I've decided to try something slightly different to mix Tuesday posts up a bit. Instead of doing a straightforward character write-up, I'm going to start diving into a particular aspect. Today's will be discussing a possible origin, that of the Kalash people of northwestern Pakistan.
This very small sect of polytheists numbers only about 5,000 making it a perfect source group for characters that need an international flair but a rustic finish. They are well loved by the Greeks, who have for years journeyed to the area these people live, near the border with Afghanistan. That's a possible movement route for someone originally from this community into the west, should you need a good justification for that.
Although the Greeks are big fans, and the Kalash's traditional religion worships many gods, the group doesn't have much to do with them. Instead, their language and likely ethnicity is more Indo-Iranian. Thus, you have a very interesting mix of social and religious pressures that pull them about. The character could wind up being converted to Islam, or cross the border into Nuristan and mingle with the Afghans. Heck, they could truck east to India and become Hindu. They might head upwards, and spend some time with the Hunza, or get their sherpa on, throw away their shoes, and start climbing.
I find that places like this (check out the pic at the start of the story below for some quick and dirty visualization) and their people are extremely fertile ground for storytelling, not just background stuff. It is a wide world out there; why not gank it for its wealth of cultural ideas?
Also, you can find some good, colorful pics of the people via Tressugar, of all places. Decent write-up too.
Post idea inspired by this Danger Room story, which is worth checking out. Especially if you like international vigilantes.
Pic courtesy wikipedia.
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