Ikraam al-Biruni
Refugee Sorcerer
Background
Ikraam al-Biruni’s sire Embraced him because of the aging scholar’sknowledge of obscure Kurdish and Turkic dialects. For more than a century, Ikraam served the Assamite sorcerers’ order without great excitement or distinction: He preferred a quiet unlife untroubled by the political rivalries within his clan. He counted his postEmbrace pilgrimage to Mecca as his greatest achievement.
The resurgence of the Methuselah ur-Shulgi, eldest childe of Haqim, forced Ikraam out of comfortable obscurity. Ur-Shulgi demanded that all Assamites renounce young faiths, such as Islam, to follow the most harsh and ardent form of the Path of Blood. Ikraamcould not do it, but he lacked the strength to become a martyr.
When one of ur-Shulgi’s partisans came to demand his submission, the scholar fled to America. His unplanned flight took him to a Sabbat-held city, so perforce he petitioned the Sabbat for protection. He hoped he could join his clanmates in that sect. Ikraam and the Assamite antitibu found little in common.
The younger Angels ofCaine knew little of their clan’s Middle Eastern customs and sorceries. Many of the elders had, ironically, returned to Alamut’s fold. Ikraam found himself in Mexico City as a stranger. More importantly, Ikraam needed a source for the potent kalif-cannabis fed on vitae, smoked by mortals and imbibed with their blood that Assamite sorcerers use in their magic.
Eventually he found Caridad de Flores, the only Cainite in town with the skill to produce the occult drug. Ikraam also found, however, that he had to buy the drug (and mortal vessels) with service to Caridad. Ikraam hopes to arrange an alternative source of kalifwith the help of the CHAM~PS 67 ,exican Mafia.
- real Assamites, rather than the city’s ignorant antitriibu.
ntil he can make the necessary contacts for either goal, raam must endure the unequal partnership. Unfortunately, Mexico City’s Cainites scare Ikraam ith their hectic unlives and casual brutality. Ikraam :fers to other Cainites, which makes many Sabbat Link he’s a wimp. Neither he nor the neonates who illy him appreciate that Ikraam is older and more iwerful than most of Mexico City’s Cainites.
It takes 1 Ikraam’s courage to treat with other Cainites or with ortal criminals. Caridad sends Ikraam on missions to spy on, curse or ea1 from other Cainites, but Ikraam can stay Obfuscated hile he does such things. His honor demands that he pay Caridad for his kalif, no matter how shameful or ightening the task.
Character Description
Ikraam al-Biruni is an elderly man with swariy skin and gray hair, a short gray beard and a neatly immed mustache. He usually looks uncomfortable in his lestem-style gray business suit. In his haven he changes t o a caftan and turban ofwhite linen. This also forms his orking garb for sorcerous rituals.
Roleplaying Hints
As a sorcerer, you can face down igry djinn.. . but Mexico City overwhelms you. You want it. Unfortunately, you also want kalif. If only you could nd someone you can trust! Culture shock and anxiety ler your occult drug supply gut your nerve and obscure )ur formidable intellect. If you can neither run nor fight, and on your dignity and demand a hearing with your tackers’ superiors. Never, ever be rude. If anyone tracks )u to your haven, a cheap hotel room just outside oyoac6n, offer whatever hospitality you can: You won’t -eak the laws of hospitality just because someone breaks ~ w n your door. If anyone calls you an Arab, gently but rmly tell them that you are a Kurd.