Marzan Kalif

Physical Description:
Marzan stands 6'5", and has a lean, almost willowy build. Despite this, and the grace with which he moves, he is not in the least effeminate. His dark brown hair flows to his shoulders, and he wears long mustaches. His eyes are dark and deep. A beauty mark makes a pale line on one cheek. He dresses very well, in the fashion of his homeland, including a gold bracelet on one wrist and a gold and emerald earring. He sometimes wears a flower in his lapel. Beneath his coat, he often wears a silver-plated length of steel chain wrapped twice around his waist. He is forty-two, but appears many years younger.

Personality:
Marzan is cool, courteous, and the image of self-possession. He possesses a wry humor which reveals itself only occasionally, and he has an air of being ever-watchful. Around Mariko, Marzan seems almost like a dark shadow, always remaining near her, protectively sheltering her.

History:
Born into a noble house, Marzan was something of a black sheep. By night, he would don a mask and go out into the streets of Bandar Eban, performing acts of thievery and mischief. When his parents first discovered this, they were irritated...until they thought of the uses to which he could be put. In short order, Marzan was his House's most favored tool for blackmail, espionage, and assassination. Both born and raised a pragmatist, he saw little wrong with what he was doing. He met Mariko almost by accident, and after getting mixed up with her in an adventure that took him all the way to Tear, he decided not to return home. She Bonded him a few months later. Though he had instruction from armsmasters, in the arts of assassination Marzan is nearly self-taught, and possesses an incredible aptitude. He is a master of thrown weapons, whether darts, knives, throwing stars, metal discs, or any other. His hand-to-hand skills mostly gravitate around close-in fighting, with knives, shortswords and chains. He is fully ambidextrous, and often fights with both hands.

Hobbies/Notes:
Marzan enjoys both woodcarving and calligraphy, skills in which his quick fingers allow him to excel, and which have hidden uses (he is a fairly expert forger, able to duplicate seals, letters, and documents with considerable success). He also enjoys a game of cards, though his fellow Warders no longer allow him to deal. Finally, Marzan is a conassieur of fine tabacs and has a collection of carved pipes (some of which he made himself).