Tordek (Tohr-dehk)
Tordek Cherly Goldenale:
Tordek was born in the town of Ironband. Here, he grew up under the family name of Cherly, famous for their spirits and ales sold across the continent. As he grew, Tordek began his apprenticeship with his father in the family brewery. Nothing changed in Tordek's life for 40 years, he lived quite well and became a master brewer under the tutelage of hundreds of masters.
One year in Ironband, the town would suffer the ill-effects of a mysterious plague. Hundreds of dwarves, men, and other creatures began to grow sick in the surrounding area. Soon, many believed that the source of the sickness came from the river that flowed through the town. The Pondler River was the lifeblood of the Ironband Alemakers, so later that year, Tordek would travel south to the Stormpoint Range to collect water from the source. A spring that brought water from deep below the mountain to the snowcapped peaks. Near the peak of the mountain, Tordek found a camp of Frost Giants along the spring's bank. Alongside the camp were Mammoths practically standing atop their own waste. This waste could been seen flowing into the spring and down the mountain towards his town.
Alarmed with this information, Tordek quickly traversed back down the mountain and after a vote by the town council, they sent a message to King Gadrin Mithriljaw. A few days later, a platoon of Dwarven soldiers led by General Kavan Mithriljaw (Gadrin's cousin) arrived in Ironband. Tordek gave the general all the information on the giants that he could, but Kavan would insist that Tordek guide the platoon up the mountain to move the giants elsewhere.
The journey to the peak of the mountain was long as the many soldiers carried their heavy armor and weapons to the cold snow above. Upon reaching the spring, the Frost Giants readied their weapons expecting a violent clash over their territory. General Kavan instead offered the Giants a diplomatic solution as they would fare much better if they settled south atop the mountain of Caramont. There, the dwarves would protect and give the Giants the land they desired without the need for bloodshed. After the Giants discussed for hours, they came to the decision to travel to Caramont and settle there instead. Kavan returned to Tordek and told him, "diplomacy, if it may save the lives of many, like my soldiers, is the greatest weapon in any battle."
Though he wasn't sure why, after Kavan left Ironband with the Giants back to the capital city, the general's words rang through Tordek's mind. How can the greatest weapon be peace? Questions like this began to flood his mind and 4 years after the plague ended, Tordek set out north to seek knowledge from the elves as they have strong ties to this sort of thinking. Tordek found the basis of his philosophical understanding in the elven forests but yearned for more. For the next 12 years he traveled the continent studying the many historical, arcane, and religious texts from recent writings to ancient writings as old as the Malaer themselves.
On the first day of Tordek's 13th year away from Ironband, his ship docked in the ports of the Anfait Reef, home of the 5 Elemental Malear. After meeting with each master of the elements, Tordek climbed the mountains to the Talamh Temple. Malaer of Earth Maelnil resided in this temple and was intrigued by the questions asked by Tordek. Thus began Tordek's training in the art of Stone martial arts and philosophy.
One year in Ironband, the town would suffer the ill-effects of a mysterious plague. Hundreds of dwarves, men, and other creatures began to grow sick in the surrounding area. Soon, many believed that the source of the sickness came from the river that flowed through the town. The Pondler River was the lifeblood of the Ironband Alemakers, so later that year, Tordek would travel south to the Stormpoint Range to collect water from the source. A spring that brought water from deep below the mountain to the snowcapped peaks. Near the peak of the mountain, Tordek found a camp of Frost Giants along the spring's bank. Alongside the camp were Mammoths practically standing atop their own waste. This waste could been seen flowing into the spring and down the mountain towards his town.
Alarmed with this information, Tordek quickly traversed back down the mountain and after a vote by the town council, they sent a message to King Gadrin Mithriljaw. A few days later, a platoon of Dwarven soldiers led by General Kavan Mithriljaw (Gadrin's cousin) arrived in Ironband. Tordek gave the general all the information on the giants that he could, but Kavan would insist that Tordek guide the platoon up the mountain to move the giants elsewhere.
The journey to the peak of the mountain was long as the many soldiers carried their heavy armor and weapons to the cold snow above. Upon reaching the spring, the Frost Giants readied their weapons expecting a violent clash over their territory. General Kavan instead offered the Giants a diplomatic solution as they would fare much better if they settled south atop the mountain of Caramont. There, the dwarves would protect and give the Giants the land they desired without the need for bloodshed. After the Giants discussed for hours, they came to the decision to travel to Caramont and settle there instead. Kavan returned to Tordek and told him, "diplomacy, if it may save the lives of many, like my soldiers, is the greatest weapon in any battle."
Though he wasn't sure why, after Kavan left Ironband with the Giants back to the capital city, the general's words rang through Tordek's mind. How can the greatest weapon be peace? Questions like this began to flood his mind and 4 years after the plague ended, Tordek set out north to seek knowledge from the elves as they have strong ties to this sort of thinking. Tordek found the basis of his philosophical understanding in the elven forests but yearned for more. For the next 12 years he traveled the continent studying the many historical, arcane, and religious texts from recent writings to ancient writings as old as the Malaer themselves.
On the first day of Tordek's 13th year away from Ironband, his ship docked in the ports of the Anfait Reef, home of the 5 Elemental Malear. After meeting with each master of the elements, Tordek climbed the mountains to the Talamh Temple. Malaer of Earth Maelnil resided in this temple and was intrigued by the questions asked by Tordek. Thus began Tordek's training in the art of Stone martial arts and philosophy.
This training continued for 19 years and while Tordek's training was mostly philosophical, he would begin training in martial and elemental combat late in his journey. But then something happened that will connect Tordek to the Forgotten Realms.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Tordek is slightly above the average height for a dwarf. Through rigorous training in the Talamh Temple, he has practiced the arts of strength-based martial arts.
Identifying Characteristics
Though he is unsure as to why it exists, Tordek's facial hair has a white stripe running down the center of his face. This is normally considered a sign of aging within the Dwarvish community, but it only seems to appear in this one part of his figure.
Apparel & Accessories
While traveling across the lands, Tordek can be seen wearing a collection of green and cyan hemp Tibetan-styled robes. Around Tordek's waist a leather belt sits at his core, positioning his body to keep a powerful stance. On top of his belt and around forearm cloth bracers, Tordek carries 5 stone disks attached by orange rope which provide continual strength training no matter what activity Tordek partakes in.
Specialized Equipment
Using his older physical stature as a ruse, Tordek carries a staff commonly owned by elders in Dwarven communities. This staff dawns two owl carvings on both ends made of Bronze mined from the mountainside near Ironband.
Mental characteristics
Education
Tordek's early life never gave him many options for a formal education. Instead, Tordek learned most of what he needed working in his father's brewery, the Cherly Ring. As Tordek grew he began questioning why the world was as it was. At the age of 44, Tordek began to travel the globe in search of enlightenment. This would bring him to the islands of Anfait Reef, Tordek began studying the practices of the Elemental Malaer. Under the study of Malaer of Earth, Maelnil, Tordek would become a sage studying the 'Way of the Five Elements.'
Accomplishments & Achievements
As a child he quickly learned Dwarvish and Common to speak with the common people that passed through Ironband. As he began to travel through the Stormcrest mountains, Tordek learned the language of the Giants that lived among the snowy peaks. Most recently, as Tordek studied the elements, he also began to learn the language of the aberrational creatures that most reflected the origins of the world.
Morality & Philosophy
Tordek has always been a stubborn dwarf and rarely backs down from a fight or argument. From this, Tordek has been known to be quite selfish around others and will keep to himself studying or meditating.
As Tordek studied the elements further and the origins of the world, he became a strict believer in the philosophy of protecting the natural world over those that seek to destroy it.
As Tordek studied the elements further and the origins of the world, he became a strict believer in the philosophy of protecting the natural world over those that seek to destroy it.
Wealth & Financial state
The Cherly brewery is very successful and Tordek's family is quite well-off. Nevertheless, Tordek is not the wealthiest monk since he left Ironband and rarely has more than 10gp to his name.
Alignment
Lawful Evil
Current Location
Species
Age
76
Date of Birth
3rd of Sun's Height
Birthplace
Ironband
Children
Current Residence
Talamh Temple
Pronouns
He/Him
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Black & White, Long High-Ponytail, Well kept
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Beige
Height
3'7"
Weight
230 lbs
Belief/Deity
Children of the Aurora
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments