In Belzken, and especially in Urgir, orcs are expected to know how to battle-all are raised with the familiarity of beheading with a greataxe, cleaving foes with a falchion, trampling enemies while on top of a war beast, or even with the aim of a bow and arrow. Balurk was different; he felt uncomfortable holding a weapon, and did not have the balance for mounted combat. No, what was the orc's true calling in combat was martial arts-he was well ahead of all of his fellow classmates in the art of war, and all he needed was his senses and his iron fists.
But he learned the hard way that different is not a good thing to orcs-he was seen with disdain and distrust, for what orc is willing to go to battle without a weapon? Thus, while he wasn't fully outcasted by his fellow orcs, he never truly belonged in his home city, or even his homeland of Belzken. So, when he became of age, he packed his things and left without saying goodbye-he had no friends, and his family barely acknowledged his existence anyways.
He had been traveling across Belzken and Ustalav as a mercenary for hire-whether it was to assist in killing some corrupt mayor or protecting a caravan from raiders, it did not matter, for money was money, and all Balurk cared about was getting enough coin for food and necessities. It was when he was hired by a particularly odd man by the name of Petros Lorrimor that something changed. Needing a bodyguard while exploring a particularly dangerous area within Ustalav, the orc didn't think much of the eccentric professor, until they were ambushed. Whether they were simple bandits or ravenous undead, it did not matter, as Balurk's fighting instincts took over, and he quickly killed a few of the attackers and sent the others packing, despite suffering severe wounds in the process. Balurk expected to die there, but when he opened his eyes, he found the Professor tending to his wounds. The man was grateful for the orc's act of bravery, even though Balurk expressed that he was only doing his job. The orc also expressed remorse in having to lose his payment due to the wounds, but to his surprise, when he brought the Professor back home, not only was he still paid, his payment was tripled, and Petros expressed great sincerity when he wished to hire Balurk as his personal bodyguard. The orc, baffled by such an offer, declined, but did tell the professor that he would like to travel a bit more before returning. The Professor obliged, saying all Balurk had to do was send a letter requesting his job as a bodyguard, and the orc can consider his abode his own.
A few years passed, and Balurk has sent half a dozen letters to the Professor with no response. He felt betrayed-the orc thought the Professor was his first true friend, and yet that seems to not be the case. Regardless, he still continues his work as a mercenary for hire, working diligently to protect his clients to the fullest of his abilities. It's what the Professor would want, at least.
