truly worthy of the Glorious Afterlife!
During battle
- Be strong, comrade. The day is not lost so long as we stand together!
- On your feet. You are not yet worthy of the Glorious Afterlife.
Shit-talking enemies
- Might I have the pleasure of your name before I crush your skull?
- Let your eyes look their last, as soon your eyes will be food for the crows.
- After I’ve defeated you Askia will suplex you into the great eternities of the void.
Respectable
- A face worthy of my hammer.
- Your companions are seen as your clan-mates, pack members or fellow horde members.
- It differs per culture what you see them as, but you care about your companions because they’re your buds and you can’t achieve nearly as much without them.
- And sacrificing your own greatness to preserve someone else’s greatness is one of the highest virtues.