Hrothgar of Danehiem

The Slayer, The Hero
The Kingdom of the Great North is a land of hard lives and harder men. From generation to generation, tales have been told and songs have been sung about the mighty heroes born of this cold and unforgiving realm, of great warriors and grim leaders whose actions held sway over the lives of thousands.

Hrothgar of Danehiem is one such hero. This story is of a man who was born from humble origins, raised to be the greatest hero of his age, disappeared after one of the greatest battles ever fought, and returned to take up arms one last time.

Origins
A wise sage once said "Fear an old man in a profession where men die young." Hailing from a culture that is largely considered barbaric by the rest of the continent, Hrothgar's early years were always going to be bathed in blood and hardship. Born in the village of Danehiem in the year 1285 DR, his father Chief Rhoethgar was the leader of the village and a Sword-Thegn to the King of the North. However any prospects of Hrothgar following in his father's footsteps were dashed by virtue of the circumstances of his birth. His mother Freya - especially loved by her husband - died shortly after bringing Hrothgar into the world, causing Rhoethgar to become especially embittered towards the child.

Hrothgar's formative years were harsh by southern standards; frequently underfed and often fighting with other children his age, he had to prove his worth time and time again, but this was considered the norm for his people. Fortunately, he was a strong lad, managing to hold his own, ensuring that he earned food and respect from his peers. In time, he gained an apprenticeship under the local blacksmith - one of the most important roles in the village - and for a time, life was simple and without outside complication.

But it was not to last.

In 1300 DR, a new century began, and with it came great change for many, including the village of Danehiem. Down from the hills, pushed south by an incredibly hard winter, a giant of the north wandered into the coastal lowlands, and to Danehiem, searching for food. What followed was a bloodbath. Rhoethgar led the defence, but one by one, the brave warriors of Danehiem fell to the sheer size and power of the giant. Not even Rhoethgar would escape death that day, smote with a single blow. Women and children, the innocent and the brave, all would fall to the giant's wrath. Several fled to the chief's hall, hoping to escape the violence, but the giant followed after them. Standing between the villager's and the behemoth's wrath was a lone figure. A young boy of fifteen, clutching his father's greataxe. The beast charged. The boy charged. And a legend was born.

Hrothgar of Danehiem brought the giant down when he cleaved the creature's head open, breaking the axe shaft in the process, and wedging the blade so deep into the giant's skull that they had to burn the body with it still lodged inside him. With nothing left of the world he once knew, Hrothgar took the road.

Adventurer
Honing his skills in battle, Hrothgar went from village to village, gathering like-minded individuals, and began a life of questing, plunder and battle. With a group of mighty warriors at his side, Hrothgar traveled the world, defeating a great many foes along the way. He made a reputation for himself as a monster-slayer, a killer of beasts and champion of men. His travels brought him into contact with many great individuals, such as Cainan Stormforge, King of Triagia, Lord-Commander Valorin Lithviel, commander of the elven Sky-Guard, and of course, the then Prince Beorn Baldursson, who later became King of the Great North.

From the Great North to the Free Cities, the name Hrothgar became well known. There were several attempts by several noblemen to woo such a warrior into their court with promises of title, land and prestige. But Hrothgar turned them all aside, preferring the life on the road, obeying no obligations but the ones he set himself, fighting and living a free man. His attitude and deeds made him very popular among the common folk.

Several great deeds are attributed to Hrothgar, with the three day battle and defeat of the Chimera of Angsleigh and the killing of the Succubus of High Tor the most commonly cited. However, despite the glory these were also trying times. Hrothgar's band of warriors grew smaller with each passing year, taken by the monsters they devoted their lives to slaying. Nonetheless, this way of life remained virtually unchanging for several years.

Hero
1310 DR changed everything. With the veil between planes torn open and demons pouring through the rift the Great Demon War began. The monsters ravaged the Great North, eventually laying siege to the great northern city of Caern. The call for assistance was answered by King Cainan first, quickly followed by the Elven Princes and the Dwarf Lords. The armies fought against their demonic foes, but it became clear that these creatures were mostly beyond the common rank and file. Word soon spread however of a small group of warriors, bringing the fight to demons in small villages scattered across the Great North. In 1314, an elven scouting party arrived at one such village as the battle was taking place, as a great demon fell to the axe of a grizzled barbarian. So it was that the armies of the free folk first encountered Hrothgar of Danehiem.

Hrothgar was subsequently invited to an Elven war counsel, and he and his men joined the ranks of the Elven Sky-Guard. For not only was he skilled, but Hrothgar was friendly with their commander, Valorin Lithviel, who knew from first hand experience how valuable an asset the barbarian could be. Alongside the elves, Hrothgar brought the fight to their demonic enemy, and his renown grew to unprecedented heights. And even then, his greatest achievement was yet to come.

In 1320 DR, the Great War Council was held, featuring the armies of elves, dwarves and Triagians. Having proved his worth with the elves and his reputation without doubt, Hrothgar became a general in the final push of Great Northern Campaign. This finally culminated with the great battle of Skalda Plain, where the combined might of Triagia, the Great North, the Elves and the Dwarves was brought to bare upon the demonic hosts.

From upon a mighty white griffin, Hrothgar and the Sky-Guard sought out the largest targets on the battlefield. The battle eventually drew the attention of the worse sort. The corrupted form of a mighty Red Dragon, it's mind bound and replaced by an ancient demon, bonded into the creature's flesh. The terrible beast wrought destruction upon the free folk's battle lines, but it did not take long until this threat was addressed. With the Sky Guard in tow, Hrothgar and Valorin continually harrassed the dragon, but their lances, arrows, javelins, and even their Griffin's talons seemed to do little damage. When it became apparent that their tactics weren't quite working, Hrothgar threw himself from his griffin and managed to secure himself on the dragon's back. Slowly, but surely, he clambered along the great beast's scaled hide despite the dragon's several attempts to throw him off, and he watched as more members of the Sky-Guard met grizzly ends.

For this, Hrothgar would have vengeance. Seeing the scar on the back of the dragon's skull where the demon had fused itself into the creature's flesh, the barbarian propelling himself forward and - with as much strength as he could muster - plunged his hand into the demon's chest. A few moment's later, the battlefield was met with an earth shattering roar as the dragon screamed it's death cry, with a bellowing Hrothgar clutching the demon's still beating heart in his bloody hand. As the dragon entered freefall, Hrothgar was thrown also, plummeting towards the ground.

Yet, at the last second he was saved when Valorin rode in on his griffin, plucking the barbarian from the air and carrying him away to safety. With the dragon defeated, the demon army quickly crumbled, as the free folk redoubled their efforts and drove the demons back.

But it had come at a great cost. Valorin had been caught by the dragon's talons, and died in Hrothgar's arms, his dying wish being that Hrothgar take his bow and return it to his daughter, Harenya. Hrothgar agreed to fulfill this wish. Once the body was prepared for burial, Hrothgar set about searching for his companions, but soon realised that none of them had survived the battle. Of his adventuring party of old, he was the only survivor.

Exile
The war had taken it's toll on Hrothgar. He was praised and celebrated as a hero, but it all seemed hollow to the barbarian. He had no desire to remain a mighty general, and he couldn't return to a life of adventuring and monster slaying; even if his companions had survived, he had seen enough death. He made his choice soon after. He went to Sin Dorei, fulfilling his promise to Valorin by returning his longbow to his daughter, Harenya Lithviel, and then wandered back into the Great North.

Hrothgar of Danehiem, the greatest hero and monster slayer of his day, simply vanished without a trace.

Rumours were quick to follow. Some theorised that he had disappeared into the wilderness to find death in battle. Others guessed that he had returned to his home village to claim the title of chief. No one knew for certain, and all attempts to find him failed. For twenty years, no one knew where he was.

However, just when it seemed that the world had relegated Hrothgar to the annals of history, word soon spread again of an old warrior from the north, greataxe in hand, wandering from village to village in the company of a fair elven ranger. Tales spread that he had lived the life of a simple blacksmith in a tiny northern village, but had taken up arms again for one last quest.

When he arrived at the gates of Novigrad there could be no mistake. Hrothgar had returned.

Recent Events
Since his return, Hrothgar has been kept busy. He was a member of the party who rediscovered the Amulet of Deimos, and who freed Duke Gregor from it's evil magics. In the end, he decided to take the amulet and hide it again, its location a secret he intends to carry with him to the grave.

He was again present for the celebrations of Duke Nalddo's name day, where he and his companions were able to bring a thief to justice, find a lost merchant, and destroy a Vampire that had lived among the town's populace.

His resurgence also resulted in him being dubbed a Sword-Thegn by King Beorn Baldursson, and he commanded the northern warriors in a series of border skirmishes with the forces of Lady-Marcher Valerie Aydelotte, before the incident was revealed by his companions - Harenya included - to have been a plot by the Lady-Marcher's brother to destabilize the region. After the incident was resolved he was - happily - relieved of command.

Hrothgar also played a major role in defeating an ancient Bone Naga that had returned to the city of Celestine Vale, wielding the magic sword Vesta-Anor and delivering the final blow to the creature. During this quest, he also assisted in returning the elven High Priest to full health, clearing a grotto of Sirens, and he was reunited with his old griffin mount from the war, who has again become his loyal companion and steed. Not only did he become even more famous with this victory, but he also became a father when Harenya finally gave birth to their daughter, Talwyn.

As reward for his service, he was granted one of the highest blessings from elven-kind, an extended lifespan. Where once he was a man approaching the tail end of his days now he is potentially on half-way through his lifespan.

No one truly knows how long Hrothgar will continue questing, or whether this is adventuring lifestyle is simply temporary, but for the moment, it seems, the old barbarian is back, and more ferocious than ever.

Appearance
Despite his old age, Hrothgar is still a sight on the battlefield. Standing at 6'2", he is taller than the average human (though somewhat above average for a Northerner), and has a strong frame, only slightly daunted by age. Though it is clear his best years are behind him, he still maintains a strong looking physique. His hair is lengthy and grey, matching his short beard, with blue eyes staring out from under a stern brow on a weathered and scarred face. There is enough to suggest that he was once a very handsome man in his youth.

When he was younger, he often fought in half-plate armour, and has recently returned to wearing it. Before that he wore simple clothes and a cloak. He currently possesses a huge greataxe of ancient origin, referred to as Flametongue. Able to ignite at will, Hrothgar wields the weapon to deadly effect. Since his defeat of the Naga, he has also added the legendary sword Vesta-Anor, a weapon infused with holy power. Aside from this, he carries two hand axes as back up weapons, and sometimes javelins for when he feels ranged combat is required.

Personality
From first impressions, it is clear that Hrothgar has quite a temper and a dry wit. Interactions with the man are blunt, to the point, and - if provoked - violent. He is renowned for using intimidation to get his way, and more often than not it works. He is highly abrasive, even with his companions, showing them no remorse and letting the insults fly if they show any kind of incompetence. He is hard to please, slow to trust, and quick to anger.

But beneath this is hard exterior lies a good man. To those who have earned his trust, there is no more staunch an ally to be found. He has a strong respect for warriors and front-line fighters, and will always throw every once of strength he has into a fight. He will suffer wounds that would fell lesser men, and continue to wade through enemies until every last one of them lies dead at his feet.

He often gives those closest to him nicknames, usually referring to a physical or mental characteristic.

Relationships
As a notable figure in the Demon War, Hrothgar's reputation tends to proceed him. Other lords and commanders who took part in the battle tend to recognise him by reputation, if not by sight. He is known especially among the elves and the people of the North.

Among his companions, he holds great respect for Gwynbleidd (Scaley) and Gromm (Stunty) especially, the former for their battle prowess and similar mindset, and the latter for their good-natured humour and enthusiasm in battle. Others, such as Lyzander (Lasanga) he respects begrudgingly, though he has been brought closer to him due to recent events.

And then there is Harenya. It's no secret that the two of them are romantically involved, or if so, it is a poorly kept one. She is one of the few people who can stop Hrothgar mid-tirade, and indeed, sometimes he will not engage in violence and mayhem without her consent.