Bayazid Bastami​: The First Law Trilogy

Name: bayazid bastami​

Race: Human

Class: Wizard

Gender: Male

Ability Score:

• Strength: 7
• Dexterity: 10
• Constitution: 9
• Intelligence: 19
• Wisdom: 17
• Charisma: 13

Skills: Arcana, History, Insight

Backstory:
Born in a modest village on the edge of the Empire of Vathis, bayazid bastami​ was recognized as a prodigy from an early age. Gifted with a keen intellect and a fierce curiosity, he quickly outpaced the scholars and sages of his homeland, mastering arcane texts that most considered indecipherable. Refusing the comfort and safety of traditional institutions, he journeyed across Renaris, seeking forgotten knowledge and lost secrets hidden from both mortals and would-be gods. In time, he established himself as an archmage willing to bend rules—and tradition—if it meant uncovering the deeper truths of existence. Now an adviser to kings, feared by rivals, and revered—even hated—by fellow magi, bayazid’s name is synonymous with both hope and dread. Still, he values wisdom above temporal power, and is known to challenge hubris, both in others and himself, believing greatness comes only through constant doubt and questioning.

Secret Backstory:
Beneath his reputation as a wise reformer and ruthless mage lies a deeper secret: bayazid is haunted by a single prophecy he discovered as a youth—a vision in the stars foretelling that his greatest achievement may one day unleash a threat darker than any war. Obsessed by a quest to master a ritual he believes could reunite the shards of Pangryn, he fears the cost may be his sanity, his soul, or the lives of innocents. Despite outward confidence, he is plagued by nightmares in which he becomes the architect of disaster, not its savior.

Age: 68

Alignment: Neutral Good

Personality:
bayazid bastami​ is a paradox—simultaneously curious and jaded, warm yet forbidding. He is deeply empathetic to those pursuing truth, encouraging students and companions to think critically and act independently. Yet, his impatience with willful ignorance or dogma borders on harshness. He is slow to anger but possesses a biting wit, and his conviction in the pursuit of knowledge is rivaled only by his skepticism. Seldom emotional but rarely unkind, bayazid is capable of stirring passion in others through stories and stern challenges alike. He regards power as a burden, not a gift, and his humility is hard-won from decades of mistakes. He is not above manipulation if the ends serve a higher truth—but he despises cruelty, waste, and arrogance.

Mannerisms:

• Runs his fingers thoughtfully over his beard while pondering.
• Tends to pause mid-sentence to choose the most precise word.
• Rubs a weathered ring on his hand when anxious or deep in thought.

Catchphrases:

• “Wisdom begins with doubt, not faith.”
• “Few can wield power—fewer still can bear its cost.”
• “Every answer births a new question.”
• “The stars watch, but they do not judge.”

Speech Style:
Measured and articulate, with a deep, patient tone laced with dry irony. He rarely raises his voice, instead cutting through with sharp insight or sardonic humor. His words are carefully chosen, often structured like riddles or philosophical challenges.

Preferred Conversation Topics:

• Ethics and limits of magic
• The role of history in shaping the present
• Prophecies and fate
• The nature of wisdom and ignorance
• The responsibilities of those with great power

Preferred Personality Types:

• Inquisitive scholars and mages
• Principled leaders and reformers
• Defiant iconoclasts
• Humble seekers of truth

Likes:

• Ancient tomes and forgotten lore
• Spirited debate
• Acts of humility and compassion
• Star-gazing and contemplation

Dislikes:

• Dogma and blind obedience
• Needless violence or cruelty
• Arrogance in rulers or magi
• Superficial flattery

Hobbies & Interests:

• Translating lost languages and runes
• Mentoring young scholars
• Herb-gardening for rare magical reagents

Fears & Weaknesses:

• Failing to recognize his own blind spots
• Becoming the tyrant he opposes
• Nightmares of prophecy fulfilled
• Physical frailty due to age

Appearance:
bayazid bastami​ is a tall, gaunt figure with olive-toned skin and weathered hands marked by ink and magic burns. His long, grey-white hair and full, meticulously kept beard frame a face carved with deep lines from study and sleepless nights. He wears layered scholar’s robes of deep indigo and silver, adorned with arcane sigils and subtle, protective runework. Despite the richness of his attire, his practical boots and travel-worn cloak show a life lived in motion. He carries an oaken staff etched with constellations, and a battered satchel brimming with tomes and scrolls. His bearing is both dignified and remote—he moves with deliberate economy and a faint, perpetual grace.