| Rhael al Kadaam, Silsila of Alamut |
| Rhael al Kadaam was born the fourth child and only son of a Turkish soldier and his wife. Of course, this laid the foundations for his occupational path, as his father encouraged him to become a soldier as well. Over years of growing, Rhael grew into a man who would join the army. His first assignment was to a citadel in Balikesir, and after several years, he became a junior officer. Taking his promotion meant he would have to learn to read and write, and so Rhael, over the course of several years, did. During this time, he also learned Arabic, as several soldiers in the city, as well as the civilians, spoke that language as well. (Rhael does not know how to write in Arabic, just to speak it.) After years of quiet service, the citadel fell under attack. After a four week siege, the Turks inside had reached desperation. A plan was forged, and Rhael was sent to get cattle and horses from the closest village, in an attempt to stampede over the invaders. Quietly, he slipped through the blockading troops and reached the village. With the assistance of some local farmers, Rhael led the stamped towards the citadel. When he returned, he found that the citadel had fallen in the night, and the infidels had taken control of the primary line of defense for the city. Mustering the local villagers, Rhael decided to attempt the original course of action. Stampeding the herd into the citadel, Rhael and 37 villagers led an offensive that resulted in over 300 deaths, and the recapture of the Citadel. Word was sent for reinforcements, but someone else was watching the battle that day.... (Version 1) Haqim (Ugha) had watched the battle and knew he had found someone who could lead his children. He approached Rhael and spoke with him for several days before deciding to embrace him. He taught Rhael the Khabar, and explained that Alamut lie abandoned. He charged Rhael with bringing the Blood back to prominence, and to regain the lost throne of Alamut. Rhael searched for several years without success, but in his travels met Kharma el Amin, a scholarly man that held many of the same ideals that Haqim had taught him to look for. It was not long afterwards that Kharma was embraced and searched with Rhael for the lost home they yearned for. During their travels, Kharma taught Rhael English, a language common to the invaders of Turkey. Years later, they thought they had found the clue that was needed to locate their ancestral home. A small training encampment had been razed to the ground, but a survivor knew of Haqim, and had been in training to be one of the Blood. She was named Kezia, and was welcomed to the Blood to help continue the search for Alamut. After years of vigilant searching, the trio split, agreeing to meet every three years in the town of Chester to report their findings. After two such meetings, it was Kharma el Amin, following clues on ancient texts, who found Alamut. Rhael took the throne, and the Clan was revived. As the Blood grew, their reputation began to spread anew. Rhael accepted a contract to kill a Methuselah of the True Brujah clan. He disappeared for three years, only to be found by Kharma as a human with no knowledge of his role in the founding of Alamut..... (Version 2) Marcello Castillo, the True Brujah Methuselah saw the battle. He came to Rhael, offering him a choice. Would he prefer to be a great leader, or a greater warrior for his cause? Rhael considered the offer, and after a night's deliberation, agreed to walk with Marcello and learn how to better his skills as a knight. Over several years he trained, and was taught English by the Methuselah. Marcello also imparted the written word of English and Arabic, citing that speech is only half the knowledge that should be gained. After years of training, Rhael returned to the time stream and traveled northwest to a small hamlet called Chester. He had been taught the wisdom of a judge, and the lawlessness of the city seemed the perfect opportunity for him. It was then Kharma el Amin met him again, and explained the nature of his existence. Rhael was reintroduced to the clan, but as he did not have the knowledge of his past, he urged Kezia to sit as Eldest. Upon hearing the story of his "disappearance", Rhael decided to visit his True Brujah contact. He confronted the Methuselah with the knowledge. Kharma had given him, and the Methuselah confessed that he had taken Rhael out of time to preserve his life. After a few moments of thought, Rhael judged the Methuselah, so saying, "The wish to survive is not a crime. However, you have removed a part of my life, and now you shall lose a part of yours." The Methuselah understood, but still screamed curses at Rhael as his eyes were gauged out. Over the years, Rhael still visits his friend, and has tried, unsuccessfully, to get him to teach him the art of Temporis. Though they are civil to each other, both hold a bitter resentment towards the other for all that has been lost. Currently, Rhael's closest friends are Kharma and Akiyl, Caliph of Alamut. Akiyl's warrior upbringing is similar to Rhael's, and the two often discuss tactics and how best to defend Alamut. Kharma has earned Rhael's envy with his knowledge. Rhael is a sorcerer of no small fame, but Kharma is scholar in the true sense of the word, and has even begun to mentor Rhael. Over the past 60 years, Rhael has been plagued by nightmares. He has gone for months without leaving his chambers at Alamut because he was unable to determine whether or not he was truly awake. The source of these nightmares is the Garou, for they mauled a ghoul of the clan named Ashkin. Rhael sentenced the ghoul for carelessness to carry his wounds until they healed naturally, believing it to be a fitting punishment. Never had he seen what kind of damage a Garou claw can do! When the wound should have been healed, it still appeared fresh. Never before had Rhael known true fear, but that kind of damage Rhael knew could easily destroy him, too. As a leader and member of the Du'at, Rhael could not show his fear to the rest of the Rafiq, even thought they would most likely understand, and the fear has manifested in the constant nightmares. Rhael has a new source of fear as well. For the first time in over 150 years, he is sick and not feeling well. This is the result of the Vicissitude poisoning, but Rhael has no experience with it, and does not know what has caused his current condition. Rhael spends most of his time now doing research, to cure his ailments, to advance his Magickal studies, and to break the Curse. He knows more rituals than he can successfully use, and his frustration at not developing his Assamite Sorcery (Thaumaturgy) has begun to show to those closest to him. |
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