Brand is the son of Varik and Ilsa. Varik had met Ilsa when he was a guard for an envoy to the lands of the Linnorm Kings. He courted her for the three years he was there and they were married. After his duty was done he returned to his home in Grayce, north-west of Caliphas along the Path River. Unknown to either of them, Ilsa’s great-great-grandmother had been the speaker for a patron dragon to the clan. The power of this bloodline brought about a very special man.
Varik started a horse farm. As a former soldier, he taught his son all the basics of the soldier’s trade as well as how to care for horses. Brand wanted to be just like his father and took to the training. His mother was a proponent of this as well and told Brand numerous stories of the Linnorm Kings and their might. Brand proved to be a good pupil but he was different in many ways. He was bigger and stronger than the other kids his age, it was assumed he got this from his northman heritage. Then there were his fits of anger. While a very conversant and congenial boy he also had a horrible vexing temper that changed him when it came upon him. Luckily, it only seemed to manifest in times of threat or danger but during these moments the boy was out of control, stronger than most men, and possessed of claws. Opinions were split on if it was a blessing or a curse.
Every couple of years they would go west to visit his paternal grandparents, Harl and Nora. Harl maintained a horse farm just north of Caliphas selling workhorses to the local farms and the occasional riding horse to interested parties. Varik and Harl would often exchange studs and mares. They also discussed the local politics of the area, shared training tips, and any stories of interest. There was always time for a fishing trip to the local creek and a bit of swimming as well, for Brand at least.
As soon as he was sixteen, Brand signed on for his first caravan job. He was big and strong for his age with his maternal grandfather’s height, breadth of shoulder and deep chest. At six feet tall he was taller than most of the men and his youth hinted at further growth still. He ran with the caravans and trained with his father. It was on one of these caravans that Brand met Professor Lorrimor. The good professor was studying the carcass of a giant lizard when he was set upon by wolves. Brand was near enough he responded to the Professor’s calls for help almost immediately. Realizing the wolves wanted the lizard carcass and not them, Brand fended them off as he and the professor backed away. Several yards away and out of sight of the carcass and the wolves let them be. Professor Lorrimor was ecstatic and was singing Brand’s praises to the other caravan guards who showed up just a moment later. The professor told Brand he would remember him and repay him for his quick thinking actions. After two years, Brand had forgotten about the incident until he got the notice of the good Professor’s demise and the summons to attend the will reading.
Defense:
Initiative +3 (Dex 1, trait 2)
AC 16, touch 11, Flat Footed 15 (+1 Dex, +5 Armor)
HP 14 (10 + 3 Con + 1 FCB)
Fort +4 (2 class, 3 Con) Ref +1 (0 class, 1 Dex) Will +0 (0 class, 0 Wis)
Offense:
Speed 30ft (20ft in armor)
Melee
Great sword +5 (2d6+6/19 x2)
Rage +2 to hit +3 to damage
Cestus +5 (1d4+4/19 x2)
Claw +5/+5 (1d6+4/20 x2)
Rage +2 to hit +2 to damage
Ranged
Dagger +2 to hit (1d4+4/19 x2, 10’ range)
Sling +2 to hit (1d4+4/20 x2, 50’ range)
Statistics:
Str 18 Dex 12 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 13
BAB +1, CMB +5, CMD 15
Stat Building
Base Str 16 Dex 12 Con 14 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 13
Cost Str 10 Dex 2 Con 5 Int 0 Wis 0 Cha 3
Race Str +2 Con +2
Level
Total Str 18 Dex 12 Con 16 Int 10 Wis 10 Cha 13
