Ruger
Guildmaster Ruger Almgren
Ruger was the first person that Tord suggested we get to know better, primarily because he still works in the mercenary industry as the head of the Osthaven Mercenary Guild. He oversaw Fallon and I becoming members, and has been looking out for us as part of the Guild ever since. I've been told that Ruger's nickname comes not only from his former position as the de-facto leader of the group, but also because he was particularly fond of leaving headless corpses behind. These days he mainly works a desk job and represents as part of the Council, but I figure that, beneath that smart-ass suit, he still packs a punch!
I met Ruger a couple of times while Tord was still working with him, mainly just in passing, but after he decided to remain in Osthaven with Tord, he took the recommendation of using my parents to craft some of the furniture and panelling for his new office. I know that over the years he also commissioned toys and furniture for his son, who lives in Undalen. Ruger has been incredibly helpful in setting me and Fallon up with jobs, both in and out of Osthaven, though he has only confided in me about his role with the DG. He still has his own contacts, and maintains a very robust information network, so he's always willing to lend a hand when needs be. He and Tord are pretty tight, like brothers in many respects, and he has been known to show up for dinner on occasion.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Ruger comes across as quite unassuming when you meet him; he's of average height and build, which doesn't really tell you how truly strong and sneaky he actually is. He's capable of decapitation, that much I do know. Even though he's essentially a pen-pusher now, I know he still keeps himself fit and agile.
Body Features
He has an olive skin tone and dark hair, but he's quite unassuming to look at. He could very easily blend into the background in both commoner and noble settings.
Facial Features
I'd say that Ruger has quite a cheeky face, with a wide nose and square chin, but quite an angular jawline. He sports a rather fabulous moustache, which he keeps impeccably groomed.
Apparel & Accessories
These days Ruger tends to wear a nice waistcoat and breeches combo, going for the tidy-but-deadly Butler look! I've teased him a little about it in the past, but he seems to quite like it. And honestly, it suits him! He also has a fine collection of bowler hats.
Specialized Equipment
Ruger keeps a variety of hidden daggers about his person, including throwing daggers in sheaths up his sleeves. He also carries a pair of curved shortswords, similar to khopesh or ngulu, which I'm told are razor-sharp and weighted for decapitations, specifically. I've never seen him use them, and honestly... I hope I'm never in a situation to. It would mean that shit got serious and Ruger got mad.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Ruger was an orphan rescued and raised by a man named Rodman Almgren, a shrewd mercenary businessman known by the nickname of "The Broker", who taught Ruger everything he knew. Rodman Almgren was the one who initially started up the Dödsgänget, with himself as the manager, but Rodman never really got to see the DG thrive. He was killed by a rival mercenary group not long after the group was established, and Ruger's first order as the new leader of the DG, aged only nineteen, was to eliminate every single member of that rival group. Ruger says that he, Tord, and three others were involved back then. Mandy and Lettie joined them not long after, seeking entertainment, followed by three more mercenaries and their metalworker. They were all young, even the Elves, by their standards, but also extremely skilled, as Ruger had essentially inherited Rodman's eye for talent. Eventually, Ruger established the Dödsgänget as one of the top blood-mercenary groups in Tordronnen.
Ruger led the group successfully for 28 years, despite the loss of many of their members over the years, until he decided to wind down operations after almost losing his closest companion, Tord. Now he works as the head of the Mercenary Guild in Osthaven, keeping his former identity as "The Headman" under wraps.
Employment
Ruger previously ran the Dödsgänget, a blood-mercenary group, but now works as the Guildmaster of the Mercenary Guild in Osthaven, a position he took seven years ago. I don't know specifically how he got this role, but I have no doubt that he's well suited for it!
Accomplishments & Achievements
As The Headman, Ruger became the leader of the DG at nineteen years old, succeeding his adoptive Father, Rodman. He then led them for 28 years, and has since become Guildmaster of the Osthaven Mercenary Guild.
Mental Trauma
I don't know if this would be considered trauma, per se, but I do know that he took the loss of Dexter Moon quite hard. He has said that he wishes that Dexter had told him sooner about his illness, and that he wanted to do more to help him. It haunts him that, in the end, he couldn't do anything to save him.
Morality & Philosophy
Ruger lives by three rules: never take from or destroy the property of those who can't afford it; never harm or kill those who don't deserve it; and never, ever harm kids.
He also invests in and donates to orphanages, education establishments and the arts.
Taboos
He doesn't harm children; it was his number one rule in the Dödsgänget. Kids are always out of bounds.
Personality Characteristics
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Ruger is a businessman, through and through. He's a brilliant negotiator and has a keen eye for talent.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Ruger still maintains a vast information network amongst mercenaries as part of his role with the Guild, though some of those contacts are also personal to him. I'm sure he knows a few people within the big Gangs, but I try not to ask too much of him regarding those. I also know that he has a number of people employed to keep an eye on his properties.
He took a shine to Chase when I introduced them, though Chase doesn't come into the Inner City, and Ruger helped him set up pick-up and drop-off points across the Outer City.
Family Ties
I know he has a son, Kedrick, who's 15, but he doesn't get to see him much. He never married the boy's Mother and things are a bit tense there, but he sends care packages regularly.
He views Tord as his brother, as they were both trained by Rodman for a while.
Wealth & Financial state
Ruger actually has a fair amount of wealth stashed away in assets; mostly buildings that he owns in cities across Tordronnen. Rodman was rather wealthy, and left all of it to Ruger so that he could continue his work with the DG, and as they were really successful, he's been able to maintain a large portfolio of properties that he uses to generate additional income. Sometimes he'll let me and Fallon use them to train or hide out, though he does also rent some of those spaces to the general public. He invests a lot of his wealth into orphanages and schools for underprivileged kids, as well as arts and suchlike for underprivileged kids.
The Headman
Ruger knows a lot of languages... I think it comes from travelling so much, and having to negotiate with so many different people. I've heard him use Common, Elvish, Infernal, Orcish and Giant, but I know he knows more.
All content created for "The Life of Mersinia" is from the perspective of a single Player Character within the campaign and is considered her canon perspective. However, not everything Mercy knows or tells is truth; if you are looking for hard facts on Tordronnen, visit the official Tordronnen World Anvil page.
Content created for "The Life of Mersinia" is made with permission of and in association with LollyBeau .
All content (including art) is created by Aelyrya Payne unless otherwise stated. Mini screenshots from HeroForge with minis created by Aelyrya Payne unless stated. World Banner "misty mountains" background from Adobe Stock on Free License
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