Obadiah Clay is a tall, gruff outrider, hardened by years of surviving The Sands of Serrakhan. His rugged complexion, sun-beaten skin, and unshaven face reflect the countless days spent tracking prey, outlaws, and worse across the shifting sands. Ever prepared for the heat of the desert, he wears a large-brimmed hat to block out the relentless sun, its shadow casting a constant veil over his piercing, watchful eyes. Across his back rests his trusted Riftlock Rifle, a Serrakhan-forged flintlock enhanced with rift energy—a deadly fusion of old-world craftsmanship and new-world ingenuity.
His attire consists of weathered leathers, dust-covered riding boots, and a long duster coat, its tattered edges telling the tale of the roads he’s walked. Despite his rough exterior and gruff demeanor, there’s a sharp wit behind his words, and those who have earned his trust know him as a man of honor, loyalty, and quiet wisdom.
Life as a Rancher & Mercenary
Once a successful Taun rancher in the northern dune sea of Serrakhan, Obadiah lived a quiet, stable life. However, the monotony of tending livestock wasn’t enough to satisfy him, and he eventually sought greater purpose and adventure. Trading in the plow for a rifle, he joined the Emris Adventuring Guild, eager to hone his sharpshooting skills and venture into the uncharted wilds of the Sands of Serrakhan—lands he had inhabited all his life yet barely understood.
During his tenure with The Sunsations, Obadiah proved himself a deadeye marksman, aiding in the defeat of the Snake Cult, a dangerous cabal threatening to overthrow the Serrakhan Sultanate and resurrect The Great Serpent. His actions during this time cemented his legacy as a trusted ally of the Sultan, earning him a place of respect among both warriors and merchants alike.
Obadiah’s Latch & Cache
After years of adventure, Obadiah returned to his roots, setting up shop in Shariz, one of the great cities of the Sultanate. There, he opened Obadiahs' Latch and Cache, a merchant enterprise dedicated to reselling treasures, relics, and weapons looted from the desert’s many bandit groups, including the infamous Jackals. Recognizing the value of both firepower and reliability, he employed Rowan, a seasoned hired gun, to help run operations and keep their trade secure.
Through his business, Obadiah became a crucial figure in the of Serrakhan, a broker between treasure hunters, warlords, and even nobles seeking rare artifacts or finely crafted weapons.
A Gunslinger’s Diplomacy
As the Serrakhan Sultanate deepened its alliance with the Y’azi Empire, Obadiah was sent as a trade envoy to the Palace of the Celestial Dragon to teach the art of Rift Rifles—a new fusion of firearm technology and rift energy developed within the Sultanate. His expertise in long-range combat, combined with his practical knowledge of gunpowder weaponry, made him a key instructor in training Y’azi warriors in this new form of warfare.
Though he respects the strict traditions of the Y’azi samurai, he remains a Serrakhan gunslinger through and through, bringing his own dry wit and practicality to a world of honor-bound warriors. His presence in the empire marks a new era of warfare, bridging the gap between blade and bullet, tradition and innovation.
Despite his diplomatic role, Obadiah Clay remains, at heart, a wanderer of the dunes, a marksman with a cause, and a man who knows that sometimes, the best way to settle things is with a steady hand and a well-placed shot.