About Jura StonebridgeHP 16
Offence:
Defense AC 16 T 11 FF 15 Str 18 Int 14
Feats:
Iron Will Weapon Focus (Greatsword) Toughness Unarmed Strike Possessions:
1 gp 27 sp 30 bp Scale Mail
Skills, Traits:
Adventuring Skills: ACP-4 Perception 1+0+1+3= +5 Survival 1+0+3= +4 /+6vs becoming lost Knowledge: Dungeoneering 1+2+3= +6 Intimidate 1+1+3= +5 Ride 1+1+3= +5 Background Skills:
Traits:
Appearance:
Jura is a tall well built handsome young man with wild untamed black hair and vibrant hazel eyes. His clean shaven face is often hidden behind his helm. Often dressed in his armor, his sword slung across his back and swaddled in black and brown clothes he is an intimidating sight. Hopes, Dreams, Ambitions:
He hopes to find a new place to call home. Background:
As a boy, Jura lived a charmed life in the village of Stone Crossing. Though unmarked on any map, Jura's father was an architect from Wyndham and had a hand in helping with the construction of the massive stone bridge that gave the village its name. Though this was a name coined by the local residents only and to visitors, was just another run of the mill town, differing only by the impressive construction of its stone bridge. Jura's father fell so in love with the place that he'd settled down there with a local woman as his wife. Growing up, Jura's father taught him that the most valuable tool a man can have is knowledge, privately tutoring him. This way Jura learned history, architecture and the importance of knowledge. His uncles also had a hand in teaching him, though these were more labouring traditions that helped the village flourish - How to hunt, to swing a sword, how to ride and take a punch. The local lord of Stone Crossing was known for being a tough and merciless bastard, but applied the same standards to himself and his family. As such, he was respected and was known to be fair with a soft spot in his heart for the children and frequently visited the village for inspection. Towards the end of the 100 year war between the Midland and Chuder armies, word reached the village that trouble was headed their way. As such, the Lord arrived with haste, enlisting those of eligible age to do their duty for the sake of their King and loved ones. This was when Jura waved goodbye to his mother and father (who had been struck lame by a heart attack the winter before, still yet to recover the use of a leg) and left. With him went 150 of the village's men, and much to his surprise, the Lords own son, Perse. Perse was the spitting image of his father, both in looks and habits, so naturally the men of Stone Crossing followed his lead. Upon arriving at the battlefield, they rendezvoused with the larger force, under the command of Captain Zondark - A man notorious for his great leadership skills and battlefield bloodlust. Through what little training training they'd previously received, they were told stories of glory and honour and that so long as they acted with bravery and valour, they would earn their king's gratitude and go down in history as the men who helped hold back the forces of Chuder. After which, they were tasked with maintaining the flank of the battle. The people of Stone Crossing were brave and loyal, having been worked hard by their lord, now strong and disciplined men. Additionally, at great expense to their Lord, they had all been outfitted with the proper armour and weapons necessary to maximise their chances of survival. Then.....the enemy came. Against infantry they could have fought an even fight, but what came storming out of the morning mist were the elite heavy cavalry of the Chuder army. It was a slaughter. Three times they sound the horns for reinforcements and three times the help failed to arrive. Still holding the flank against all odds, even when their commander was dragged from his saddle and brutally killed, the villagers remained strong and composed. The Chuders were expecting the line of commoners to fold and flee, completely unprepared for the dogged desperation and almost insane fervor the men of Stone Crossing fought with, none of which fled the field. This was a victory, but one that came at a horrifying cost. Of the 150 men who took to the field, only 18 lived, of that only 6 would live to see another day. Somehow Jura and Perse had survived and they along with the remainders of the unit were commended for their valour, though the glory tasted like ash in his mouth. He later learned through several of the other survivors that Perse's father had long been at odds with The Count and with Captain Zondark being The Counts right hand man, the people of Stone Crossing were nothing but fodder for the actual army to use in their successful victory over the invading Chuder forces. Perse was livid and wrote to The Count, challenging him to a duel out of sheer anger. The duel was to take place at sunrise the very next day, only he was never seen again. It wasn't long after the war ended that Jura made it back home from the encampment he'd previously been staying at and as one of the last few survivors of his village, he wandered back to his home a changed man, a mere shell of himself. When he arrived however, he found his home and village had been overrun by bandits, rogues and thieves. Disheartened by this, he braved the "Den of Iniquity" only to find the women had been forced to work as slaves of the sex trade, simply to appease the lustful desires of men. Enraged, he fled, taking news of the village to Perse's father and local Lord of Stone Crossing. However, in the time he'd been away the Lord had died of old age and with no heir left, there was nobody left to seek help from. During Jura's absense, the village was burned to the ground by the ill intended thugs who took over, leaving nothing but death as the entire village popularion was killed, both guilty and innocent alike. In a fit of rage, Jura looked for revenge in the only way he could - He wanted Zondark dead. "You betrayed me Count. You used my village as a mere plaything. You were responsible for the lives lost on the battlefield. You were responsible for Perse's death/disappearance and you were the reason my village had been overrun during my absence. I may not be able to reach you directly, but if I kill your right hand man, Captain Zondark - The one who failed to aid me and my allies in battle, that'll send a message to you alright! See how much of an inconvenience it will be to you, once your dear Captain is dead!" Jura eventually found his way through the sewer system and up into the Castle grounds of The Count, only to discover Zondark dead, half the Castle in ruins and word also of The Count's demise. He had no way to vent his frustrations knowing The Black Swordsman had beaten him to it. Why was The Black Swordsman there, though? What business did he have with The Count and Captain Zondark? All that he knew was both Zondark and The Count were dead, with Theresia being the only heir left in place, now the rightful ruler after her formal announcement of her fathers death. In deep mourning she refused to say any more on the matter and locked herself away, leaving Jura both bitter and hollow with only one thing left to do. From that day forth, Jura found himself travelling the road, taking work where he could find it as a mercenary and bodyguard. His dreams of how everything transpired still haunt him and unknown to him, much like The Black Swordsman, it is only through battle that he truly feels alive.
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