Title pretty much says it all. Making this thread to track and store the various NPCs I will be playing as in Hope's Harbinger. Won't be using a standardized format or anything, just enough to flesh out the characters to my liking with enough background info to make them interesting. Without further ado:
Dain Lionbeard of Underdeep
Race/Gender: Dwarven Male
Age: 350- Witness of the Worldbane
Type: Primary Questgiver- Liquor is Quicker
Appearance: Fairly tall, for a Dwarf. He is old and weathered, his skin is dark and leathery, and his hair looks like a great clump of silvery spiderwebs. The tip of his beard-braids are long enough to just brush the floor, covering his large belly. Like his hair, his beard-braids are silver, though stripes of gold can be seen woven in them, as well, which is how he received the moniker of Lionbeard.
His face bears the axe-head like tattoo of the Krigare Caste, one of the several societies of dwarves created more as a form of organization within Underdeep than as an actual caste system. His nose is thick and curves down, not unlike a beak. Above his deep-sunk grey eyes are bushy silver eyebrows, flecked with gold like his beard-braids. His fat lips cover the fact that he has no tongue.
Like most Dwarves, Dain is very strong and sturdy, but Dain likes his drinks. A plump belly hides thick slabs of muscle underneath, and Dain's arms are very toned from years of serving the Krigare Mine-Guards.
Having becoming speaker for the Dwarves, Dain now wears a battle-crown at nearly all times- even to sleep. A battle-crown is, in essence, a thick and solid metal crown that can also double as a helmet simply by sliding it down over his face, requiring that Dain wear in on the top of his head rather than around his head, else it slide down when he didn't need it to. There are two plates on either side that slide out and down, protecting the cheeks, as well. Dain kept most of his mine-guard gear, though it is obvious his drinking habits are starting to make him quickly outgrow it. The layered lamellar is showing stretchmarks, and his royal blue tabard (Worn over the lamellar, it bears the symbol of Underdeep: a white silhouette of a mountain, two crossed swords behind it) is showing signs of wear; in many places, it has torn already. Dain wears no gloves, preferring simple leather bracers, and his boots are old and ragged and made of leather, but still look sturdy. His armor may look rough, but Dain wears it well and still looks incredibly tough, a testament to Dwarven craftsmanship.
Backstory: Dain is one of the last remaining Dwarves that is actually from Underdeep- the rest had fallen during the Worldbane. At the time however, the great Dwarven Warrior-King Eredas Bronzebelt led the Dwarves of Underdeep, and Dain was simply one of his many pages. Under Eredas, Underdeep became a major economic power in Amaroth (the World Before) due to the king's wisdom in such areas, as well as the vast veins of gold an silver that were discovered. Massive mining operations were set up, and Underdeep flourished from the wealth. However, Eredas wasn't much of a warrior, and when the Worldbane descended, Eredas was expected to lead his people in the battle to save Amaroth. He quickly fell to the might of the beings, along with many of Underdeep, and, realizing the futility of the situation, Dain quickly rounded up as many Dwarves as he could, regardless of their homeland, and retreated back to Underdeep- and just in time, too, for in the moments after they fled, the great city of Lorilas crumbled, the armies forces stationed there routed.
From within Underdeep the remaining Dwarves weathered out the apocalyptic coming of the Worldbane, and while some of the outer parts of the massive mountain were destroyed, most of the residential, mining, and noble areas were spared. Soon, the Worldbane left Amaroth, leaving behind it a corruption to twist the flora and fauna, and from the dark and stony depths of Underdeep, a new evil arose. Catching the Dwarves off guard, the Night of Red will be forever remembered by those who survived it- in the chaos and confusion, it was once again Dain who stepped up to lead and reorganize the Dwarven forces midst battle, resulting in a close victory.
The survivors of the Night of Red knew organization was needed, but rebuked the idea of another king, their last falling in battle in a most honor-less way. During this great council (A council that encompassed all of those in Underdeep at the time) the castes were set up: the Krigare Caste would be first and foremost the military arm of Underdeep- protecting the mines and the citizens was their utmost duty. The Arbetare Caste would consist of the manual-laborers- Smiths, Cooks, Miners, etc. And finally, the Vakt Caste consisted of everyone else- children, women, lesser-nobles, or otherwise anyone who didn't have a specific job and who did not work guard duty. Tattoos were given to signify members of each caste: for Krigare, an axehead; for Arbetare, a handprint; for Vakt, a simple pattern shaped like an "L", descending down one side of the nose and extending to under one eye.
This new organization brought order, and order brought safety. The smiths were still as skilled as ever, despite the events, and the deep veins of Underdeep still held more than enough material to reforge tools, weapons, and armor. Dain joined the Krigare caste, since he was superbly strong, even for a dwarf, and was sent down into the mines to guard them with his life. He spent the next 100 years fighting whatever evil found its way into Underdeep, and today stands as honored speaker for the Dwarves, the closest thing to a king you could be without actually being king. He has served this position for 50 years, and has done so justly, in the eyes of the denizens of Underdeep (which is no longer exclusively dwarves). In recent days however, Dain has developed a new problem that he simply doesn't have the manpower to have deal with, and has sent out a distress to those with the ears and heart to reach it. He expects few, however, for there is little help to be found in the Weeping World.
Personality: Surprisingly modest and well-spoken, unlike many Dwarves who are crude, hotheaded, and drunk. Being the speaker for all Dwarves of Underdeep, Dain holds himself to a high degree of professionalism, and will expect respect of his given position, within reason. He has a calm temperament and is slow to anger, though don't get caught off guard. This old Dwarf still has a lot of fight left in him, when need be, and he is a fearsome opponent. Even in his old age he is superbly strong for a Dwarf, though Dain still prefers debate over debacle, especially in current times.
Children: In order of oldest to youngest- Dain II [M], Ridold [M], Cresna [F], Surtus [M].
Artifacts: Dain has reached an age where his prized battleaxe, Feldrung, is now considered by many to be an artifact in itself. Though it is as nearly as old as he is, Feldrung still shines bright, and its superior forging has kept it sharp and deadly for nearly half a century. Other than his axe, the other denizens of Underdeep have dug up a few items of interest that are dated from before Amaroth was the utopia everyone knew.
The first is a small, metal cube, with writing written on only one face. No one knows what language it's written in, but the cube itself is in great shape and the letters are easily discernible. The type of metal the cube is made out of is strange, as well, as it glistens with a greenish-blue hue. It feels hollow, though when shaken it doesn't sound like anything is inside.
The other is the old king Eredas' crown, left behind by his court when they left to confront the Worldbane. While Eredas isn't as highly regarded today as he used to be, Dain still holds him as a great king and loyal Dwarf, and holds the rusty, twisted, charred thing close to him.