Name: Khalem (pronounced KAY-lum) Derros
Race: Human
Age: Mid 30s
Hair: Dark, dirty-blond
Eyes: Pale blue-gray - almost hauntingly pale.
Occupation: Mercenary
Description:

Notes:
Hair: Shorn on the sides – often holding a bit of stubble.  Top is just long enough to be swept back, held in a tight, looping bun.

Eyes: VERY pale blue…almost a blue-gray, a haunting (and haunted) pair of eyes.

Body: Strong and muscular.  Taller than most men at 6'6".  Broad shouldered.  Solid, corded muscle.  Heavily inked on the left pectoral, shoulder blade and arm - done in a mix of stylized knotwork or a bear and the actual representation of the animal.  Script runs across the slats and ribs of his right side - ancient runic representing something he does not speak of.  Calf muscles have heavy, Celtic-styled knot-work.

He also often paints a line of medium to dark blue woad over his right eye - running from his hairline to his jaw.  These same colors sometimes compliment the work on his tattoos as well.

Piercings – Two gauges on each ear lobe (first is large, but not too large – second is smaller) – Loop in the helix of the right ear, loop in the Tragus of the left ear.  An Albert...don't ask.  He probably won't tell

Dresses: Rough and rugged – but well cared for.  In public, it's often a worn leather jerkin that was made for his body.  A thick, heavy leather belt a good three inches wide, held in place with two smaller straps and buckles.  Loose fitting, blouse pants tucked into mid-shin leather boots, the embossing on the leather done to make them look like wrapped linen.  The toes are split in the style of his people - but the instep and heel are both reinforced with leather-wrapped steel.

He does not generally wear armor - only a bit on his left arm, covering the tattoo - a customized piece that is a series of inter-connected leather plates, articulated to move with him - that run from pauldron to bracer and down to the back of his hand.  A shield, if you will, for his off-hand.

History: Khalem was the youngest son of the leader of his clan - a semi-nomadic peopel who lived and prospered in the ruins beyond civilized limits.  He completed a right of passage at the age of fifteen to earn his spot as a warrior of the clan, a swordman with the dreams of being the best ever.

While exploring one day, he saw the resplendent armor of a Boros patrol - and was intrigued by their bearing.  They, in turn, were intrigued by his skill with a sword and physical prowess.  They offered to take him along and, yearning for something more than clan-life...Khalem agreed.

He rose in the ranks to a middling position.  While he could not be bought, he did start to enjoy some of the darker things in life - drinking, whoring, the occasional touch of drugs.  He was good at his job but not afraid to relax, to enjoy life.

In his mid-twenties, a young paladin was assigned to be his partner.  For the first few months he kept the kid clean and out of his social world  The pally was a good kid. Smart.  Funny – charming.  Eventually he found out what Khalem enjoyed and, in his naivety, the Pally thought if this outstanding man who brought in thieves and murderers could partake in a little vice, it must not be too harmful.  Sadly, pally-boy had more courage and daring than brains or will – and he fell.  Hard.  Eventually it killed him – because he got into the things even Khalem would not touch.

This broke the soldier and he became more of a wandering mercenary – taking an oath to bring the darker side of crime down, despite his love of certain vices (which he still partakes).

It's strange how a man of honor can be brought so low that even he cannot see the way out...