Safara

Background

When Arab raiders attacked his African village, Safara was just a boy. This didn’t stop them taking him (and many others) to Algiers to be sold into slavery. Although they could shackle his limbs they could not chain his spirit and desire for freedom. His many attempts to escape captivity proved to be more trouble than he was worth, and having a strong back his masters sold him to one of the Barbary Pirates (and were glad to be rid of the willful adolescent). For many long years he toiled at the oars of a galley; under the lash of his cruel captors.

Conditions were harsh but he bided his time. Eventually the chance came and leading the slaves in revolt they captured the ship and dispatched its former masters. With a vessel and a willing crew he took up the sword against the Barbary Corsairs. Attacking and sinking their ships, freeing their captives and stealing their gold, he and his crew soon became a legend of the Barbary Coast and the name of Safara was much feared by his former masters.

Although many would later claim the destruction of their troublesome enemy, the truth will probably never be known. While pursuing a rich prize off the coast of Italy the ship was overtaken by an intense storm that seemed to materialise out of nowhere. Their quarry lost, the ship battled against the storm's fury for hours. Eventually however the exhausted survivors emerged to find themselves in the place known as the Devil’s Cross. Straining at the oars, through sheer brute strength and courage the crew escaped, battling horrific creatures all the way. The storm and the minions of the Sea Hags had taken their toll however. With the ship slowly sinking and the tiller and sail smashed, the few survivors could do little more than drift where the currents took them. Hunger and thirst would do for the rest of the crew and by the time the ship ran aground on rocks at Brigandy Bay, Zafara was the only one still alive (though barely). The pirates helped themselves to anything of value left on the ship, but also took the lone survivor and nursed him back to health. From them Safara learned the truth; that he was no longer on Earth, but like Earth there was still cruelty and injustice and also true evil in this world. He also understood as well that there were opportunities for great deeds and great glory...

Special Abilities

• Languages Known: Native (native, d8)

Advances

• Raise Skills: Stealth/Taunt
• Edge: Menacing
• Edge: Provoke

• Edge: Combat Reflexes