Hogun Greyingot's page

"I think... many people think they are afraid of death, and it affects them. But death isn't really what people are afraid of. They're afraid of hurt and they're afraid of being weak. They fear age not because of death, but because they fear the loss of self-sufficiency and the ability to do the things they love. They fear injury and sickness because it is so painful and debilitating. So... we create elaborate schemes to isolate ourselves from this, to show our bravery in the face of death, but it's misplaced. Death is when all of that ends. So what we, the living, need to do is work to alleviate the suffering of the living. Those who are still here - who haven't yet crossed the veil and gone beyond all those worries and hurts - they need us to help them so that they can live with dignity and solace, instead of dying in pain and squalor."

"So it's not that I have a fascination with death. I have a love of life. And helping people to understand the relation between those was how I was called to the priesthood."

"A sentiment I can appreciate." Though not a sentiment he could agree with. Death was, in Hogun's experience, an ugly thing. A thief that had stolen that which he treasured most.

It was not, however, a subject worth arguing over. His pain was a private matter.

Snorri's sentiment held greater resonance for Hogun. With his wife's departure, the future of their daughter weighed on his shoulders alone. It was up to him to secure that future for her in his wife's stead.

To that end, he paid careful attention to the lore doled out by their sage, Dasur Deepborn. There was much to learn from him.

I'm not sure if this is possible, but considering the secrets/lost knowledge angle, perhaps it would be interesting if the knowledge/faith of the patron itself was lost in the fall of Dammerhall, and they are no longer known or widely known among dwarves?

Hogun has said little during their journey, and even less when not directly addressed. He offers no complaints, and for those who bother to observe their traveling companions habits, he often seems to be writing, either in a journal or on loose sheets of paper when they make camp.

Though the craft put into the road is undeniably masterful, Hogun does not waste valuable time on admiration, instead turning his attention to practical matters and the obelisk, confirming for himself the translation the two others offer. Likely gnomish – had it been dwarven, the words inscribed on it would naturally have been dwarven. Instead of belaboring the translation by echoing them, he instead answers Dagmar.

"Foraging is an option, certainly, but it will slow our progress and give anyone looking to interfere with the expedition a chance to catch up. What would the Tharnhammers have me do?"

Hogun has 5 days trail rations. In addition, according to the starvation rules, characters can go 3 days without food before suffering any mechanical penalty, so if necessary, we could stretch those supplies quite far.

Reminder that using Survival to forage reduces speed by half.

That said, Hogun's Survival check is sufficient to provide for himself and two others – sufficient to provide for himself and three others, if we have anyone who can cast guidance on him.

I don't think it will tip the scales at this point, but my vote is still for Songs & Secrets.

"I would not leave without first saying goodbye to my daughter."

Though Hogun has always been a practical dwarf, weighed against his daughter, the need for secrecy, however great, is barely even a distant second, a mere afterthought.

Still, he has no intentions of taking long or dawdling. Their expedition can still be gone before daybreak.

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Far better-equipped expeditions have failed to return from attempts to reclaim Dammerhall. Hogun's frown deepens, but his resolve does not waver. He did not accept under the assumption this would be easy.

Hogun does not take the dire fates of those who have walked this path before so lightly as does the Tharnhammer heir. He does not have the luxury of being a dwarf who can throw himself headlong into peril so easily. Should he perish, his daughter will be left an orphan.

And yet, he knows all too well the state of dwarvenkind in the days since the fall of Dammerhall. It is not a lot he wishes for the sons and daughters of dwarves, not a lot he wishes for his own dear daughter. Against his reserve and caution he weighs the good of his people, the good of his daughter, and his course is decided. There is not danger he would not brave for her, to secure her future.

"The Greyingots will serve the Tharnhammers in this matter with the same integrity as our forebears before us." Hogun intones without mirth, gaze moving to each of the Tharnhammers in turn. "I am yours to command."

Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Well enough, though not so well I would presume to think I can furnish greater detail."

It is only when all others have said their piece that Hogun's voice joins the conversation, and it is only when they have taken their seats that he takes his own. Among the assembled, he recognizes more than one Tharnhammer, and while it seems unlikely he's the only one who isn't of noble blood, he errs on the side of caution.

"You have my gratitude for your hospitality, Father."

Despite his words seems disinterested in partaking of the generous repast, not without irony, considering his lineage. His sharp grey eyes mark him as one of the Greyingots, renowned brewers. Yet this matter is clearly one of no small significance, and he wants his head clear, so he only takes the bare minimum, his attention clearly held more by the conversation than victuals.