My general idea for a character goes something like this:

He and his people were forced to flee their homeland years ago and settled these 'new lands'. These people are pagans with a warrior-ethos and simply want to raid, pillage, and loot everyone around them (similar to the Vikings). Their leader, however, is more level-headed. He wants his people to remain at peace, build up his forces and economy, and simply try to survive in this new land. He is also trying to convert his pagan people over to the church, but like an old habit their beliefs can be hard to push away. But how long before his practices cause unrest amongst his people?