Session 0, Part 2 - Character Burning

For our second session, we dive into Character Burning. Everyone is going to burn up a 4-lifepath Dwarf. After a lot of discussion and delving into the rules, we wind up with the following characters:

Tevin Alumgold

Played by Adam

Beliefs
I must establish political connections with members of elite houses to gain permanent political power.
I will always fight for veterans of Gabil-zaram and other patriots of Dwarven independence.
We must rebuild a trust with the Elves if we are to survive as an independent nation-state.

Instincts
Always take the opportunity to introduce myself to people who appear to be of nobility.
Always have a first-aid kit on-hand
Never rush a diagnosis or procedure.
I have sworn an oath to do whatever it takes to thwart Broc Rockhaven.

Backstory

Tevin Alumgold was born to parents of significant but not extraordinary wealth. He grew up in a large and well-appointed house with his parents, his father was a gem trader and his mother gem cutter. He has 2 brothers and 1 sister; they are not exceptionally close but communicate and see each on all relative holidays and celebrations. Tevin grew up going to the best schools and received the best tutoring his parents could find. While in high school, a prestigious internship at a law school opened up. The competition was fierce and was came down to Tevin and Broc Rockhaven. Broc convinced 2 of his friends to say Tevin paid them for schoolwork so he lost the internship. The next best was medicine, transcribing old medical journals. So that's what he did for the next decade or so. When the war broke out, Tevin knew he had to do something. With his noble background and scholarly education, he joined as a Khirurgeon and trained for surgery. After the war, he opened a small medical practice where he specializes in family medicine and as a midwife.
Currently, Tevin has political aspirations and wants to walk out of the council with a position of power that is permanent. He wants to help shape the new nation and make a name for himself.

Tevin's wife is Alayna. They met during the second year Tevin worked as a chronicler, transcribing medical texts, when he was 42. They have 2 children, Leila is 18 and Gavin is 12.

Dor Stoneaxe

Played by Maia

Beliefs
I must gain political champions to advance my beliefs.
I must become the Barukgathol and thus gain legitimacy in my family.
Dwarven crafts belong in Dwarven hands.
I have sworn an Oath to protect and advance the interests of the Dornessi of Gabilgathol.

Instincts
My axe is always sharp and at the ready
Consider every stone
Never let them see you sweat

Backstory
I was raised in the same nursery as my half siblings by my noble mother (Queen/Dornessti of Gabilgathol) but I’m illegitimate so I an not styled as “Daughter of Droma”

Gabilgathol is populist/nationalist - want central dwarven state. Nobles hold magical Dwarven crafts in trust for all Dwarves.

My mother & Thrain are representing Gabilgathol to the council and I am here as her bodyguard.

I fought in the Battle of Gabil-Zaram. My girlfriend is in the Barazak, we met in the army then she joined Barazak forces and has tried to get me to join (she is a True Believer).

Barakgathol is the ceremonial title of the Champion of the Gabilgathol ruling family. It is a position that has not existed for centuries, but dates back to pre-Elven Khazagund, and can only be appointed at a Great Council. The Barakgathol styles themselves “son/daughter of the dornessti”

I was fast tracked to officer during the Battle of Gabil-zaram and am younger than average for my rank

Wulfric Hearwealdson

Played by Matt

Beliefs

I must become Lawspeaker of the High Council.

I will prove myself a loyal ally to Queen Droma in Council and gain her trust.

I will convince a Master Artificer in Tumunzahar to guarantee hazard pay for my expedition for Frost Drake Blood.

I have sworn an oath to my brother Godwine that I will prevent the creation of a unified currency at all costs.

Instincts

Always trust the Fates without question.

Never miss an opportunity for a generous action, word, or deed. 

If I hear anyone shame Delvers, confront and publicly shame them.

Backstory

Thráin is a leader of a rival trade organization and the elected/appointed Master of the Hallgeld of Gabilgathol, the city’s ancestral mint. This makes him the non-hereditary leader counterpart to Queen Droma. He had been something of a mentor to me until he betrayed me. I vowed to take my revenge and make him watch as I took away everything he held dear. 

Before the events of our game, I had discovered a prize artifact while delving in the ruins of Barazduban. It was the Telchar Seal of Barazduban’s Hallgeld. Without it, the art of their coinage had been impossible to emulate, and there had only been 4 Masters and 4 stable currencies. This had been what I’d been waiting for. I had intended to make a bid to become a Master, restore the Hallgeld of Barazduban, and gather the kin who’d been scattered from their home. I brought this idea before Thráin, but he stole it from me in order to protect his position and the dominance of his Hallgeld.

My brother is a former member of the Barazak, and he runs the shady, illegal part of my organization. This makes things difficult and dangerous, because he is an outlaw who I’m not supposed to have contact with at all. He broke his oaths to his compatriots when he used the conflict as an opportunity to steal and profit from his fellow dwarves, including wealthy members of Barazak. He betrayed them into the hands of the elves for greed. A secret I keep is that even though he acted of his own accord, both he AND I benefited from what he did.

My Second is the one who runs the day to day operations of the legal side of my business.

I run an organization called The Errant Trove / Errantrove / The Trove interchangeably. Legally, it is engaged in two major endeavors: 1) Seeking, Acquiring, and Dealing in arcane accouterments including but not limited to artifacts, relics, heirlooms, etc. 2) Collecting, Distilling/Refining, and Dealing in unstable arcane substances used in all sorts of mystical arts including but not limited to Frost Drake Blood, Lindwyrm Venom, healing Delvelily from deep tunnel wells, etc. Illegally, it is engaged in loan sharking, fencing, money laundering, and forgery.

I am known to be very generous and caring, especially to those who work for me. This reputation really took hold during the conflict, because I used my resources to smuggle food and medicines into areas where there was Dwarven oppression and suffering and to smuggle Dwarves out of areas where they were being hunted/arrested.