Alaqa

**Alaqa** is a centaur Wildfire Druid and a member of Clan Hekkta of the Centaur Khanate. She was briefly exiled from her village and given the task to remove the Ashstone, a task which was finally completed with the help of some adventurers.

## Description

### Appearance

Alaqa is a strong bodied female centaur. The humanoid portion of her body has tanned, freckled skin. Her hair is of medium length, reaching a bit past her shoulders. Her hair, along with her eyebrows and tail, are a somewhat dull ginger color. One of her eyebrows is split by a small scar. Her equine fur is a slightly darker coppery ginger, and her hooves are dark brown. Her eyes are greenish hazel.

Most of the time, Alaqa's attire consists of red scarves. One, which she covers her head with, is magically charmed to filter smoke and debris. Because of this, when she is working, it is usually pulled up over her mouth and nose. She uses a second scarf as a wrap shirt. Although female centaurs are not necessarily expected to cover their chests the way that other humanoids may be, most find it more comfortable to bind their breasts somewhat if they are intending to gallop.

### Personality

Alaqa is a stubborn and loyal woman. She will work tirelessly to finish a job, even at the cost of her own mental and physical wellbeing. She is not always friendly to newcomers, though once someone has earned her friendship and respect, she is very faithful to them. She has a strong sense of duty, especially towards the people and places that she cares about.

## Biography

Alaqa served as the Druid and advisor to Argdu Khabici. She was an honored member of the village, and is well known to the rest of Clan Hekkta as well.

### ‘The Ashstone

‘After Olzira bravely threw the shard into the watering hole, the land seemed to flourish. Alaqa claimed this was a sign that the water hole was blessed. She renamed it the Benziah Oasis, and began encouraging pilgrims and travelers throughout the Amber Steppe to soak in the waters.

However, the shard’s effects were far from healing. It seemed to seep the strength of those who soaked or drank the water. The water of the oasis eventually began to boil, until all the water was gone, leaving nothing but a dry basin.

When this caused Argdu Khabici to be shunned by his clan-mates, he took his frustration out on others, decreeing that Alaqa was no longer welcome in the village until she found a solution. His anger led to rumors flying that Alaqa had brought the Ashstone in the first place, or that she had somehow sabotaged the oasis as petty revenge for honors being placed on Khabici instead of herself.

Alaqa, along with her wildfire spirit companion Flit, did their best to contain the bushfires around the watering hole. Alaqa ran herself to the point of exhaustion in attempts to contain the fires.

A party of outsiders arrived to the village and were sent to try and solve the problem. Although Alaqa was frustrated, as she knew that she was supposed to fix this on her own, she accepted their help. Berry, the party’s tiefling Druid, stripped down and made her way into the dried up watering hole, her skin burning as she neared the shard. Berry managed to get the shard into a container before passing out. Alaqa is stunned by this display of bravery, and insists that Manawyd, another member of the party, ride on her back to the bluffs, where he plans to bury the shard until such time as he and the others can retrieve it.

Alaqa tries to return to the village, but she is once again turned away by Khabici. “She has relied on outsiders to do the task appointed to her. She has earned no new honor.” Though the party tries to argue this, Alaqa tells them not to bother.

Alaqa lingered on the outskirts of the village long enough to see Khabici throwing the party into a caged carriage. She pieces together what the Argdu was planning, and begins to speed towards the Haalaka Clansmeet. During the journey, Alaqa sent Flit to find the captured adventurers and deliver a message using the *Animal Messenger* Spell.

”I saw your heroism, outlanders. Don’t make a play, let me do the talking at the clansmeet. Trust me.”

Alaqa arrives to the clansmeet ahead of Khabici’s procession, and is able to fill the Elder’s in on what was happening, as well as warn them of Khabici’s lies. When Khabici arrived, boasting and proclaiming his glory, the Elder’s scorned him.

"It is as I warned, Elder. The honor belongs with Khabici's 'tribute'. They endured suffering and hardship to remove the Ashstone, with no prompting, no demand of reward."

The Argdu was publicly humiliated and his legs broken, and Alaqa was thanked for her service. She spent the evening enjoying the clansmeet and teaching her new allies about the Khanate. When Berry requested that her rats be given tokens for their bravery, Alaqa skillfully constructed collars for them out of beetle wings and thread.

Alaqa, Berry, and Dordlo worked together to refill the oasis with *Conjure Water* spells. Then, she and the party had to part ways. Berry asked her to join them, but she insisted that the Clan and her village needed her.

## Relationships

### Clan Hekkta

##### Argdu Khabici

Alaqa and the Argdu have had a somewhat rocky relationship. He has not always taken her advice on things, and is quick to use her as a scapegoat. However, after the disaster of the fire shard, it seems that he has learned his lesson. Despite past issues, Alaqa feels a strong sense of loyalty towards him, if for no other reason than she knows he is the key to her remaining in her home.

##### Flit

Flit is Alaqa's fire spirit familiar. He usually takes the form of a small hummingbird. She will send him on missions to deliver messages, as he is able to pop out of fires faster than she can run.

### Others

##### Berry

Alaqa gained a respect for the tiefling girl after seeing her willingness to bravely, albeit stupidly, charge into a situation in order to help others. While she has not shown signs of returning Berry's crush, she does have a certain fondness for the girl.