Orm_Proudfoot

In the year 1351, Owen Sturdyfoot guided a group of halflings and priests of the True Faith during the evacuation of Aegis. While passing through the Verge, they were attacked and Oren killed. Becoming separated from the masses, the group found themselves trapped in the Verge when the portal to Asulan closed. They occupied the former site of New Oasis and lived their shortened lives in the harsh environment of the Verge. The four halfling clans intermarried over the next 12 generations and carried on the tradition of the True Faith. Besieged by the creatures of the Verge, the personality of the halflings changed over time, and they became more stoic and hardened. While most stayed behind the high walls of New Dunwood, parties were sent out periodically to search for a way out of the Verge. Finally, after being trapped for 468 years, a party discovered another portal far from New Dunwood. Braving the dangers along the way, the remaining residents ventured forth from the safety of the walls and journeyed to the new portal. Not knowing what lie beyond the swirling vortex, they took the chance and found themselves in Almaris.

Oren Sturdyfoot is an eleventh generation descendant of the great Owen Sturdyfoot and a senior member of Clan Sturdyfoot. Now in his 93rd year, his body is ravaged by the harsh environment of the Verge. Gaunt, with wrinkles marring his once fine features, and snow white hair adorning his head and face, the venerable halfling is weary of life and resigned to death. He accompanied the group in leaving New Dunwood at the behest of his widowed niece, Everleigh Sturdyfoot, and for the sake of his grandson, Owen, rather than from personal desire, as he was content to remain behind to die. His faded blue eyes widened in shock upon seeing blue sky and green grass for the first time after leaving the portal, sparking a tiny desire to live and see the wonder of this new world. The tall, majestic trees and distant mountains dwarfed his hunched two foot, seven inch frame, but Oren was enthralled by it all the same.

Educated at the church school in New Dunwood, Oren's knowledge of the world outside the Verge is very limited. In theory, he knows of trees, grass, water, and the like, but has never seen any outside of the few surviving books brought by the original halflings many centuries ago. He was born in 1726 in New Dunwood to Flynwan Sturdyfoot and Jillyse Boffin, their second son and third child. He entered the church as a young man, and trained to become a priest, as many in his family had done before him. In 1763, he married Lena Boffin, and remained together for forty years until her death in 1803. With her, the light and joy in his life died, and he retired from the priesthood. In the years since, he has compiled the history of the Verge since 1351, the desire to see it complete being the only driving force keeping him alive. He and Lena had one child, Branden Sturdyfoot, who died in 1816 while off trying to find a way out of the Verge. Branden's wife, Vayora, had predeceased him, leaving their son, Owen Sturdyfoot, an orphan. Oren's niece, Everleigh, now cares for the young Owen and her elderly uncle.

OOC: My friend will be submitting an application to become Everleigh Sturdyfoot, my character's niece. There will be similarities in our applications as we are using the same general background. Way back in 2011, I was a member of the server, global moderator, and chief of religious development. My Minecraft account is the same, but I changed the name several years ago and would probably need to be re-whitelisted anyway after nearly a decade away, so am reapplying. Thanks!