Umber

Throka Sell-Sword, better known by his alias Umber, was an orc mercenary and a leading member of the Menagerie. He is a player character in The Menagerie, portrayed by Steven Molony.

"A mountain of muscle, that one, with a smile so broad, he'll make you forget he just shouldered a door off its hinges to come crush you in an embrace. His armor's a mishmash, scavenged from this piece or that which caught his eye, but his kit boasts more bare skin than metal or leather. The green cloak at his back's seen better days; I'm not convinced he's ever removed the thing. Today he carries a hammer; tomorrow an axe, the next who knows? Apart from a full tankard, that is."
– Beholder's Log

History

Born in 49 2A during the Night of Twenty Moons, Umber was the son of Tchari Thrak, called Chimera, and Throka Thrak. Born during the three-year siege, Umber spent much of his young life among soldiers and mercenaries, quickly learning to fight with whatever came to hand. When the city finally fell in 50 2A, Umber went to live with his father for two years. It was during this time among the orcs that he acquired his by-name. According to his father, the young Umber allegedly exchanged the sword his father gifted him for a snack.
Returning to his mother in 52 2A, the fully-grown Umber joined the fledgling Menagerie.

Character

Personality

Umber lived his life to the fullest. The son of two orcish thraks, he had no fear of death and faced every challenge head-on. He enjoyed drink, feats of strength and fighting with whatever weapons come to hand. He placed zero emphasis on personal property, famous for trading weapons and gear for food and drink. His joviality came at a price, however – he was often shortsighted and tactless, often missing obvious social cues or speaking his mind too bluntly.
His mother's favored son, in Chimera's eyes, Umber could do no wrong. She doted upon him constantly and always saw his dubious achievements in the best possible light. This occasionally put some strain on his relationship with his half-brother Griffon, who was as hungry for his mother's approval as Umber was oblivious to it.
Though only a select few among the company knew this, Umber had a tendency to wet the bed. His mother knew and attempted to help him keep the secret but none of his close friends in the company were aware – except Grawmor, whom he told in confidence.

Relationships

Among the company and Commander's Tent both, Umber was known for his partying, his jovial nature and his enthusiastic support of his comrades. He was an older brother to Griffon in every sense, often uplifting and just as often misunderstanding his conflicted partner-in-crime. He and Remorhaz shared a brotherly bond as well, despite their obvious differences in outlook. Among the party, Mouse looked up to Umber most, frequently climbing onto his massive form and even allowing themselves to be thrown as a weapon in battle.
Friendly by nature, Umber had a propensity for forming lasting bonds with nearly everyone he met, even ostensible strangers – from Hierarch Oskamos to Khosava Bracebow. Among the company, he was closest with Pudding, Troll, Harpy and eventually Grawmor. He saw himself as an uncle to the young Banshee, son of Hyena, an orc he used to uncle when she was a child. He was also quite the accomplished lover with an undeniable type – Zelene Silvers, Captain Zhakri of the Unity and Dûnya Dragonbane herself. Completely unrelatedly, he was immensely fond of his mother and shared much of her personality and passions.

Abilities

A natural fighter, Umber's prodigious strength served him best in battle. He was best known for entering a destructive euphoria when his blood is up. Unlike other barbarians, Umber's adrenaline came from pure joy, whooping and hollering as he fought with a tremendous grin plastered on his face.
He favored no particular weapon and was indeed perfectly happy trouncing his opponents with a barstool, a tankard of beer or his bare fists.

Campaigns

The Menagerie

Umber is one of four player characters and protagonists of the Menagerie.

• Vhakizla: In Qoza, Umber caught wise to Unicorn's plot to burn down the Scorpion's Sting but did little to stop it, instead fighting off the assassins that targeted his mother. (Chapter 1). It was Umber who convinced Zelene Silvers to transport the company to Vhakizla and, all through the voyage, he shared her bed. (Chapter 2) During the duel between Remorhaz and the pirate captain, Umber served as mediator and, during the ensuing battle, he crushed Shepherd Visiah head with his maul. (Chapter 3) He accompanied the Commander's Tent into Izla and favored the brashest tactics possible when rooting out the Sanguine. (Chapter 5 – 7) During the battle with the brucolac, Umber fell under the beast's confusion spell but managed to save Remorhaz's life (Chapter 7). Upon discovering the murdered Min, Umber was filled with guilt and attempted to apologize to his widow – to no success (Chapter 8). While raiding the subterranean chapel, Umber gave into both the slaver incense and also his despair at the seeming death of his brother (Chapter 11). It was Umber who lit Unicorn's funeral pyre and it was Umber who broke the news to the inconsolable Chimera (Chapter 12). He was instrumental in rooting out Strategos Kharix and was filled with new hope that Griffon was indeed alive somewhere (Chapter 13). On the march into the Ghostmire, he made friend with Vulture and defended Mouse from Cerberus' bullying. During the siege of the Summer Palace, Umber finally slew Calras, Caliphar's final vampire spawn (Chapter 16). Upon their victory, it was Umber's flirtation that helped calm Vhakizla. He also shared a private moment with Pudding, where he learned the dwarf's real name and was gifted a sliver of illuminite (Chapter 17).
• Khûm: En route to their next contract, Umber clashed with Snagtooth gangsters on the streets of Qhlomi, fought in the blood-soaked ring in Jarkoth and made himself useful performing odd jobs in Banishment. During the last voyage, Umber romanced Zhakri of the Unity (Chapter 1 – 2). In Truethrone, Umber created quite a hoopla at the Commons when, egged on by a disguised Dûnya Dragonbane, he egged on Trix into a tug-of-war (Chapter 3). He also helped reconcile Pudding with his family and earned a new weapon – Gungnir – in the process (Chapter 4). On the hunt for Tyrodax the Wyrmling, Umber began to make advances towards Dûnya Dragonbane (Chapter 5). It was ultimately Umber who dealt the dragon its killing blow, much to his paramour's distress (Chapter 6). In a bid to escape the Mystriarchy, he kissed her and she smacked him in the face (Chapter 8). He bonded with Grawmor on the slopes of Krazvadan and, in his way, encouraged both the young worg and the lovelorn Remorhaz as soon as they returned to the Menagerie's camp (Chapter 9 – 10). In Snowperch, he made friends with Khosava and enemies with Brother Sorav (Chapter 11 – Chapter 12). When Stirge defected, he cluelessly consoled his brother, thinking Griffon heartbroken (Chapter 13). Umber was nearly petrified by Brother Sorav's poison and went on an emotion roller-coaster that night, from terror to rage to joy (Chapter 14). After meeting Yorgos of Nyre, Griffon confessed the truth to his brother – he's Yorgos' son. Afterwards, the two mercenaries listened beneath the tent, the same as they did as children (Chapter 15). Before the battle with Zhoraska the Red Matron, Umber and Dûnya shared a tender moment, her wistful of his adventurous life. During the battle, Umber fought hard against the dragon – not only did he ultimately slay the creature but, in the final moment, he even threw himself in from of Dûnya to shield her wounded body from the dragon's fiery death throes. After the battle, he comforted the terribly wounded queen as she gave him permission to take what gold they could from the dragon's lair (Khûm – Chapter 18 – Khûm – Chapter 19). At Cloudfall, Umber helped his brother goad Kuvna the Wealthy into single combat and helped save his life when this plan went sideways. On the way back to Snowperch, Umber spoke to Pudding about his future and gave him permission to stay behind with his family (Khûm – Chapter 21). Mangled by dragonfire, Dûnya asked Umber and the company to escort her back to Truethrone and, together in her cart, they made love for the first time. It was Umber who helped the disabled Dûnya perform the ceremony to pass the crown to Makem the Mumbler, joining the company immediately afterward. Shortly thereafter, a hrolsh message from Throka Thrak, Umber's mother, called for the Menagerie's aid in Auros.
• Cradle: Things between Umber and Dûnya were immediately complicated when the Unity arrived to transport them and Umber persuaded the captain to join them in bed. He also attempted to introduce his new friend, Dredgar Bracebow, to the queen, to mixed results (Cradle – Chapter 1). Tensions continued to rise on Disaster, where Umber reunited with Zelene Silvers and had a prolonged argument with Dûnya, both about how many lovers the mercenary seemed to have, scattered across the globe, and how difficult and chaotic life was on the warpath (Cradle – Chapter 2). En route to Fort Yarakir, Umber heard the cries of Banshee in the banshee's cries and, when they fought, it nearly stole his youth and beauty (Cradle – Chapter 3). Following the battle, Umber took responsibility for those slain and led another funeral service but, when Dredgar was found murdered, advocated strongly for Yazram Bracebow's execution (Chapter 4 – 5). Before departing the island, Umber agreed to sleep with Zelene Silvers in exchange for free passage to Sundaport, dealing a devastating blow to his relationship with Dûnya in the process (Cradle – Chapter 6).

Name: Throka Sell-Sword
Alias: Umber
Ancestry: Orc
Class: Barbarian (Frenzied Berserker)
Born: 49 2A (outside Aos, Auros)
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 280 lbs
Hair: Shaved
Eyes: Blue
Alignment: Chaotic Good
First Appearance: Vhakizla – Chapter 1
Most Recent Appearance: Cradle – Chapter 6

Goals:

• To share a drink with Griffon
• To share a drink with Remorhaz
• To find a book for Mouse
• To play a prank on Griffon (Abandoned)
• To find a new weapon
• To help Griffon recover his strength
• To bed Dûnya Dragonbane
• To prove himself to Chimera 

Secrets:

• Ever since he was a child, Umber wet the bed.

Relationships:

• Chimera: Favored Son
• Zelene Silvers: Lover
• Pudding: Pal
• Vhakizla, the Wyrm Returned: Flirt
• Hierarch Oskamos: Chaperone
• Hapry: Uncle
• Troll: Best Friend
• Zhakri: Lover
• Makem the Mumbler: Advocate
• Dûnya Dragonbane: Lover
• Grawmor: Protector
• Khosava Bracebow: Assistant
• Brother Sorav: Irritant
• Banshee: Avuncular