Description
A charming red nosed dwarf with ruddy cheeks covered with soot and dust
stands hunched before you, his shoulders and back posture perfectly
symmetrical from carrying heavy bags. His skin is the color of weathered
granite, cracked with crevices belying a dry condition that seems to plague
him. His fiery beard, once a proud cascade of braids, is now wild and
tangled adorned with small bone charms, chipped stones, and fragments of
crystal-tokens of the tunnels he once explored. A wisened and calm face,
complete with folds of chalked mud, smiles softly, crinkling his moonstone
pale eyes. There's a timelessness haunting his gaze, like he's seen too much
and not enough of the world from beneath its crust. Wild, graying mane falls
down his shoulders in a disheveled tangle, streaked with silver from his
long exposure away from the sun.
A weathered leather tunic, patched and reinforced by layers of heavy cloth,
covers his broad chest. Shards of multi-color gems purified with blood
adorns his outfit, a testament to the war underneath that he participated in.
Tucked into his belt are various tools - a small miner's chisel, a satchel of
widgets, and a rough, leather bound journal. Over his shoulder hangs a cloak
of deep moss green made from the pelt of cave-dwelling creatures and embedded
with raw gemstones that catch the light like fallen stars.
Looking closer, you see this darkened dwarf wear the following:
Role
Answering the call to arms
Added Fri Nov 15 11:13:36 2024 at level 25:
The keen and long clarion call emerged from the horn. The centuries old battle
at Mortorn had taken a turn for the worst and the denizens of the Underdark,
who had summoned monstrosities, had taken an upper hand. King Kirgni of Mortorn
had been requested to usher aid to prevent Mortorn from being overrun. But over
time, those of Akan who remained had grown weak and timid as those with the
spark of courage had left to carve their own fate.
King Kirgni silently brooded as he observed only a handful of his dwarven
warriors and villagers accept the call. They were untrained village folks and he
feared that they would come back in strollers, or worse yet, not come back at
all. But he had to accept the request, for blood was stronger than kingdom, and
if Mortorn were to be overrun Akan would be next.
Amongst those who accepted with Nhragard Stonefarer. He seemed to be an oddity to have
accepted the call. A homebody at heart, his love for Akan was evident, especially
at the bar where his antics had a joyful clumsiness to it after imbibing too much
ale. Those close to him, however, knew that that his love for Akan was precisely
the reason to join the call. Belying his antics were the value of family and
friendship, and a strong sense of courage to protect his kin. These intentions
were only amplified by stories told by bards of others born of Akan who left the
village to carve their own fate, stories that he loved as he also came from a
role + long line of dwarven adventurers who carved their path. This was his
opportunity to prove himself and embrace the adventurer deep within his bloodline.
King Kirgni sighed with desperation as he sent the "boys" to war in Mortorn.
Perhaps he should do more to train battled hardened warriors.
War is a dwarf's backyard
Added Fri Nov 15 11:14:36 2024 at level 25:
Huffing and puffing in the throes of war, Nhragard Stonefarer stabbed and sliced
the duergar trying to bludgeon him to death. He constantly prayed that this was
enough, that the duergar would fall and he would be able to rush to aid of his
next dwarven kin. In the five years he had joined the Mortorn guards, his
once round body had become hardened, his carefree nature had become replaced with
a stoic understanding of blood, broken blood, and guts, and his idyllic days of
drinking had become a routine ever-present drill of alertness. He had initially
been conscripted as a porter, earning the nickname "potbelly" due to his overly
round complexion, but the courage that he had shown in front of the wildest
adversities in supplying and saving his dwarven kin had quickly garnered respect.
With only his wit, wile, and courage, he had centrally integrated in all aspects
of war, from scouting enemy lines, strategically reinforcing broken defenses,
leading from both the vanguard and the backline, and most impactful, as a war
medic weaving within the most chaotic and bloody battlefields bringing aid. With
his new role came unprecedented danger, and understanding and training martial
tactics was one of many vital skillset that he had to tone.
Like many others around him, the realities of war haunted him. He had seen too
much blood and dwarven bodies, cries of anguish from his battle-hardened kin as
all matters of disease and dark magic corrupted flesh and minds, and demons
scythed through the ranks. But he persevered, knowing that saving even one of his
kin, whether through slaying a duergar or bringing first aid.
And, like many other around him, especially those that are deemed to be central to
war, the cunningness of darkness trapped him and he was captured.
Can't break down a true dwarf's heart
Added Fri Nov 15 11:15:34 2024 at level 25:
The drow torturers in Mortorn were masters at their craft, and Nhragard had
witnessed the results of some of their experiments the few times he delved deep
within to save his kin. Now he was the subject of their experiment, and the insanity
of war quickly showed under their masterful fingers. Reality and illusions often
interrupted each other through mind altering herbs and magic, furthered by flays
from whips entwined with the fiery claws of demons and the poisons of mindflayers
that constantly cause his muscles to spasm with pain. In between these sessions,
he was locked away with other dwarven "dredges", and their plight only escalated
the inner turmoil within. While his mind shattered, a cloaked figured would often
heal his body so that the constant barrage of pain would be a pleasure that broke
his mind.
The torturers wanted information regarding the defense barricades, and they were
having significant difficulties at the stubbornness shown by Nhragard. Even
elevating the amount of hallucinogens, increasing the pain thresholds where the
sturdiest of dwarven berserkers broke wasn't successful. The fear and pain that
they sought They feared that any more would break the dwarf's mind, and they didn't
understand the reason.
Little did they know that they had nearly succeeded, and every time Nhragard as
about to speak a ghostly black and white jaguar placed its paws over his mouth and
growled for his silence. He had thought that these were illusions, that each flay
of the whip was the claw of the jaguar ripping into his flesh. But unlike the other
hallucinations, he sensed deep within a kindred soul with the jaguar and had
partitioned and trusted his soul to this spirit, knowing that his true self was
safe only to be unlocked once more. As he delved into insanity, he also strangely
felt a pull of a similar soul with the cloaked figure that would heal his body
endlessly.
And thus the drow torturers finally gave up - only a drooling insane babbling
dwarf remained from the once noble dwarf. He was cast down deep within the tunnels
of the Underdark to live the rest of his pitiful life mining.
A mining dwarf is at home
Added Fri Nov 15 11:16:08 2024 at level 25:
While Nhragard's mind was in shamble, his second nature honed from being in the
vanguard of Mortorn was a part of his daily movements, reflective in the slight
nuances of his actions. Within the Underdark mines, he had quickly positioned
himself not only as an expert miner but also as a caregiver to other slaves,
constantly bringing water, food, and aid to the desperate and faithless.
He realized that cloaked figure that healed him before was no illusion. The figure
often visited him and the other slaves, healing them and reinvigorating them with
stamina so that they can continue their mindless task. Each time he sawed the
figure, his mind throbbed and the yearning in his heart and soul seemed to reach
out, only to grab air. But when he slept, he dreamed not of the figure but of the
jaguar, bidding him patience, courage, and to support his brethrens like he had
been doing all his life.
Whispers amongst the slaves were that the figure was a servant of darkness, only
to bring life to destroy their hope. They said that it was a wicked being, with
eyes that shined like a feral creature and tangles of hair that whips around like
a venomous snake. They shied away from approaching the figure except when they were
forced to. A lonely existence inddeed if this was all true, which to Nhragard,
seemed contrary to what he believed.
Upon one of his excursions into the tunnels mining for a precious gem, he approached
the figure. It was a brash act to grab the figure's hood and unveil the truth, but
his heart tugged that this was necessary to escape his prison. And when he saw the
figures golden eyes that shined not like a feral creature but with a warmth
unspoken of, when he saw the figure's tangled hair that glowed with celestial
radiance, the part of his unbroken courage and faith emerged from deep within and
he knew what he must do.
A dwarf's hammer needs a handle
Added Fri Nov 15 11:16:34 2024 at level 25:
"You've come, friend. I've been waiting for you."
Her name was Azoria, an azuretouched priest of Baerinika. Similar to Nhragard, she
had volunteered to undertake this dreadful task to protect Mortorn, only to be
captured by the torturers of Mortorn. Instead of seeking to drain her powers or
shatter her mind, those underneath decided to enslave her services, believing that
false hope would be the quickest method to enslave the souls. She was tasked to save
as many dwarves as possible so that they can live a long and fruitless life as a
laborer, for even a priest finds it hard to heal a broken mind and heart. During the
many years she saved lives trapped in the human body, she had grown weary, almost
suicidal wishing to return back to the Azure Field, for the horrors she had seen had
weighed heavily on her celestial mind. However, her faith in Baerinika and the fate
that she had seen had given her conviction to survive and wait.
Azoria was the one true friend that Nhragard made in his time. While his mind and
heart had returned, he was still in a precarious position, and the only other who
would be able to end the enslavement was Azoria. The enslavement camp was too large
and the enslaved too entrenched in despair to rally their spirits. For many moons
they schemed together to escape and stealthily bring the vanguard of Mortorn down
into the depth. During these times, Azoria spoke to Nhragard as a confidante,
discussing life, faith, and the jaguar's claws.
A dwarf always remembers
Added Fri Nov 15 11:23:02 2024 at level 25:
At last it was time to escape. On the 10th year of Nhragard's enslavement, underneath
the guise of a duergar warrior's outfit that he stole, Nhragard broken through the
hidden tunnel that he had carved. He had planned an escape route after noting the
comings and goings of the sentries, Azoria's information regarding the schedule of
the torturers, and whispers that he heard about the war above. Azoria as next to him,
as if she had awaited his presence just to escape.
Escape plans are fruit of surprises and undesirable consequences. After a day of
evading sentries and other dark creatures of the Underdark and other creatures, they
finally broke through near the dwarven mountains of Mortorn. The breath of fresh air
filled their lungs, only for Azoria to gasp loudly and in pain. Hidden in the bushes
was a duergar spy notching a second poisonous arrow, the first having pierced
Azoria's heart. Crying out in anguish, Nhragard flung his miner's pick at the duergar,
nearly splitting him in two with the force of the impact.
****
"My time as come Nhragard. But do not fear, as I am returning home. I have waited for
you for so long, and I will always watch over you. This is but the beginning of your
journey, Stonefarer."
Azoria coughed blood as her golden eyes began to dim. Clutched near her bosom was an
ancient text detailing her plight amongst the mortal realm.
"A favor, my friend. Return this text to the Lady Baerinika to remember my deeds. And
have faith. I know I will."
Breathing one last time, she closed her eyes forever. An illustrious glow of gold rose
from her body as her celestial hair dimmed to a brown color. A small part of the gold,
however, seemed to linger and touch Nhragard's warm fingers.
The village of Akan awoke this night for the cries of Nhragard was louder than the
sound of the clarion. King Krigni awoke to the familiar cries of a Stonefarer and
grumbled back to bed. "Another Stonefarer on an adventure. They always cry. Pansies."
A true dwarf keeps his promise - Character Summary
Added Fri Nov 15 11:24:03 2024 at level 25:
Nhragard knew that whatever rescue efforts would be in vain. Those slaves in the mines
were broken dwarves, uncaring of their surrounding, only to return to whatever mental
delusions the torturers created. He needed more - a faith, resilience, and courage
from an entourage to travel deep within.
- He will approach Lady Baerinika and bring the text of Azoria's journey back to her.
There, he will seek Baerinika's blessing as a fledgling priest of Baerinika.
- He will travel the lands approaching other dwarves to plead his plight, the first
being the Third Brigade.
- He will pledge before the Fortress of Light in hopes to be a squire.
- With the blood of the Stonefarer's within, he will seek to travel far and wide with
a keen sense of adventure and wanderlust, even eventually braving Tiamat
- Towards the end of his life, the hope is to be able to enter Mortorn and rid of all
the darkness there, then go to the Underdark and free the slaves. Or alternatively to
return to his duties within the vanguard of Mortorn and push the darkness in Mortorn
away.
PK Wins
Nov 20, 2024|Lv 27|The Imperial Lands|Ryldryn vs 1: [27] Nhragard (100%, slash)
Nov 20, 2024|Lv 27|The Village of Azuremain|Hythel vs 1: [27] Nhragard (100%, fatigue)
Nov 20, 2024|Lv 27|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Ryldryn vs 2: [28] Biddleton (43%), [27] Nhragard (56%, burst of energy)
Nov 20, 2024|Lv 27|Bramblefield Road|Hythel vs 1: [27] Nhragard (100%, fatigue)
Nov 21, 2024|Lv 29|The Eastern Road|Rohnkaefussa vs 1: [29] Nhragard (100%, wrath)
Nov 21, 2024|Lv 31|The Fields of Balator|Trielafay vs 1: [31] Nhragard (0%, hit)
Nov 25, 2024|Lv 38|The Eastern Road|Jashazi vs 1: [38] Nhragard (100%, freezing cut)
Nov 26, 2024|Lv 40|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Jashazi vs 1: [40] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Nov 27, 2024|Lv 40|Upper Cragstone|Jashazi vs 1: [40] Nhragard (100%, freezing cut)
Dec 4, 2024 |Lv 40|The Grove|Hovag vs 1: [40] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Dec 7, 2024 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, freezing cut)
Dec 9, 2024 |Lv 51|The Seaport of Hamsah Mu'tazz|Kalahnabanga vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, slice)
Dec 9, 2024 |Lv 51|Maethien|Porg vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Dec 9, 2024 |Lv 51|Desert of Araile|Nelfykh vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, slice)
Dec 10, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Nelfykh vs 2: [51] Ashmierre (20%), [51] Nhragard (79%, piercing electricity)
Dec 10, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Nakoqixth vs 2: [51] Nhragard (77%), [51] Ashmierre (22%, icy needle)
Dec 10, 2024|Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Hufgars vs 2: [51] Ashmierre (63%), [51] Nhragard (36%, freezing cut)
Dec 11, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Ahmuun vs 3: [51] Nhragard (68%, molten smash), [51] Sian (22%), [51] Ashmierre (9%)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|Galadon|Saldensita vs 2: [51] Ravi (4%), [51] Nhragard (95%, slice)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Ryldryn vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, smash)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|Fortress of Light|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, divine power)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Hufgars vs 2: [51] Ashmierre (72%, divine power), [51] Nhragard (27%)
Dec 12, 2024|Lv 51|Valley of Veran|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Dec 13, 2024|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Hufgars vs 2: [51] Ashmierre (54%), [51] Nhragard (45%, torments)
Dec 13, 2024|Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Vorrgar vs 2: [51] Nhragard (7%, smash), [51] Sarkun (92%)
Dec 13, 2024|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, freezing cut)
Dec 13, 2024|Lv 51|The North Road|Hufgars vs 2: [51] Sian (29%, searing light), [51] Nhragard (70%)
Dec 15, 2024|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Kellrarc vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, slash)
Dec 15, 2024|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Hufgars vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, torments)
Dec 16, 2024|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Kellrarc vs 2: [51] Ahlvaleleh (50%, drumming maces), [51] Nhragard (49%)
Jan 7, 2025 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Nelfykh vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, flaming bite)
Jan 7, 2025 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Brumbistle vs 3: [51] Bognor (44%, divine power), [48] Radjani (40%), [51] Nhragard (15%)
Jan 10, 2025|Lv 51|The Imperial Lands|Tauryna vs 1: [51] Nhragard (100%, searing light)
Jan 10, 2025|Lv 51|Bramblefield Road|Zohrkai vs 2: [51] Nhragard (15%), [51] Arabuccha (84%, bite)