Efrang Pueli, uniquely named by his caravan-traveling parents, is a stoic example of life's incredible ability to mold us against our will. His heritage is steeped in the tradition of trade, belonging to a long lineage of merchants whose ancestors outgoingly traversed the sands of Tharida itself, trading spices and stories in equal measure. Now 54 years old and still seduced by the lure of precious metals and perfect gems, Efrang continues to hawk his wares in the bustling marketplaces of the city of Cantaan.
Upon his head, Efrang adorns an extravagant hat. Long ago, it was a gift from a childhood friend, a boy named Toren who was as wild and free as the winds of their shared homeland. As time wore on, Toren's spirit proved more treacherous than the desert wind, steering him towards the life of piracy. Their divergent paths severed their friendship, but Efrang kept the hat as a memento of that innocent time when freedom was a friend, not a foe. Toren gave Efrang more than just the hat, his lawless lifestyle caused an upheaval that marked Efrang's transition into maturity.
A man of splendor, Efrang's deliberate, sonorous voice captivates anyone within earshot, allowing him to sway the most sceptical customers with his enduring charm. His imposing presence carries an aura, palpable to all, especially the ladies of Cantaan. Despite his past heartbreaks, Efrang's love life has remained surprisingly bright. Women seem to find his unyielding sincerity endearing, as if he were a beacon in the dense fog of their own past failures in love. His current affection is for Allendra, a wistful widow whose husband was lost to the sea several years ago. Efrang's love for her is palpable, although he's yet to voice his feelings.
Even for a man like Efrang with a career built on robust negotiations, the marketplace evokes a certain fear. It stems not from the business itself, but from an incident forever imprinted in his mind. One that occurred spontaneously, disrupting the orderliness of his life. A disastrous fire had swept through the market, reducing his stalls to ashes, singeing his beloved beard and leaving him traumatically scarred. He bears the mark to this day - physically and emotionally. He has rebuilt his life, emerging stronger and more determined than before. However, the fear of indiscriminate chaos lingers.
His motto, life, according to Efrang Pueli, is a never-ending negotiation. It is a sentiment engraved in the seal he uses to finalize his deals—a rook, symbolizing unyielding resilience, just like him.
Efrang doesn't have many regrets, but one that haunts him occasionally is his inability to reconcile with his friend, Toren, before he met his untimely end at sea. There is also a secret that Efrang guards dearly - he is partially deaf. It happened during the market fire. He kept it concealed for the fear of being undermined in the competetive world he ventures into every morning.
His favourite song, "The Siren's Lament," is a bittersweet melody that brings smiles and stings to his eyes remembering Toren. He has accepted his flaws and chosen to focus on what he can control - his actions today, shaping his destiny. Efrang is not a man without ailment or self-doubt, but he carries himself with a dignity that negates all but his most positive attributes. He reminds us of our own potential for resilience, even when faced with life's harshest trials.