Appearance

Physical Description

Smaller than the average of his kin, Rykkard stands on his pawtips to look over the heads of others. In Rakai, the seven-foot-six bear is hard to miss.

Body Features

The ursine's fur is a mottled brown-gray fur that hides the bear's physical fitness - neither weak nor strong. His fur conceals any scars or blemishes (of which Rykkard has none).

Facial Features

Rykkard's headfur has been braided and tied back with cord, leaving a six-inch ponytail. Two small braids similarly corded hang from his jowls; a dwarf on the bear's travels shared the style after several dozen tankards one evening.

Identifying Characteristics

Ursine jewelry is usually for designation or spiritual necessity. Rykkard, having traveled out of the bearkin fold, has found that he enjoys the little trinkets floating in his hair and adorning his ursine figure. Simple bracelets of cord hold beads and small iron tokens - crude amulets, tokens, and the like - sitting where a humanoid's gauntlets would ride.

Physical quirks

Bearfolk are slow, and Rykkard's lumbering gait is the same. Often the bearkin walks around on all fours, though his size often excludes this option.


Outside of N'Thack, the ursa's accent & mannerisms are painfully obvious. Caught praying in the morning or interacting with loved ones marks Rykkard as not-from-'round-here.

Apparel & Accessories

Rykkard wears the light clothing of his hometown - spartan with large swatches of color. No humanoid less in size could fit into his apparel, and though the bearkin wears no armor, it is unlikely the average blacksmith could fashion armor for his hulking frame either.

Special abilities

Magic is common in N'Thack, and what Rykkard considers an average level of magic use would probably exceed magic-usage in other parts of Berkai (and in Rakai). Thus, he only sees his use of magic and it's connection to the late hero Thejon the Hollow as special when it deviates from the nature magics of his people.

Mentality

Personal history

I was born in the 1141st year of the common era, the year of the great Thejon's passing. My father Norjar worked to support the temples in N'thack with supplies and equipment, as is our duty.



As the middle of three brothers, we spent our childhood together and with great fun. It was not until we grew older that we understood most ursa our age had two parents to watch out for them instead of just one. Friedya, my mother, had left us shortly after I was born.



As I made my way into the world, I learned that my birth coincided with the death of Thejon the Hollow, a firbolg warrior and legendary hero of N'thack that had fought for peace between the races. Though not ursine himself, Thejon shared our devotion to Azel and Arah, and sought to unite us all under the same values. He sacrificed much throughout his life, but was rewarded with a peace in his late years.


The honor of Thejon the Hollow was what inspired me to do good in the world, and the reason I joined the ranks of Arah's guardians. The warriors of Arah stood to protect N'thack and her peoples, and though their services often called for hard labor in place of a sword arm. If this was what Arah called upon me to do, then it was on my honor as an ursine of N'thack to do so.



My work at the temples consisted largely of smithing and carpentry, repairing broken eaves and forging new door hinges. It was not a glamorous affair, but I soon learned that my mother's calling had also been to woodworking and construction: Freidya the hammer, she had been called.



My life in N'thack was quiet, though after some spur from my sister I left my job to head towards Rakai, the greatest city on this continent. Something there, a guild called Magic's Bloom, was to be the next step in my journey. Guided by the teachings of Thejon, the wisdom of Azel and the guidance of Arah, I set out for the next chapter of my life.

Education

It is not typical of my kind to attend organized schooling. There are those that enter the military of N'thack, and for them the discipline there is school enough. I had a taste of this after joining the temple to Arah, though my time was largely spent working, just as I always had. To ursa, the words and teachings of our forebears are the lessons we care to pass down to our young.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Though independent of my doings, my birth and Thejon the Hollow's death coincided almost to the day. This alone lent me special connection to the hero, and I sought to learn all I could when I was ready.



My acceptance into the temple of Arah can be seen as an achievement, though it is the ursa's place to tend to the gods' holy dens. Arah was simply the voice that called loudest to me; if not for him, many say I would have wound up at Nuriel's door, hammer in hand like my mother.

Failures & Embarrassments

My siblings and I keep in relatively distant contact. When we were young, we were thick as thieves, but that river has run dry with time. Now, I have become the youngest one to fawn over.



In N'thack I met someone and spent a season learning his ways, his wishes. Mal was a new experience - a dragonborn - and when he left I did not know how to fill the gap that had grown within me.

person.sexuality

A lover of men, you might say. We ursa choose mates as Azel calls us to, and Her gaze is blind to gender and status alike.

person.gender_identity

I have been male since the day I was conceived. Do you need me to prove this to you?

Known Languages

In N'thack, the common tongue reigns over all others. It is not until one finds themselves lost in the smaller neighborhoods that the local tongues crop up. I have learned to speak as the elves do, and in the tongues of the firbolg and giants, in order to work better with my neighbors.



Azel has graced us, the bearfolk, with not our own unique speech but with Hers, the language of the animals and plants of Her purview. With practice, some ursa like I have learned to listen and be understood to the denizens of nature.

Personality

Motivation

Rykkard idolizes Thejon the Hollow, and walks in his footsteps on the path to becoming a hero. He has a child-like drive to do good.

Quotes & Catchphrases

"Don't poke a bear by the nose"


"A beloved cub has many names"


"Warned is armed"


"Love me when I least deserve it, because that is when I need it most."

Savvies & Ineptitudes

It's hard for me to learn new things, so I stick with what I know. It took Thejon the Hollow years and years to master the sword; I can't expect myself to learn something at the drop of a hat.


Despite having a natural way with people, Rykkard is neither diplomatic nor manipulative; like many ursa he is direct and upfront.

Likes & Dislikes

Rykkard loves anything from home, especially the rare honey that bearfolk enjoy.


He is a sucker for generousity, nice food, and kind people. It is easy for Rykkard to fall for another creature romantically.

Virtues & Personality perks

I would rather choose mercy over pain. If given the choice, I would spare a life before taking one.


(Merciful)



Hard work is the most valued feature in a person (especially in N'thack), and those who do not find use for themselves are not trying hard enough, or are not welcome.