Description
Slouching under heavy shulders, Bohvik would reach nearly four feet with a
traight back. His forehead is chieled and creased, his formerly black
eyebrows now mostly white. A massive mane of white and gray is tied off and
forced back into a single, heavy wooden cog. Beady, bright blue eyes peek
merrily out from under his fierce brow - his tanned skin creased with the
wrinkles of a thousand smiles. An unruly white beard (forever strewn with
pine needles) straggles past his belly from his chin, grown well beyond its
shearing in his youth. Following it to its tip, you spy an ancient belt of
leather pouches, each embroidered with a red "X".
Role
Bohvik Thrawnoak, son of Golin
Added Mon Sep 5 13:31:13 2011 at level 1:
Bohvik was born and raised deep in the dwarven forests, on the borders of the
Frigid Wasteland. His father Golin was in political exile from Akan, his
mother died in childbirth. His formative years were spent hunting, tracking,
and tending to a meager garden with his father.
Golin was not a religious man, but he was skilled in first aid. His inability
to save his wife impacted him deeply, and Bohvik was ever aware of his grief.
Determined to be useful and to help others, Bohvik took an early interest in
herbalism, growing the plants he needed behind their cottage. But as the
winters grew colder, the bandits came more frequently, trekking over the
mountains in search of supplies. Bohvik's skills were often practiced in
defense of the homestead.
Golin had no reading material - he was practically illiterate - but before
leaving Akan he secured a small, hand-written copy of the Maran Kal. Seeking
that he could teach his son to read. It was perhaps Golin's one act of
religious conviction in his lifetime, and he would die without knowing the
impact it would have on his son.
Carried Aloft
Added Mon Sep 5 13:33:34 2011 at level 1:
Late in his 45th winter, the cottage was taken by surprise by a raiding bandit
party. the bandits slew golin, budgeoned Bohvik senseless, cut his beard and
threw him into the snow.
The dwarf awoke to the wind in his face, his body suspended in the air, his
shoulders aching from strain, and his brain beating on the inside of his
skull. He had been carried aloft by a gigantic eagle, the forests of his
childhood floating far below them.
"Peace, Bohvik," resounded the voice of a woman in his mind, in that natural
way all Therans understood. "I am the Lifebringer."
Unlikely Advice
Added Mon Sep 5 13:40:35 2011 at level 1:
As Bohvik struggled to heed the Lifebringer's advice, his thoughts raced to
the Maran Kal, his only source of religious inspiration, attempting to place
his experiences in it. And then a very strange line struck him.
'It is sad that Lightwalkers are forced to become such warlike beings...'
And as he mulled it over three or four more times, unable to go on,
the Lifebringer's voice came again.
"Yes, Bohvik, it is very sad. Which is why you must bring them lie. The
text of the maran Kal are filled with destruction - their destructive
thoughts run through your mind even now. But you are not in your heart one
who destroys. And neither was your father, Golin Thrawnoak.
"Please, Bohvik, cursing my talons will see you dropped. I am rather fond of them. Just listen."
To Ease Your Spirit
Added Mon Sep 5 13:48:01 2011 at level 1:
To Ease Your Spirit
"I am the Lifebringer, Bohvik, and I am taking you someplace where you can
walk a different path, the one you swore secretly to uphold for your father,
and your mother, and for all the things that suffer.
"The conflict in your heart when you recall the words of the Maran Kal is
testimony to the truth, Bohvik - you are right to trust your heart. It is
pure - you are a lightwalker, you are that which is Good in the world. Your
heart will steer you true, you need only know how to listen. Yours is telling
you to heal, to forget revenge and carry forth. Remember your little garden?
The rabbits you refused to kill? You are a lifebringer as well."
"I will leave you in Hamsah Mu'Tazz. When you arrive there, seek out the
guild of healing and learn all that you can. Seek to put your grief behind
you - remember how you loved him. Ease your mind and learn. When you are
ready, seek out the wombat to ease your spirit.
"Yes, a 'bloo'y' wombat. Sleep, Bohvik.
The Araile Desert
Added Sun Sep 11 23:00:08 2011 at level 17:
Bohvik awoke this time to a pale, full Theran moon and a sky full of stars.
The earth beneath him was strange - warm, dry, and shifting. As he hauled
himself upright, he began to fruitlessly survey his surroundings. He seemed
to be in a valley between several enormous sand dunes, with not a thing nor a
track in sight.
The Lifebringer must have dropped him here deliberately or accidentally
and the thought enraged him. With no other target for his ire, he charged
directly at the dune in front of him, running and sliding up the side. By the
time he reached the top, his frustration had turned to conviction.
He realized that, cruel as it may be, there must be method to the
Lifebringers madness. After all, her words had rung with the clarity of an
anvil stroke. The tone of trut, he said to himself, in reflection.
So, as he slid down the other side of the dune, his heart was already turning
to joy. The Great Wombat Search had begun, by decree of the Lifebringer, and
if he believed that he certainly believed there was bitter, pale ale to be
had by morning.
Bitter Pale Ale
Added Sun Sep 11 23:04:05 2011 at level 17:
As Bohvik entered the city of Hamsah MuTazz, he found himself marveling at
the complexity of civilization. He had always known there were cities but
they were far and away from the little cottage in the dwarven forests.
Stalls, merchants, camels, beggars, guardsmen, travelers, miscreants,
philanthropes and misanthropes alike blended in the rich sun of the MuTazz.
As Bohvik braved into the thick of the busy market, he found he could see
less and less of the citys architecture, and more and more the many colors
of fabric and armors worn by the people, every detail glinting or glowing in
the rich desert sun. His enjoyment of the spectacle was only overshadowed by
a vague sense of annoyance and paranoia of the obstruction of his situational
awarenes. There was simply too much - he wondered if he might feel the knife
that slipped in his back, if it happened.
So he made his way through the streets towards the smell of salt, and forty
five minutes later he was at the bar of the Drunken Efreeti Inn, drinking to
faith and life.
Samuel and the Drunken Efreeti
Added Sun Sep 11 23:10:39 2011 at level 17:
It was at the Drunken Efreeti that he was found by Samuel, an ancient priest
of some long irrelevant cult.
Samuel, noting Bohviks pure heart and rollicking good spirits, took a quick
liking to the dwarf. Several rounds of ale went by as the Samuel indulged
Bohviks eager, ham-fisted questioning. Samuel recognized Bohviks account of
the Lifebringer from a text in the Celestial Lyceum, and recounted the tale
for him, to Bohviks delight.
On the question of the wombat, Samuel less sure. However, he assured the
dwarf, it is clear that the best course of action would be to join the
Healers Guild and begin adventuring the path to the wombat and to the
lifebringers would become clear through faith.
Samuels reasoning lay in a memorized passage Faith is the bird that feels
the light when the dawn is still dark. A living faith will fly in the midst
of the blackest storm.
Perfectly sane advice - utterly lost on drunken ears.
Guild Lackey Life
Added Sun Sep 11 23:13:42 2011 at level 17:
What Bohvik did recall from his conversation with Samuel was his advice on
guild membership. So when he awoke to no sign of a wombat at his feet (or
carrying him aloft), he sorted his possessions and walked straight to the
Temple.
Enrollment in the guild was somewhat tedious and annoying to Bohvik, a dwarf
unused to any form of bureaucracy and unhappy with script he could hardly
read.
After several days of basic theological training and what were called
ethics sermons, Bohvik was handed a mace, provided some basic provisions
and told to follow his faith. The guild would be there to support him
throughout his quest. Hollow, empty words compared to the thrill of the
future - Bohvik's nose and feet itched to enter green forests again.
Bohvik the Wanderer
Added Tue Sep 13 22:00:16 2011 at level 19:
Several years passed before Bohvik saw any sign of the wombat or the
Lifebringer again. But as his every day prayers (learned diligently from the
Guild) continued to be answered, he continued to roam, taking it as a sign
that the road, though long, was still being traveled.
So he followed it - through deserts, swamps, oceans, foreign towns, tall
mountains, and vast wild forests. He had ceased to believe he could actually
find the wombat - instead he wandered simply to look, and to do good where he
could.
Traveling by day, at night he would struggle to read books he'd found by the
firelight - his travels always left him feeling ignorant and in awe of all
new things. Although many of the words were foreign to him - he was quietly
voracious for all knowledge.
Bohvik, Journeyman Minister
Added Tue Sep 13 22:02:29 2011 at level 19:
In his travels Bohvik was surprised occasionally that someone would recognize
him for what he was - a man of faith. He was greeted with respect, his words
were treated with wisdom despite his colorful use of language, and many had
powerful names for him: "Priest, minister, reverend, healer". They needn't
know that he could only refer to his God as the wombat, and that he could not
find his God in the texts at the guilds. These seemed to be nothing more than
details to most - one needed only to know his profession to know his worth.
Bohvik didn't feel like a great priest of any sort, however. He was simply a
faith walking, humble and uncomfortable when shown too much respect. He had
no church - his God's temple appeared to be the whole of the known world.
Even his approach to battle was perhaps unpriestly - he called himself a
"front-line jammy", throwing caution to the wind in favor of luck and
panache.
The Wombat Arriveth
Added Tue Sep 13 22:02:56 2011 at level 19:
On a sunny morning early in the spring of his sixty-somethingth year (Bohvik
had long stopped counting the winters since his father's death), Bohvik
turned the corner in a vineyard to discover a wombat.
He wouldn't have known it for what it was, except that its eyes were so
intelligent, and it seemed so curious of him, and happy to be in his company.
Bohvik was unsurprised by this sudden, quiet event - after a decade of his
new life as an adventurer he had seen stranger things, and this was one he
expected to see eventually. He was, however, surprised at the ease at which
he was received. Though he had never met this creature before, and didn't
know her, he felt entirely at ease in her presence. Her questions were
simple, natural, and he needed only to listen to his heart to answer them.
After an afternoon drinking and reflecting on his journey with his new
friend, the goddess wombat, Bohvik walked forth with renewed faith, in his
heart refreshed and validated. The thought to ask the wombat's name didn't
cross his mind until later - he dismissed it, considering it a very small
detail in the grand scheme of things.
Bohvik, Scribe of the Fortress
Added Thu Sep 22 21:26:19 2011 at level 22:
Bohvik's next encounter with the wombat started much the same way the last
one did. He was seeking shelter from a cold winter's night in the Inn when
his goddess waddled into view, shaking snow off of her fur. After a short
conversation, he found himself with her, standing in the snow inside the
great stone walls of the Fortress of the Light.
His heart swelled with pride as he looked about at the bustling fort, his new
companions vigilant and readying themselves for some new threat. Their voices
rang quietly in his mind, and he greeted them jovially. It was clear to him
that this was no special occasion - the Fortress was constantly under
assault.
As the wombat wandered away (seemingly very unhappy in the walls) and he was
left with an elf of the Maran, he became quickly aware that battle was the
first priority of the stronghold's inhabitants. Very little was said of the
Light - but his guide was sure to note the many places within which their
enemies could hide, should the Fortress be invaded.
All of his companions, however, noted to him the importance of the books, and
he looked upon them with smoldering anticipation.
Great Stone Walls
Added Thu Sep 22 21:30:24 2011 at level 22:
He spent the next several days lending his prayers to the Maran, praying for
his companions' safety, praying for ailments and grievous injuries. When he
slept, he dreamt of the the Fortress's tall stone walls, and the meaning of
these dreams was obvious to him.
The Wombat's gentle warnings rang in his mind: the constant strain of
battling the darkness formed stony walls around his companion's hearts. It
seemed to Bohvik that while the walls of the Fortress kept the darkness out,
they also kept the Light in. The heroes he healed talked little of
themselves, and always of battle, and as Bohvik listened he knew he was in
danger of forming those same walls.
Bohvik the Lifebringer
Added Tue Sep 27 02:04:43 2011 at level 28:
As the problem of the Fortress's metaphysical walls rolled around in Bohvik's
psyche, his thoughts fell to his path. It had never failed him before - so
the answer must lay in it, somewhere.
It was a simple answer for a very big problem - Bohvik had to be a
Lifebringer. That wa, of course, his path, given to him by the Lifebrigner
herself so long ago. And this strange, meandering trail had brought him to
the Fortress. It seemed strange to him at first that his task was to bring
Life to the bastion of the Light in Thera, but as another Imperial raiding
party struck the gates, waking Bohvik from his daydream, the strangeness
evaporated.
The Fortre was a place of Death - and no amount of prayer would erase that
from the minds of the men and women Bohvik now called friends. But if he
could show his friends how to ease their spirits as he had learned, wandering
the wild places, perhaps together they would mend those wounds. It certainly
seemed to be his path.
The Spring Thaw
Added Tue Sep 27 02:10:14 2011 at level 28:
Spring was just around the corner, its sweet aroma sweeping up the Redhorn
gate into Bohvik's perch on the Battlements. He thought longlingly back to
the foothills and forests on the southern continent, and at the handsome swell
the winter melts would bring. He thought also of the small green things that
should be growing in his father's garden - the herbs they planted together
should have spread far and wide on the forest floor by now.
Spring also reminded Bohvik of ale. Golin's exile from Akan had not forbidden
him from purchasing a barrel Akan's spring brews, widely considered the
best stout in all of Thera. Akan's breweries stored their barrels in cold
cellars high in the mountains all winter, the necessary grains purchased from
Voralian City in the fall harvest. If he could find some common ground with
his companions, he was sure they would find it in a porter.
Summer of the Scribe
Added Mon Oct 24 11:17:46 2011 at level 51:
As the passes had fully melted and the roads dried, the halls of the Fortress
swelled with new pledges, applicants, scribes and squires. Outwardly Bohviks
cabalmates were happy and proud, breathing in the new air. Hot new blood had
sprung into the literal and spiritual fray. In the latter arena, within the
Fortresss walls, Eachainn stood unyielding in his convictions. Short,
assertive, confident in his faith and in his position, and controversial in
his mandates, Eachainn was on the tip of everyones tongue. In truth, the
Fortress loved its Captain, but tensions related to the long-term costs of
one of the Captains favorite policies were quickly becoming clear.
Bohviks personal convictions stood to promote Peace and Life and sometimes
he barely managed to contain his anger towards Eachainn. He was quite happy
to escape with Amalare and Bhaeyrn to the Veil of Shadow, the World of Dreams
battling the darkness on a different plane.
But others whispered of dreams as well his friends Ozrek, Garwern, and
Auggie hinted at dark prophecies. To Bohvik it was as if a summer storm was
rolling ominously across the horizon an imminent trial they would overcome
together, just as faith would guide them through their trials with the Spire.
So when Bohvik saw such a storm in the distance one day, floating high above
thirsty fields and flickering with lightning he smiled, knowing how much
the plains needed the rain.
With a keen eye he took note of the storms effects upon the grasses their
strong roots intertwined, their stalks bending, but not breaking in the wind.
A storm like this one would have spelled disaster for the great proud trees
of his homeland and possible for their cottage as well. Together, the
grasses were strong and hardy, growing in commune and spreading far.
In the Abence, Evidence
Added Mon Oct 24 11:42:07 2011 at level 51:
Fall meant activity hording of foods and fats for winter. The summer storm
had turned into a cold autumn one, and Bohvik did all he could to provide for
the flock readying themselves for war. Evil would soon react to the
Fortresss sudden rise in power, and cruel omens were on the horizon.
But Bohvik continued to greet each day with enthusiasm he was fulfilled and
sustained by his faith and he was ever able to care for others.
Reaching the pinnacle of his guild hovered in the background of his mind it
was the only remaining task the Lifebringer had assigned him. While the
technicalities of priesthood and combat interested him and he was ever more
confident with his skills he longed for the day his attentions would not be
divided so much. His love for his friends in the Fortress and for the wilds
he owed his deepest allegiances to sometimes divided him as well.
But even when his body was at war Bohviks heart and mind were always in
the trees. How could there be a greater good than life? Bohvik knew he was
surrounded in it and many times in his prayers felt like little more than a
conduit directing life itself to those in need. He worried little for his
own survival anymore, trusting in his heart as he always did.
He had to calm them, ease them, inspire them, soothe them, bolster them, and
bring them greater understanding and love for the greater purpose they all
served - the purpose of Life.
This seemed to be no small task but the answers were simple and the road
was long, he had only to walk it.
Bohvik the Acolyte
Added Mon Oct 24 11:50:57 2011 at level 51:
Through the coming years Bohvik was at his most confident. Having fulfilled
the Lifebringers final request of him to achieve renown in his guild -
Bohvik began to feel ever at ease with his role as a Lifebringer. He felt a
oneness with the other Lifebringers of the Fortress and with the Wombat
(Chief Lifebringer in Bohviks most private thoughts). The Fortresss cold
stone walls no longer burdened him although he was ever wary of the enemys
advance.
It was an enemy that no longer seemed to come in the form of men and swords
it was spiritual and it could rise anywhere, from shadows even within his
brothers own hearts. So Bohvik walked and spoke and fought with them,
attempting to carry the candle into every crevice.
When the Wombat visited him the next time, and he saw that he had, while not
looking, become an Acolyte, his musings were confirmed.
Peering into the Abyss
Added Mon Oct 24 11:53:32 2011 at level 51:
Still, as blood scattered onto the melting snow of the Fortresss courtyard,
as Bohviks companions and Battleragers alike fought for their goddess and
their survival, Bohvik noted the end of winter was just around the corner.
The fight was existential the life of the Goddess Iunna, mentor and friend
to so many there was on the line. Thus when Thror Hammersong stepped into
the fray, every Dwarf in attendance (including Bohvik) cheered heartily.
It was a Victory or the Light, for the Goddess Iunna and her followers, for
the Village (who gained a family member), for Garwern (who was the unspoken
leader of the crusade), and also for Bohvik the Lifebringer who fought
for the melting snow.
PK Wins
Sep 21, 2011|Lv 22|Northern Foothills|Hja vs 2: Bohvik (18%), Solira (81%, blast)
Oct 10, 2011|Lv 42|Akan|Demina vs 2: Orthas (23%), Bohvik (76%, divine power)
Oct 10, 2011|Lv 42|Fortress of Light|Demina vs 2: Bohvik (9%), Orthas (90%, heavenly wrath)
Oct 10, 2011|Lv 45|The Redhorn Mountains|Demina vs 2: Bohvik (18%), Orthas (81%, strike of purity)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 45|The Redhorn Mountains|Demina vs 2: Bohvik (27%), Orthas (72%, surge of water)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 47|Fortress of Light|Azrael vs 2: Bohvik (20%), Orthas (79%, surge of water)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 47|Northern Foothills|Kahlio vs 3: Bohvik (24%), Orthas (62%, crush), Bhaeyrn (13%)
Oct 11, 2011|Lv 47|Fortress of Light|Demina vs 3: Bohvik (35%), Anerus (52%), Ilianthia (12%, electrical discharge)
Oct 26, 2011|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Gralog vs 3: Vallinane (14%), Anerus (76%, heavenly wrath), Bohvik (9%)
Nov 4, 2011 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Reekai vs 2: Garwern (89%, divine power), Bohvik (10%)
Nov 6, 2011 |Lv 51|Copeham Inn|Gralog vs 4: Vallinane (20%), Bohvik (5%), Lethmitel (19%), Okcrahn (55%, disembowelment) *Disemboweled*
Nov 7, 2011 |Lv 51|The White Lair|Gdot vs 3: Odrallag (41%, crush), Bohvik (1%), Garwern (56%)
Nov 7, 2011 |Lv 51|The White Lair|Solec vs 2: Bohvik (0%), Garwern (100%, divine power)
Nov 8, 2011 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Ganicus vs 3: Bohvik (0%), Rohaid (0%), Hapne (100%, chop)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Ganicus vs 8: Okcrahn (28%, disembowelment), Eachainn (42%), Tontik (0%), Bohvik (0%), Odrallag (23%), Teriseta (0%), Vallinane (0%), Akedeh (5%) *Disemboweled*
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Akedeh vs 5: Okcrahn (0%), Vallinane (0%), Teriseta (71%), Eachainn (28%, divine power), Bohvik (0%)
Nov 9, 2011 |Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Odrallag vs 6: Eachainn (5%), Bohvik (2%), Teriseta (32%, searing cut), Okcrahn (22%), Rohaid (32%), Vallinane (4%)