Shan-Shan Zao
Description
Shan-Shan Zao's immensity is frightening and dark indeed. This Oriental beast stands at 11'3" and weighs about 1,400 pounds. Most of that is layers of muscles that give the illusion of obesity. Zao is built round and square, with massive shoulders and a simian appearance that bely his cunning and astute perceptions. The half-fiend appears to be of hill giant stock mingled with some sort of devil. With the small tusks protruding from his lips and the great leathery pinions extending from his back, one's first guess would be pit fiend. Zao's stout legs are fitted into black leather shoes and the beast's black-skinned body is fitted in a suit of leather studded with iron rivets, custom-designed for his girth and wings. In hand, he carries a huge steel shaft and at the business end of the weapon is attached a massive hammer head. This huge weapon has Infernal words etched into the haft, and looks to weigh dozens if not hundreds of pounds. Zao looks much like a caveman's worst nightmare, with a broad beetled brow, squinting eyes, and a perpetual scowl. His winning quality is his speaking voice. While deep, it is not as grating and monstrous as one might have expected, and is in fact quite forceful and confident. It depicts that Zao's infernal heritage bestowed a better head on those shoulders that one might assume. But if he is an intellectual, the flare of his slanted crimson eyes indicates he prefers to philosophize the meaning of violence and why he enjoys squishing living things.
History
Shan-Shan Zao was the result of a punishment inflicted upon a misbehaving pit fiend in the realm of Yen-Lo, Wutao god of tyranny and justice without mercy. The pit fiend was required to mate with a hill giant that was being held prisoner in Yen-Lo's dungeon. Yen-Lo was pleased with the results, their son, Zao. He was given to a family of fiendish hill giants to raise as their own in the Disharp'o Dunes (which are found in Minauros, third layer of Hell). That was thirty-two years ago. The half-fiend hill giant was taught how to fight by the giants of that arid place and Yen-Lo sent a different pit fiend to oversee Zao's development of his fiendish powers (and to make sure the fiendish giants did not mistreat the half-breed). Regardless, Zao was disturbed by his inner nature. He learned how to tap that fury and unleash it on his enemies, although he kept it in check otherwise. His might was seen on the fields of battle when tanar'ri tried to infiltrate the dunes and persuade the fiendish giants to rise up against their baatezu "slavers". But Zao was willing to serve Yen-Lo's designs. He waited and matured until the day came that he received his first vital mission from that dark god. He was dispatched from Hell and into Wutao. In the Heishang Valley, Shan-Shan Zao was told, he would act as protector and companion to a talented young moon elf princess who could be Yen-Lo's ticket to influencing her cold race at last. Zao wanted to make his "grandfather" proud and leapt into this role eagerly.
Personality
Zao does not abide by the same rigid code of honor that Yen-Lo and his baatezu forebears do. However, he is content to work for Hell, at least until they try to oppress his own needs. Zao is not stupid, but he does tend to live simply. He's interested in learning new things and takes pride in one thing (besides his fighting ability) -- cooking. He loves to cook and discover new and tasty ways to prepare meals. Zao is otherwise a bedrock of strength, fearlessness, and diabolic intent.
Goals
Zao will master the barbarian class (20th level+), then possibly take up the Prestige Class of blackguard.
Character Sheet