Cairn

Angus looks up upon hearing the news, from were he had been cleaning up his weapons. He gives a slow, thoughtful nod in the direction of the crowds watching Lori set off.

"Hm... a worthy Dwed, tha' Loreh. 'Ope 'e gets 'ome safe. Me uncle and aunt were alwaeh tryin' tae git me tae 'onourin' the Brathmordakin, git me aweh from messin' aboot in th' pubs wit' me mates an' follow th' teachin's o' the Dwed. N'er realleh stopped feckin' aboot in th' pubs, but I always give a mention tae Dungrimm 'r Yemekar when it be th' right momen'. I 'ope 'e's wrong, an' the ol' ways are nae dyin' on us. Culture's an impart'nt t'ing 'roond 'ere."

Some folks look at Angus strangely for talking to himself aloud. Angus simply goes back to polishing his axe with a chuckle.

Angus Cairnfist joins the bagpipers gathered at the ceremony, watching the floating pyre sail away.

"'T was a guhd King, that 'un. A damn guhd Dwarf tae."

Sadly, he returns home to drink and toast to Vorstag's name.

Angus looks down at the figure from the battlements.

"I t'ink I like dis lad alreadeh."

RP name: Angus Cairnfist

MC name Bl00dRiver

Vote: (Put an x next to name)

Grabthar Irongut:

Vorstag Ireheart: X

Fili Grandaxe:

"I wan' a feckin' regymen'. Plus 'e whars 'is tartan propa, so 'e cannae be tha' bad."

The lone figure of a Dwarf walks slowly but steadily up the mountains above Kal'Agnar, high above the smoke and fire in the newly recaptured city. The wind howls steadily, sending waves of white powder snow off the mountain slopes in great droves. The wind picks and prods at the figure, like invisible hands tugging softly at his clothing, and seems to try to fling him from the narrow mountain paths and out into the white void. Finally the figure rises above seemingly endless clouds of airborne snow and pauses to catch his breath, looking down into the lands below.

He continues upwards, finally reaching a high peak which looks over the Dwarven capital- a solemn, peaceful monolith. The Dwarf halts, brushing snow from his beard and dropping his heavy pack into the snow. Out of it he carefully lifts a set of Dwarven bagpipes. Sun reflects off its polished carved wooden pipes and snow sticks to the tartan fabric of its bag. Lifting the pipes to his lips, the Dwarf begins to play. A single, long droning wail is carried down the mountain and across the land before shifting into the great dwarven battle song "Urguan the Brave."

While most non-dwarves within earshoot run for cover and hold their bleeding eardrums, the dwarves who hear the song would feel their chests swell with dwarvish pride as they mourn their fallen and celebrate their victory over the Undead. One or two even softly hum along to the music, recalling the lyrics penned by dwarves long ago.

((Angus Cairnfist))

MC Name: Bl00dRiver
Skype Name: n/a
Prior Rank: Stoneguard
Clan: n/a

Angus smiles warmly as he stands smoking his pipe and looking out upon Hiebenhall. A traditional Dwarven tune floats through the crisp air towards him- one he and many other Dwarves learned as children and continues to fill his heart with nostalgia to this day. "I am a Dwarf an' I'm diggin' a 'ole, diggeh diggeh 'ole, I'm diggin' a 'ole..."    

Angus Cairnfist grits his teeth as he limps away from the conquered city. Washing away the blue warpaint he had worn into battle at a frigid mountain stream, he looks back at the mountains he had called his home, the same mountains he is being forced to flee. Alone among the darkened pine covered roots of the mountains, he swears aloud an oath to never rest until Urguan is rebuilt- preferably upon the ruins and corpses of the newly minted Khorvadic Empire. Muttering a prayer for the fallen, Dwarves and otherwise, Angus continues to limp away, knowing that the sound of the bagpipes will forever instill him with anger against those who dared to take his homeland from him.

Angus Cairnfist cheers among the crowd. "Aye, foinalleh th' go'ernment be duhin' soomthin'! A Fortress Citeh, worthy o' th' Dwarves! Haha!" He suddenly pauses, his forehead wrinkling. "Bu' wha' aboot th' Mountain an' Forest Dwarves? We do nae desire tae live unnerground for our 'ole loives, e'en if it be our 'ome," he says, thinking aloud. "I be all fer th' citeh if it means our survival, bu' I dun't wan' tae be stuffed in a feckin' 'ole fer th' rest o' me days! Wha' aboot that eh!?" 

"Damned bastards an' traitors! 'Tis aboot toime th' Kingdom's dun soomthin' 'boot these Separatists. ...Och, I onleh 'ope th' gods will be merciful tae th' puir feckers Dared drags duhn wit' 'im."

Angus looks up from where he has been preparing his weapons for the stormy future, and over-hears news of the Under Kingdom's answer. He chuckles;

"Och, ye've got tae give credeht tae tha' Seperatist Feck- 'e's a stubborn bastard."

He staggers to his feet, planting his claymore into the ground with a sigh.

"If they are tae be damned fer abandonin' thar bruthahs in this time o' darkness, an' fer killin' thar kin in a useless war, may they go duhn in foir and steel, loik true Dwarves should! Tha's mahr than they deserve."

"Th' Gran' Kingdom be'er duh soomthin' aboot these bluddy Seperatists..." Angus says, gritting his teeth in anger. "I ne'er trusted tha' crazy bastard Dared... an' naow 'e an' 'is mate's duhn ghun an' got 'emselfs a kingdom o' madness. If dhey dun't declare a gehn-o-side 'gainst sum puir feckers tha' duhn noothin' wit'in th' week, oi'll eat me 'ammer." 

Now I may be but a humble Dwarf, but in my opinion the city currently lacks a Dwarven feel, and the Kingdom should be expanded.

Dwarves are known for mountains, great halls, stonework, mines, and drinking. My original suggestion was going to be to remake the city; half of it into the token Massive Dwarven Underground City with Big Ass Pillars, and have a smaller, above-ground section of the city with a Nordic feel to it, with Viking-like architecture and houses clinging to the mountainsides along with connecting stone walkways and a massive door set into the mountain leading into the main underground segment. But it seems that this wouldn't be convenient in terms of rp and centralization. I'd suggest a renovation of the current city to make it seem more Dwarven and less like an average city in the mountains, including large statues, more stonework bridges and platforms, a more leveled, mountainside feel with deep crevasses, the addition of the coveted Big Awesome Dwarf Pillars to the long hallway in the palace, and most importantly, the addition of a centralized point for rp: the tavern. It needs to be bigger, or at least more prominent and interesting. The current Dancing Igor tavern is usually empty, and feels tucked away into a corner of the main square. The nearest, lively tavern that has actual rp is a giant freaking tree run by Elves*. Elves drink spring water 0.00000001% alcohol beer and talk about butterflies and trees all day. Are we going to be upstaged by those pointy-eared hippies? We should show them a real tavern, with the friendly, boisterous atmosphere of an Irish pub and the awe-inspiring architecture that a fantasy race would put into one of its favourite cultural pastimes- that is, getting really freaking drunk. A pub only Dwarves can make, and a city that screams "Dwarven Capital" at you louder than the arguments with the gate guards.

While I believe that other cities and holds are not an option due to restricted numbers, I think the empire needs more than one city. I'd like to see more fortresses and ports so Dwarven influence can be expanded. It doesn't seem reasonable for a regional power like The Grand Kingdom to be restricted to a single city and a cluster of mountains, along with one or two holds. I think the area around the capital needs more settlements, if not another giant mountain city then at least a mining town in the foothills.

*its actually a really nice tavern and you guys did a great job and I'm just making a point here sorry please don't hurt me

Angus, hearing all of this discussion around the capital, slams down his mug in a tavern. "Fockin' poltics! Och, I say we be 'oldin' one o' then refahndums, an' foind oot wha' th' people be wantin'!"

MC Name: Bl00dRiver

RP Name: Angus Cairnfist

Rank: Stoneguard

~Angus Cairnfist, son of Cogadh, son of Caelin~

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Description

Age: As of this writing, he is in his two-hundred and forties
Gender: Male
Race: Mountain Dwarf
Status: Alive and Well
Height: 163 cm (5' 4''), relatively tall for a Dwarf
Body Type: Built like a barrel. Large and muscular, with a layer of fat above
Eyes: Green
Hair: Red
Skin: Pale
Markings/Tattoos: Unusually conservative, tattoo-wise. Only his left arm bears markings, a complicated blue knot-work pattern from the shoulder to just above the elbow joint. Bears multiple scars all over his body, which will likely multiply in future
Health: No Issues

Personality: Angus is a simple soul. At worst, he is loud, impulsive, and short-tempered, quick to defend serious slights on his pride and honour. At best, he is immensely loyal to his friends and those who have earned his respect. He is very fun-loving, and enjoys strong liquor, good company, music, and friendly brawls. He has a quiet love of nature, artwork, and music in his own simple way: he deeply loves the landscapes of his Dwarven home, takes great pride and interest in metal-working decorations, and is deeply interested in the drinking songs, sea shanties, and folk music of taverns and ports across Athera. He dislikes war waged over trivial disputes; greed, racism, and the like. While he tries to avoid or talk himself or others out of such conflicts, he is quite enthusiastic about fair, friendly fist fights and barroom brawls that end in a resolved conflict and no hard feelings on either side. In fact, he considers such fights one of the most enjoyable activities in life. War in the defense of the Dwarven people and homeland, or war to combat injustice, end grudges, and honour alliances have his full backing.

Appearance: Angus Cairnfist is a large, muscular Mountain Dwarf in his prime. His most defining feature is perhaps his green tartan kilt. He deeply dislikes trousers as he finds they restrict movement and so wears his kilt whenever possible, without anything underneath, even in the cold of the Dwarven mountains. He once wore a glorious set of mutton-chops in his youth, but is now growing a grand Dwarven beard. His face has the appearance of being carved out of rock by a drunken sculptor: it is craggy and ugly-looking to most non-Dwarves. His face is weather beaten, with prominent cheek bones, emerging crow's feet, large bushy eyebrows, a large cleft chin often covered by his beard, and a nose that didn't quite heal well after being broken in a pub brawl many years ago. His arms, legs, chest and back are covered with a Sean Connery level of coarse red hair.

Inventory/Clothing: His day-to-day outfit consists of a kilt of green tartan (the upper half of which is usually kept wrapped around his upper body in the style of a sash, but may be unraveled and worn like a hooded cape when traveling), from which hangs a leather sporran pouch decorated with scrolling leather-work and fur. His kilt is secured by a kilt pin. Angus' is decorated with the symbol of the Cairnfists - a fist within a twin-peaked mountain, surrounded by a ring with a knot-work design. He wears a large belt around waist, where he ties various pouches for holding things or tucks his axe or weapon sheathes. Tied around his torso is a baldric, upon which he slings his heavy weapons (warhammers, claymores, etc.) across his back.  He wears simple pauldrons lined with fur and heavy leather and metal vambraces of dwarven make. Recently, he has taken to wearing a coat of mail under his grey cotton top, after being stabbed twice while on Legion duty. He wears nothing on his lower body except for warm, often mud-splattered fur-lined boots and socks, preferring to let his kilt cover up the space between his waist and knees. 

~Music~

Angus' Theme - <<http://youtu.be/PSH0eRKq1lE>

Traveling Theme - <<http://youtu.be/INdjRCNcZj0?t=1m10s>

Dwarven Theme - <> and <>

Pub Theme - <<http://youtu.be/JxV1pqXUNsY> or <http://youtu.be/jrXP5zoFxss>

Life Style

Alignment: Neutral Good
Religion: Worships the Brathmordakin, favors Dungrimm 
Job/Class: Soldier in the Dwarven Legion, experienced/former Bartender, looking into Weapon Smithing. 
Title: Stoneguard
Professions: Blacksmith, Chef, Miner

Aspirations/Goals/Plans: Become a skilled smith, capable of creating great metal work and capable of crafting great personalized weapons for clients. Rise through the ranks of the Dwarven Legion, attaining respect and honour on and off the battlefield. Become a Bartender and return to the lively and beloved pub atmosphere. An idea yet to form in his head is learning to write well in order to pen a collection of books on drinking songs and folk music. Interested in learning about exotic and rare weapons.
Special Skills: High tolerance to cold from wearing kilts at high altitudes. Ability to hide small objects and weapons in his facial hair (common among Dwarves). Plays a few instruments. 
Flaws: Angus can be brash, loud, and blunt in his speech and manner without meaning to be. He often offends people without really meaning to. He is often foul-mouthed. Still young for a Dwarf, he is prone to acting on impulse and has a short temper, which can be triggered by insulting or questioning his honour. Has some prejudices against other races, particularly Humans of Oren and High Elves. Harbours a secret fear of mines and small tunnels, preferring large halls and the outdoors. 

Race Relations: Angus was taught several misconceptions about certain races growing up, making him mistrustful of most non-Dwarves. However, recent encounters with a Human diplomat who explained his philosophy to Angus, a kind Human chef who employed him for a short while, and several Elves convinced him to open his mind. 

Dwedmar (Dwarves): Angus' own race. He judges his kinsmen based on their individual actions and personalities. However, he is still more likely to side with a Dwarf if push comes to shove.

Umros (Humans): Angus has, until recently, considered all Umros untrustworthy and usually dishonourable and his sort stay in the Human capital nearly convinced him of this for good. Yet despite the brutality, ignorance and hate he witnessed in the Human capital, he has since met a few Humans who showed him great kindness and civility. He now only distrusts Humans of Oren, considering them mostly brutes and bigots. The rest he judges by their individual actions. He grudgingly respects Humans on their talent for waging war and their will to live.

Halflings: Angus has a great love for the simple and laid-back Halfling lifestyle and culture, and is greatly fond of this race, as well as their love of drink, pipeweed, and parties. 

Elgus (Elves): Raised on tales of Elven arrogance, Angus has since met some kindred spirits and a few who fit negative stereotypes perfectly. Now he judges them individually, while maintaining some prejudices about High Elves. He respects Elves on their agility and skill in combat.

Orkos (Orcs): Angus once thought all were savage, violent warriors, but has met a few who seem more friendly and civilized than most, if those terms can be used to describe Orcs. Perhaps more than any other race, Angus respects the Orcs on their great skill in war and strength and fierceness in battle.

Kharajyr: Has only seen this race in passing, and is slightly unnerved by their appearance. Yet, he is dedicated to keeping an open mind, and so judges by the individual.

Undead: Bears them deep hatred, especially those who dishonour the corpses of his fellow Dwarves. Will likely kill on sight.  

Weaponry

Fighting Style: Skilled, but blunt and brutal. Nothing fancy; it gets the job done. 

Personal Weapons (weapons most likely to be used by Angus): Likes to be armed at all times. Favours a large claymore sword as a primary weapon, and usually carries a smaller secondary sword along with a general purpose axe. Almost always has his dirk knife, featuring a carved wooden hilt decorated with Dwarven knot work, in one of three places- his boot, his belt, or hidden within his beard.

Trained Weapons: Trained in a variety of weapons by his local militia and uncle growing up. Has attained more proficiency through training with the Legion.

In descending order of greatest to lowest proficiency:  

-Great swords, bastard swords, claymores, and doppelhänder type swords,

-Regular sized swords,

-Knives,

-Axes,

-Warhammers,

-Poled weapons such as halberds

Angus is also very proficient in unarmed combat from years of friendly bar fights and competitive boxing matches. Has a very strong defensive stance and powerful striking power, but would likely be outclassed and outmaneuvered by those trained in advanced martial art styles.

 
Favored Weapon: Massive claymore swords, the bigger the better.
Archery: Completely useless with a bow. Some competence with crossbows.

Biography

Parents: Cogadh Cairnfist (Father)(npc)(deceased), Agnes Cairnfist (Mother)(npc)(deceased)

Siblings: None
Children: None at the moment
Extended Family: Grandfather Caelin Cairnfist (npc)(deceased), Uncle Grodbanks Cairnfist (npc), Mad Uncle Ketach Cairnfist (npc), Great Aunt Cailleach Anvilshunder (npc), a few cousins deemed missing.

Backstory

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~=The Beginning of the Cairnfist Line=-­~

 Many centuries ago, a Dwarf known as Riastrad Thistlebeard, renown as a proud and independent warrior, fought in a great battle and was struck down by his enemies. After the battle was won, at great cost to the Dwarves, they searched the battlefield wearily for the dead, and found Riastrad buried underneath the corpses of his foes. His friends removed his battered body from the field, and grieved for him, and build a great cairn of stones above his body so scavengers and carrion-beasts would not disgrace his final resting place. They drank to his name one last time and reluctantly marched away to the next battlefield, leaving behind his lonely stone cairn in a grove of pines upon a rocky cliff.

 Yet as night began to fall and the former battlefield fell silent, Riastrad refused to die. Awaking trapped in his tomb of stone, Riastrad was so filled with rage at the thought of dying a prisoner that he flew into a frenzy, and for ten straight hours, he punched his way out through the great stones and emerged with bloodied knuckles into the morning sun. Exhausted and wounded, he limped after the tracks left by his fellow soldiers. His friends awoke in their camp the next day to his wrathful blood-soaked visage looming over them. From that day forth he became known as Riastrad Cairnfist, and his descendants took his name to honour his memory and stubborn spirit to survive and be free.

 Thus the family of the Cairnfist Dwarves began, and gained respect as a small but proud family as their generations survived through the years.

~= Recent History and the Birth of Angus Cairnfist=~

Many long years had passed and the modern Cairnfists were moderately successful and living in a small Dwarf settlement nestled deep in the mountains. Angus Cairnfist was born in this village to Cogadh and Agnes Cairnfist, miners of little social standing. By all accounts the Cairnfists were good parents, Agnes being warm and supportive, and Cogadh being quiet but fair and good-humoured. Angus was raised on stories and songs told to him by his grandfather Caelin, a noted sea captain and veteran of several naval battles and adventures, who was unfortunately lost at sea when Angus was barely growing stubble. A few decades later, Angus had begun to train as a blacksmith under his uncle Grodbanks. When he had just begun to enter his teenage years, he experienced great tragedy. His parents and three others were lost in a mining accident that flooded half of the village’s active tunnels. It was after this event that Angus began to wane from his duties under his uncle and became something of a rowdy unemployed youth, and could often be found in the local pubs or engaging in competitive backstreet boxing matches with the other young Dwarves of the village. He maintained his friendship with his Uncle but refused offers of lodging or employment. One night, Angus (now a Dwarf recently come of age) was kept over-night in the town jail after the events of a particularly destructive fight that could be traced from the splintered table where the first drunken insults began, through the bar’s window, down the street and through several farmer’s fields. Disillusioned with his wayward lifestyle, he talked to his great aunt Cailleach Anvilshunder, the owner of the settlement’s main tavern and resident giver of sage advice. She revealed the origin story of Mad Uncle Ketach Cairnfist, the town drunk who was conveniently sprawled over the counter next to the two: Ketach had spent his life very similar to how Angus was spending his at the moment, without much care for others or his future, and was now regarded as the black-sheep of the family. Scared straight, he approached his Uncle Grodbanks with the intent to join the army and bring honour to his family name. Angus was employed to test his Uncle’s weapons and armour for quality, and thus began his training and become skilled in combat. After many years, and the migration and dispersal of his village through various realms, a much more mature but still young and impulsive Angus left to find work in the realm of Athera.

~=Present Day=~

(to be updated as events occur)

Angus, unemployed and looking for work, was hired as a bartender by the human Vinnie the Chef. During his rather short stint there, a drunken human soldier became angry that Vinnie would hire a Dwarf instead of a human, among other things, and attempted to attack the chef when he defended Angus. Angus, feeling obliged to aid his employer, confronted the man but was disappointed after he left without a fight. Still, the event helped to change his opinion of Humans, which had been previously lowered upon seeing various actions of brutality and racism in the Human capital city. He soon quit his job to return to Dwarven lands, and there joined the Legion military. After a time serving the Legion contently, Angus found himself at the front-lines of a great and terrible event in Athera's history. The Dwarven Legion had taken up a defensive line to protect a great pair of ancient Dwarven doors, having learned of a mysterious horrible power that lay behind it. Angus could not have guessed that when the doors were opened, Khorvad himself would be unleashed. Deeply disturbed by the event, he drank himself into a stupor, desperately trying to drown out the sight of the Betrayer being freed. He succeeded, but not for long: he soon relearned the terrible news from his fellow Dwarves. Angus' wait for Khorvad to act against the races was not in vain; but he did not expect it to arrive in the form of a bloody and disastrous civil war between his Dwarven kin. After the declaration of the Underkingdom, Angus prepared himself for battle. Angus played the bagpipes at the Battle of Kal'Agner, in an effort to inspire the great mix of races defending the Dwarven capital. The Dwarves and their allies fought hard but to no avail, and the city fell. Greatly saddened and angered, Angus now waits in Hiebenhall with the other Dwarves, waiting for his chance to destroy the Khorvadic Empire and take back his homeland.  

*Credit for ASCII "Celtic design" - http://everything2.com/title/Celtic+knot

If you have any concerns about this profile, or if you're interested in playing as a distant relative of some kind to Angus Cairnfist, etc., PM me.

*Blinks, looking at the performers in bewilderment* "Feck Politics," he says, going back to his ale and pipe. "Bu' I duh laek tha' song..."