Bartarius of Outelion
(Pronounced "Bart-air-ee-us" in Kelevan, "Bart-are-ee-oos" in Farlandish, from which the name is derived)
Male Human Ftr11/Brd1; Medium Humanoid ; HD 11d10+33 (Fighter), 1d6+3 (Bard); hp 112; Init +5; Spd 20; AC 21; Atk +14 base melee, +12 base ranged; +17 (1d10+7, +2 Sword, bastard); +17 (1d10+8, +2 Sword, bastard); Class Features: Fighter: Shield proficiency, Martial weapon proficiency: all, Simple weapon proficiency, Heavy armor proficiency, Medium armor proficiency, Light armor proficiency, Bonus Feats (6), Weapon specialization; Bard: Shield proficiency, Medium armor proficiency, Light armor proficiency, Simple weapon proficiency, Spells, Bardic Knowledge, Bardic Music, Proficiency: Shortbow; AL NG; SV Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +6; STR 17, DEX 13, CON 16, INT 13, WIS 12, CHA 13.
Possessions: Weapons: +2 bastard sword "of Dakor" (a King of Daven). Armor: +1 Breastplate of Wodene. Shields: +1 Shield, large, steel of Wodene. Magic: Ring: Protection +1
Skills: Diplomacy +4, Intimidate +6, Knowledge (War) +5, Perform +12, Profession (Cook) +3, Ride +3, Sense Motive +2, Spot +5, Survival +6.
Feats: Cleave, Dodge, Endurance, Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Sword, bastard, Expertise, Improved Critical: Sword, bastard, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Run, Track, Weapon Focus: Sword, bastard, Weapon Specialization: Sword, bastard.
Spells Known (Brd 2): 0 - Daze, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Resistance
Languages Blackspeech: Orc, Kelevan, Anarian
age: 32 weight: 220 height: 6' 2"
Lord Bartarius is a barbarian from the icy tundra lands that lie to the North of the Kelerak Mountains. He grew up in the village of Outelion and is of the Einar peoples, whose totem animal is the Seal, which provides the staple food of the tribe. The son of the Chieftain Belasarius Greyhame and Octavia, Bartarius distinguished himself as a warrior early in his life when he fought and killed a grizzly bear at the age of fourteen. The bear left a tell-tale scar on his cheek that has remained with him all his life. When Bartarius reached the age of 18, he was required, as chieftain's son, to lead a successful hunting party. The group embarked by sleigh but met a raiding party of Orcs from Kale. The orcs killed all eight members of the party, leaving Bartarius for dead. The young Northman tracked and stealthily slew the Orcs in the wilderness, one at a time. He followed them all the way to Kale, but his luck ran out when six orcs from the party ambushed him. Bartarius was aided by the timely intervention of Valanduil the Elhan; the two became fast friends. The doom of Valanduil was to aid the humans by seeking the Stone of Silence, as well as any other way that he could. Bartarius, in turn, could not return to his tribe or face his father with the weight of his slain hunting companions on his head. Thus he and Valanduil set off to right the wrongs of the world. They managed to slay 3 of the Lords of Sin, an unrivaled feat, before Bartarius was captured by the minions of the Lord of Envy and enslaved in Orland for seven years. Escaping, he made his way back to Kelerak, where he finds himself this very day embroiled in a strategic war to defend the West that he helped to liberate. His deeds in this fight have earned him the title of Lord of Dragonspur and several holdings, such as a manor in Dragonspur, a farmhouse on the outskirts, and a small village called Kenby.
Bartarius has a complicated psyche. Perhaps his most obvious trait is his fiery temper. Indeed, he suspects that it was his youthful carelessness, anger, and foolhardiness that cost his companions their lives. He has grown more wise with age, but the fire of his youth always seems to lurk beneath the surface, fighting to break free. Bartarius always strives to contain his rage, with varying success. His failures in this area often lead him into deep moral dilemmas.
An Interview with Bartarius
1) Where are you from?
I am from the fertile lands between the Kelerak Mountains and the Great Northern Sea. This land we call Outelion.
2) Did you have a happy childhood?
I had a very happy childhood. At fourteen I slew a great bear. It attacked with the ferocity of the Great Bear Demon of which my people tell tales, and it left its mark on my face. But Kolbjorn the Provider granted me victory. When I turned fifteen things in the village began to change. The men who worked metal kept their forges hot all through the night making weapons to fight beasts that were absent from our lands for many generations. The years that followed were dark and full of struggle.
3) Why do you risk your life to thwart evil?
I risk my life to avenge the deaths of my hunting companions some eight years ago. I cannot go back to my land with the burden of their deaths still upon my shoulders. To thwart evil is not the driving force in my life. To return home and live peacefully is the driving force in my life.
4) In your bio, it says that you are close to "cracking under the strain." Can you explain that?
"Cracking under the strain"? I have no idea to what you are referring [glares dangerously].
5) What is the most difficult or dangerous battle you have ever fought?
The overwhelming wave of emotions created by being exiled from my land and people.
6) What are your pet peeves?
Weakness.
7) Is there anything else about yourself that you would like your fans to know?
Leave me alone. I did not want to be famous [many readers have noted that Bartarius is rumored to have hired a bard to chronicle his travels... see below]. And for the record I did NOT run [see "The Ballad of Bartarius" for this infamous situation].