Aabrqu L'aqshy
Exiled protector and champion of the Breyherd, a collection of beastmen native to the Falwood, elusive and semi-mythical.
Stripped of his honor and without purpose he wanders, seeking a new beginning for his life.
Appearance
A towering figure of beastly visage, Aabrqu possesses goat-like features, his massive frame enveloped in thick white fur, save for two distinct areas. Below the knees, the fur thins to reveal digitigrade legs, coated in a deep, inky black fur, which transitions back to white around hooved feet. Similarly, his arms are adorned in a fine, thin black fur, extending to furless hands, eerily human in their shape, yet juxtaposed against the creature's bestial form. Heavily muscled, with a density and contouring unlike that of traditional humanoids, it hints at an astonishing level of physical strength.
Aabrqu head mirrors his caprine ancestry, featuring a elongated snout with a small white beard. However, his forward-facing eyes betray a predatory nature. A formidable pair of horns emerge just above and behind his ears, curving outward before arching back forward and upward, tapering to sharp points beyond the length of his snout. Predominantly white, the horns darken towards the center to a rich brown hue, culminating in jet-black tips.
In terms of attire, he sports a ensemble consisting of a loincloth, a singular hip plate armor adorning the left leg, and a substantial cuirass with a flared pauldron gracing the left shoulder. On the right shoulder rests a chain mail "cape," providing protection for the right arm while allowing greater freedom of movement than the pauldron would afford. Beneath the armor, a padded, sleeveless brigandine offers additional comfort and protection.
A custom two-piece crested helmet, adorned with a spiked ridge, envelops his head, its design resembling a clamshell as it attaches by encompasses both the upper and lower portions of his snout.
Aabrqu head mirrors his caprine ancestry, featuring a elongated snout with a small white beard. However, his forward-facing eyes betray a predatory nature. A formidable pair of horns emerge just above and behind his ears, curving outward before arching back forward and upward, tapering to sharp points beyond the length of his snout. Predominantly white, the horns darken towards the center to a rich brown hue, culminating in jet-black tips.
In terms of attire, he sports a ensemble consisting of a loincloth, a singular hip plate armor adorning the left leg, and a substantial cuirass with a flared pauldron gracing the left shoulder. On the right shoulder rests a chain mail "cape," providing protection for the right arm while allowing greater freedom of movement than the pauldron would afford. Beneath the armor, a padded, sleeveless brigandine offers additional comfort and protection.
A custom two-piece crested helmet, adorned with a spiked ridge, envelops his head, its design resembling a clamshell as it attaches by encompasses both the upper and lower portions of his snout.
Skills and Abilities
Champion of the Breyherd = As the martial protector of a diverse herd of beastmen and sylvans, he hails from a lineage steeped in the tradition of warriors—a unique caste of beastmen bred specifically for combat and safeguarding the Breyherd. Within this caste, he stood as the epitome of excellence, revered as the elite.
Distinct from all other cultures, his expertise was inherited from his predecessors, honing his mastery over a massive thorned club—an esteemed and blessed weapon bestowed upon the Breyherd by the spirits of the forest. Although stripped of his title and the legendary club that accompanied it, he remains a formidable adversary, wielding a massive two-handed morning star with deadly precision.
Contrary to his rugged appearance, he engages in combat with surprising finesse and strategy, defying expectations of a wildman.
Brand of the Exiled = An exile from the semi-mythical Breyherd, Aabrqu has been deprived of all the magical and supernatural benefits bestowed upon his people. Once endowed with the ability to commune with the trees and the entirety of the forest, to hear the songs of birds and the whispers of wildlife, and even to summon powerful beasts as allies, his status as an outcast is now marked by the branded insignia on the palms of his hands.
This brand serves as a literal condemnation, stripping Aabrqu of all magical endowments, effectively prohibiting him from entering the concealed glen of the Breyherd, cloaked in enigmatic enchantments. Unable to return home and utterly severed from the voices of the forest, his isolation is profound, the silence within the woods oppressive and disorienting, bordering on maddening.
An unintended consequence of the branding is a minor resilience to magical influences—while a fireball may scorch him less severely, charms are easier for him to resist, and healing spells prove less effective, among other effects.
Distinct from all other cultures, his expertise was inherited from his predecessors, honing his mastery over a massive thorned club—an esteemed and blessed weapon bestowed upon the Breyherd by the spirits of the forest. Although stripped of his title and the legendary club that accompanied it, he remains a formidable adversary, wielding a massive two-handed morning star with deadly precision.
Contrary to his rugged appearance, he engages in combat with surprising finesse and strategy, defying expectations of a wildman.
Brand of the Exiled = An exile from the semi-mythical Breyherd, Aabrqu has been deprived of all the magical and supernatural benefits bestowed upon his people. Once endowed with the ability to commune with the trees and the entirety of the forest, to hear the songs of birds and the whispers of wildlife, and even to summon powerful beasts as allies, his status as an outcast is now marked by the branded insignia on the palms of his hands.
This brand serves as a literal condemnation, stripping Aabrqu of all magical endowments, effectively prohibiting him from entering the concealed glen of the Breyherd, cloaked in enigmatic enchantments. Unable to return home and utterly severed from the voices of the forest, his isolation is profound, the silence within the woods oppressive and disorienting, bordering on maddening.
An unintended consequence of the branding is a minor resilience to magical influences—while a fireball may scorch him less severely, charms are easier for him to resist, and healing spells prove less effective, among other effects.
Personality
Once a formidable protector of his people and their homeland, Aabrqu's exile has transformed him. Bereft of the comforting whispers of the forest, he now cloaks himself in metal armor and wields weapons of steel. Whatever semblance of his former self remained has been obscured, as he grapples with the daunting task of discovering his identity and purpose without the guidance of his herd, the wisdom of the forest, and the companionship of its beasts.
As a native son of the Falwood, Aabrqu's existence has been intimately entwined with the forest, and only recently has he ventured beyond its borders to encounter the various Elven civilizations and even mingle with traveling humans and other races. However, the overwhelming silence imposed by his branded exile has begun to unsettle him, its oppressive weight invading his mind and stoking a growing sense of unease.
Aabrqu is a man adrift, noble in character but vulnerable in his isolation and loneliness. His vulnerability can be both a strength and a weakness, subject to exploitation for better or for worse. Yet, the encroaching madness brought on by the loss of his magical abilities is more than mere anxiety—it threatens to unravel his sanity entirely. Can a beastman retain his grasp on reality without the comforting voice of the forest to guide him?
As a native son of the Falwood, Aabrqu's existence has been intimately entwined with the forest, and only recently has he ventured beyond its borders to encounter the various Elven civilizations and even mingle with traveling humans and other races. However, the overwhelming silence imposed by his branded exile has begun to unsettle him, its oppressive weight invading his mind and stoking a growing sense of unease.
Aabrqu is a man adrift, noble in character but vulnerable in his isolation and loneliness. His vulnerability can be both a strength and a weakness, subject to exploitation for better or for worse. Yet, the encroaching madness brought on by the loss of his magical abilities is more than mere anxiety—it threatens to unravel his sanity entirely. Can a beastman retain his grasp on reality without the comforting voice of the forest to guide him?
Biography & Lore
Born to protect the Breyherd, Aabrqu's life was steeped in the wisdom of his elders within the warrior caste. As he matured, his natural aptitude for battle propelled him to become the Champion of the Breyherd—the pinnacle of mortal protectors—bestowed with the legendary Branch of Cernunnos. Crafted from a branch of the God of the Forest himself, this massive spiked club symbolized his status and filled him with unparalleled pride.
Encounters with enemies were rare for the Breyherd, sheltered by enchantments and the natural fortifications of the Falwood. Yet, when threats arose, Aabrqu led the charge, his judicious leadership and unexpectedly astute skill with the Branch leaving adversaries vanquished beneath his hooves.
However, his exile was swift and unexpected. One day, he stood as the esteemed Champion of the Herd; the next, the forest itself turned against him. The cause was plain: Aabrqu had thwarted an invasion by malevolent wizards intent on seizing an artifact held by the Breyherd. In the aftermath, he brought home a single trophy—a radiant gem atop the staff of the wizards' leader. This cursed gem tainted the glen, weakening the magical barrier protecting the Breyherd.
Though the evil magic's lasting damage was minimal, trust in Aabrqu had waned irreparably. His exile was not immediate, but as the forest's voices grew silent and the Breyshaman, de facto ruler of the Breyherd, had no choice but to cast him out to prevent further rejection of the herd.
Alone and branded, Aabrqu encountered a group of Elves first, who, wary of the semi-mythical beastmen, soon disregarded him upon seeing his exiled markings. Without weapons or provisions, Aabrqu resigned himself to his fate until chance brought him to a band of human mercenaries. They welcomed him into their fold, and during a mission to eradicate bandits on the outskirts of the Falwood, Aabrqu's prowess proved indispensable.
Amidst the fray, he salvaged a troll's armor and a massive two-handed morning star, fashioning them into his own makeshift equipment. Although invited to join the mercenaries on their subsequent endeavors beyond the Falwood, Aabrqu hesitated, torn between his homeland and the unfamiliar allure of adventure.
Equipped and armored, Aabrqu embarks once more into the heart of the Falwood—a former champion of nature, now a humble beastman, navigating a world devoid of the accolades he once held.
Encounters with enemies were rare for the Breyherd, sheltered by enchantments and the natural fortifications of the Falwood. Yet, when threats arose, Aabrqu led the charge, his judicious leadership and unexpectedly astute skill with the Branch leaving adversaries vanquished beneath his hooves.
However, his exile was swift and unexpected. One day, he stood as the esteemed Champion of the Herd; the next, the forest itself turned against him. The cause was plain: Aabrqu had thwarted an invasion by malevolent wizards intent on seizing an artifact held by the Breyherd. In the aftermath, he brought home a single trophy—a radiant gem atop the staff of the wizards' leader. This cursed gem tainted the glen, weakening the magical barrier protecting the Breyherd.
Though the evil magic's lasting damage was minimal, trust in Aabrqu had waned irreparably. His exile was not immediate, but as the forest's voices grew silent and the Breyshaman, de facto ruler of the Breyherd, had no choice but to cast him out to prevent further rejection of the herd.
Alone and branded, Aabrqu encountered a group of Elves first, who, wary of the semi-mythical beastmen, soon disregarded him upon seeing his exiled markings. Without weapons or provisions, Aabrqu resigned himself to his fate until chance brought him to a band of human mercenaries. They welcomed him into their fold, and during a mission to eradicate bandits on the outskirts of the Falwood, Aabrqu's prowess proved indispensable.
Amidst the fray, he salvaged a troll's armor and a massive two-handed morning star, fashioning them into his own makeshift equipment. Although invited to join the mercenaries on their subsequent endeavors beyond the Falwood, Aabrqu hesitated, torn between his homeland and the unfamiliar allure of adventure.
Equipped and armored, Aabrqu embarks once more into the heart of the Falwood—a former champion of nature, now a humble beastman, navigating a world devoid of the accolades he once held.