Here is the stat block of my meat shield, as i said i don't know enough of the new FR to give a complete and interesting background, will need a little help with that.
In the old Faerun there was Hillsfar not so far away fro Shadowdale, which was famous for its gladiatorial arena....Brondar could be a fugitive slave hoping that the celebrations in Shadowdale cover his escape maybe ? Of course if Hillsfar is still existing and didn't followed the destiny of Luskan ( at least from what i read about Luskan on the 4rth ed setting )