Character 7 - Dwarf Fighter

Backstory

You grew up in the Lonely Delve - one of the great Delves of the Dwarves and located on a peninsula of land south of the Feywood. You, like your parents (and their parents, and their parents' parents, and so on) enterd into the military service as soon as you were old enough. This offered you the opportunity to learn the skills of using axe, hammer, and shield in battle against the enemies of the Delve. Your heritage offers you additional stability during the violence of combat, but your training has included some interesting acrobatic moves. Your preferred weapon is definitely the Battle Axe.

There were indeed enemies of the Delve to fight -- tribes of orcs to the east and hobgoblins to the west -- all jealous of the riches of the Delve. Over the years, these groups would grow in strength until they dared to assault either the small Seafarer port town southeast of the Delve, or even the Delve itself. And each time, the Dwarves would prevail, driving the enemy back and breaking its will to fight.

This may have been the military culture in which you were trained, but unfortunately (for you), it was not your personal experience to bask in the glory of combat. In the most recent uprising of the Hobgoblins, you did indeed serve in the army - in the quartermasters corps. You did your job well, though, and even rose to the rank of sergeant. But you never saw battle - something about which you are greatly embarrased.

After the war, you decided that the only way you were going to get the chance to experience the glory of combat was to go seek it on your own. And so you retired from the dwarven military service and set out as an adventurer. Taking the weapons and armor you were entitled to upon mustering out, you headed north then followed the two thousand year old remains of the ancient dwarven trade road that, you were told, once led to the Ironhills Delve. Upon reaching Karnstown, though, the road ended, so you decided to follow the much newer trade road northeast. This is what brought you to the Bugbear's Head Inn.

Pertinent Information

Race

Dwarf

Heritage

Stone

Background

Martial Disciple

Class

Fighter

Trained Skills

Acrobatics, Athletics, Medicine, Socienty, Survival, Warfare Lore

Armor

Chain Mail, Steel Shield

Melee Attacks

Fist, Battle Axe, Clan Dagger

Ranged Attacks

None

Physical Description

Dwarves are short and stocky, standing about a foot shorter than most humans. They have wide, compact bodies and burly frames. Dwarves of all genders pride themselves on the length of their hair and beards, which they often braid into intricate patterns, some of which represent specific clans. A long beard is a sign of honor among the dwarves, and thus a clean-shaven dwarf is considered weak, untrustworthy, or worse. All dwarves retain one characteristic of their undermountain origins: the ability to see even in total darkness.

Dwarves typically reach physical adulthood around the age of 25, though their traditionalist culture places more value on completing coming of age ceremonies unique to each clan than reaching a certain age. A typical dwarf can live to around 350 years old.

Other Characteristics

As a Dwarf...

You will strive to uphold your personal honor, no matter the situation. In your case, you may even make up a tale of battle or two; you will never let on that your military service involved handling paperwork about feeding pack mules. You won't waver or back down once you’ve set your mind to something. You will appreciate quality craftsmanship in all forms. Others will see you as stubborn (some will consider this an asset, others a detriment). They will assume you are an expert in all things related to stonework, mining, precious metals, and gems. They will be aware of the deep connections you have with family, heritage, and friends.

As a Stone Dwarf...

Your ancestors have never felt at home unless they were beneath the great, ancient stones of the tall mountains of Cartyrion. Yours in particular were among those who traveled beyond the Waking Delve in order to found and develop what is now called the Lonely Delve. Your heritage takes its strength from the hardness and durability of the mountains themselves - you are as difficult to move as a boulder when you decide to plant your feet.

As a Martial Disciple...

You dedicated yourself to intense training and rigorous study to become a great warrior. In your case, this meant joining the military organization of the Lonely Delve, and undergoing the rigorous training in weapons and tactics that every dwarven soldier of the Delve underwent. You learned to take orders at first, and later you learned how to give orders. (Even a quartermaster sergeant in charge of pack animal feed has soldiers serving underneath them that need guidance!)

As a Fighter...

During combat encounters, you have learned to strike with unmatched accuracy and use specialized combat techniques. As a melee fighter, you stand between allies and enemies, attacking foes who try to get past. During social encounters, you can be an intimidating presence. This can be useful when negotiating with enemies, but is sometimes a liability in more genteel interactions. While exploring, you keep up your defenses in preparation for combat, and keep an eye out for hidden threats. You also overcome physical challenges in your way, breaking down doors, lifting obstacles, climbing adeptly, and leaping across pits. In between adventures, you might perform manual labor or craft and repair armaments. If you know techniques you no longer favor, you might train yourself in new ones. Once you’ve established your reputation, you might build an organization or a stronghold of your own.

You are likely to know the purpose and quality of every weapon and piece of armor you own. You recognize that the danger of an adventurer’s life must be balanced out with great revelry or ambitious works. You will have little patience for puzzles or problems that require detailed logic or study. Others probably find you intimidating until they get to know you - and maybe even after they get to know you. They presume you are all brawn and no brains. They will respect your expertise in the art of warfare and value your opinion on the quality of armaments.

Cartyrion - An Overview

Laurels & Loot