Character du Jour: Grubash Moonrunner, Orc Fighter

“Finally I have you!” The scarred orc warrior held the Paladin effortlessly over the parapet ledge, his platemail’d feet dangling helplessly above the 200′ drop. “You killed my son!” the orc yelled, the pain and grief written deep into his yellow eyes.

“I AM your son!”

They came hard, and fast. The Five From Above, sundwellers who invaded their torchlit home and laid waste to the orc tribe. A full quarter of the warriors were slain with the shaman and clan chief’s bodies left where they fell without rite or ritual. Of Grubash’s only son there was no sign, and he himself was left seriously wounded by the attack. It took many moons for him to recover, and each hour he swore an oath of vengeance for his fallen son.

When he could finally walk without the help of a couple of whelps, Grubash left the clan and the darkness he called home. Armed only with his well-worn axe and what few clues he had gained by forcing the rest of his clan to tell and re-tell the attack, Grubash left all he knew behind. Only one word was on his lips: revenge!

Dirty little secret: Grubash’s son did not fall in the battle but instead saw the attack as his chance to escape the harsh life of the dungeon. He hid and followed the adventurers to the surface where he pledged an oath of service to the Paladin leader of the party. When he was slain in battle, Grubash’s son took up his mantle and armour in his stead and is now a recognised hero in his own name.

Notes: If you’re stuck for a character concept there’s nothing funner than taking a tried-and-tested trope from a different genre and giving it a sharp twist. Try it and see!

Grubash Moonrunner, level 6
Orc, Fighter
Build: Battlerager Fighter
Fighter Talents: Battlerager Vigor
Background: Out for Revenge (+2 to Endurance)

FINAL ABILITY SCORES
Str 19, Con 17, Dex 12, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 10.

STARTING ABILITY SCORES
Str 16, Con 14, Dex 12, Int 11, Wis 13, Cha 10.

AC: 21 Fort: 20 Reflex: 15 Will: 15
HP: 62 Surges: 12 Surge Value: 15

TRAINED SKILLS
Intimidate +8, Athletics +11, Endurance +12

UNTRAINED SKILLS
Acrobatics +3, Arcana +3, Bluff +3, Diplomacy +3, Dungeoneering +4, Heal +4, History +3, Insight +4, Nature +4, Perception +4, Religion +3, Stealth +3, Streetwise +3, Thievery +3

FEATS
Level 1: Victor’s Confidence
Level 2: Deep Gash
Level 4: Mobile Challenge
Level 6: Potent Challenge

POWERS
Fighter at-will 1: Brash Strike
Fighter at-will 1: Crushing Surge
Fighter encounter 1: Bell Ringer
Fighter daily 1: Brute Strike
Fighter utility 2: Boundless Endurance
Fighter encounter 3: Blinding Smash
Fighter daily 5: Brutal Advance
Fighter utility 6: Battle Awareness

ITEMS
Flesh Seeker Battleaxe +2, Summoned Chainmail +2, Cape of the Mountebank +1, Adventurer’s Kit