[NOBLES] Hamid Saleh Haroun Al-Tahan's Backstory

This the backstory Bryn submitted for Hamid. Any content which could give away plot points has been removed. 

Hamid is the fourth child in a large family. His parents own and run a very successful bank, based in Cairo and members of his family occupy positions of power, influence and wealth all over Europe and North Africa. Saleh, the oldest son was a world class athlete when younger and is now happily married, working in client relations for the family business. His eldest sister Aziza is also married, and travels the world as an opera singer of some renown. His closest sibling, Saira, went into diplomacy and is an emissary for the the meritocrat Apophis.

Hamid was always doted on by his parents. From a young age he was precocious and was accustomed to being treated as special. His parents sought the best education that money could buy. It was felt that for an understanding of mathematics and economics the English education system would be best, and he was sent to Westminster Boarding School in England in his early teens.

Hamid was able to overcome the stigma of being both a halfling and a foreigner and became very popular. He didn't perform hugely well academically, but he got by, and though there were rumours of him getting into trouble, nothing concrete ever seemed to be produced and he ended up earning a place at the University of Cambridge to study mathematics.

He didn't progress well in his studies and, like many students, began to waste a little more time than was appropriate socialising rather than working. Rumours of poor behaviour spread further. But near the end of his first year Hamid met, and fell in love with, a girl.

They spent the summer travelling Europe together. When they returned to Cambridge in the autumn Hamid switched subjects, wanting to study the same topics that so delighted and intrigued his partner. He tried hard to apply himself to his new subject, and he made a little progress, but he found he simply couldn't learn what the other students were learning. Frustration led to acting out and what had previously been merely rumours became something more substantial as Hamid found himself in trouble with the university authorities more than once.

Things changes suddenly a few months ago. Hamid suddenly found himself casting spells. What once had seemed impossible, now seemed instinctive and he was angry at his professors for misleading him about what was needed. Convinced that his classes were pointless he stopped going. Only a few weeks later things went badly wrong, and there was a very serious incident. No one seems to know exactly what happened, but Hamid and another student were sent down, and left Cambridge in disgrace. Leaving everyone behind.

His family hasn’t disowned him, but they are angry and disappointed. They have given him a final sum of money, but have stated they will not support him further and have instructed him to make something of himself, expecting him to set up some form of merchant business in London.

Hamid is determined not to let anyone down again. He wants to show everyone that he can accomplish great deeds, that he can do some good. And hopefully find a way to make up for the mistakes he has made.