Zakiniri "Zak" ibn-Ryad

Zakiniri "Zak" is a caravan leader and captain who guides travelers across the perilous Dunes of Haran. He is a descendant of the Harani, an ancient desert people known for their unique adaptations to the harsh environment. Zak has tanned, sandy-colored skin, dark hair, and striking red eyes. Beneath his long robes and coverings, he possesses sand gills that allow him to breathe through the sand and bony scales on parts of his hidden body, providing him with natural armor. His people can survive with minimal water, a gift that helps him endure the desert's challenges.

Zak is a stoic and reserved individual, often appearing distant due to the secrets he holds. As a Sorcerer Shaman, he shares a deep, mystical connection with the elements of Earth and the spirits of the desert, including a powerful Dust Devil that powers his hovering craft resembling a Sand Scorpiir that he uses to traverse the shifting sands. Despite keeping his magical abilities hidden, Zak is an able fighter, skilled with a spear, and highly knowledgeable about the desert, its predators, and the shifting sands.

Though he leads his crew with a fatherly protectiveness, Zak's true motivations run deeper. He longs to return to the Kingdom of Haran, reclaiming treasures lost to his people, and uncovering relics of his ancient heritage. While he keeps his past and his powers secret from outsiders, he is quietly driven by the legacy of his ancestors, and his secretive nature hides a passion for his homeland and its forgotten history.

Zak is a master of desert survival, a tactician with a calm demeanor who guides his caravan with purpose.