Tabijin the Shaman

Name: Tabijin
Pronunciation: taa-bee-jinn
Title: Scout Tabijin
Nickname(s): Tabi
Age: 55 mortal years
Gender: Male
Height: 7 ft. 1 in.
Weight: 195 lbs.
Skin: Light blue
Hair: White
Eyes: Scarlet
Concept Date: Mid-2006
Birthdate: Winter -27
Birthplace: Stranglethorn Vale
Faction: Horde
Race: Jungle Troll
Class: Shaman
Alignment: Neutral

Guild: The Stonetusk Tribe
Allies: The Shadow of Paragon, Taceo Morntreader
Family: Zabeni (wife-deceased), Reser (daughter)
Weapons: Shield, 1h Mace; 2h Mace
Pet(s): Ayden the Baby Blizzard Bear
Occupation: Skinner, Leatherworker
Hobbies: Trading, Counting, Inventory cataloging

Known Favorites: Tigers, roast chicken, polar bears, coins, leather
Known Dislikes: Dwarves

Character in 3 Words: Businessman, Obsessive, Haggard.

History: Tabijin was once a greatly respected elder and witchdoctor of the Stonetusk Tribe, a prime advisor to the chief. He first showed a talent in harnessing the elements when he had a rogue encounter with a lightning bolt and survived, able to use the charged energy to accidentally spark a fire in a glade. He was taken in as an apprentice by his father who helped him understand the power of Shamanistic ways. When his father died, he was appointed as the tribe's next witchdoctor and was sent to heal the land beyond the tribe's territory in order to make it safely inhabitable. During his mission, he traveled conveniently in ghost wolf form, which caused a young troll hunter to nearly mistake him for an evening meal along the edge of Lake Nezferiti. Upon catching sight of her with her stealthily approaching pet tiger, he shape-shifted back and threw his hands up in alarm, causing her to immediately disengage and call her feline back to her side. This simple meeting, they would later realize, would begin the next chapter of their lives.

In the spring of -24, Tabijin and Zabeni were wed, initiating her as a new member and honorary scout of the tribe. Together, they helped strengthen the bonds of the tribe, providing for every need and advising the chief in every questionable situation. A year before the Second War, Reser was born, the last and youngest of the tribe's next generation. However, the joys in parenting did not last; the Horde soon recruited the trolls as allies, sweeping up the secluded tribe in a fully-fledged war against a new enemy, the Alliance.

Zabeni agreed to be one of the first to leave, to make sure paths to and from the designated destinations were clear to travel on. The night the tribe decided to evacuate their homestead, hours after Zabeni and another hunter left, a group of Alliance ambushed the group. Tabijin sprang into the fray, defending Toombah, Reser, the caretakers and the youths they were attempting to herd and carry away from harm. When the dust settled and the atmosphere quieted, Tabijin and those who had come to his aid, glanced around to only lay their eyes on the lifeless bodies of fallen comrades, tame companions and the enemies. Unable to catch up with Toombah and the others and finding nothing tethering him to the tribe grounds, the middle-aged Shaman decided to move on, earning himself the honorary title of "Scout" among the soldier ranks. Once the Second War ended with a victory for the Alliance, Tabijin returned to the rundown glade he had once called home. By now, the wooden huts had been burnt to charcoal and, everywhere in the sand, deep footsteps told the story of a struggle. He assumed the small band of the tribe, who had left to seek refuge, returned only to be taken captive and dragged away.

Venturing to find Toombah and his daughter, Tabijin tamed a jungle raptor who helped carry him north where he ran into Toombah on the road, fully clad in thick armor. There, the two friends exchanged news; the tribe grounds had been razed and Zabeni had been captured by a band of Dwarves while attempting to push forward to Quel'Thalas. It was enough to assume none of the caretakers survived, and neither did the younglings in their care. When questioned about Reser, Toombah simply shrugged his shoulders, not sure of her whereabouts after leaving her in the care of a nomadic troll tribe evacuating the Hinterlands. Infuriated, Tabijin stormed away, determined to find her. Several years without success in tracking her down has left him crippled and without hope. The construction of Orgrimmar allowed him to find a new home in the Horde capital and has not wandered very far from it for several days at a time since then.

The lightly-armored emerald raptor that can usually be found sleeping near the tavern of Orgrimmar is "Terra," a rickety companion who has swiftly carried him across the vast terrain for the better part of 20 years. He strikes as a 'neutral' character, able to allow himself to act naturally upon instinct. Since his tribe has fallen and his beloved wife and daughter has gone missing, his top priority is in shielding himself from everything and nearly everyone.

Personality: Tabijin was once a carefree individual, able to channel his energy into the elements to wash away, burn or heal worries or listless thoughts. In these current stretches of days, weeks, months and seasons, though, he is plagued with worry and a prolonged grief that was never healed over time. On good days, he often lets out a chuckle while entertaining Ayden or shares a random joke with those he encounters at the Auction House; however, these days become rarer and rarer as time goes on. Most of the time, he lives day-to-day, forlorn and reserved with barely a smile between his tusks. If one had the time to sit down and talk to him, years of experiencing war and remembering past memories become apparent through his small quirks of fidgeting with his hands and occasional trembling or shaking. He also has a habit of mumbling idly to no one in particular, as well as claiming to be conversing with the wind, hoping of news of his daughter.

As a ghost wolf, he often gets a kick out of feeling like he's "not really there," enjoying the sensation of being seemingly, physically free. In this state it is usual for him to nearly lose all awareness of things and people around him; he is skittish and easily startled of anyone who approaches.

Appearance: Ragged and slouched over, Tabijin looks worn with age. His once vivid green hair has faded into frosty whites and grays and seems to be thinning at his hairline. His tusks have several shallow cuts at the tips of them and a browning/yellow coloration is strongly apparent from base to tip. When venturing outside of Orgrimmar, his thin figure is covered with a scuffed leather chest piece hides the numerous battle scars on his torso. A glowing one-hand weapon usually hangs from his belt as a large, dented shield on his back makes him appear nearly turtle-like. Patched leather armor pieces protect his legs, hands, shoulders, and calves; variously sized holes and fraying have formed at his knees and thighs.

One the other hand, while spending time trying to keep his mind from wandering, Tabijin can be found walking to and from the auction house in a white shirt, red vest, black pants and boots. A slight squint keeps a dusty monocle over his right eye, which helps with his nearsightedness. He carries only his backpack with a skinning knife tucked into his belt.

A small Blizzard bear cub follows in his shadow, obedient and very wary of all who stare at his aged owner. A thick rope is tied around his neck, serving as a makeshift collar. When waiting for auctions to sell, Tabijin can sometimes be found playing fetch with the little cub or obsessively bathing him to keep the Durotar sand from staining his pure white fur; only then is it possible, now a days, to see the elderly troll smile or chuckle playfully. It also isn't unusual to see Tabijin carrying his pet under an arm while going about his daily business.

Quirks:

• Tabijin's pet Blizzard Bear Cub was given to him by a wandering traveler who had been to Northrend.
  
• Has been said to have an obsessive compulsive disorder.

Soundtrack:
01 | Frou Frou – Let Go
02 | Snow Patrol – If There's a Rocket Tie Me to It
03 | John Williams – The Chairman's Waltz
04 | Dido – Here With Me
05 | Faith Hill – Let Me Let Go
06 | Nelly Furtado – All Good Things Come to an End
07 | Rascal Flatts – Moving On
08 | Rascal Flatts – The Day You Kissed Me
09 | John Mayer - Dreaming with a Broken Heart
10 | John Mayer - Gravity


NOTE: Please, if you spot an error in the lore, comment with a correction! Tabijin's story was one of my first invitations to plunge into Warcraft history and may contain false facts.