Summary:
On the fringes of the Empire of Blossoms is a small shard of mountainous terrain with an interior cave system called “The Fractured Mountain.” On this shard, remnants of the Dwarven clans have created an Alliance called “The Pact.” The remaining Dwarves swore themselves to the descendants of Clan Hillsafar.
After the Shattering these Dwarves were left homeless and adrift. They eventually found refuge on the Fractured Mountain near the Empire. In a peace agreement the Pact secured the technology to create magiponic farms in exchange for a tithe. The Empire has gradually tightened its control over the Fractured Mountain and increased its tithe to keep the Pact indebted and working.
Currently led by Thane Umiznut Hillsafar, the Dwarves continue to live in poverty due to the ever increasing tithe the Empire extracts with their Overseers. Within the Fractured Mountain, and running one of these farms were Gasum and Savilda Barrelhouse. Descendants of the Madbeards, a line of berserker barbarians, they eventually had children; the first of which they named Gutboy and a daughter named Silda.
Gutboy grew up on the farm alongside his sister, learning how to handle animals, learning about nature, and learning how to fix things around the farm. When in the home he quickly discovered his love for eating, which led him to his love for cooking. One of his fondest memories as a child is burning a stew and Silda being the only one willing to eat it. Silda smiled through black teeth and the taste of charcoal.
Significant Events:
The Tax (About Age 10)
When Gutboy was around the age of 10 the Empire of Blossoms increased the tithe. When his family's farm was unable to meet the increase an elven inspector and his retinue came to audit and inspect the farm. When the numbers didn’t meet the quota the elves confiscated their livestock, destroyed some personal stores, and claimed false accounting. Gutboy’s father, Gasum, was beaten in front of the town as a consequence. Gutboy still remembers the sound of his father's ribs cracking from the blows and his mothers restrained cries.
The Hollow Year (Age 16)
In the Hollow Year the crops failed due to blight. The Pact begged for leniency, but the Empire demanded the increased tithes. When the Pact was unable to meet the tithe due to the blight, the Empire used this as proof of their mismanagement and implemented a system of Overseers to stay on the shard rather than inspectors. The Overseers forcibly took the tithe and left many Dwarven families with no stores. Gutboy lost his younger sister, Silda, that winter to the famine. The farmhouse grew quiet after that, even the hearth seemed to lose its warmth.
Shattered Pact (Age 18)
As a teenager Gutboy was conscripted to help on other farms, as was the Dwarven custom. After an equipment failure that he and other Dwarves were able to fix, an elven Overseer claimed sabotage and threatened to cut off the supply of water to the shard. Thane Umiznut was forced to sign a new treaty further increasing the tithe and kneel before the Overseers in a public ceremony while the Clans watched and wept.
The White Rose (Age 19)
As a part of the harvest festival the Empire of Blossoms decided to throw a lavish event to celebrate the appointment of a new Overseer. Gutboy was invited to cook, and was praised for his abilities. The Empire gifted him a single White Rose as a symbol of peace. The pollen from the blossom caused the herd animals on the farm to get sick and suffer. The Elves claimed no wrong doing, calling it a coincidence.
The False Rebellion (Age 20)
Gutboy joined a group of dwarves plotting to sabotage and strike back against the Empire of Blossoms. The group was eventually betrayed by one of their own, who was given a significant bounty. As Gutboy was showing up to a meeting and running late, he saw the meeting hall had already been taken over by the Empire. He froze at this sight, unable to act, watching his friends be hauled off in chains. All of his co-conspirators kept tight lips, and didn’t leak a word. However, Gutboy watched as they all were hung from the Gallows built at the center of the town as a warning to anyone else who would try.
Fleeing to the Wellmet (Age 20)
Gutboy’s family knew of his involvement in the False Rebellion. They gathered every copper they could to get him a ticket off the shard. Gutboy had no idea where to go, but had heard of a place called the Wellmet. He knew that perhaps there he could find a job as a cook and be able to earn a living. While on the Wellmet he learned of Ingirix. He began to tap into his frustration and anger as a source of power to help protect those around him. Gutboy wants to bring peace to the world and stop injustice, but only knows how to do so through violence. He still enjoys cooking in his spare time and can often be found on adventures trying to gather exotic ingredients for his next meal. For the first time that he can remember he feels like the chains of his homeland couldn’t reach him.
The Massacre (Age 21)
On a mission from Xander to the Ancient Forest Shard, Gutboy encountered a lab being run by GammaCo. They discovered a group of research scientists performing vivisections and experimenting with live dinosaurs. After Val swung his maul, Gutboy blacked out and went on a massacre. All said, the group slaughtered 243 innocent lives. Gutboy saw himself become the evil he wished to fight that day. He swore to never take another innocent life.