Name Kalthar Tallowhand, the Unscrupulous
Age 30
Gender Male
Race 50% Nord, 50% Redguard
AppearanceKalthar is an interesting specimen. Born to a Nordic father and a Redguard mother, he is physically mixed of the two races. He has a skin tone that isn’t as pale as a full Nord nor is it dark like a full Redguard. He doesn’t have hair as golden or shiny as a Nord nor as dark as a Redguard; though it does fall naturally to the length of his neck. His eyes, however, are a darkened blue(think a deep sapphire). Though typically Redguard eyes vary, his mother had dark blue eyes and his father light blue, so naturally, Kalthar's eyes are like a medium-dark blue(somewhere between sapphire and azure). He breaches a height minimum of both of the races that he physically represents, roughly reaching 5'8 and built modestly with broad shoulders and enough muscle mass to support his fighting style.
Be confident in just telling us the colour of the eyes, if they're between sapphire and azure - say that. Be confident and empowered to describe as such. I think Celestial Blue suits
As a man who was raised to fight, Kalthar is one who finds himself preferring the heavier of armors. He has fought in light armor and it almost got him killed, so he sticks to what works. Typically, you could see him in steel armor and be wielding a steel greatsword. It’s rare you would find him in anything other than his armor. Only when he is ready to retire for the night will he switch into more comfortable attire. Aside from that, however, he is always seen in his prized armor and his sword.
PersonalityThose who say sons are often a reflection of their father obviously never met Kalthar Tallowhand. He is the furthest from being the honorable son. He does and says anything as he pleases. If he doesn’t like a person, he’ll tell them, though he may have a little tact when doing so. He isn’t above underhanded tactics. Kal isn’t known as “The Unscrupulous” for nothing. Just to be frank, he’s a man that’ll resort to anything to get the job done. He’ll lie, cheat, steal--whatever it requires achieving anything and everything that he desires.
Ooh, interesting. Raelynn is quite similar but would never admit it ;). I wonder if there's a heart under all that attitude!
First impressions of Kalthar are often difficult to swallow. He has tact, but not a lot of it reaches the surface. He’s one to speak his mind and definitely blunt about it. Piss him off and there’s a high chance he’ll do the same to you. Wrong him or get in his way and he’ll consider you his enemy. He might not be as honorable as his Nordic father, but he surely has his father’s “black and white” approach when it comes to friend and foe dynamics. But don’t let that stop you from being friendly with him. He might be a bit of a cunt, but that doesn’t mean he’s without the tendency to have a good time. Just don’t do anything that might cross you off his “nice” list. See aforementioned tendencies for more information.
His motivations are often vague, clouded by confusing mannerisms. He does this to keep people at an arm’s length. It suits both parties best by doing that. Though, when it all comes down to it, he’s a lover of adventure. Whatever his real motives might be for his actions, if a chase is involved or there might be loot at the end of the tunnel, he’s game. One last thing: he firmly believes that the ends justify the means.
I'm interested to know why he keeps people at arms length - did something happen to him maybe? Perhaps he got burned once with a friend or love and it might have also contributed to his behaviour.History:Kalthar remembered hearing the tale of how his father, Kraldar Tarrowhand, the Brave and his mother, Sinia Leki, the Swift fought years ago on a battlefield. According to how his mother told him in his youth, he caught her wandering the outskirts of Solitude. He was on guard patrol at the time and they fought. After thirty minutes, she bested him by taking advantage of his cockiness, which resulting in her almost killing him. Though, as she went in for that final strike, it was said that something happened--something that they purposely left out--and instead of killing the other, they had a ceasefire and fell in love. Neither of them would ever tell him what happened that made them turn a 180, but whatever it was, it sealed the deal of what became the epic of The Swift and the Brave.
This reminds me a little of the love story in Crouching Tiger. They have a big old scrap too.
Not long after all of that transpired, Kalthar was born. And shortly after his birth, Kraldar was promoted in the Imperial Army for his heroic deeds in the various battles that came after his skirmish with Sinia.
Kal grew up, knowing his father and mother truly loved each other. Or so he had hoped they did. Truth be told, they had problems(as all husband and wife do). What no one knew other than Kalthar and Sinia, of course, was that Kraldar was a drunk and he beat his wife constantly, not to mention roughing up his son when he needed to be. There was also how tough he was on Kal when he put the boy through training. Should he [Kal] not perform to his father’s expectations, he would beat him, sometimes to the point of breaking a limb. It happened so many times that Kalthar expected it to happen like clockwork. Only until he got into a forced rhythm did the beatings stop because he finally performed as his father demanded he does.
Ahhh, ding ding. That's why he's a bit of an arse now.
Only after three years of training exceptionally, on Kraldar’s orders, Kalthar enlisted in the Imperial Army at the age of fifteen. Bruises everywhere but built like a mountain, he started out as a mere guard for Solitude. Though, it ended up being a short career as he was quickly promoted to a soldier. Once a full-fledged soldier, he got his armor and his weapons. He was placed under his father’s command and went on quests in his father’s unit. The following three years were reduced to white noise. Kalthar hardly remembers them. Go here, go there. Slay this beast, kill these rebels. All of it was rinse and repeat; seeming as though it was never-ending. At least, until one mission that wasn’t what the mission report said it was.
The mission said that there was a sighting of former soldiers of the Imperial Army who have taken control of Fort Hraggstad, northwest of Solitude. It was a simple “neutralize and secure the fort” kind of mission Kraldar was confident enough to not ask for additional forces. He was arrogant because the forces of the enemy outnumbered his unit of ten men(including himself and his son). Not only that but they had acquired additional support from members of an outspoken rebellion group, which nearly doubled their numbers, making the ratio almost 3:1(the enemy to Kral’s squad). Despite that, as Imperial Soldiers, they would make a plan and go forth.
Once the plan to have half of his men go from the back and the other half attack from the front, it proved that they [the enemy] had thought of everything and the plan soon was rendered pointless, so they went in swinging. After a long and hard-fought fight, it was just down to Kral, his son, and two other men to the 20+ men of the enemy. It was in that moment that Kalthar got scared, reminded of the many times that his father beat and berated him and without so much as a single warning to anyone, he fled, running away with his tail between his legs and leaving his father and the other two Imperial soldiers at the mercy of the enemy.
Kal didn’t know what happened. He had no clue if his father survived that skirmish or not. He took off and didn’t look back. Kal never settled into one place for long. Though, he did spend a lot of time in Whiterun, specifically as a member of The Companions. He never got in too deep with them, but he did find sanctuary with them due to his fighting abilities. Though, they did have a falling out. Kal expressed a distaste for how they operated and at the time The Dragonborn came into the fold and by extension, the Civil War, Kalthar had to make like a tree and leave. Once again, he took to the roads and fleeing; for he feared getting recognized by the General Tullius.
For the next ten years, he laid low in various smaller holds and villages. He would go anywhere that was under the Empire’s radar. Only was it just five months ago that he found some solace in the Falkreath Hold. Small enough that he could stay there for a while until he figured out his next plan. But there wouldn’t be the next plan. Kalthar, though he didn’t intend to, found himself liking Falkreath and ended up staying until such a time required him to keep moving. But hey! He liked it here so far, so maybe the Gods might take cut him some slack and actually give him a break for the first time in his entire life.
I really like the dynamic between him and his father - I like the he was a deserter, it shows to me that while he is very strong he's not without his demons too. I wonder if those same demons could still be hot on his tail?
Skills: Major Two-Handed - Not only was Kalthar raised by a seasoned war vet of the Imperial Army but after his initial stint in the Imperial Legion, he kept at his training and built up his skills. As a result, his ability to wield a two-handed weapon got to the point where he could swing one with natural ease, causing various physical effects on whoever is on the opposite end of his blade.
Heavy Armor - As a seasoned warrior who has trained extensively on his core and his fighting abilities, it comes without question that he not only prefers to use heavy armor when in battle, he excels using it. Heavy armor is like an extension of himself. Without it, he feels incomplete. With it, however, and Kalthar is whole. His large mass and strong build, allowing him the ability to use it efficiently.
MinorSpeech - Kalthar has always displayed a natural charisma and knack for convincing others--especially guards--to get him out of sticky situations, or manipulating others into allowing him passage through an otherwise restricted area.He’s also used his verbal prowess to get him sweet deals when shopping for supplies. Let’s just say he’s quite handy when it comes to convincing others regardless if it ends up in their death or not.
Blocking - Kalthar was never one for defense. He strongly believes a good defense is a strong offense, but sometimes the situation calls for a little strategy. So, in that, he has started trying out blocking as a tactic. Though not always his preferred way, it does help when the numbers are too great.
Smith - A trade he picked up recently. Kalthar, by smithing some of his own accessories here and there, was afforded some extra gold in his pocket. Plus, when he can’t afford an actual smith, doing his own saves him time and gold that could be spent elsewhere.
Good balanced skill set. Nothing too outlandish but enough to hold balance in the party. I like it!EquipmentThough he no longer brandishes the Legion-given equipment, Kalthar never did break the habit of keeping to the same materials. He has a set of steel armor and a steel greatsword. He also has a small pouch of gold he keeps with him at all times. You never know when you’ll need to spend some gold, either to bribe guards or buy some ale. Aside from that Kal doesn’t keep much else on his person. Whatever he might need for the journey ahead will be purchased at the moment.
Birthsign The Warrior
Marneiscellaneous Contrary to first impressions of him, he’s not a total cunt. He does have redeeming qualities. But where are they? Now that’s the question one has to ask themselves.
This is the stuff I want to know!