 About Fkald EarthgauntletFkald Earthgauntlet
Artificer's Touch (Sp): You can cast mending at will, using your cleric level as the caster level to repair damaged objects. In addition, you can cause damage to objects and construct creatures by striking them with a melee touch attack. Objects and constructs take 1d6 points of damage +1 for every two cleric levels you possess. This attack bypasses an amount of damage reduction and hardness equal to your cleric level. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. Aura of Repetition (Su): At 8th level, you can emit a 30-foot aura of repetition for a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. All enemies within this aura must make a Will save each round or repeat their action from the previous round (if possible). Creatures that attacked on the previous round attack again on the following round, although they may change their target. Creatures that moved the previous round must take the same move action again, although they may change their route. Creatures that drank a potion must do so again, even they can only drink from an empty bottle. Actions that cannot be repeated are wasted. These rounds do not need to be consecutive. Tunnel Runner (Su): At 8th level, you can move through tunnels and caves with ease. Activating this ability is a standard action. You can move across any stone surface as if under the effects of spider climb. You can also see very well in darkness, gaining darkvision out to a range of 60 feet. If you already possess darkvision, extend the range by 60 feet. While underground, you also gain an insight bonus equal to your cleric level on Stealth skill checks and an insight bonus equal to your Wisdom modifier on initiative checks. You can use this ability for 1 minute per day per cleric level you possess. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be spent in 1-minute increments.
Background:
Of Highhelm, that fabled sky citadel of the Five Kings Mountains, was the Earthgauntlet clan. Their sons and daughters peopled the capital of dwarven expansion for millenia. Fkald was firstborn in his family... by about two minutes. His brother, Lanfk, came hot on his heels and they were ever thus. The two dwarfs were inseparable. They slept in the same bed, ate from the same plate and sat in the same seat. Their mam's mother even made them an extra wide seat to accommodate them as they grew older. Their parents were mightily pleased with the fortune of fate with which Folgrid had blessed them. Their father, a great smith from one of the most ancient and respected dwarven families could recite his lineage back to before the Quest for Sky. Their mother was a renowned priestess, an oracle of the entire pantheon. Her own family was well regarded with a long history of religious devotion. The young dwarfs grew up in the heat of the forge. They learned at their father's side the great techniques of metalworking and the family secrets which made them the very best at their craft. Their mother taught them the stories of their people and the gods whom they served. Fkald and Lanfk took to both sides of their upbringing and studied hard to become forge priests of Torag. It was at the temple that they first beheld her. Bdrid was an acolyte studying the bardic traditions of Bolka. Her skin was the palest marble, her hair spun gold and her eyes the very deepest sapphires. As in all things, they shared a mind regarding this perfect specimen. Unfortunately, there wasn't one to share. She quickly recognized the attentions of the twin dwarfs and adroitly played them off of one another. She searched for love, never considering that they each were in their own quest for the same. After a time, she chose Lanfk, for no particular reason other than he was the one at her side when she decided it was time to choose. Fkald was crushed by this decision and it only made matters worse when she held his face in her hands telling him that they would still be family and close to one another. The marriage was the most difficult day of his life. He was the best man to his twin and stood there as he took Fkald's heart under his boot in making his wedding vows to Bdrid. A devout believer in the teaching of Torag, he could not go against his own flesh and blood. When word of an expedition to the small fortified town of Trunau in the enemy held lands of the Hold of Belkzen to make peace and create a trade partner, the young priest was the first to volunteer. Here was an opportunity to do his Lord's work (both of them) and recuse himself from the heart-wrenching tableau of his daily life without scandal. He packed up his tools and left with the caravan intending to make a new start and see where this adventure would take him. Fkald arrived in Trunau to stories about a band of dwarves who answered the call of the townsfolk and saved the town from an orcish siege. In the midst of the valiant defense a forgotten barrow was uncovered and the heroes stepped into the breach without hesitation to defeat the twin threats from the army outside and the undead giant king inside. Chagrined at having missed the action, the forgemaster spent several weeks helping the residents of Trunau rebuild and refortify their defenses before heading out into the wilds of the Hold of Belkzen to find that group of awe-inspiring adventurers. While it was tough going, Earthgauntlet knew he had it lucky. A dwarf on his own should not have been able to survive the wastes. It was only due to that posse of dwarven bears having cleared the way while blazing their trail that he was able to follow in their footsteps. He has been on the move for some time now, facing challenges of his own, but always seeking those others. He knows he is close. Fkald can almost hear the clamor of axe and hammer on the skulls of giants and he bares his teeth in grim exhilaration. |
