The city of Qatar-Shan, a jewel of the sandsea. With its towering spires and intricate city streets filled with merchants and people from across the continent Qatar-Shan was known as the trade center of the desertands. It was here that Ashaad returned after dealing with the Natar and his men. But the towering spires and merchant stalls were not his reasons for returning here. The Sand Stalker had business in the less outsider friendly part of the city. The Surkat District of the city was where the lower class residents lived, to most outsiders this was the area of Qatar-Shan you'd avoid for fear of being attacked. Ashaad however was in no danger of this and simply strolled through the poverty stricken streets with its broken up sandstone road. 


Arriving at a local tavern, one he visited frequently, Ashaad sat at the counter where the barkeep stood in respect and fear of the man who had just entered his establishment. [b]"The same as usual?"[/b], the man asked Ashaad but received no worded response only a nod which was good enough. One would think in this situation that Ashaad would lower his mask to take his drink but that was not the case. When the barkeep returned Ashaad took the mug and carried it away to the rooms upstairs. He had set up and agreement with the owner of the tavern, Ashaad only visited his tavern and he'd be given a room to take whenever he pleased. The deal was meant to gain the tavern's renown as the resting place of "The Sand Stalker" as well as deter any belligerent individuals from doing harm to the business. 

Once he was within the private room, Ashaad removed his shemagh and slowly drank from the mug. The scar on his face still stung even after all these years. Each time he drank from his mug he was reminded of that day. Every agonizing moment, the horrid sounds and gruesome sights he witnessed again and again in his mind. After what seemed like an eternity Ashaad finally finished his drink. He headed back downstairs for a meal but found a group of city guards waiting for him at the bar counter. Ashaad approached with his hand on the hilt of his shamshir in case there would be a fight soon. One of the guards noticed this and held out a hand as he spoke, [b]"That will not be necessary Sand Stalker. I am Guard Captain Samir Bakaan and I am here to deliver a message. The three kingdoms have declared a ceasefire in hopes to combat an enemy which threatens all the realms. A coalition force has been established and you have been called to service the Earth Kingdom in this quest. You will be paid handsomely once your task has been fulfilled. If you accept you shall travel to the assemblage whose location is provided on this map, hand him the ma-"[/b]. The guard captain stopped himself and internally berated himself for reading his directions from the script he was provided.

The guard captain stood there waiting for Ashaad's reply. The entire tavern was silent in anticipation of of hearing The Sand Stalker. Ashaad approached the guards who all but the guard captain unsheathed their swords in preperation for a possible attack. Ashaad stopped his approach and spoke, [color=fff200][b]"I will do this. But not for coin"[/b][/color] the entire tavern was in an uproar as the patrons cheered and began to sing songs in praise of the Sand Stalker. One of the tavern's customers shouted, [b]"All hail the Sand Stalker! The Champion of Qatar-Shan!"[/b] which was immediately followed by a cheer from the others. While the guards looked around with smiles of relief Ashaad simply walked up and took the map from their captain. He had no time for merry making. He had taken up a quest and this would now be his life's purpose until it was completed.

It took days for Ashaad to leave the Sandsea but after a particularly long journey he arrived at the neutral territory which served as the base of operations for the coalition force. There he tied the reins of his horse to a post and entered where the orientation had just begun. Upon its conclusion Ashaad left with no interest in meeting the others. He had heard many famous names, but none mattered as names were give to individuals who the people knew little about save their exploits. Ashaad was more interested in who they were which was something he'd learn once their work had begun. The next morning when his party was summoned he recieved a medallion and was assigned a target. This creature which roamed The Great Forest would prove to be a formidable opponent, one he would have to study before attacking. Despite this Ashaad had an idea forming in his head already as to how to deal with the beast. 

As he stood by his new comrades Ashaad gave them all thorough look overs. One wielded a large blunted blade which Ashaad found curious, [color=fff200][i]"Perhaps he means to use it as a warhammer?"[/i][/color] he thought before speaking to them for the first time. [color=fff200][b]"To go into battle without knowledge of your enemy gives them an advantage"[/b][/color], nothing more was said from the Sand Stalker. Nothing more had to be said, if his allies were truely the great warriors they claimed to be then they should know what he means by these words.