Pharnox was born into Smokehold, the industrial center of the upper layer of the Deeps. He was born into the Sootfingers cabal, an impoverished cabal consisting of factory workers and machinists. It became apparent from an early age that Pharnox was gifted he was tougher, more intelligent, more skilled with his fingers and the like then the other children.
He also loosely led the other children in their maniacal frenzy of curiosity that Drow children are know for. It was apparent to most that Pharnox was the most gifted and ambitious of the cabal's numerous progeny.
By the age of thirty he had completely mastered the arts of machinery, engineering, gunsmithing and metalcraft. He was also becoming the cabal's beacon of hope, the expectations upon his shoulders heavy.
For if any being could raise them from the depths of poverty to the heights of prosperity it is Pharnox Sootfingers.
Pharnox has departed to explore the strange mural found in the unexplored regions of the Upper layer, with the hopes of Sootfingers cabal pinned upon his shoulders.
For family, for cabal!:
Pharnox is a loyal being, a son proud to call himself Sootfingers. To Pharnox family and cabal are central and he has undertaken this mission of exploration in order to ensure's his cabal's prosperity.
Pharnox's highest ambition is advancing his cabal and meeting the great expectations placed upon his sturdy shoulders. He will not fail his family, he will not fail his cabal. Pharnox shall ensure that Sootfingers cabal is prosperous for centuries to come.
The other great passion...:
Pharnox's other great passion is engineering, the fact that he assembled his bolter pistol at the age of twelve out of scrap parts is testament to this...
Contacts, Grandfather Sootfingers:
Pharnox's contact is his grandfather, Sydrenoss. The second he assembled his bolter pistol the great clan patriarch singled out Pharnox as his "heir" (at least to other Sootfingers). This was not exactly "pleasant", as grandfather Sydrenoss is a grumpy grouch of a steamwright... In addition to this he was a mercenary for over 150 years (lvl 12 steamwright at least) and has seen the worst of the Deeps...
As a result Pharnox was drilled mercilessly by grandfather Sootfingers, under his grandfather's experienced tutelage Pharnox would become the equal of most soldiers. In addition to receiving the wisdom of an elder steamwright who had seen action everywhere save the Maw itself.
Grandfather Sootfingers also imbued Pharnox with his legendary survival instincts, as the saying in the family goes "nothing catches grandfather by surprise".
Now the grumpy but exceedingly wise elder Sootfingers has heard of a strange mural from a scout friend in the military. Smelling opportunity, danger and especially opportunity grandfather Sootfingers has ordered his heir to investigate...
Grandfather's personality:
Grandfather Sootfingers is a grouch, he's seen it all, done it all and doesn't know the meaning of fear. He also has a survival instinct which is seemingly god like to those who know him, many acquaintances, family members and incinerated enemies have marveled at this seemingly innate, instinctive ability.
For the unlucky "offender" (read, offending by mere existence) the only thing that can assuage the wrath of this prickly, grumpy patriarch is when grandmother Sootfingers takes pity upon the poor "offender"...
Other traits grandfather is noted for include intelligence, ambition, experience, toughness, bluntness, cunning and of course his penchant for some of the most destructive weapons known to the Drow...
Grandfather Sootfingers despite his grouchiness is genuinely concerned for the well being of his hundred strong cabal and it is survival through countless tribulations over a century of existence is testimony to the ability of it's patriarch.
Pharnox's appearance:
Before you stands a figure clad in the military garb of countless Drow soldiers, his face is obscured by a gasmask and metal helmet. On his back and in his hands you see a massive set of tanks and flamethrower respectively. On his hip you clearly see a holstered bolter pistol, a sign of status, wealth and power in Drow society...
