Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword
Early Life
Born into the Harvfost Northern Clan, Barden Bloodsword grew up amidst conquests, raids, and plunder. His life as a warrior began early, and by the age of 20, during the infamous Dreadfleet Raids of A378, Barden earned command of his first longship. Ambitious and eager to forge his legend, he led his ship eastward, splitting from the main fleet to seek untapped riches and glory. Barden’s first independent raid targeted a small, defenseless village. The villagers, unwilling to resist, surrendered their valuables without a fight. However, Barden’s lack of authority over his men turned the situation into chaos. Driven by bloodlust, his crew violated one of the Northern Clans' most sacred laws: never harm those too weak to defend themselves. Women and children were slaughtered, leaving Barden with a deep sense of shame and the certainty that his actions would bring dire retribution when his tribe discovered them.The Valiant Vagrants
Desperate and dishonored, Barden and his childhood friend, Frode, abandoned the crew and fled inland. Exiled from his clan, Barden turned to mercenary work, using the chaos of ongoing wars to survive. The pair soon found employment defending Uisprix supply lines against goblin raiders. By A379, their skill and determination earned them places in the Valiant Vagrants, a renowned band of mercenaries. During his time with the Valiant Vagrants, Barden forged a bond with Bolton, an older warrior who became a mentor. Bolton’s teachings, rooted in the values of the Old World, clashed with the brutal ideals of the Northern Clans. Over time, these lessons reshaped Barden, steering him toward a path of redemption. The Valiant Vagrants disbanded in A386, and Barden parted ways with Frode, choosing instead to journey alongside his mentor.Forging a Legend
In A389, Bolton retired and returned to his homeland across the sea. Before leaving, he gifted Barden his ancestral armor and legandary sword Emberfang. Deeply moved, Barden adopted his mentor’s name, vowing to honor Bolton’s legacy. From that day, Barden Bloodsword became known as Bolton. For the next 13 years, Bolton traveled across Alboric, taking up quests that championed the oppressed and aided those in need. Tales of his exploits—and of his fiery sword—spread far and wide, immortalized in tavern songs and heroic ballads.The Guild of Heroes
In A402, Bolton reunited with former comrades from the Valiant Vagrants and became a founding member of the Guild of Heroes. As a senior figure in the Guild, Bolton now mentors young adventurers and leads expeditions on their behalf. Between quests, he can often be found at the Moldy Crow, a tavern and recruitment center for the Guild run by his old friend Frode.Dialogue
Combat Encounter -"Steady hands, sharp blades. Let’s remind them who we are." -"Stay close, stay sharp. We walk away from this." -"Steel in hand, steady heart—let’s finish this." -"I won’t let any of you fall. Not on my watch." Leadership Buff -"Let the fire in your hearts burn brighter. We’re not done yet!" -"In the heat of battle, our resolve will be our greatest weapon." -"I’ve watched you grow stronger with each battle. This one is no different." After Kill -"They won't harm anyone again." -"No honor in this kill, but it was necessary." -"Stay down, your fight ends here." Low Health -"Don’t worry about me... I’ve got plenty of fight left." -"I’ll hold on... I always hold on." Party Resting/At Tavern -"Once, I thought my name was only worth the blood I spilled. But now? Now, I’d rather it be worth the lives I’ve saved." -"Rest while you can. The road ahead is never as easy as you hope." - "We all have our reasons for joining the Guild. Some seek glory, some seek redemption, but we all fight for something greater than ourselves." -"I’ve buried too many good men... too many good friends. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ve done enough to keep them safe."Relationships
Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword
Childhood Friend (Vital)Towards Frode, Owner of the Moldy Crow
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Honest
Frode, Owner of the Moldy Crow
Childhood Friend (Important)Towards Bolton, Formerly Barden Bloodsword
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Frank
Bolton
- Born: A358
- Age: 50
- Nationality: Northern
- Allegiances: The Guild of Heroes, The Valiant Vagrants, Northern Clans
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