Editing Character:Splintered Paddle (section)

=History=
Mak'tau, the man who would come to be known as Splintered Paddle was born on a large Island that was constantly at war with itself. His tribe gave praise and worship to a bloodthirsty God, and was always fighting with half a dozen or more other tribes for some patch of jungle or stretch of shore. He had a peaceful heart, and never liked the fighting, but had the misfortune of being born large and strong. He was cast into a warrior's role, and sent into battle with the others.

His life changed forever during one such battle. During a guerilla raid, his band made their way to one of an enemy tribe's huts. The band's leader had them take whatever food, clothes and other supplies they could get their hands on. When the family that lived in the hut--a young couple with two small children--awoke, he ordered that they be killed before they could alert anyone to their presence. Mak'tau placed himself between the family and his fellows without hesitating, and refused to move when ordered. The band leader finally took his club and beat him with it, blow after blow raining down on his shoulders. He felt his collar bone crack, and collapsed to one knee, but he neither raised a hand against his attacker nor moved out of the way.

Luna must have approved of his fortitude, for it was then that he took his Second Breath. His hide toughened, and on the next blow the club shattered. His form shimmered like silver, and he stood back to his feet as he grew even larger, taking on the form of a half-man, half-beast. He roared, and the raiders fled--as did the family he was defending.

Luna had given her first lesson--fear was not the way to peace. He needed to leave the Island until he could find a new way of ending the fighting. His travels eventually brought him to the Wyld, and the Silver Pact--he received his tattoos from a very old, very wise, very tough Lunar with the shape of a badger. He stayed with him (or her. His mentor was a Twin-Faced Hero, and he never did ask which face was the true one) for nearly a year, learning the ways of Luna, but eventually he felt he had to leave. The Wyld needed to be fought back, but the people of Creation needed help of a different kind.

He eventually made his way back to the Island. His first act was challenging Thumai, his tribe's--as he would eventually learn, the Island's--God. He bested Thumai in single combat, and took control of the Bending Palace, his temple. In view of his prowess, the tribe bent to his rule, expecting him to lead them in a campaign that would wipe out the rest of the tribes on the Island. Splintered Paddle had other plans--he took only those who were willing to talk before fighting, and subdue before killing, and started a campaign of unification. Most of the tribes had to be fought. Some had to be bribed. A very few came willingly. In the end, reluctantly or not, they all came under the rule of the new Island Kingdom, and all who opposed the regime were given the option of leaving. He has ruled the Island ever since, and it has known peace and prosperity under his reign.