Wrothgar

Wrothgar is a character created for Lethe's Barbarians of Lemuria PbP game: http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?t=455787
Wrothgar's companion, Balthus, is a deadly rogue and assassin whose character sheet can be found here: http://forum.rpg.net/showpost.php?p=10431361&postcount=17

Origin

Steppes Barbarian (Valgardian)

Attributes

Strength 2
Agility 1
Mind 1
Appeal 1

Combat

Brawl 1
Melee 2
Ranged 1
Defence 1

Careers

1. Barbarian 1
2. Warrior 1
3. Merchant 0
4. Rogue 2

Characteristics

Lifeblood 12/12
Hero Points 3/5
Arcane Power 0
Advance Points 1

Languages

Lemurian

Boons

Valgardian Blade (roll an extra die when using a genuine Valgardian sword)

Flaws

None

Weapons

Valgardian Longsword 1d6+2
Dirk 1d3+2, can be thrown
Unarmed 1d2+2

Armour

Hardened Leather Bracers 1
Hardened Leather Greaves 1
TOTAL ARMOUR: 2

Other objects carried

A small box decorated in gold and jade; a small snuffbox used by nobles to hold potent drugs; an unread note from a Skarsgil thug's pocket.

Background

He was born amongst the barbarian tribes (Barbarian 1) and soon proved himself an able warrior in their service (Warrior 1). When the Druids of the World Serpent inveigled their way into the chief's favour and began making suggestions, he was chosen as one of the emissaries to trade with the city of Krone (Merchant 0); however, he found much more excitement in sneaking away to cut purses, climb over rooftops, and scale walls surrounding treasuries (Thief 2).

"When I was younger," he said, "Naught more than a stripling, I lived amongst Chieftain Father Valgar's people. The Valgardian tribe of the steppes has always been a strong one, trusting to our skill with the blade and spear to raid and hunt wherever we may choose. For a time I was even favoured amongst the warriors, and many a strong-backed maiden of the steppes my sword-arm won me!" He sighed in recollection, "But seasons ago, the Druids of the Serpent came. 'Twas old Heurik that began it - some say he was bitten by a viper but did not die, going mad instead - in any case, he began to preach the strange ways of the World Serpent, and not long after he had won the ears of some of the younger warriors, the Druids arrived." He took another draught of mead before going on, "They came with their robes and wavy knives, and though many didn't trust them, old Heurik and his men held enough sway that they stayed with us, spending long evenings in the Chieftain Father's hut, when he should have been by the fire with us!

"I don't know what was said in those evenings, but before long Valgar emerged and proclaimed that the Valgardian tribe now belonged to the World Serpent, in whole, and that the Druids were the favoured of the Serpent and should be obeyed." He gazed reflectively into the dark liquid in his cup. "That was when we started coming to Krone, not to raid as we have done in the past but to trade. The Druids needed things, things which no sane man of the steppes would have use for: parts of strange beasts, odd tinctures and mixtures, and things which even I feared to examine too closely. Strange murmurings and screams began to come from their tents at nights, continuing all through until morning, when I would hear them on my way back from the hunt.

"They were strange seasons. As a favoured warrior, they often sent me here to make the trades they needed, though 'twas always with odd men in shadowed rooms, never the same twice, and no haggling to be had. What merchant doesn't haggle!" He shook his head and leaned closer. "This last season though, the Druids have been restless. They have brooked no insolence, flying into mad rages if a tribesman so much as looks upon their faces. Warriors have disappeared, and the night screams are louder and longer than ever. Thus, when I was summoned to the Chieftain Father's tent with Tamril and bade make a trade by a feverish-faced druid while Valgar looked on in a stupor, I knew that the Valgardian tribe had no place for me anymore. The druid headpriest made it quite clear how important this trade was, and so I knew it had to be worth money - a fortune, or more. On my trips here I have taken the time to get to know the streets and the people, and lightened many a purse and overburdened treasury. With my sword-arm and cunning, and your knowledge of the noble houses - aye, and your quick knives as well! - we stand to make a killing."

He grinned, and reached into his shirt, drawing forth the carefully-wrapped package and placing it on the table, though he did not remove his hand from it. "And so here it is. The thing which the Druids gave me to trade, which is worth so much, and which I have abandoned my tribe to steal. The means to our fortune!"

He let both their eyes rest on it for a moment, savouring the moment, and then slashed the package open with his dirk.