Rashid al-Qasim
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 Rashid al-Qasim shooting at Sealion War AS 46 | ||||||||||||
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 Pean, three serpents nowed Or |
SCA History
Lord (Sayyid) Rashid al-Qasim, Yeoman of Seagirt, joined the SCA for Sealion War XL/2005 when one of his friends called him up a week before the event and said "dude, you won't believe this thing I found out about..."
Years later, Rashid has only grown in infamy.
A fondness for target shooting, heraldry, dance, and generally getting hit in the head with things had cemented his decision to become a Yeoman of Seagirt early on. Attempting first in AS 42/2007, he met with less than success. Not to be disheartened he studied even more fervently, trained in combat and was even offered command of the Company of Red Dawn for Sealion War XLIII/2008 to better prepare him for the trials.
He was accepted into the sergentry by Baroness Elina Karsdottir as the first Yeoman of the Barony of Seagirt in July AS 43/2008. He was later seen walking on air for about a month.
At Daffodil Tournament in Seagirt, AS46/2011 in Seagirt, he became a student to Mistress Æringunnr Yrsudóttir, and received education and encouragement and instruction from her in persona development as well as the tricks to make documenting projects easy and bearable. At Daffodil Tournament a year later he became her second apprentice, exchanging oaths of fealty and accepting a green linen belt with her badge embroidered on it.
That same Daffodil he put forth his intent to become a Baron's Scholar of Seagirt, seeking to test and expand his knowledge of the medieval middle east and share what he learns with others.
Known Accomplices
Rashid is fortunate to count as a friend Alfgeir Gunnarsson. It should be noted it is entirely Aelfgar's fault Rashid ever found the SCA. Another known associate is Johanna van der Velde, who should be plied with beer at every opportunity. Ysane la Gaillarde should be credited for keeping Rashid alive when he should have otherwise perished from exposure.
Whereabouts
Currently Living in the Barony of Seagirt
Awards
- Award of Arms (Tir Righ) - Sealion War, June 14 AS 43/2008 - Savaric and Safiye
- Order of the Rocke (Seagirt) - July 25 AS 43/2008
- Yeoman of Seagirt Jul 27 AS 43/2008
- Narwhal (Seagirt) - Dec 11 AS 45/2010
- Seagull (Seagirt) - Aug 20, AS 46/2011
Coat of Arms
Upon the advice of Maister Iago (and much to the lament of everyone around him), Rashid has registered as his arms Pean, three serpents nowed Or (Snakes on a Pean).
Persona History
Rashid grew up in 12th century Egypt during the waning days of the Fatimid Caliphate. A Shi'a Muslim and third son of a former soldier turned silver merchant, he suspected his own efforts at commerce would not work out. This feeling was reinforced after Frankish raiders continued to harass caravans, and the nation itself submitted itself to the growing power of Salah al-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub. When he was 15, Rashid bought a bow, suit of maille and a sword after selling off all of his possessions (and a few of his father's). He then enrolled in the army, using some of his father's contacts, and trained in the art of Furusiyya (the Muslim equivilent of knightly martial exercise). After his studies, he was given over to serve in the grand army of Sultan Salah al-Din.
Rashid's immediate commander was Muzaffar al-Din Gökböri, the Blue Wolf of the Turks. Even though he found the Turkish ways unhygienic at best and barbaric at worst, Rashid proved an apt soldier and came to appreciate the Turkish no-nonsense attitude while serving as a messenger and courier. Although he was not a Mamluk per-say, he was indentured to the Sultan and shared a soldier's lot. Riding in several skirmishes, he earned title, equipment, horses, command of a sariya (squadron of horsemen), and a reputation for marksmanship. He even twice met the Sultan himself, although would not be surprised if the Sultan did not remember him.
Rashid was wounded at the Battle of Hattin, which marked the final destruction of the Franj army. Taking a spear wound to the leg, the doctors said he would not be able to fight on horseback again. Too much of mounted combat relied on the cavalier's legs, and the wound in his thigh sapped his strength for steering a horse while his hands were occupied with bow and spear. When Rashid was recovered, Gökböri released him from his service, gave him a new horse, money, a small iqta' (land-grant, similar to a fief) and sent him on his way with good will.
Rashid has since worked as a mercenary, guarding caravans and noble persons. He heard of the recapture of Jerusalem by the Sultan but is glad to have missed out on it. Holy causes are for others, Rashid enjoys the freedom of being his own man again.
Infamy
Known to some as 'the mad coconut-bomber of Seagirt', Rashid gave one of his testing sergeants a coconut as a gift after his first trials. The coconut had been used as a bocce ball as well as for juggling earlier over the course of the weekend, which might explain its somewhat unnatural behavior later. Driving home from the event, Lord Allan Robbins heard a loud popping sound and pulled onto the side of the road. Looking back to find shards of coconut and spots of milk all over the back seat of his van, Lord Allan was said to have remarked "Cool!" before cleaning up the mess and driving home. Scholars are still not sure how Rashid was able to cause such a violent explosion in a normally docile fruit, but foul play is not suspected.
At Sealion War 2008, Rashid al-Qasim, Krzysztof Sirtaski, Aline Blakwode, and Don Pierce O'Briain presented the victorious Lions Gate rapier army with a "Seven Severed Head Salute", whereby they fired plastic mannequin heads from a nearby trebuchet as a testament to Seagirtian humour and Lion's Gates appreciation for flying noggins.
Rashid has also been know to spin wildly accurate tales of his uncle Aziz. It is wise to ask him about his uncle when the camp fire is warm, the company is good, and he has had a few Frankish beers in his belly.