The Champions of Groun: A Stranger's Tale [M]

[The Imposter]

Korzan, he looks wonderful.

[Death of Korzan]

Awesome ^^

[Thelonewanderer]

Well, this s a very rounded party in terms of personality, let alone class types. This is gonna be good. I can feel it in my bones

[Dire Hoef]

Fill free to add Gal (Galthore) to your Bonds, he'd try his best to be as friendly as possible to everyone among the Champions.

[Repent!]

Spoiler: Here's my character!! 

Name: Torland Stalward

Appearance:

Spoiler: Add white barbed chains wrapped around his chest, limbs and head 

Race: Human, with features that could easily mistake him as a very, very big Tiefling.

Age: 30

Archetype: Fighter/ Pain Drinker

Spoiler: Abilities 

Lord of Pain
Torland’s body deals with pain differently than your average fighter. Instead of grimacing, Torland smiles as the force from the blow is absorbed and converted into magical energy inside his body, which is then used to fuel amazing feats of speed and strength.

Blood Toxin
Corruption flows freely in Torland’s blood. What this mean is that when he does get cut, the blood becomes caustic as soon as it makes contact with the air. On making contact with a solid surface, it begins to eat through whatever it lands on or spills onto with with surprising speed.

Unchained
After channeling his power through phrases of power, the chains around his body hover off of his body causing them to gain sentience and aid in his assault by striking swiftly at the foes around him. Torland’s muscles spasm and grow twice in size and toughness, with his speed growing just as much. The trance he puts himself in lasts as long as there are enemies available, afterwards the chain immediately sets to attaching itself to him afterwards to bring him back down to his normal appearance.

Noteworthy equipment:

Toland wears barbed chains that has been magically enchanted with a blend of arcane and holy magic to be indestructible and slowly burn his skin, causing sensations that keep all of his other pain in check. Torland also favors axes and his fists in combat, as well as utilizing the chain around his body in more...creative fashions.

Deity: Keldris, God of Stamina and Martial Prowess

Motive: Torland owes a life debt to the group for saving him from a fate worse than death, more specifically Sabin Togar...the one who set him free from his main tortures.

Bonds:
Sabin Togar
He is rather close with Sabin, that being quite obvious as he signed a life debt to her. Though it seems that looks like more than just honor driving Torland...

Dorna and Ensley Sagona
Familial ties are always weird, especially with those between brother and sister. However, Torland understands being protective of the people you care for. Both of them seem well of for the most part...trustworthy even.

Rodric of Cordia
Gods, it was like looking into a mirror of his own past, a mercenary with simple goals. In the limited talks Torland has had with Rodric, he was sure of this and is generally accepting of opinions Rodric provides.

Vashti
Torland stumbles over every word more so than often when talking to her since she reminds him too much of the paladin that was tortured along with him all that time ago. He will try to avoid conversation if possible. If not, his answers will be as short as possible.

Shelur
Torland has found that she is more agreeable and available on the warmer days than not. He has kept a mental note and makes especially sure to give her space if she needs it.

Galthor
Torland still isn't sure how to feel about Galthor. Sure he's seen people turn into bears, but a bearperson? Further interaction is needed...

Zogrot
Hoo boy, where do we begin? When the orc is understandable, he has a good head on his shoulders. Otherwise, Torland feels like he's talking to a brick wall half the time. Not that Torland has any room to talk about the finer points of social interaction, but it still bears noting.

Firegale
Exile brings about the most peculiar of allies. No matter if it's tribal or social, there is still a stigma about them that is only understood by others in the same situation. On top of a solid competitive warrior's respect, the relationship between Torland and the battle mage is one such bond. They have their occasional tiff, as her reckless nature leaves her open in combat which allows him to take advantage of his own abilities. during these times she usually tells him something along the lines of not needing help, to which Torland again reminds her that he's one of the main reasons they can continue to have these arguments.

Flaws:
While the barbs that entangle Torland are enchanted, they are not bound to him. Removing the chains from his body completely will cause him to eventually enter a berserk state that will only be sated by fully re-administering the chains. Having become so accustomed to the pain, he will start with having withdrawals without them. He will quickly become more irritable the longer he is unbound and will start looking for a fight once it gets too far.

Also, Torland has been so viciously tortured for so long that Iona the Honey-tounged would feel sorry for him as he’s been having to reintegrate himself into society. He’s accidentally insulted quite a few people, and rendered a couple more unconscious from general annoyance. Only when he’s understood that he was completely in the wrong, does Torland look to atone for what he has done.

Personality:
Torland is very much a person that will push himself beyond the breaking point in a fight to win. Others may view this as psychotic and suicidal, but they don’t know about having your conviction truly tested. Torland also fights for those who are unable to or can’t otherwise. Outside of conflict, Torland is awkward and fidgety. Having to spend the next year after being freed relearning societal norms, he only really acts simple and standoffish to keep from offending anyone. He’s getting pieces of his old self back, it’s just going to take a while longer than he originally thought...

Background:

Before Torland became the pain-wracked individual he is now, he was a contract mercenary. He took jobs all across the kingdoms, and was praised for his resilience and willingness to meet the criteria needed to complete his jobs. He was chided for biting off more than he could chew sometimes, but he never listened, and that came back to haunt him when he took his last job.

There was a sect of demon cultists named the Cauldron's Razor trying to resurrect some minor dark god and he agreed to work with a paladin and his clergy to cleanse the land and stop the resurrection.

It was a wholesale slaughter from the opposition.

The paladin and his posse underestimated how prepared the cultists were, but neither the paladin nor Torland gave in. When it was all said and done, Torland and The paladin were magically bound on opposite sides of the dungeon they were being held in and repeatedly tortured with dark magics as the last surviving parts of the original party.

They started off strong, but after being reminded by the cultists that they had spent the past six months being burned, cut, stabbed, and having said wounds forcefully seared shut with magic everyday...something had to give...and it wasn’t going to be the cultists. They then informed the two that the paladin was going to be the first tribute when their god returned and that Torland would be the Razor's right hand. The unholy enforcer of their god's will. After a few choice words and a huge glob of spit as Torland's response, the 'treatments' continued. Torland felt himself regularly slipping in and out of consciousness at the 9th month, stirred awake only by the paladin shouting at him through broken teeth and a bloody smile during the day and by the holy man’s stuttered prayers for strength by nightfall as the cultists slowly continued to wrap the chains around Torland’s body.

After the first year had passed by their captor’s counting, Torland realized that the paladin wasn’t praying for inner strength, but for strength for Torland to continue to endure. Though before he could ask why, a commotion of screams came from outside the prison walls. When the adventuring group came through and the dark elf who later introduced herself as Sabin cut the both of them loose during the clash with the cultists, Torland could only stumble out of the way and keep himself out the fight as the grogginess of fatigue held him captive. Soon after the fighting was over, The paladin told them all that he would die here, and he had one last service to deal out. The paladin smiled as he looked over to Torland and chanted his final spell, stating afterwards, "I may not be able to purge you of these taints, but I can stop them from taking you, warrior". The paladin’s body shone with a brilliant light as the Paladin’s magic shone upon Torland, burning the darkness away from the chains digging into Torland’s body. After Torland mourned the loss of a short-lived ally and burying the paladin’s body, the twisted man before them wrapped in barbed chains pledged his life debt to Sabin and, by proxy, the adventuring group that pulled him from hell.

He has been traveling with them ever since.

[Griff]

I'll get the bonds done soon

[Death of Korzan]

I'll have mine all done asap soon as well

[Kris]

I edited my CS and changed the age too.

[The Imposter]

Neat concept Repent!

Alright, CS are still open for one more week, and glad to see the bonds being formed. This is going to be great!

[Stormcast]

Hey guys. This is the first time I've really given this a go so please be patient. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated and I hope I have not leapt too far. Here goes!


Name: Morthos 'The Fatebinder'

Appearance: A Paladin of the Everqueen is often a sight to behold. Coal black armour, stylised in great ridges that form into a grim set of rib cages and bones strike unease into the simple folk. His pauldrons are shaped into a great skull on the left and an open book on his right whilst his helm forms a bone-white, emotionless mask.

His skin is rough and slightly tanned from the exposure to the elements. He stands at an impressive 6'8" and his broad shoulders offer a clear first glance to his militaristic background. His hair is short, unkempt and a dark, almost black, brown. His eyes differ, one a pale green whilst the other a deep, unnatural purple that hints towards his connection to his deity and the necrotic energy she gifts her followers.

Spoiler: Rough Idea 

Race: Human

Age: 32

Archetype: Gravewarden (Necromantic based Paladin)

Noteworthy Equipment: War-scythe, Platemail Armour , Prayer Book, Brass skull pendant (His Holy symbol)

Deity: The Everqueen, Goddess of Mortality and the Cycle of Life.

Motive: At first, Morthos accompanied the group to make sure the proper rites were given to those they felled. Yet witnessing their skill and combat prowess, Morthos saw the potential for the ragtag band to perform great deeds. Yet for good or evil, he was unsure. He offered his wisdom, faith and war-scythe, seeking to guide them in the right direction whilst secretly readying himself to bring them low should they twist to a darker path.

Bonds:

Spoiler: Roderic 

Roderic.
At first, it was this jovial, greed driven fighter that garnered the least respect from the Gravewarden. The way he cast aside the sanctity of death towards his foes and laughed in the heat of battle with the others was a mockery to everything Morthos stood for. Yet time passed. Every battle provided a slither of insight to the roots of Roderic's past. He has witnessed the loyalty to those around him, some more than others, and has come to believe Roderic has a great deal of potential that needs only a true purpose to unlock.

Spoiler: Ensley 

One of the less receptive members of the group to Morthos' arrival was the gentle healer. The Gravewarden was not surprised that his very nature caused discomfort for Ensley who often lost heart in the death of those she was unable to save. So for a time, Morthos kept a respectable distance from her until he thought she was comfortable enough in is presence. Eventually they spoke. They talked about death and its inevitable clutches and yet, she spoke about how the journey there was equally as important. Nowadays, Morthos finds pleasant and intellectual conversation with Ensley. Yet he understands how the death of her patients haunts her. Amidst all his oaths and duties, the Gravewarden will always make sure she has someone to turn to when life slips from her fingers.

Spoiler: Vashti 

It was not difficult for Morthos to see the good in Vashti. Her kind nature and willingness to look past appearances immediately garnered the Paladin with little need to worry about the path she walked. Because of this, he allowed the Quarter-Elf to take her time in approaching him and set his focus on the others. Naturally, his attention to Roderic gained her curiosity, eventually leading the two to conversation. The two get along well now-a-days, seeking the best for their friends.

Spoiler: Shelur 

Morthos is not one for indulging his personal curiosity. Yet this Half-Orc, touched by the fangs of a were-bear, drew his ever-inquisitive gaze. At first he had to try and understand her morals: to understand her boisterous and blunt attitude whilst trying to understand the rather obvious seasonal effects of her other form. Her attitude is good company for a soldier. To this day however, he keeps a constant vigil, watching for any sign of the beast taking complete control over the female.

Spoiler: Acera 

With the great mix of beliefs of the Champion's of Groun, Morthos was pleasantly surprised to see that he was not alone in his worship of the Twin Goddesses: The Everqueen and The Raven Queen. Yet ultimately, it was Acera who approached the Gravewarden first. Their shared faith became apparent the moment she recognized him as a man of faith before labeling him as an aspect of death. Her kind heart and drive to protect those she cared for quickly growing the bond between them. He considers her a true friend and has made it clear that he will fight and die for them in the name of Twin Goddesses.

Spoiler: Sabin 

Morthos found, rather quickly, that his sacred oaths and dedication to his duty did not go unnoticed by the likewise masked Sabin. The two had similar views on the responsibilities they had within the Champions and quickly came to understand the capabilities of one another. The Gravewarden's ways and the widely unpracticed worship of The Everqueen drew Sabin's curious nature and he was more than happy to indulge her with more insight into his ways.

Flaws: Unyielding faith in the Everqueen is a fickle thing. At times it is a boon yet in others a terrible curse. His oaths demand self sacrifice and his fealty will see it through. Moments of zealotry bring fearlessness at the cost of reason.

Personality: Morthos is reserved, yet fervent. He is cautious, yet reckless. All depends on the task at hand and the will of the Everqueen. His devotion to the Goddess' ways and his undying devotion to her name often see his stance shift from passive to aggressive. Yet he is not one to resort to death as the first port of call.

His loyalty is as strong as his armour and his sense of duty and honour come above all else. Yet should you stray into darkness; it is this call of duty that will pit him against you. None can escape fate. And your fate will be sealed by the Gravewardens.

Background: Possibly one of the most recent additions to the group, Morthos has taken his time over the last two years attempting to reconnect with his brother. They have always been close, despite both devoting themselves to separate gods. Yet only a handful of years ago, the paladin's usual weekly letter never arrived. Not a single word has been sent since. His search has lead him far away from his home and further away from the party he sought to aid in their goals. In time, Morthos began to find less leads and fewer clues to the whereabouts of his brother's fate.

As he journeys back to Groun, humming a tune once sang by Iona the Honeytongue, he travels with the belief and hope that his sibling continues to fight in the name of the gods.