Tzan wrote:"I pity the fool who don't love T and A."
Alright, I've written up a brief for you, knolli. I tried to leave certain parts vague, so I hope it all fits with your theme/ideas/world. I also included four contacts because I wasn't sure you could really use one of them in the story. I mean, of course you could, but the others would be easier to include if you are so inclined. I figured one of the three squires with Nebul could be my last contact but he doesn't have to be. I also tried to keep Kurgen's previous experiences limited in scope or redundant, in order to explain him being only level 1.
Kurgen Character Background and Contacts:
No stranger to hardship, Kurgen was the third son of a minor noble house who volunteered to join a group of colonists traveling out to build a new Dwarven settlement. In his youth and inexperience, he was eager for the chance to expand his medical knowledge and prowess. In this, he would be disappointed, learning that the majority of his time would be spent bandaging cuts, resetting broken bones, and fending off bandits and other evil creatures. He resigned himself to fulfilling his contract with his fellow colonists, however. His honor demanded nothing less. He began training a number of interested initiates in basic first aid techniques and the knowledge of herbalism they would require to treat against animal poisons and the like. Over time, resignation faded into appreciation for the quality of the people around him and he learned what he now considers to be the true drive of a healer. His approach became far more personable. Though his interest in the academic nature of healing did not slacken, he learned that the people themselves were of greater import. In that time, he and his team became valued members of the community.
Several years later, an important Dwarven ambassador and revered hero named Baldir was driven into the settlement with his remaining entourage by a menace that had been recently growing in the area. His guards and aides were unhappy with having to retreat but faced no judgment from Kurgen and his team, who simply patched them up, donned their armor, and happily stood with their kin to drive the invaders off. Baldir was impressed with Kurgen’s conduct, finding in him qualities that would serve well both in combat and in diplomacy. The old ambassador offered him a place in his entourage and Kurgen humbly accepted, leaving his good friend (and, perhaps, the better healer) Gunvaldr in charge of the healers at the settlement.
It has not been long since Kurgen accepted Baldir’s offer, but he is already making himself useful among the entourage and he makes friends easily wherever he goes. He is not a skilled diplomat yet, being often too quiet and generally passive, but he has a natural potential for it. He is finding his time in the group to be enjoyable and eye opening, learning from each new experience the well traveled entourage encounters.
Contacts:
Baldir Stonebrow
Baldir is a no nonsense ambassador for the Dwarven monarchy. In his youth, he was a famed warrior and extraordinarily skilled with his handcrafted hammers, the “twin thunders.” As he grew older and his blood cooled (or more accurately, simmered), he became a statesman and found (to his great surprise) that he had a tongue as skilled as his hammerwork. Over time, he became a trusted advisor in the royal court and eventually his talents were put to use in the field, treating with other nations. Baldir, in great contrast to many of his fellows, does not abide prejudice in himself or his men. This has suited him particularly well to the task.
Gunvaldr Hrothgaard
Gunvaldr is Kurgen’s closest friend and ally. The pair worked side by side for years, both patching up wounds and receiving them. These battle-brothers would give their lives for one another, if it came to it. Gunvaldr now leads the team of healers at the settlement that Kurgen helped to build. He prefers a more direct approach with his teaching methods than did Kurgen, which makes him perhaps better suited to the position. Both Dwarves preferred a hands-on approach, though, so the healers are a well trained squad of frontier combat medics. Gunvaldr often travels abroad (never too far away from the settlement) with new initiates to help them learn from the land.
Njalla Ironsides
Njalla is a recent acquaintance to Kurgen but the two Dwarves have hit it off famously. On the outside looking in, it’s difficult to see why, though. Njalla is gruff, cynical, and aggressive. She makes no attempt toward diplomacy, ever, and is a big fan of a good fight. Perhaps the two find in one another what they lack in themselves. Njalla is a member of Baldir’s entourage in a bodyguard function only. She and Baldir argue near constantly but the old Dwarf seems to favor her for unknown reasons.
Eadmund Auttenberg
Eadmund is a young, eager squire who aspires to one day become a member of the Lion Guard. Kurgen has only recently encountered him but finds his enthusiasm infectious and has taken an instant liking to the boy. Eadmund is unfailingly polite, if fairly bursting at the seams with energy, and takes an interest in…well, everything. During this latest diplomatic mission (which has taken considerably longer than usual), Kurgen has taken to teaching the boy some of his skills and feels protective toward him.