Bahldur Ashkar
Lord of Ruin
A Wurdgyrm Dwarf some consider responsible for the escape of Byron Caine.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Bahldur is tall for a dwarf, not as strongly built as his warrior kin. while still stout Bahldur a spellweaver of impressive talent.
Body Features
Bahldur has traditional Wurdgrym tattoos on his scalp, as well as Infernal brands on his forearms.
Facial Features
Bahldur's facial hair is braided into three thin strips and capped with iron studs to keep them tidy and out of his way.
Identifying Characteristics
Bahldur's beard is unusually long for a Wurdgrym, the only thing he does that breaks from ancient traditions of the Empire.
Physical quirks
Bahldur does not drink to excess, a very strange trait for a Dwarf, and one that drew further ire from his kin.
Special abilities
Bahldur is adept at summoning, able to command forth Demons, a tactic the Temple of Nine are weary of.
Apparel & Accessories
Bahldur wears Temple of Nine robes from Mephistopheles cult, decorated and stylized in purple gold and ivory. under these robes he wears standard Wurdgrym infantry chainshirt and breastplate, graves and vambraces.
Specialized Equipment
Bahldur's mantle is adorned with demonic horns and he wields a dagger fashioned from the spine of the Umbra Tower commander.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Bahldur was born into a low standing clan in Wurdgrym during the height of the wars in Argantus wars before the Mithral Treaty was signed. Bahldur's clan the Deepstar, were primarily wardens and guards for the myriad of prisoners and slaves that Wurdgrym acquired. With no resources of their own, the Deepstar were expected to remain in low standings. As the seventh son Bahldur was given to the Temple of Nine as an acolyte as a young age, where he was trained in the arcane, the divine, and given a formal education. The Deepstar did not concern themselves with the fate of Bahldur for decades, in that time the Dwarf applied his spellweaving towards the war effort, most noticeably however were his allies in Voss. it was uncertain how or when Bahldur made these associates, but as he hosted more visitors from Ravan and and Voss the Deepstar suddenly took a keen interest in this forgotten son
The Deepstar Clan-Lord, Muirmyr Keltun, summoned Bahldur to return to his hearth and swear fealty to him for the first time. Bahldur ignored this summons, replying that he and his allies were already pledged to fight in the Old Kingdom at the Umbra Tower. Umbra tower had been held by one hundred and twelve Dwarves for almost the entirety of the war. an impregnable defensive position, that offered little strategic value it served more a sign of Argantian defiance and hope than it did a threat to the Empire. Muirmyr was reported to rage at his nephews disobedience but with the backing of the Temple and the Emperor there was little he could do. While Bahldur was fighting with his Voss and Ravan allies at the Umbra Tower, tragedy befell the Deepstar. Their hold served equal parts keep and prison, housing a number of prisoners and slaves for the greater clans. One such prisoner, Byron Caine escaped during a sudden and violent riot, hundreds of Deepstar were slain during the escape, leaving the leadership of the Clan uncertain.
While there were rumors that Bahldur had in some way been responsible for this coup; the auspicious nature of his departure, the attack on a strategically insignificant target, the convenient escape of several Elven and Voss prisoners during Caine's riot. Bahldur was however, not present for these events, and as he was not sworn to his Clan-Lord he was not considered a Deepstar and ineligible to inherit their holdings without intervention of the Emperor. Instead Deepstar Keep was gifted to Nasleen Blydstorm and her bannermen to keep order at the prison and oversee repairs. Baldur, however, enjoyed an unexpected success. Bahdlur had released twelve prisoners towards Umbra Tower each inscribed with a rune, this was not an unheard of tactic for the Wurdgrym magically trapping prisoners and releasing them. when taken to the Tower cells to be dispelled, it was discovered these were not explosive runes or curses. they were runes of binding, containing demons within and now they had been set loose in the Tower. shortly after Bahldur and his allies raised the Wurdgrym banners over the Umbra Tower.
Bahldur's victory broke moral of Argantian troops stationed within four hundred miles of Umbra Tower, a tower that had held firm when surrounded and cut off from supplies, a tower who's banner had been nicknamed 'the dawn' as it was expected to raise each day. Bahldur returned to the Temple of Nine and paid his respects to his fallen Clans-men. when asked if he would stay to rebuild his Clan, or make a claim for Clan-Lord, he replied "let lesser Dwarves fight over this hold. Deepstar is a tomb of ambition so much as it is a prison of men." before returning to the War. for the next one hundred and seven years Bahldur would boast one of the most successful military records in Wurdgryms history. his victories cunning, his defeats atrophic, all with no Clan of his own supporting him. When the Mithral Treaty was signed, Bahldur returned to the Temple of Nine, he had opposed the treaty as loudly as a clan-less dwarf could and lost. it was many years before Bahldur was heard or seen from again, save for scarce appearances in Ravan and Voss. Bahldur has most recently been spotted with a number of his allies in Mistmire Citadel of all places. it is unclear his purpose in the Antaen lowlands or his intentions for the future but many in Wurdgrym keep an eye on the east to watch the Lord of Ruins next move.
Education
Bahldur was educated at the Temple of Nine, rumored even to have been a guest in Cthonicos and Baathos at some point during his education.
Employment
Bahldur serves as a Temple of Nine envoy, and has served as a military commander for a combined force of Wurdgrym, Voss, and Ravanite forces during the War.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Bahldur won what was thought of as an unobtainable victory at Umbra Tower, ruin of little importance in the Old Kingdom that earned him nickname the Lord of Ruin.
Bahldur's military record boasted a number of victories of moderate significance during the war and his losses were most often mitigated.
Failures & Embarrassments
Many consider Bahldur's refusal to speak his claim to Deepstar a politcal misstep, especially following the wars conclusion when he had little means of advancing his position in the Wurdgrym society.
Bahldur's most disastrous defeat came at Emberstone cavern when a detachment Khazgrul Ancients were teleported behind his forces flanking his vanguard while a Red Dragon strafed his forces from above. he was forced to withdraw into the tunnels and leave his vanguard to death.
Mental Trauma
Bahldur has a quiet fury berried inside him over the results of the Mithral Treaty. he would speak softly to his allies that the Wurdgrym had lost their way, that peace was not their way.
Intellectual Characteristics
Bahldur was an adept strategist, using his spells and his Ravan and Voss allies to keep advantage over his Dwarven enemies. Weaving spellwork and military strategy together is often dangerous but Bahldur was considered a true master at this craft.
Morality & Philosophy
Bahldur held true to the tenates that Wurdgrym was founded, that your worth was determined by your actions. when nobles and noble children were sent to his regiment to be blooded he held them in open disdain, at least until they were proven.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Bahldur has reluctantly taken an interest in the politics of Wurdgrym, determined to bring the Empire back to its roots.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Despite being well spoken, Bahldur's disdain for politics has been his greatest weakness to date.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Bahldur has a number of allies in Voss and Ravan, as well as the Temple of Nine.
Family Ties
Bahldur is presumed to be estranged from his Clan and the current caretakers of Deepstar Hold.
Religious Views
Bahldur has sworn his allegiance to Mephistopheles, as with many Wurdgrym this is less about faith than it is fealty to a powerful lord in return for boons.
Social Aptitude
Despite his political failings Bahldur has inspired confidence in his allies, he has a grim disposition that can sometimes break into jubilee as he and his troops share in the spoils of victory.
Mannerisms
Bahldur has been accused of using magic to hide his true feelings and features on more than one occasion. during the signing of the Mithral treaty, as one of its loudest opponents, it was presumed Bahldur would be enraged and finally show it outwardly. he was however, as always, quiet and still. Bahldur waits and listens, and does not act impulsively.
Hobbies & Pets
For a time Bahldur kept the commander of Umbra Tower as a slave, chaining a Demon to his soul until its chaotic essence tore him apart.
Current Location
Ethnicity
Age
242
Children
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Bald
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Faded Grey
Height
152 cm
Weight
75 kg
Quotes & Catchphrases
"Let lesser Dwarves fight over this hold. Deepstar is a tomb of ambition so much as it is a prison of men." - in response to questions of his Clans future following his Lords death.
"we are born of iron, without the flames of war that iron will remain brittle and we will shatter."- as he spoke against the Mithral Treaty
Belief/Deity
Mephistopheles
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