Name: Frostfyre Shadowdancer
Race: Barbarian
Class: Shaman
Sex: Male
Height : 6'7"
Weight: 305
Eye color: Ice Blue
Hair color: Snow Blonde

Frostfyre's Story

Special Characteristics

Barbarian tribal tattoos across chest, in tribal colors of Blood Red and Sky Blue.
Scars across face from upper left forehead to lower right cheek
Self made tattoo of a Kodiak on left hand
Self made tattoo of a Serpent on right hand
Facial Hair: goatee with turned up mustache

History

In the meandering wastes of the frozen tundra that is the province of Halas, a young male stares across the open plain. His parent had told him of other places, other people, but he had met none, save the wandering few nomadic travelers that appear so rarely in the inaccessible land that is Everfrost. In his heart, he knows the truth of his parent’s words when they tell him he is too young at 15 summers to be longing for adventure. He had taken vows to follow in his father’s footsteps as the Clan Shaman, but had yet to receive the "Calling", as all Shamans must.

His father is the current Shaman to Clan Souwnkatu, and is revered throughout the land as a wise and honorable man. Frostbringer, Frostfyre’s father, being a Clan Elder and advisor to the Clan Chief has gained quite a reputation around Halas and the surrounding areas. Frostbringer became famous by almost defeating a brigade of Gnolls as they attempted a raid on Frostfyre’s clan. With the Clan Chief critically wounded, Frostbringer led a charge that defeated the Gnoll raiders, and then led a frenzied Barbarian horde into the Gnoll home cave where they were virtually wiped out by the blood-mad Barbarians.

Frostfyre’s mother, Crystalgaze, is also a powerful Shaman in her own right. Where Frostbringer’s art is one of mostly offensive spells, Crystalgaze’s talents are solely in the vein of healing. As her family was destroyed violently by Ice Goblins when she was young, she has dedicated her life to the healing arts. It was Crystalgaze that brought the Clan Chief back from near death during the Gnoll raid. It was after that raid that the two powerful Shamans met. The result of that union produced their only son, Frostfyre.

As a child, while other younglings were playing, Frostfyre was taught the fine art of war by his father, the art of healing by his mother. When others were swimming in the lake that separates Halas from Everfrost. Frostfyre was on hunting trips with his father or on long journeys with his mother to garner special herbs for defensive spells. He also learned the art of stealth and stealing from an acquaintance, unknown to his parents. This acquaintance, a Rogue whom Frostfyre had saved by slitting the throat of a Gnoll using the Moonwing technique his father had taught him, was so grateful that while in Halas, he taught the Barbarian youngling how to sneak (as best as a Barbarian could) and hide.

By his fifteenth summer (please realize that due to it’s location, an Everfrost summer comes only once every 5 human years), young Frostfyre had learned all he could, he supposed. All of the spells had been memorized, but he could not call them into fruition, as he had not received "The Calling." This "Calling" is a period every Shaman goes through when the spellcasting ability comes forth. His family became quite concerned, as most Shamans get "The Call" around their thirteenth or fourteenth summer. Frostfyre began to wonder if he really was intended by the gods of the Six hammers to be a Shaman, after all.

It was in this, his fifteenth summer, that Frostfyre met another barbarian youngling, a female. Her name, as was the tradition in her Clan to be named after both her parents, was Chillseeker, and a vibrant Barbarian Warrior was she. Her outgoing personality was in sharp contrast to Snowshaow’s own gruff but likable ways. Where Frostfyre was wary and distrustful, she was open and inviting. Chillseeker was yin to Frostfyre’s yang, and from the day he met her, he found she never left his thoughts. She was visiting from her Clan on a supply expedition to Halas, her mother an old friend of Frostfyre’s mother. The two younglings spent much time together while their mother remembered old times, and when in came time for them to leave, Frostfyre was heartbroken, as was Chillseeker. They had fallen in love, a tragic and unexpected turn of events, as Chillseeker’s marriage to another had already been arranged according to her Clan’s traditions.

Chillseeker and her party were scheduled to leave in 12 hours. The Barbarian younglings crept away into the snow to be together for a short time, most likely the last time. Frostfyre built a makeshift ice shelter and a small fire inside, mostly for light, as both had grown used to the cold many years ago. When they again appeared at the home of Frostfyre’s parents, there was a gleam in the eyes of the two star-crossed lovers that the adults could not quite comprehend.

As Chillseeker’s expedition started off, Frostfyre’s mood grew darker. He was watching the only being, other than his parents, that he ever loved, leave him and there seemed nothing he could do about it. As he watched them leave, a strange feeling came over him. A burning from deep inside, a fire welling up from the deepest part of his soul. He could not watch her leave, he must do SOMETHING. As his frustration grew, so did the feeling, as if to tear him apart.

"Chillseeker!!!" roared Frostfyre at the top of his lungs, the pain burning through his skin, threatening to explode and destroy Frostfyre in it’s ferocity. "ARRRGGHHH! Esto Natuck Raknsi!!" The words came from his lips without thought, his hands gesturing as if in spasm. A bolt of fire struck the mountainside opposite the expedition with such force and heat it caused a huge portion of the icy mountainside to melt and crash into the valley in front of them.

Now this was a complete shock to everyone in attendance. Frostfyre couldn’t believe he had finally gotten "The Call." His parents couldn’t believe the power his latent talent had exhibited. Chillseeker’s mother couldn’t believe they would have to chart a new course around the mountain. Chillseeker couldn’t believe he had done this for her.

The two younglings made their feelings for each other known to their parents. Unfortunately, their parents were stern in the traditions of their Clans, and mandated that they be separated at once, and should never see each other again. Soon Chillseeker and her party left, and Frostfyre was adrift in his misery. He set about planning to use his abilities to find her, and together they would run away to Freeport or some other great city and be happy.

Two months later, the news came. A Gnoll war party had wiped out Chillseeker’s expedition on its journey homeward, and all were dead. All. That word rang in Frostfyre’s ears for days. All. All….All.

Ignoring his mother’s pleas, Frostfyre geared himself for a trip to the Gnoll homeland to avenge Chillseeker’s death. His father, while not wanting to see his son die, but also understanding what feelings were driving him, gave him his blessing as a warrior, and gave Frostfyre the two handed warhammer, named Skullcrusher, passed down for generations in his family. He had become a man. Taking his supplies and his newfound abilities, Frostfyre set forth to kill as many Gnolls as possible and destroy their homeland, or die in the trying.

Using his innate Sense of Direction, Frostfyre soon found the Gnoll Cave. He had killed many monsters on the way, using his Shaman powers as well as his extraordinary strength and healing abilities. He was well on his way to the lair of the murdering Gnolls. Once at the huge maw that is the mouth of the Gnoll Cave, Frostfyre paused and pondered what he was about to do. His heart was filled with trepidation and fear, yet also filled with anticipation for the fight to begin. He entered the Cave.

Two Gnoll guards at the entrance. Frostfyre surprised them, and disposed of them with a minimum of noise and damage to him. Upon entering, he found the total darkness disconcerting. Having not planned for this, he kept his back to the wall and crept forward. He traveled what seemed an eternity until a light caught his attention. This seemed to be the start of the Gnoll "civilization." He readied Skullcrusher and continued on. He heard a raging battle, and hurried along the semi-dark tunnel to where the sounds originated. What he saw amazed and delighted him.

There was a band of warriors already in the Gnoll base camp, fighting the vermin and doing very well. Then, an avalanche of Gnolls appeared from all sides. A trap! The crafty Gnolls had lured the brave warrior party to their deaths. Frostfyre could not stand by and watch a massacre. Before the Gnolls could attack, Frostfyre spied their leader and poured all his magical energy into one massive spell. "Arturk Bandmot Frakju!" cried Frostfyre, then ran headfirst into a pack of the deadly monsters, swinging his mighty warhammer, crushing skulls and breaking bodies. He hoped he was able to buy at least some time for the brave warriors to escape. Having lost their leader did cause the Gnolls to lose concentration, but the pack into which he had so blindly run was closing in on Frostfyre, though his kill count was rising by the second. There were just too many of them.

A scrawny Gnoll guard lunged at him, but he merely dodged and destroyed the guard with one swing of Skullcrusher. This movement, however, left him open to attack. A rather large Gnoll hit him from behind. Others jumped on and began to pummel him, scratching his face and body with their razor-sharp claws. Frostfyre began to pray to The Six Hammers that he might be allowed to sit at the Table of the Brave in the hereafter, when an incredible thing happened. An opening appeared in the mass of Gnoll attackers. The vile beasts began to run, screaming in pain and confusion. Frostfyre’s last conscious thought was "Now, I’m really in danger."

Upon awakening, back near the mouth of the Gnoll cave, but a safe distance away, Frostfyre found himself almost totally wrapped in bandages. He was being tended to by someone he could not see because his eyes were covered as well. A hand touched his bandaged face, and Frostfyre grabbed and squeezed with his barbarian strength.

"Ahhhh…please, my brave, young Barbarian, release thy grip, I mean you no harm."said a calm, reassuring female voice.

"Who are you?" asked the young Barbarian. "A friend," said his healer, "a friend to any in need. A friend to any brave enough to give a band of strangers enough time to regroup by throwing himself headlong into a score of evil Gnolls without considering the consequences to himself. My name is Lady Hawke. Lord Hawke, myself and our companions are the group you aided, and we are in debt to you."

" I thank thee, Lady Hawke for rescuing me from certain death. My name be Frostfyre of Clan Souwnkatu. What about the Gnolls?"

" The Gnolls, heavily damaged when you killed their chief, retreated from us and escaped into the nether reaches of the mountain. Never fear, though, there are far fewer Gnolls in existence today than there were yesterday. You should be proud, young Shaman, as thy powers and prowess bely thy youth."

"Once again I thank thee, milady. Where art thee bound? What plans hast thou and Lord Hawke for the future? Is yours a band of raiders, or pirates, or missionaries?"

A soft laugh."Nay, my friend, we are in the process of creating a Guild of noble beings such as yourself. We have been transported to this plane by an unseen force and plan to make our mark in this world. We will band together under the banner of Honor, Loyalty, and Valor to fight evil and bring justice to this plane as we have before on other planes of existence."

"I know not of what you speak, Lady Hawke, as I am a simple ma…young man. I do, however believe in the truth of your words and wish to join you, if I may."

"Lord Hawke and I have already spoken of this and thy bravery and honor has already been put to the test of death. We would be glad to have you, but have you no family, no friends left behind you?"

"My family does not expect me back, though I will tell them I live. They will understand. Of my friends, it was a friend’s death I was attempting to avenge by coming here. It would be my privilege to join your guild."

"Speak no more," said Lady Hawke, "thou hast already been made a member of our Guild. We travel to Freeport to establish ourselves and begin the battle against evil. We shall call our guild Scarab and you shall be a member of this family hereafter. What say thee, Frostfyre, Barbarian Shaman of Scarab? "

"Milady, I say…Hail Scarab!!!