Hmm. I'm reading through this, and it's very interesting. I feel like he fits more with the Al-Badia than the Al-Hadhar, but at the same time, he has spend much time in cities, as he is perfectly comfortable everywhere. So, I'm thinking that one parent was Al-Hadhar, and the other was Al-Badia.
So, I'm thinking his father is the Grand Caliph's brother. He grew up in Huzuz, and was introduced to all the luxuries that entailed. He was apprenticed (if they do that sort of thing here) to a Machanician, and in his childlike wonder he became obsessed with learning how to work the little machanicals.
Later, he was sent away to his mother's people, a nomadic Al-Badia tribe in the High Desert that prized itself on its fine horses, for an unknown reason (well, unknown to him). He grew to be a man here, learning their ways and customs. He came to appreciate them, and the freedom they had. At puberty, he discovered he was a Genasi. He was told by his mother's father that Marid blood flowed through his bloodline, though few Genais were actually born. This heritage gave him an advantage in the desert, as he could create water from nothing. He was a great boon to his tribe. So much so that when he came of age, he was gifted with his grandfather's sword, a jeweled Shamshir called Alqatil. It was a fantastic blade with a number of gems set in the hilt, which was in laid with gold. It was said to be the bane of all Genies, and had protected the tribe more than once. It became one of his most prized possessions.
He never stopped tinkering, though. Most of the money he earned at this time was spent on supplies.
He also became known for his impersonations, and his pranks, in the nomadic tribe. When he got older, in his early twenties, he decided to leave the desert and go back to the city. His grandfather gave him one more gift, an Aba which would protect him from any hot or cold weather, allowing him to be comfortable no matter the temperature.
He was welcomed in Huzuz readily enough, but he couldn't help but laugh at the people frolicking back and forth, flaunting their wealth. What was wealth but a means to an end?
So he started pulling pranks, using his unique gifts at impersonations to go places in the city that few of his status would normally. He was welcomed everywhere, as no one ever recognized him, and learned a great many things. And yes, he'd occasionally steal something here and there. He got very good at that. But the people he stole from would either deserve it, could afford it, or he'd leave something of equal value behind. To him, all material wealth belongs to the gods, so why not share? He is usually quick to give to others (possibly because very little he owns is actually his) and he rarely has more wealth on his person than he needs. Then again, he rarely has less than he needs, either.
Sure, he may have gotten over his head a few times, like that time when he killed the merchant's daughter's fiancé, but that was purely self defense. Or when he was caught stealing a rich man's priceless artifact. I mean the man had three of them.
But every time, he managed to appeal to his uncle. His charm and wit made his uncle, the Grand Caliph, laugh, and everyone knew he was his Uncle's Favorite Nephew, a status he greatly exploited.
Eventually, he grew bored with Huzuz, and decided it was time to leave, to the great relief of the city's wealthy. His decision had absolutely nothing to do with a young woman named Alayia. The rumors about how he fell madly in love with her, and that they had planned to marry, were completely untrue. He was, after all, a scoundrel, and she was a respectable daughter of an ambassador from another city. It was a real shame to hear about her and her family, being taken in the desert. Supposedly the Brotherhood of the True Flame were involved, but nobody could give any more information than that.
Either way, he left, and spent the next number of years going...well, everywhere. He survived attacks by raiders and assassins, one one of which he found a hat that allowed him to change his appearance to whatever he liked. He couldn't help but grin when he thought of the implications of that, and woe to the merchants of the world when he started using it.
He stumbled across the ruins of an ancient city, where he found a single, solitary ring, and upon putting it on, discovered it was magical, imbued with the power to shield his mind from intrusion. It also helped him lie better.
All in all, life was good. Until his Uncle called for him.
