Tikhon's page

A product of the Goblinblood Wars, Tikhon Zolnerowich did not have a pleasant early life by most human, even hobgoblin standards. He was born to a small tribe in southern Chitterwood on 20 Arodus, 4695 AR, three years before the wars began. As a result he was part of a generation put through aggression training from a younger age than usual for hobgoblin society. Rather small for his age, he learned to become feared in order to make up for his shortcomings.

This all ended 4700 AR, a period of time which saw the Hellknights, Eagle Knights, and Druma’s Mercenary League work together to route the goblins and force them back into the Chitterwood. Not wanting to leave behind the threat of the goblins however, they burned much of it to the ground. Some of this ground happened to be wear Tikhon’s tribe lived, and thus he was forced to flee. So flee he did, as far to the north he could until he could no longer.
As Tikhon was sleeping, he was abducted by cultists of Baphomet. At a mere five years of age, he was unable to fight back, and thus was forced to take part in their perverted ritual. However, this did not quite work out as they expected. Rather than absorb his soul as intended, the ritual’s demonic energy was absorbed into his body. Shocked at this unexpected turn of events, the cultists laid their guard down long enough for him to make his escape, going north and west all the while.

Crossing a small pass to the west of Finder’s Gulch, Tikhon came to the free city of Cettigne. There he was forced to live in the streets and alleys, an outcast who made his living in simple muggings and bully tactics to get food to survive. During his sleep, he was plagued by strange nightmares of the ritual he was forced to participate in. Eking out his meager existence, he survived until 4708 AR, when the nation of Molthune used their resources to save the city from the lawlessness that had taken the city into its grip.

No longer able to hide in the shadows, he was faced with two options. He could either become a slave, or serve in the Imperial Army of Molthune for the next five years to earn freedom. Already acclimatized towards war from his younger years, he decides this that the latter would be his best course of action. It was during this time that he decided to give himself the name Tikhon Zolnerowich, so that he could properly enlist.

For the first year, he was trained extensively in all combat styles, so that they could best decide where to place him. When they placed him on a mount however, he found himself to be a natural rider. Thus they decided he would be a part of the cavalry. Assigned an exceptional powerful steed that was grey with a white mane and white tail, he went on to fight in several skirmishes against Nirmathas over the next few years. He used his ability to inspire fear to great effect, causing the lesser soldiers to give up in fear. Whenever one of these weaker willed men surrendered, he accepted it, not wanting to pass up the chance to earn prestige among those who deal with slaves. His penchant for taking the final blow in an attempt to earn glory earned him the nickname Rostislav.

Nearing the end of his service, he started thinking about what he would do after his service. Still plagued by his nightmares of demons, he wondered if there would be any way to stop them. Learning a bit about the Worldwound through here-say while off-duty, he decided that it would be best to head north to destroy demons. Even if it didn’t stop the nightmares, he could destroy demons aplenty while there.

Appearance
Before you stands a hobgoblin that seems rather tall for his kind. His dark grey skin and bald apex clearly mark his heritage for all to see. He has an air of confidence about him, as if daring anyone to judge him based upon the color of his skin.

At his side is strapped a warhammer with the Molthunian hammer & sword etched into the side. On his back is a lance, freshly burnished and combat-ready. His steel-grey scaled armor appears to be recently burnished, likely in preperation for Armasse. He wears a few red flags of Molthune on his person. His more prominent symbol, however, seems to be a dull-grey horseshoe.

His horse is a large and imposing beast, grey-bodied with a white mane and tail. It is out-fitted with studded leather barding, and has saddlebags on its rump.

Personality
Tikhon would rather scare his enemy into submission than fight them. Better to save resources than needlessly find oneself injured in combat. When in combat, he is terrifying to behold, putting his lance to excellent use, charging whe'er needed. If dismounted, he puts his hammer to quick use, bludgeoning his enemies with ease.

Among allies however, he can be a surprisingly well-mannered sort, as far as a hobgoblin can be. Still, his no-nonsense attitude may occasionally put off some of the less disciplined of a group. He is perhaps not the best to use as the face of the group, unless of course, the group is trying to impose on an enemy.