Argdu Khabici

**Khabici** is an Argdu (overseer) and a member of Clan Hekkta of the Centaur Khanate.

## Description

### Appearance

Argdu Khabici is a large and muscular male centaur. His appearance is intimidating and strong, though could also be considered attractive. He has thick brown hair and tanned skin. His right shoulder bears a dark blue tattoo. He has deep set brown eyes, and thick eyelashes.

Khabici does not wear much in the way of clothing, as it seldom reaches cold enough temperatures to warrant him needing more coverage. He does, however, ornament himself in other ways. His thick hair and beard are often decorated with metal beads. Necklaces and bangles are also fairly commonplace. For special occasions, he can also be seen donning intricately woven saddle blankets.

Khabici also ornaments himself with makeup. He often wears kohl around his eyes which serves a practical purpose of him not being easily blinded by light.

### Personality

Argdu Khabici is a proud man who values his own respect and personal glory over just about anything else. He is known for his posturing and preening, which is something that gets on the nerves of many of his kin. He can be quick to anger, and is prone to blame others for his problems. He does show genuine care towards the people of his village, but he has also been known to overlook them and their achievement in order to make himself look more powerful.

## Biography

Argdu Khabici is a centaur of Clan Hekkta, and the Argdu of his village. He has a loyal following of Alabatu (peasantry), and a loyal advisor in the Wildfire Druid Alaqa.

### ‘The Ashstone

A strange, ash colored stone appeared behind his family’s hut, causing a fire. Thanks to the quick thinking and heroism of Olzira, the shard was moved into the nearby watering hole. Argdu Khabici, along with Alaqa, praised the half-elf for her courage.

At first, things seemed to be improving, as the stone caused the waters to warm like a hot spring, and rare exotic plants began to grow. With the advice of Alaqa, the Argdu declared that the hot spring be renamed the Benziah Oasis, and that pilgrims be encouraged to soak in and drink its waters.

‘Unfortunately, the waters were far from healing. They sapped the strength of those who came to soak, and heated enough to cause lasting burns. Eventually, the water became so hot that it boiled, and within days there was nothing left but the stone and a dry basin.

When news of this reached the rest of the clan, Argdu Khabici was shunned by his clan-mates. He was told he was not welcomed at the Clansmeet until such time as he restored the waters. Khabici, enraged by this, took his frustrations out on the alabatu. He also decreed that Alaqa would not be welcomed back into the village until she fixed the problem, and began to facilitate rumors that the whole situation was actually Alaqa’s doing. Perhaps she sabotaged the waters out of jealousy.

‘A little over two months after the appearance of the Ashstone, a group of adventurers passed through the village. As one of them claimed to be a Druid, Khabici believed they could be the solution to his problems. He told them where to find the stone, and sent them on their way.

Late that night, the adventurers returned. Though one of them, the Druid, was looking quite battered and burned, the group reported that they had been successful in removing the shard. They try to petition for Alaqa to be allowed back into the village, as Berry claims that without Alaqa there holding off the fires, she never would have been able to get into the dried up water hole to begin with. Khabici refused. “She has relied on outsiders to do the task appointed to her. She has earned no new honor.” Berry tried to argue with him, but is silenced by both the Argdu and her party members.

Khabici invited the adventurers into his tent, which is well decorated, clearly showing his many achievements. While he was thanking them, however, one of the adventurers, the half elf rogue Manawyd tried to swipe a bit of the Argdu’s silverware. In his haste, the rogue pulled the entire drawer, causing a huge scene. The Argdu caught him red handed.

"I knew outsiders could not be trusted." With a snap of his fingers, the Argdu had nets cast over the party. "You will be my newest prize at the Clansmeet. Proof I've not lost my conquerer's spirit, and can stop even a duplicitous foe!"

Khabici had the party stripped of their weapons and possessions and loaded onto caged caravans, where come morning they were to be taken to his Clansmeet not as honored guests, but as his gift to the elders. When they arrived the next evening, Khabici entered proud and arrogant, not paying any mind to the fact that he was interrupting a *Gahuudlyn Duu* (Song of Grief/Mourning).

"Hektaa, My kin! Your son Khabici has come to you triumphant! I have purged the accursed Ashstone from the Benziah Oasis, and personally captured these invaders!"

The clan elder, however, was unimpressed. He spat at Khabici, "As usual, Khabici, you can think only of yourself. You have some gall interrupting the Gahuudlyn Duu with your petty victories, beaming that you cleaned up after yourself like a foal just learning not to shit in his bedding." The elder rose from his palate and stamped the ground in thunderous fury. "Now imagine my disappointment, Khabici, when I had learned that you had planned to lie to your Elder's faces!"

The druid, Alaqa, had overheard what had happened to the adventurers, and had raced ahead to inform the elders of Khabici's wrongdoings. Khabici tried to argue with the elder that as Alaqa and the outsiders had acted under his name, the honor should be his. On this, the elder actually agreed. He had cleansed the oasis, and therefore re-earned his place at the fire.

Khabici responded to this with more preening, but was interrupted with a *Hold Person* spell.

"But, Khabici. You have a habit of letting others do your work and stealing the credit. I will show the Steppe how useless you are without your alabatu to do your bidding."

Four centaurs, each armed with large clubs, stood at the four corners of Khabici. With a nod from the elder, they swung their clubs into Khabici's legs, shattering them. Argdu Khabici's alabatu were ordered to carry him to a pallet and cushions. His legs would heal in time, though his pride would be forever wounded.

## Relationships

### Clan Hekkta

##### Olzira

Olzira is one of the oldest members of the village. Although he will not outwardly admit it, he has a large amount of tenderness and respect regarding her.

##### Alaqa

Alaqa is the Argdu's druid and closest advisor. The two of them had a falling out in which he blamed her for the presence of the Fire Shard, leading to her exile. Recently, however, he has been forced to allow her back into the village, and has reluctantly agreed to take her advice once again.

### Outlanders

##### Manawyd

Out of all of the adventurers Khabici met and dealt with whilst getting rid of the Ashstone, Manawyd is the one whom he will likely hold a grudge against for the longest. Manawyd tried to steal from him, and made a point of taunting him whilst he was injured at the Haalaka Clansmeet.