Wings of Fury 2

Name:  Grokzurl Montagnac-Qot (Just Grok for short)

Species: Human

Song: Second song - Shandian (Lightning)(He's not yet aware of his attunement)

Age: 22(?)

Origin:  Born on Alma, his exact origins are unknown. Grok was abandoned as an infant, and picked up by a small band of travelling orcs on the outskirts of the Chunadie Empire, just outside of Montagnac.

Home:  Home is wherever family is. His nomadic tribe is tiny, only a dozen or so orcs, a pair of wood elf twins, and a very tall tsavari fleshshaper. Their band is known for their communal nature; family is a fluid term, and they happily welcome new members who they feel a connection with. Due to their hospitable nature, they tend to connect easily with most people who show them kindness and respect. They travel all across Alma, but tend to stick near a lake or a river. The closest to what they consider their home is the as-yet unsettled area to the north of the Galum-Qot Zirdukate, though they never venture very far from the borders. They often make short trips to the many cities and countries of the planet, often picking up a unique trinket, weapon, souvenir, or recipe for a local specialty. All are capable survivalists, each with their own strengths to keep the tribe safe and comfortable. They're willing to offer services as deckhands as a means of catching a sea vessel to cross the vast oceans, though they tend to avoid travel by sea unless absolutely necessary.

Appearance: Grokzurl is 5'4" tall with a lean, muscular build. Strong for his size, but lithe and agile. He has a narrow jaw, high cheekbones, and a square brow. His eyes are green, and his hair long and brown, often worn in a braid. A few strands always seem to poke out around his face, however. His face bears 3 large parallel scars from the claw of a bear.

Personality: Grok is a friendly sort, always eager to meet new people, or offer to lend a hand to those in need. He wears his heart on his sleeve, often to his own detriment. His family taught him to love openly, and protect the things most important to him. He is fiercely loyal, but often naive and too quick to trust strangers.

He'll defend his values emphatically, to a point that can only be described as reckless. He's easily provoked and has a difficult time turning down a challenge. He's desperate to show his family he can take care of himself, though he often presses the issue farther than he needs to. He'll rush into danger just to prove he can. Grok hates being proven wrong, and will often take matters a touch too far to try and preserve his narrow world-view (even if it's obvious that he's fighting a losing battle).

In his down time, Grokzurl enjoys exploring creative pursuits. He'll often sketch landscapes of the places he's been, and crude maps so that he can always find his favorite spots. He's also something of a poet, though is very slow to share his writing with anyone. He keeps a hand-bound notebook with him always, which serves as both sketchbook and songbook. Many of his artworks inspire verses in the poems he writes, though not every poem is based on a place.

Biography: 

SpoilerShow

Grokzurl remembers nothing of his life before his orc family. Some of his earliest memories are of watching his parents set up camps, forage and hunt for food, or crafting various tools. Whenever they'd find Grok watching, they'd carry him straight home. As the youngest and the smallest in the family, the rest of his band would do their best to keep him far from any potential dangers. He developed a taste for thrills and adventure quite young, always sneaking away to try and find whatever secrets the world might hold. Eager to help his family, he'd often injure himself falling from trees while gathering fruit, tripping over roots in dense forests, even attacked by some small local wildlife for venturing too close to a mother's nest.

Over time his parents slowly began to allow him more freedom, opting to teach him how to do things properly, rather than try to stop him. He suffered far less injury this way, though was often still kept from more demanding tasks. On his 12th birthday he begged for a weapon, and was given a small dagger which he carries to this day. At 15, he wished to learn to fight, to help keep their camp safe. Not wanting to put Grok in harm's way, his family carved him a bow. He wasn't pleased by their obvious sidestepping of his request, but quickly began practising nonetheless. Within months, he was allowed to join their hunts, provided he kept his distance and used his bow. This was enough, for a time. However, it wasn't long before he ventured off on his own, eager to bring home a trophy to prove his worth to his family. He returned after sundown, blood dripping from his face. He'd chosen a bear as his target, and things hadn't gone smoothly.

His parents didn't let him go anywhere on his own for month's after that. He spent much of his time alone and brooding, channelling his frustrations into song while working through the chores he'd been given to keep him at camp. One stormy afternoon, during a particularly spirited verse, lightning struck Grok while he was trying to bring the laundry in from the drying line. Fortunately,  was able to heal him through their fleshshaping, though the scar never faded. Fascinated by the powers the second song could unlock, he began to seek out his tsavari family member, eager to learn the legends and history associated with their magic, even if he could never seem to invoke any powers of his own.

In the years since his accident, Grok's parents have been even more protective of their human son, time alone becoming an increasingly rare occurrence for the boy. It wasn't until he turned 22 that he finally lost his patience with the arrangement, finally gathering the courage to confront his parents about their overprotective nature. After a long argument and a whole lot of tears, an agreement was reached. Grokzurl would strike out on his own, to return to their favorite place, north of the Galum-Qot Zirdukate in 5 years' time. His family made it abundantly clear that he would always be welcome to return early, a fact which put a smile on Grok's face. This place has always been relatively safe, and they assured him that they'd keep close by in the coming years. He doubted he'd return early, but to know he's so loved set the spark in his heart burning even brighter.

The moment he heard whispers of a dragon to be slain, Grokzurl was certain this was how he would earn his stripes.

Important Skills: Life as a nomad has made Grok highly adaptable to all kinds of environments. He's able to gather supplies, build rudimentary shelter, start fires, identify edible plants, and skin/bone/otherwise prepare most common animals to be eaten. He's also a decent hunter, able to move stealthily and is proficient with both a bow and in basic hand-to-hand combat.

Important People:
Rega Galum-Qot (~40), an exuberant Alman orc and one of Grokzurl's adoptive mothers. Heads all hunting expeditions.
Ojak Zaguk-Qot (~42), the stricter of Grok's mothers. Handles much of their groups travel planning and general upkeep of supplies
Zanya Kelani (~50?), a flesh-shaping tsavari from the arcology of Stemspire. Has been a member of Rega & Ojak's travelling group for ~15 years. Notably, the only song user in their travelling band.
Wakar Dogab-Qot (~38) Orc, former craftsman, lifelong friend of Rega + Ojak and helped form their travelling band. Noga's husband + Mag'har's father.
Noga Dogab-Qot (~40) Orc chef, taught Grokzurl and Mag'har to prepare themselves a proper meal while they're out in the world. Wakar's wife and Mag'har's mother. 
Mag'har Dogab-Qot (~20), a younger Alman orc who grew up alongside Grokzurl. Son of Wakar and Noga. Ride or DIE.


Inventory:

The recurve bow that his family carved for him,
his birthday dagger,
basic leather armor,
a pouch of jerky,
a pouch of coin,
his sketch/songbook,
and a simple waterskin.
Grokzurl travels quite light.