HISTORY

Mendi was born in an elven family of Tyr. He grew up in the hustle and bustle of the elven market. His parents were the head of a minor merchant house which survived more or less, thanks to its krodlu outriders and swiftrunners. Mendi learned the tricks of the trade from its parents but also showed great promises in the art of the Mind. His parents sent him to the School of Thought where he was taught how to use and hone his mind by great masters of the Way.

As he grew older and more talented, he was sent to a small outpost, shared by a small number of minor merchant houses. There he worked along with agents and other young merchants, and became familiar with (a type of terrain to be determined later... I'll have a look on the Tyr area). He became acquainted with a number of minor merchants and caravan guards, and even had some intercourse with agents of some greater houses, like House Stel of Urik, a fact that would prove usefull in the future.

One evening a rider came in with a grim face and bad news. During a moonless night of the last month, House Ber of the Softwind had been fired, and all people inside had burned before anything could be done. It appeared that the Templar in charge of fire fighting underestimated the situation and sent too few fireworkers. Or so they say. But those were not the only news from Tyr. The rider also told Mendi that rioters had stormed the House's warehouses while the agents and employees had been trying to quash the conflagration... Mendi thought of the outpost's employees: how would he pay them ? He sold everything he had to those merchants he knew. Though they didn't cheat him, they didn't make him any favour.

Mendi freed the employees of their contract. He went back to Tyr were he saw the things for himself. Some tongues insinuated that the brutal House Stel had had a hand in the fire. Some fanatic fire priest could be paid... Mendi was powerless... yet. He went to the caravanserai, where he knew some merchants. An old acquaintance of his father took pity in him and accepted him as a mercenary guard. Him, a merchant and psionicist, reduced to the role of a mere mercenary ! Mendi didn't like it, but he was nearly copperless. The merchant was kind and honest, but poor and couldn't pay well. Mendi left him for other masters, some of them he had known, some he hadn't. Some caravan masters were efficient and honest, others were corrupt and vicious. Mercenaries were not treated kindly, and they have to earn their wages in letters of blood. Mendi toughened, he became more and more at ease with the scimitar and the crossbow.

He soon made a small reputation, and employers became easier to find. But in his heart, he coveted revenge... he knew now, from words scarcely given by caravan masters or merchants that House Stel had had a hand in House Ber's demise.

APPEARANCE

Mendi is a nondescript elf (sorry...), dark-haired and bronze-skinned. His skin is already tanned after some years of travel in the Tyr area. Though not a warrior, his competence with weapons is obvious. He keeps his hairs short, and wears a turban-like scarf around the neck (much like Arabs, this turban can be used against sandy winds and to protect the head from the sun). He has a number of scars because of his life as a mercenary guard, though these are normally not visible (because of his clothes). Mendi carefully hide them, a little vanity... He wears loose pantaloons (Arabs would call them a sarouel) well suited for riding, and a light waistcoat. When riding for his employers, he also wears some pieces of chitin and leather armour. His scimitar never leaves him, and he also always keep a dagger hidden on himself. On his mount, he has a light crossbow a water skin and some personal belongings (a bedroll, the nights are cold in the desert, etc.). A small riding buckler leans on the saddle's side.

PERSONALITY

Mendi would have been a kinder man had it not been for the tragedy that sent him on the roads. Most humanity died under the stress of mercenary life and out of lack of concern of harsh caravan master for whom a mercenary's life is cheap. He didn't forget that some of his parents former acquaintances helped him, however, and that left him with a strange, ruthless but loyal personality. Most commissions are dangerous and some are even desperate... but not all merchants are as vile as House Stel. So as long as Mendi knows he can trust his employer, his employer can trust him. This sense of honour and loyalty is very strong, and since Mendi tends to be vindictive, betrayal will not be treated kindly. Revenge is a strong element in Mendi's life, but he is still too weak to be any serious threat to House Stel. But he works hard toward his vengeance, and one day, when he heard of those new villages in the West, he decided to find a sponsor and survey the trade routes... and to thwart House Stel's plans regarding the pterran traders.

Favourite sayings:

"An enemy left behind is a blade in the dark."

"Have friends, but know where they hide their weapons." (Arab saying)

"What a nice meal for my crodlu !" (to foes).

"I'd rather sleep with a snake in my bedroll than trust a merchant from Urik !"