🌊 Hatem

Positive Traits

Observant:He is quick to notice body language and subtle nuances of voices to tell if someone is lying, avoiding something, or faking usually. Also highly aware of his surroundings in terms of threat assessment.

Calm: No matter the situation, he tends to be able to keep a level head and voice.

Resilient: Life may not have been easy, but he keeps on going no matter what is thrown his way. Always able to bounce back from a situation.

Neutral Traits

Protective: If he sees something worth protecting, he's going to protect it. Usually unaware of the social cues indicating it might sometimes be best to stand down instead.

Instinctive: He doesn't quite think about what he's going to do before he does it, all the time. He's used to being in survival situations all the time where listening to your instincts can save your life.

Negative Traits

Socially Inept: While he can read the body language and intent of a person, he's not as smart understanding reading social cues, and how to act in 'polite society'.

Blunt: He says it how he sees it, which usually gets him into all sorts of trouble.

Naieve: Despite his ability to tell when others are lying being on point, he tends to want to believe the best in someone and their actions until it comes back to bite him.

Content Warning: Manipulation, mention of banditry/graverobbing.

Born in the desert, Hatem veiwed his childhood as a happy one. He was part of a travelling group of nomads and his parents loved him. Sure it was secluded, and it made socializing with others hard to do as he was one of the only kids, but in his mind it was worth it. He learned how to read body language, how to traverse rough terrain, how to track and how to trust his instincts. It wasn't an easy life but he was happy.

At least until the truth of his family came crashing around him. The travelling nomads were actually graverobbers and bandits. They exploited others for their gain and Hatem had naively assumed many things about his family that turned out to be wrong. The truth came to light when the one friend he had made (a teen from one of the few cities that their nomad camp tended to visit and trade with) came to him angry and upset. Had fought with him. Blamed him for things the sandshrew knew nothing about. Called him and his family all sorts of names...

When he brought this up with his parents, they laughed and admitted quite easily what they truly did. They didn't intend to hide it, Hatem was just...stupid. Disillusioned and of age to leave on his own anyway, Hatem set out to find his own place in the world where he could do good. For a while he stayed on his home island and ran his own services to help guide people safely through the desert, even at the risk of encountering his old family. Eventually that wasn't enough and when he was in his twenties he set out into the world, travelling to other islands. On one such island he ran into Valen and Adal, who bought his help temporarily for one of their missions. Seeing how good he was in that situation, they offered him a space on their own team. With nothing else to lose, Hatem accepted.

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