Rukal Stonehide
Warrior
Gruddur Orangefist, by Kerem Beyit
“... Your skills are a gift of Uroghosh, Stonehide. Create nothing with your hands and mind that you do not believe to be useful. Or beautiful. Or deadly."
- Ghanak Stormblessed, Orcish Shaman of the Steppes.
Born beneath an ominous star, it was said that Rukal Stonehide was destined for greatness. In the moments before he was torn, kicking and screaming, from his mother’s womb, the Shamans’ of the Clan had cast the runic bones in his favour. With both the star and the alleged benevolence of their tribal ancestors, Rukal’s youth was rife with many trials. There were many families within the Clan that grew jealous of the attention the youth was given, and many sought to act on their envy by slaughtering the child in their sleep. Whether through divine intervention, or some blessing of fortune, Rukal survived one attempt on his life after another - though each endeavour had left their mark upon his ashen hide. As the young Orc reached adolescence, Rukal had endured many hardships - made worse by the roving bands of nomadic Taagi Centaurs, and the nature of living upon the Steppes themselves. All of these had hardened the once-youthful Orc into a Warrior of some repute. However, despite his skill with weapon in hand, Rukal himself believed that something was missing. It wasn’t until he was introduced to the blazing fires of his tribal forge that the Orcish Warrior found what he believed to be his purpose in life. Thus, Rukal devoted himself to the trade - seeking new methods and materials in which to hone his craft. Despite his chosen vocation, there were inklings of the past that seeded themselves into Rukal’s present, and would likely shape his future. Destiny was a fickle mistress, after all, and none could deny her embrace.
Appearance
Rukal Stonehide strikes an impressive, and imposing figure - even amongst the Orcs of the Steppes. For his ashen grey hide is festooned with countless scars, earned either from the heat of battle, or from the raging fury of the forge. His once dark mane has recently taken on a lighter hue, as the trials of his youth bleached the very colour from his braided hair and beard. Rukal’s physique is that of one who lived their life upon the rugged landscape of the Taagi Steppes, and hardened further by a violent lifestyle. Thick cords of muscle coiled themselves across a stocky, hulking frame, whilst eyes of molten topaz stared towards the heavens, searching for answers that may never come.. In true Orcish fashion, Rukal clad himself in the tanned hide of several beasts and several totemic fetishes taken from several creatures that skulked within the corridors of his Clan’s newfound home. He wears these symbols, and honours the fallen, with pride - for they had given him the strength to see another rising dawn.
However, it was in times of battle that Rukal truly distinguished himself from his kindred, at least in the visual aspect. While others sought to adorn themselves in the boiled leathers and ramshackle vest of curled metals, as was traditional of Orcish Warriors, He had elected to wear heavier, protective mails overtop of his traditional garments. He often donned a long-shirt of interwoven chains that loosely hung around his thighs, before adorning his burly torso in another layer of splinted mail - forged from the blackest of Iron. From there, his brow was sequestered beneath a pilfered helm of Dwarven make, and altered with a single horn reaching towards the heavens. In addition to the armoured layers of hide, Rukal often lashes a large, boiled leather belt around his waist - that often carries a leather coin purse or a pair of hammers to denote his trade.
While useful to repair his gear, and those of his compatriots on the road, they have also been effective at breaking bones when necessary.
However, it was in times of battle that Rukal truly distinguished himself from his kindred, at least in the visual aspect. While others sought to adorn themselves in the boiled leathers and ramshackle vest of curled metals, as was traditional of Orcish Warriors, He had elected to wear heavier, protective mails overtop of his traditional garments. He often donned a long-shirt of interwoven chains that loosely hung around his thighs, before adorning his burly torso in another layer of splinted mail - forged from the blackest of Iron. From there, his brow was sequestered beneath a pilfered helm of Dwarven make, and altered with a single horn reaching towards the heavens. In addition to the armoured layers of hide, Rukal often lashes a large, boiled leather belt around his waist - that often carries a leather coin purse or a pair of hammers to denote his trade.
While useful to repair his gear, and those of his compatriots on the road, they have also been effective at breaking bones when necessary.
Skills and Abilities
Fledgling Orcish Artisan: While many believe that Orc’s were incapable of forging anything other than the simplistic tenets of metallurgy, including the working of black iron, Rukal’s Clan had begun to experiment with the metals and forge-fires found within a Dwarven Holdfast. Through countless winters of trial and error, Rukal and his Tribe unlocked the ability to forge precious metals and even create ornate - although entirely baroque and rudimentary by the standards of the other Planar races of Arethil - arms and armour. Although weaponry, and the means in which to defend themselves from them, were a priority to the Clan - there were many amongst the Orcish Tribe who sought to bend the shiniest of metals to their will. They sought to create more intricate totems or fetishes from scraps of silver or copper; as they believed such gifts of the land shouldn’t go to waste. Rukal - in his ravenous pursuit of knowledge - seeks to study the twinned disciplines of artistry and functionality, hoping to one day blend both primitive techniques into one.
Furious Orcish Warrior: As life upon the Taagi Steppes was rife with hardships, Orcs born there are often driven towards the Path of the Warrior. Rukal was no exception. When he was strong enough to wield a weapon, the young Orc was driven towards the fires of combat. There was little skill earned on the battlefield, however, as every encounter further etched the feral instinct to survive. Their blows would become erratic as these Orcish Warriors relied heavily on their primal strength and furious endurance to carry the day. While such brutish strength and constitution alone would doubtfully win any wars against a civilized army - they would triumph in a fight. Win enough fights? Well, even the most foolhardy soldier would quake in their boots, paving the way towards an eventual victory. Thus, Rukal Stonehide embodies such an archetype on the rare occasions he blesses the battlefield. He is driven forward by the rage boiling within his veins, and the coppery scent of freshly salted-earth - seeking to hack apart whatever stands before his furious stampede.
Nascent Armour Proficiency: It is said that the Orc’s refused to wear the heavy armours of many civilized states because such armour severed their connection to the land, and nature thereafter. However, the alleged truth was because they knew little of Metallurgy beyond the most simplistic of measures. Ragged scraps of curled chains would be bonded together with treated scales, or strips of boiled leather to forge the foundations of their armour. However, as Rukal’s Tribe had taken shelter within a Dwavern Holdfast, their skills in Metallurgy increased thanks to the once-dormant forges. With new tools, came new methods - and from those processes came sheets of pressed Black Iron to forge rudimentary pieces of armour. Thus, Rukal himself has begun to champion the use of heavier plates in place of tanned hides, or stitched pieces of boiled leather.
Distinguished Orcish Tongue: Although his ashen maw is rife with fangs and tusks, Rukal commands the rudimentary skill of speaking several languages, but claims mastery over none - save that of Orcish. The nascent Blacksmith is capable of speaking Common, but is unable to grasp the true depths of the language, thanks in part to his Orcish heritage. Tusks and fangs make it difficult to pronounce the most complex phrases and words, after all. As the young Orc has dealt with many traveling merchants, and the various peoples of the Steppes, Rukal has the most basic understanding of the Trade language and Steppespeak. From there, his understanding of written language follows a similar path - as Rukal is capable of understanding the most basic of tomes and ledgers written in Common or Trade. While Orcish has no known written aspect to their language, there exists a Runic facet - which shares some similarities to the ancient Runes once carved by the Dwarves. Thus, Rukal is able to denote these familiar aspects and potentially understand the iconography of his Tribe’s new home. Though, whether or not that understanding is correct is anyone’s guess.
Furious Orcish Warrior: As life upon the Taagi Steppes was rife with hardships, Orcs born there are often driven towards the Path of the Warrior. Rukal was no exception. When he was strong enough to wield a weapon, the young Orc was driven towards the fires of combat. There was little skill earned on the battlefield, however, as every encounter further etched the feral instinct to survive. Their blows would become erratic as these Orcish Warriors relied heavily on their primal strength and furious endurance to carry the day. While such brutish strength and constitution alone would doubtfully win any wars against a civilized army - they would triumph in a fight. Win enough fights? Well, even the most foolhardy soldier would quake in their boots, paving the way towards an eventual victory. Thus, Rukal Stonehide embodies such an archetype on the rare occasions he blesses the battlefield. He is driven forward by the rage boiling within his veins, and the coppery scent of freshly salted-earth - seeking to hack apart whatever stands before his furious stampede.
Nascent Armour Proficiency: It is said that the Orc’s refused to wear the heavy armours of many civilized states because such armour severed their connection to the land, and nature thereafter. However, the alleged truth was because they knew little of Metallurgy beyond the most simplistic of measures. Ragged scraps of curled chains would be bonded together with treated scales, or strips of boiled leather to forge the foundations of their armour. However, as Rukal’s Tribe had taken shelter within a Dwavern Holdfast, their skills in Metallurgy increased thanks to the once-dormant forges. With new tools, came new methods - and from those processes came sheets of pressed Black Iron to forge rudimentary pieces of armour. Thus, Rukal himself has begun to champion the use of heavier plates in place of tanned hides, or stitched pieces of boiled leather.
Distinguished Orcish Tongue: Although his ashen maw is rife with fangs and tusks, Rukal commands the rudimentary skill of speaking several languages, but claims mastery over none - save that of Orcish. The nascent Blacksmith is capable of speaking Common, but is unable to grasp the true depths of the language, thanks in part to his Orcish heritage. Tusks and fangs make it difficult to pronounce the most complex phrases and words, after all. As the young Orc has dealt with many traveling merchants, and the various peoples of the Steppes, Rukal has the most basic understanding of the Trade language and Steppespeak. From there, his understanding of written language follows a similar path - as Rukal is capable of understanding the most basic of tomes and ledgers written in Common or Trade. While Orcish has no known written aspect to their language, there exists a Runic facet - which shares some similarities to the ancient Runes once carved by the Dwarves. Thus, Rukal is able to denote these familiar aspects and potentially understand the iconography of his Tribe’s new home. Though, whether or not that understanding is correct is anyone’s guess.
Personality
Taciturn to a fault, Rukal prefers to keep to himself and allow his works, various though they may be, to speak for him. In many circles, it’s behaviour that’s uncommon for a Tribal Orc, as they are often considered to be social creatures. But, through the many attempts on his person, and the violent life he had led in his youth - Rukal believes it best to somewhat distance himself from his kindred. There are times he joins the Clan in celebrating some significant event, or joining in the festivities brought about by the changing of seasons and the Winter or Summer solstice. But, his participation was always a measured affair. It was only when ensconced within his sequestered forge that Rukal felt truly at peace.
With his mind focused towards a goal of advancement and production, the Orcish Smith could finally take his mind off the echoing omens, whispered by the Shamans of his tribe at every turn. Perhaps, through his work, Rukal could deny those malign portents and reforge his destiny anew.
When it comes to strangers, especially those not of his own kind, Rukal is overly suspicious by nature. Many times a blade hath come from the shadows, seeking to sever his mortal coil, and all from the hands of a knife-eared Elf, or a brutish Human warrior. Thus, as one can imagine, it takes some time to earn this Orcish Smith’s trust. However, though those experiences were harrowing, it gave Rukal the chance to pick out those wishing to do him harm - or swindle him when bartering for goods and services. Many times had foreign merchants sought to take advantage of Rukal and his fellow Forgewrights, thinking themselves smarter than the supposedly average Orc. Their skulls and wares often decorated his forge as well-earn trophies, or found themselves woven into various works of art smithed by Rukal’s brutish hands.
Despite the unbecoming nature of this Orc, Rukal Stonehide bears the characteristic archetypes most often attributed by his species. When enraged, Rukal becomes a nigh-unstoppable juggernaut - often acting without thinking and lashing out at whatever was closest. While this Inner Beast, as it were, was unstoppable at times, Rukal has taken strides to tighten its leash through sheer determination and force of will. Yet, such a struggle amounts to little at times, as the Orc would be better off fighting against the raging rapids of the Bystra with naught but cupped hands and harsh language.
With his mind focused towards a goal of advancement and production, the Orcish Smith could finally take his mind off the echoing omens, whispered by the Shamans of his tribe at every turn. Perhaps, through his work, Rukal could deny those malign portents and reforge his destiny anew.
When it comes to strangers, especially those not of his own kind, Rukal is overly suspicious by nature. Many times a blade hath come from the shadows, seeking to sever his mortal coil, and all from the hands of a knife-eared Elf, or a brutish Human warrior. Thus, as one can imagine, it takes some time to earn this Orcish Smith’s trust. However, though those experiences were harrowing, it gave Rukal the chance to pick out those wishing to do him harm - or swindle him when bartering for goods and services. Many times had foreign merchants sought to take advantage of Rukal and his fellow Forgewrights, thinking themselves smarter than the supposedly average Orc. Their skulls and wares often decorated his forge as well-earn trophies, or found themselves woven into various works of art smithed by Rukal’s brutish hands.
Despite the unbecoming nature of this Orc, Rukal Stonehide bears the characteristic archetypes most often attributed by his species. When enraged, Rukal becomes a nigh-unstoppable juggernaut - often acting without thinking and lashing out at whatever was closest. While this Inner Beast, as it were, was unstoppable at times, Rukal has taken strides to tighten its leash through sheer determination and force of will. Yet, such a struggle amounts to little at times, as the Orc would be better off fighting against the raging rapids of the Bystra with naught but cupped hands and harsh language.
