Stories
Love & Duty
A monster attacks Ganbaatar's town and he runs into an old 'friend', who tries to recruit him for a new war effort. Includes descriptions of violence/fighting & wounds.
Planet Zar: Nexus
Ganbaatar
BONDED TO NERROTH
BASICS
| Name | Ganbaatar of clan Olvrek | Gender | Male |
|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Hobgoblin | Pronouns | he/him |
| Age | Adult | Height: | 5'9" |
| Residence | Lomeelas | Class | Ranger |
Personality
Honor matters more to Ganbaatar than anything else, and there are a wide range of behaviors and expectations he includes under its header. He fights and takes lives only for a purpose, never for the sole pleasure of it. While brigands and ne'er do wells can be dispatched however necessary, Ganbaatar will not back-stab opponents or resort to roguishness for the purpose of defeating enemies. He will stand to defend those weaker than him and aid his allies in battle, no matter his current state of being or personal desires. One does not turn one's back on a friend or comrade. He will never ask of another what he is not willing to do himself, and does not put his own well-being above that of another. Cruelty toward any living being - sapient or otherwise - is abhorrent and should be stopped swiftly. Ganbaatar always repays his debts and humbles himself in the face of kindness and acts of charity. He does not shirk his duties or shy from offering aid.Skilled in battle and fully capable of living off the land in untamed wilderness, it's no surprise that Ganbaatar is an incredibly resourceful, shrewd individual. His observational skills are above par and he feels very strongly about utilizing all resources available. He leaves nothing to waste. He is a thoughtful man that takes his time to formulate a plan, preferring carefully crafted solutions to problems rather than throwing himself into a fray with nary a thought for what to do. He has a dedicated patience and a willingness to wait for the opportune moment. His desire for things to be 'just so' could be described at fussy (and often is by the townsfolk that know him), but Ganbaatar sneers at the word and simply considers himself meticulous. Everything in its place, and a place for everything.
While Ganbaatar cares a great deal for the people he protects, he refuses to let himself get close to any of them. He's an irregular face in town, appearing only when he needs supplies he can't harvest for himself - or if he's specifically called upon to help someone with a matter pertaining to his skills. Otherwise, Ganbaatar lives a life of relative solitude, nestled in his self-made cabin within the wild tangle of wood surrounding Breford. He puts on the shroud of being a stoic, anti-social man, but he's merely withdrawn. Terrified of betraying the people he cares about or witnessing the heartbreaking pain of his own failures against them. No, he much prefers to keep to himself than deal with further losses. The solitude is misery, but it's easier than the alternative. Ganbaatar has a poor opinion of the future and a generally cynical outlook on life.
As careful as he is to repay kindness and show his gratitude, Ganbaatar is equally bound to his grudges. Once wronged, he doesn't easily forget or forgive. Betrayal is the worst sort of dishonor and Ganbaatar has no tolerance for it. While he doesn't actively seek revenge, he has no qualms against raising a permanent cold shoulder to anyone who's wronged him. He won't allow anyone to come to harm on his watch, but he makes certain through icy demeanor exactly what his opinion of a person is. His trust, once broken, is nigh on possible to regain.
Abilities
DARKVISIONHe can see in dim light within 60 feet as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. He can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
FEY GIFT; HOSPITALITY:He can muster additional health and strength for himself and a single person in his company in times of stress or hardship.
SNARE:He can summon and control magical rope to restrain a target, up to twice per day.
History
Born to clan Olvrek (the red talon), to parents who bred and raised giant war hawks. Ganbaatar was taught to treat all life with respect and learned duty and honor at a young age.As he matured, he was sent to training camps along with all the other young hobgoblins, so he might do his duty and serve the military. His sense of honor and desire to protect all life made fighting and killing difficult for him. As a new recruit he was often beaten in practice and hated striking his opponents.
Ganbaatar entered his first real battle terrified he would die. He felt he could not bring himself to take a life. When the war horns sounded and his party crashed against the enemy, Ganbaatar found himself fighting for his life. He was struck and on instinct thrust his sword at his opponent and killed them. It was much easier than he thought.
Since then, Ganbaatar lost his fear of battle and slowly learned to become a formidable warrior. He enjoyed battle. Loved the thrill of the fight. The fear of deal. The hot spray of blood across his face when he took his enemy's life.
His enjoyment of warfare led him to seek out an appropriate deity to worship, to ask for more prowess on the battlefield. He found Direkes, god of war, and between campaigns he searched for the god's temple.
He found Direkes in all his glory, with his perfect army of honorable soldiers all around him. Ganbaatar swore fealty and asked to join Direkes' ranks. He was put to the test, tried against many of Direkes' finest warriors. While Ganbaatar did not win all his matches, he fought with skill and honor, and Direkes rewarded him with a place in his army.
Ganbaatar had a long and successful career with Direkes, rising in the ranks until he became a War Captain, loved by his soldiers for his fealty and honor. He never led them astray. Never asked of his people more than he was willing to do himself.
Ganbaatar's life continued much the same until the machinations of Cassimir, God of Destruction came to Direkes' attention. Ganbaatar was asked to lead his men to battle against Lord Cassimir, fighting a war between gods. The battle itself was horrific and laughable in its cruelty and dishonor. Cassimir's army consisted of his high priest and three children in dragonic form. And the dragon creatures slaughtered Direkes' army. Ganbaatar watched his men die around him in a hurricane of fire and pain. Only a few were captured, and of those many were tortured cruelly - Ganbaatar included - until Direkes himself showed up to save them.
Direkes' powers were stripped from him and his temple burned. Ganbaatar lost his taste for war and the thrill of battle. His men dead, his god humiliated, Ganbaatar left.
He wandered the wilderness, lost and purposeless. He had lead those closest to him, those who loved and trusted him, to the worst demise. To fire and torment. He couldn't comfort them even in their last moments. He was bereft. He lost track of time and distance, travelling until the snow came and he could barely walk. Eventually, from exposure and hunger and thirst, he collapsed.
Ganbaatar awoke to find himself in a cozy inn, warmed by a hearth and thick furs swaddling his body.
He'd been found in the snow by a local trapper and carried to the town of Breford. The innkeeper informed him that he'd been seen over by a healer and had been sleeping sound for the last several days. Ganbaatar informed the innkeep he had nothing to repay the town with. He was promptly informed there was no need for that.
Ganbaatar was overcome with gratitude at the show of kindness and hospitality. Once he regained his health, he vowed to do all he could for the little town. But after his losses, he was terrified of becoming attached to people again. He brought nothing but pain and heartache to himself and the soldiers under his command, he wouldn't allow that to happen again.
Ganbaatar moved into the woods near the town and built himself a house out there. He has since spent his days scouting for threats to the town and its people, swiftly dispatching anything that could harm the inhabitants of Breford.
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