Username: @GuntherCharacter Name: Darin Torblad
Clan and Hold (if any): Clan Holzheim is an old mining clan at the World’s Edge Mountains at Peak Pass or Karak Kadrin. As a member of Clan Holzheim, Darin “Barbossa” Torblad is also a member of the mining guild having joined at his home in Karak Kadrin.
Gender: Male
Age: 96
Career/Profession (if any) and Skills: Clan Holzheim worships Grungni, God of Mining and Stoneworks, mining the World’s Edge Mountains at Karak Kadrin. Many members of Clan Holzheim, including the Torblads have crossed the line from Grungni to Grimnir, God of War, making the Slayers’ Pilgrimage. Like his ancesters, Darin is a Miner. He knows pounding rocks with pick and shoveling dirt and stones into a cart. His sinews are hardened from years of working in the mines. Darin has also participated in battles and skirmishes with Goblins, Orcs, Elves and Trolls gaining experience in battle.
Equipment (Includes weapons, armor and so on) Darin carries a two and a half foot battle axe as his primary weapon, but is also proficient in the use of a pick axe as a weapon. He has some training in the use of bow and arrow but does not carry one. He also carries a hand axe and dagger on his belt. Darin carries a leather back pack, three weeks rations, candles, flint and tinder, 3 flasks of oil, small leather pouch containing coins, 100' of rope and religious symbols for both Grungni and Grimnir. Inside the small leather pouch are five gold, thirteen silver and eight copper coins.
Physical Description: Darin is 96 years old, standing 4' 2" tall and weighing 210 Lbs. He has red hair and beard with black eyes. His red beard (Barbarossa) is often decorated with braids. "Barbarosa" as he is known by those in the Mining Guild of Karak Kadrin wears banded, (leather/iron) armor: chest, grieves, shin guards, boots, mantle, forearm guards, gauntlets, and battle helm with horns. When not wearing his armor, Darin also has a cloak, under tunic, wool trousers, low leather boots, Leather belt, and over tunic
Background/History: Darin was born and raised in Karak Kadrin, also known as the Slayer’s Keep. This Dwarven stronghold guards a region of mountainous passes known simply as Peak Pass. It is an important trading route running through the World’s Edge Mountains from the distant east to the Old world. It is in close proximity to the Human world and thereby contains a Human Quarter with larger architecture than the rest of the city.
Due to its location, Karak Kadrin is both a waypoint along a wealthy trading route and a popular spot for invasions passing in either direction. Because of this fact, it has attracted the attention of a group of warriors known as the Dwarven Slayers. Karak Kadrin has been the Slayers’ home for centuries and their influence is present throughout the city, which is often known as “Slayer Keep.” A large temple has been erected at the Peak Pass strong hold to worship Grimnir, the Dwarf Ancester God of fearlessness and fighting spirit or simply, God of War. Everyone hailing from the city is imbued with similar quantities of fearlessness and a fighting spirit.
The Fighting spirit was not lost on Darin Torblad. His family lived in the mining district and worked the mines for centuries. His great great grandfather, Thurrik Torblad was elevated to the position of Mining Elder and sits on the council of elders in Karak Kadrin. Darin’s line of ancestors from Thurrik to himself are still alive, all of whom reside at Karak Kadrin. His great grandfather, Fodrunn repairs mining tools and weapons at the primary mining forge. His grandfather, Londrec mines along with his father, Doldrun. Darin has four brothers; Yorrick, Garber, Thamarack and Bjordrin. Darin has fifteen first cousins, thirty-five second cousins and fifty-eight third cousins who all work the mines at Karak Kadrin. The Slayer Keep is home to Darin’s family. Not all use the surname Torblad. Some go by their clan name Holzheim and a several offshoots of the clan go by Bissingen, Türsheim and Torwirth.
Darin Torblad acquired the nickname Barbarossa later in his youth as he grew his flaming red beard. The humans of a nearby community had given him the moniker and it stuck. In one of the human tongues, the name means, "Red Beard". Darin is usually even tempered but tends to get the dander up when someone other than a dwarf makes derogatory comments about the Dwarves of Peak Pass. He is quick to ire and ready to fight if the wrong person says the wrong thing. If the comments continue, Barbarossa's face turns red. He will make every effort to contain his anger. If it continues, he will as politely as he can tell the offending person, to kindly shut the hell up. If the person does not heed his warning, he will jump into a fight and expect any dwarf within earshot to join him.
Throughout Darin’s life as a Dwarf of the Peak Pass, he has found himself in hostile struggles alongside a few Slayers as well as simple miners like himself. Most of these struggles he was armed with either his battle axe, which he has taken to calling,
Aderlatning an old Dwarven word for “Bloodletting”. He has fought against Goblins, Orcs, Elves and Trolls during these random encounters in the hinterlands.
When Darin was 65 years old, he and twenty-four other dwarves encountered a group of three Mountain Trolls. The young Dwarf was terrified of the Trolls primarily because of their size but was able to get in a few hits before the beasts fell. Seventeen of his brothers survived the encounter, losing eight to the Trolls. Three of his cousins died and one lost his left arm in the fight.
Darin has come to a point in his life, where he has considered making the pilgrimage for the Slayer’s of Karak Kadrin. He does not know if he truly wants to commit himself completely to Grimnir. This question he must resolve in his mind. He has left the stronghold to join a party of adventurers in order to determine if this is the path he wishes to follow. He will fight for a group of friends in search of finding the answer to his dilemma. This is his personal quest.
