Ashkii / Lightning eater
Role Mediator
Nickname Atsin It'ish Da'ad (Lightning eater)
Age 28
Description His mother a Navajo, his father a white settler of Anglo-Irish descent, Ashkii's dark skin and broad cheekbones immediately distinguish him apart from the inhabitants of Jerome. Likewise, his short hair and his European style of dress (a necessity if he was to make a living in the town) alienate him somewhat from his clans-men back in the village of his mother's birth whenever he returns (which is rarely). Otherwise, his countenance is pleasant and even-featured and the black humour that lurks in his dark eyes and his quick tongue often takes those who don't know him by surprise. Out in the country, he favours practical riding gear; tough canvas trousers, cotton shirts and a woven blanket jacket (one of the only items of clothing he wears that is recognisably Navajo) to protect against the dust-bitten wind. Beneath his shirt, there is an odd spidery welt-like scar that snakes down his shoulder and across the right side of his chest, branching out into feathery tendrils like frost growing over a pane of glass. It is the relic of an incident that occured when he was only seven years old and he was struck by lightning whilst fleeing from his home village with his mother.
Fears
Snakes- Considered a taboo animal in Diné (Navajo) culture, this only adds to Ashkii's natural dislike
Dying- He almost did it once before and he doesn't like the idea of trying it on for size a second time
For future of the Navajo- It isn't looking good...
Likes Running water, sandstone formations in the open country, kneeldown bread dipped in mutton dripping, bootleg whiskey and red-heads.
Dislikes Being called redskin or prairie nigger (both common terms for Diné in paleface townships), having to use a horse other than his own, snow, trains and storms (he's never been able to shake the idea of being hit by lightning a second time).
Equipment His horse Sik'is, a saddle bag containing rudimentary supplies, a flint, waterproofs and a small box of medical equipment, a moderate amount of money, a hip flask of whiskey and an extensive repertoire of contacts in the surrounding settlements, Navajo or European.
Skills He knows the surrounding landscape like the back of his hand and, as such, is an exceptional tracker, able to follow well-laid trails even when days have already passed. Due to his background, he is recognizable to most in the local townships and is well-known in certain circles for his quick humour. A wide network of contacts and a fluent grasp of both English and the Navajo tongue, Diné bizaad, means that there is not much- be it supplies, information or safe passage through Diné territory- that is not within his reach. For a price, of course.
Strengths Physically, he is tall and well-built and could hold his own well enough if it came to a bare-knuckle fight. Riding a horse is as natural as running to him and he can spend days on the road without thinking twice. He finds it easy to read people and can be persuasively charming when he wants to be, unafraid of manipulating their desires and needs to turn them into something useful to himself.
Weaknesses Although his skill with a rifle is passable, his aim is distinctly average. He feels at home nowhere, not with the Diné or with the white men, and trust is not something that comes easily to him. His first thought is his own survival and has a deeply engrained mercenary streak. His quick tongue has, on occasion, been known to get him into trouble, particularly in European towns.
Weapons A rifle, a hunting blade and a small flick knife. Occasionally, he'll carry a ceremonial bow as a gesture to his tribesmen when he wants to escort a group of travelers across their lands.
Age 28
Description His mother a Navajo, his father a white settler of Anglo-Irish descent, Ashkii's dark skin and broad cheekbones immediately distinguish him apart from the inhabitants of Jerome. Likewise, his short hair and his European style of dress (a necessity if he was to make a living in the town) alienate him somewhat from his clans-men back in the village of his mother's birth whenever he returns (which is rarely). Otherwise, his countenance is pleasant and even-featured and the black humour that lurks in his dark eyes and his quick tongue often takes those who don't know him by surprise. Out in the country, he favours practical riding gear; tough canvas trousers, cotton shirts and a woven blanket jacket (one of the only items of clothing he wears that is recognisably Navajo) to protect against the dust-bitten wind. Beneath his shirt, there is an odd spidery welt-like scar that snakes down his shoulder and across the right side of his chest, branching out into feathery tendrils like frost growing over a pane of glass. It is the relic of an incident that occured when he was only seven years old and he was struck by lightning whilst fleeing from his home village with his mother.
Fears
Snakes- Considered a taboo animal in Diné (Navajo) culture, this only adds to Ashkii's natural dislike
Dying- He almost did it once before and he doesn't like the idea of trying it on for size a second time
For future of the Navajo- It isn't looking good...
Likes Running water, sandstone formations in the open country, kneeldown bread dipped in mutton dripping, bootleg whiskey and red-heads.
Dislikes Being called redskin or prairie nigger (both common terms for Diné in paleface townships), having to use a horse other than his own, snow, trains and storms (he's never been able to shake the idea of being hit by lightning a second time).
Equipment His horse Sik'is, a saddle bag containing rudimentary supplies, a flint, waterproofs and a small box of medical equipment, a moderate amount of money, a hip flask of whiskey and an extensive repertoire of contacts in the surrounding settlements, Navajo or European.
Skills He knows the surrounding landscape like the back of his hand and, as such, is an exceptional tracker, able to follow well-laid trails even when days have already passed. Due to his background, he is recognizable to most in the local townships and is well-known in certain circles for his quick humour. A wide network of contacts and a fluent grasp of both English and the Navajo tongue, Diné bizaad, means that there is not much- be it supplies, information or safe passage through Diné territory- that is not within his reach. For a price, of course.
Strengths Physically, he is tall and well-built and could hold his own well enough if it came to a bare-knuckle fight. Riding a horse is as natural as running to him and he can spend days on the road without thinking twice. He finds it easy to read people and can be persuasively charming when he wants to be, unafraid of manipulating their desires and needs to turn them into something useful to himself.
Weaknesses Although his skill with a rifle is passable, his aim is distinctly average. He feels at home nowhere, not with the Diné or with the white men, and trust is not something that comes easily to him. His first thought is his own survival and has a deeply engrained mercenary streak. His quick tongue has, on occasion, been known to get him into trouble, particularly in European towns.
Weapons A rifle, a hunting blade and a small flick knife. Occasionally, he'll carry a ceremonial bow as a gesture to his tribesmen when he wants to escort a group of travelers across their lands.