Role

Chapter 5

Kasir bin-Hashar was born the son of a wealthy cloth merchant in Hamsah
Mu'tazz. Like most successful merchants, his father, Hashar, was not
particularly ethical. He paid lip service to the city's prominent
religions, but only to curry favor with others. He might give alms to the
poor in deference to Nasheer, but publicly and vocally in order to enlarge
his reputation for generosity. He might burn a sacrifice to appease the
father of devils, but only out of a superstitious belief that it might
bring him personal benefit. It was all a show.

Despite his flaws, Hashar was not an overly cruel man, and devoted much
time and effort to his son's upbringing. As the eldest son, Kasir was
groomed from day one to take over his father's business. He was educated
in language, arithmetic, the principles of supply and demand, and in the
art of persuasion. He was taught the religions and cultures of Thera's
peoples, with the thought that such insight might make equip him to be a
more capable salesmen when dealing with individuals from these cultures.

All the while, subconsciously, Kasir was learning to manipulate. To
conceal his true self and instead act as a sort of chameleon, molding his
personality to fit the hopes and fears of his clientele. He learned about
weighted measures, and other "tricks" of the trade. Also learned of the
valu of connections. Whether within the Sultan's palace or the guild of
theves, he came to understand the importance of such alliances. And,
eventually, why they are so dangerous.

When Kasir was a young teen, unbeknownst to him, his father began to
have extensive dealings with the Hamsah guild of thieves. Through them,
he was able to import the goods he needed for his business without paying
the Sultan's tariffs, thus gaining a substantial advantage over his
competition. While Kasir never discovered the reasons why or how, at some
point this relationship soured. To say the least.

So it was that one day an man entered their shop and signaled to his
father for assistance. As Hashar moved forward to oblige, another man,
who had somehow managed to slip in unnoticed, siezed upon him from behind
and ended his life with a single thrust of the knife. Kasir's first
thought was to scream, but before he was able, he fealt a heavy weight
connect with the base of his skull. Then he felt nothing at all.