[hider=Joric Valgard][u][b]Basic Information[/b][/u]
[b]Name[/b]: Joric Valgard
[b]Age[/b]: 33
[b]Sex[/b]: Male
[b]Birthplace[/b]: A foreign land to the north known as Asgeir, home of the Varan.
[b]Profession[/b]: Warrior/Bodyguard/Mercenary/Adventurer
[b]Caste[/b]: Freeman; he does not own property himself however.

[u][b]Physical Description[/b][/u]
[img=http://www.history.com/s3static/video-thumbnails/AETN-History_VMS/464/163/History_Vikings_Meet_Rollo_Lothbrok_SF_HD_still_624x352.jpg]
Joric stands about 5'10, which is slightly shorter than most Varan (who stand an average of 6'0). He has a well-built body from years of working as a lumberjack, being employed as a soldier, and fighting for a living in recent years, weighing approximately 175 lbs. He has a light skin color, like most Varan, but spending time in the mild temperature of Oussard and Fraux has made him a bit darker than his kin. He has dark blue eyes, a rough stubble (and tries to keep it short and shaved), and a strong, distinctive face. He has shoulder-length dark brown hair which he usually keeps pulled back.. Most would describe him as a "rough kind of hero".

[u][b]Character Story[/b][/u]
Joric was born far in the north in a harsh wintry region known as Asgeir, home of the Varan. His mother was a housewife and his father worked the lumber mill. He grew up with his two brothers and his only sister. Like all Varan, Joric and his brothers were taught to fight from a very young age, and he eventually started to work the lumber mill with his father before becoming an actual lumber jack in the forests near his home.

Around age 20 the country of Asgeir was being invaded by the Scoatcha, a long-time neighbor of the Varan. Military doctrine in Asgeir states that all able-bodied men must pick up arms and muster together to defend their land, and so Joric and one of his brothers, along with their father, marched off to join the war effort. Joric fought in the five-year war, relishing in his victories and gaining invaluable combat experience. In its sixth year, Joric realized the war was no longer about protecting the homeland, or gaining honor, but rather it was a war of conquest: one which the High King of Asgeir was winning. Disgusted at the lack of honor and tradition, Joric abandoned his brother and father to return home.

It wasn't long before others felt the same way and a rebellion uprising began. Though small and lacking arms and supplies, the rebels employed successful guerrilla tactics that irritated the High King. Joric himself joined up with the rebels and fought alongside them to free slaves, most of which were Scoatchian slaves. Unfortunately, the rebellion began to falter and was easily crushed a year later. Joric was captured and would have been sentenced to death, but service in the Varan Military allowed him to be exiled instead, so Joric chose the latter.

Forced to leave his homeland, Joric sailed south and began a wanderer. He took up a profession of being a mercenary, bodyguard, blade-for-hire, and bounty hunter in the many places he visited. He eventually made his way into a land fraught with war between the two fiefdoms of Oussard and Fraux. Joric never took a side in the war, believing both sides were fighting for the lust of greed and power. He did, however, serve as a bodyguard, mercenary, blade-for-hire, among others for various captains and generals in the war.

But now the two forces have called together a truce to deal with a strange mist. Being the hero he was born to be, Joric takes up his sword and shield to venture into the mist with his comrades.

[u][b]Equipment – Combat[/b][/u]
[b]Weaponry[/b]
[list]
[*]Sword-and-Shield Combo[/*]
Joric's go-to weapon is his steel sword. It is strong, durable, and reliable, but nothing special. The hilt is black and metallic. He also carries a round steel shield, roughly 2.3 feet in diameter, has a curved surface, and was forged by Joric himself. The shield was made in a such a way that it isn't nearly as heavy as other steel shields, but isn't quite as strong. He uses the shield to deflect the average strike or arrow, but it's not exactly capable of deflecting heavier blows (like a warhammer); he normally uses his superior agility to evade such attacks. He usually has his sword sheathed on his belt on his left hip, while his shield can rest on his left arm, or slung over his back,
[*]Bow and Arrows[/*]
Joric carries a quiver of arrows and a bow on his back, though he only uses them when necessary, preferring instead to close in on his opponents and fight them personally. Varan are taught how to fire a bow and how to hunt, but that's as much training as he has, so he's not particularly accurate as an experienced archer. His quiver is strapped over his back and his bow and also be strapped on his back.
[/list]
[b]Armour[/b]: A common short-sleeved white shirt is worn beneath a short-sleeved chainmail cuirass that hands down to his waist. Over this cuirass is a blue and white surcoat with tattered endings that hang down to his knees, a brown leather belt around his waist. He has brown leather pants, brown leather boots, and brown vambraces. Like all Varan, he also has his Ki'gar. the Ki'gar is roughly 4 foot long and 1 foot wide, is dyed blue with white trimmings, has the image of a black wolf's head on it, and has the family name written in Varan below the wolf's head. He normally keeps this wrapped around his neck and hanging over his shoulders, or hanging off his back like a short cape.
[b]Auxiliary[/b]: Joric is a Varan, who are known for their brutish methods of combat. He'll pick anything up and improvise it as a weapon, whether that happens to be a rock, stick, or even his helmet. If nothing else, he'll use his brutal hand-to-hand skills to finish off his opponents, and his Varan blood makes him a relentless fighter.

[b]Abilities – Physical[/b]
[u]Passive Ability - Athleticism[/u] - Joric is very fit, strong, and agile. He's a capable man with great cardio and moves with great efficiency.
[u]Passive Ability - Man-at-Arms[/u] - Joric is a skilled swordsman, although he has used and trained with various other weapons. He can pick almost any weapon on the battlefield and use it efficiently.
[u]Passive Ability - Shield-Expert[/u] - Joric is skilled with use of a shield, especially with his own shield, which he forged himself. Joric can even his shield as an improvised weapon, using it to bash and beat his opponents.
[u]Activated Ability - Varan Shield Wall[/u] - The Varan's most common formation during battle is to form a tight-knit shield wall to advance towards the enemy. To fight in a shield wall is to show brotherhood and unity. Advantages of the formation protects against archers, greatly improves camaraderie and morale, and can keep enemies from breaking the line. Assuming his allies would adopt such a tactic, Joric's efficiency in battle would increase greatly.
[u]Activated Ability - Varan Charge[/u] - Varan are known for their relentless courage and daring bravery, and Joric is no different. He will charge headlong into battle, fighting multiple enemies until he is victorious or is struck down. At times the Varan may be in his world, oblivious to his allies and just kill whoever he sees as a threat.

[b]Abilities – Magical[/b]
Joric does not have any magical abilities.[/quote][/hider]