Duke Farin Oakenshield
Lord Farin Oakenshield (a.k.a. Commander Ironbrand)
Lord of House Oakenshield, once the strongest noble house in all of Eregoth, now extinct.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Lord Oakenshield is a broad-shouldered, stocky hill dwarf, visibly very strong yet moves with the grace of confidence. He often wears browns and silvers, the colors of his House, in a style with more sharp edges and tighter to the body than is popular in the capital, and he wears a thick silver chain that crosses his chest and back. His most distinguishing feature is a pale scar along his throat where it looks like it was once cut.
Body Features
His skin is somewhat pale and soft, a head of close cut light brown hair and dark grey eyes. He has a body type common of dwarves, short and stocky with bulging muscles in his neck and arms.
Facial Features
He has a strong jaw kept cleanly shaven, well trimmed eyebrows and a large, roundish nose that dominates his face.
Identifying Characteristics
He bears no piercings or tattoos, but there is a long, old scar across his throat that looks as though it was once slit.
Special abilities
When he has his Rod of the Burning Lash he has a +10 magical bonus to Intimidate checks, and a +20 magical bonus to Intimidate if the Rod has been used to brand the target of the check. The Branding function of the Rod can be used by whoever is attuned to it, and adds 1d4 fire damage to any other attack with it. The Rod otherwise functions as a light mace.
Specialized Equipment
He carries with him a foot long rod of wrought iron, a crown of thorns ringing the orb at its top, with inlaid rubies that glow a dull red whenever he touches it.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Lord Oakenshield is infamous for bringing the slave trade to Eregoth, trading with the Bay of Chains and the City of Hextor in southern Norstir after going there on pilgrimage after his father's death. He returned with an army of slaves and the Rod of the Burning Lash. Over time he began expanding his lands, calling in loans, favors and more to grow his power and indebt more Houses to House Oakenshield.
Nervous about House Oakenshield's sudden rise, House Rancourt defied Lord Oakenshield and sought to put a stop to his expansionist activities. Lord Oakenshield then called in the massive debt House Rancourt owed to House Oakenshield, bankrupting the House and calling in the remainder as service to their cause. The Rancourts now reluctantly support House Oakenshield as puppets, their economy utterly dependent upon House Oakenshield.
Having made an example of the Rancourts and the power of his Rod lending him yet more menace, Lord Oakenshield was able to bully many of the surrounding Lords to his side, offer exciting opportunities for growth to lower Lords and Knightly Houses. When he discovered the secret mining town of Emril, he hired the Silver Shields to eradicate the populace, claiming it was a secret Keldeni base before taking it himself and mining the surrounding lands for precious metals. Lord Fenheart has since risen up to defend his lands and push off Lord Oakenshield's incursion. Lord Oakenshield lost his only son in the attack, and since then has been without ward or heir.
During his mining operations he burrowed into the Underdark, coming face to face with the Yuan-ti. In a desperate move not to be overwhelmed by their forces, he struck a deal with them to give them land on the surface if they helped him to become King of Eregoth, his real final goal. They agreed to serve him for now, and reached an accord.
Morality & Philosophy
Lord Oakenshield believes that the strong have every right to dominate the weak, and that if he was not meant to rule someone would have stopped him by now. He is tied deeply to the philosophies of Hextor, God of Tyranny and Slavers.
Social
Religious Views
Lord Oakenshield is a staunch devotee of Hextor, and has traveled to Hextor's City of Heaven several times on pilgrimage. He is entrusted with a powerful artifact of Hextor, the Rod of the Burning Lash.
Social Aptitude
Lord Oakenshield is extremely confident, arrogant, and an intimidating presence to face. He is not known for his courtly grace, but his domineering attitude and the attitude that he owns everyone he speaks to.
Speech
He never speaks in vague terms, and never bargains. He gets his way, he sets the agenda, and when he says you will do something you are expected to do it.
Species
Life
1856
1944
88 years old
Circumstances of Death
Drained of blood by Lord Sozkeden Valkar after the Battle of Red Lake
Children
Gender
Male
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments