Appearance

Physical Description

Drogath possesses the rugged, muscular build typical of a dwarf who has spent much of his life at the forge. Years of working with heavy tools and machinery have given him broad shoulders and powerful arms, though his physique leans more toward wiry strength than bulk. His hands are calloused, with burn scars running along his forearms from countless hours of experimentation with molten metal, volatile chemicals, and steam-driven engines.

Body Features

His skin is a pale, ruddy hue, often darkened by soot and grime from his work. His face is marked by a mix of sharp angles and deep lines, particularly around his brow and mouth, giving him a perpetually intense or contemplative expression. His hair and beard, once a vibrant auburn, are now streaked with gray.

Identifying Characteristics

Drogath is easily recognized by the distinctive burn scar that curves down the right side of his neck and onto his chest—a permanent reminder of the day his steam engine exploded, costing the lives of his clanmates and his own place among them. His bright blue eyes, often alight with a manic intensity when discussing his inventions, are another notable feature.

Physical quirks

He has a noticeable limp in his left leg, a lingering injury from a cave-in accident during one of his earlier forays into the deep tunnels searching for rare minerals. This injury flares up during cold weather or after long days on his feet. He often mutters to himself, especially when working on a new device or pondering a difficult problem, his hands moving as if manipulating invisible tools. When anxious or deep in thought, he has a habit of tapping his fingers rhythmically against his belt, mimicking the sound of hammer strikes on an anvil.

Apparel & Accessories

His attire is a patchwork of practical gear and protective clothing. He wears a heavy leather apron, reinforced with metal plates and adorned with numerous pockets and loops for holding tools, components, and small devices. His boots are made of thick, treated leather, capable of withstanding hot coals and sharp debris. A thick, dark blue cloak, patched with various repairs, provides some protection from the elements and doubles as a cover for concealing his more unusual gadgets.
 
Around his waist is a belt brimming with pouches mand holsters for his tools: small hammers, wrenches, and powders. A dagger, designed more for utility than combat, hangs from his belt alongside a Thrund.
 
Beneath his cloak, he also carries a small satchel, filled with sketchbooks, maps, and diagrams of his latest ideas and designs, never content to leave his thoughts unrecorded.

Mentality

Personal history

Drogath was born into the esteemed Clan Silverforge, known in the dwarven tongue as Azrilgrungron. From a young age, Drogath was surrounded by the constant clamor of hammer on anvil, the glow of molten metal, and the ever-present smell of coal smoke that permeated the halls of Karak Lok, the mountain home of his people. The Silverforge clan, renowned throughout the dwarven realms for their,skill in metallurgy and craftsmanship, held fast to their ancient traditions, guided by the council of wise elders, the Magams.
 
Born as the second son to Bromli and Runa, Drogath was always a curious child, far more interested in the "why" and "how" of things than in merely doing as he was told. His father, Bromli, was a respected weaponsmith with a reputation for producing some of the finest blades in Karak Lok, while his mother, Runa, was a skilled gemcutter known for her delicate work with diamonds and emeralds. From them, Drogath inherited both the strength and precision of a craftsman, but it was his unrelenting curiosity that set him apart.
 
While other young dwarves were content to learn the traditional methods, Drogath was driven to understand the underlying principles of his craft. He would often take apart perfectly good weapons and devices, just to see how they were made, much to the frustration of his elders and to the dismay of his father, who preferred to see tradition upheld. Despite this, Drogath’s mother always encouraged his curiosity, telling him, “A true craftsman does not fear to break the mold; he makes his own.” Her early support planted the seeds of independence that would later grow into full-blown defiance.
 
Drogath grew up alongside his older brother, Thurim Forgefire, a steadfast and traditional dwarf who fully embraced the clan's customs and aspired to lead the Silverforge warriors in battle. Thurim, ever the dutiful son, was a stark contrast to his rebellious younger brother. Despite their differences, the two shared a bond forged through countless hours of working side by side in their father’s forge. Thurim admired Drogath’s brilliance but feared his lack of caution. “You’re going to blow us all to pieces one day, you mad fool,” Thurim would often joke, though there was always a hint of concern behind his laughter.
 
Drogath found a true mentor in Gildrak Silverforge, a master smith who saw potential in Drogath’s wild ideas. Gildrak had a reputation as a forward-thinking elder, someone who had earned his place as a Magam by creating new techniques for alloying metals. Under Gildrak's tutelage, Drogath learned the delicate balance between innovation and tradition. Gildrak encouraged his young apprentice to explore new ideas, always with the caveat: “Invention without wisdom is a forge without fuel, Drogath. Think with your heart, but build with your head.”
 
This mentorship deeply influenced Drogath, and for a time, he found a balance between his innovative spirit and the expectations of his clan. He developed close friendships with other like-minded apprentices, including Barin Blackiron and Duri Flintfoot, two young smiths who shared his passion for invention. The trio spent many nights experimenting in secret, trying to perfect new techniques and pushing the boundaries of dwarven craft.
 
Despite the camaraderie and mentorship, tensions grew between Drogath and the more conservative factions within the clan. His experiments became bolder, and his inventions more ambitious. While some of his creations—like a new form of reinforced armor plating and a more efficient mining pick—were adopted with enthusiasm, others were dismissed as dangerous novelties. His attempts to introduce clockwork mechanisms into traditional weaponry were met with outright hostility from the Magam, who viewed them as unnecessary and reckless.
 
Drogath’s father, Bromli, grew increasingly worried about his son’s path. While proud of Drogath’s talent, he urged him to temper his ambitions. “Respect the old ways, lad,” Bromli would say, “they’ve kept us alive longer than any of your fancy gizmos.” Drogath, however, could not be dissuaded. His mind was always racing, filled with ideas for new contraptions and machines that could revolutionize dwarven warfare and industry.
 
It was during this period of creative fervor that Drogath conceived his most ambitious project yet—a steam-powered siege engine capable of launching molten metal projectiles over vast distances. He believed it would be a game-changer in battles against orc warbands and Karunnif Warriors, who had become a persistent threat in the region. Convinced of the weapon's potential, he approached the Magam for approval to build a prototype.
 
Despite their reservations, the elders reluctantly allowed Drogath to proceed, wary of his growing influence among the younger craftsmen but hoping to prove his ideas futile. Gildrak, his mentor, stood by his side, arguing that even in failure, there could be lessons to learn. Drogath worked tirelessly, often through the night, crafting and perfecting his creation. It was his masterpiece, a testament to his skills and vision.
 
But on the day of the demonstration, everything went wrong. Whether due to a flaw in his design or a failure in the materials, the engine’s pressure valve exploded, sending a wave of molten metal and steam into the gathered crowd. Three elder craftsmen, including Gildrak himself, were killed instantly, while several others were severely injured. The explosion left Drogath with burns across his neck and chest, a permanent scar.
 
The Magam convened immediately, their fury matched only by their grief for the fallen. Drogath was brought before them, his reputation in tatters. He argued that the failure was due to a defect in the materials, not in his design, but his words fell on deaf ears. To the elders, this was proof of his recklessness, his arrogance, and his disregard for clan safety. They saw him as a madman who had brought death and dishonor to their people.
 
Bromli, Drogath’s father, stood silently in the crowd, his face a mask of pain and disappointment. Thurim, his brother, looked on with a mix of sorrow and frustration, unable to reconcile his love for his brother with the tragedy that had just occurred. Even Barin and Duri, his closest friends, could not meet his eyes, fearing that they too would be tainted by association.
 
The sentence was swift and harsh: Drogath was stripped of his status, his work destroyed, and his name blackened among the clan. Yet, in a final twist of the knife, the Magams decided he would not be allowed the quiet exile that many outcasts received. Instead, they decreed that he must prove his loyalty to the clan and seek redemption by embarking on a deadly mission—a mission to find and kill Osdras Silverforge, a disgraced member of their clan who had become a leader of the Dammaz Dawri, a rogue faction of outcasts and rebels.
 
Osdras Silverforge, once a respected member of Clan Silverforge, had since taken to raiding caravans and settlements. The elders saw this mission as a fitting punishment: Drogath, whose invention had caused death and dishonor, would be sent to hunt down another who had betrayed the clan.
 
Drogath resolved to prove himself, not necessarily to the Magams, but to his own sense of honor and to the memory of those who had died because of him, including Gildrak.
 
Now, Drogath travels the dark and dangerous paths beneath Karak Lok, driven by a mix of anger, guilt, and defiance. He is determined to confront Osdras, not just for the sake of the mission, but to discover whether there might be more to his own story than a mere accident.

Education

His education began at the traditional clan school of the Silverforge, where young dwarves were taught the basics of metallurgy, stonecraft, and mining. From an early age, it was clear that Drogath had a gift for understanding complex mechanisms and engineering principles. His formal training continued under the guidance of Gildrak Silverforge, a master smith who took him on as an apprentice. Under Gildrak’s mentorship, Drogath learned advanced techniques in metalworking, and alloy creation.
 
Beyond traditional education, Drogath was largely self-taught. He spent countless hours in the clan’s library, poring over ancient scrolls, diagrams, and treatises on engineering. His insatiable curiosity led him to experiment in his free time, often using scrap materials to build crude prototypes and devices.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Experimental Clockwork Mechanisms: Drogath was one of the few dwarves of his generation to experiment with clockwork technology, creating prototypes of self-winding gears and automated traps, though many of these devices were seen as impractical.

Failures & Embarrassments

The Steam-Powered Siege Engine Disaster: Drogath’s most infamous failure was the disastrous demonstration of his steam-powered siege engine. Intended to be a revolutionary weapon for the dwarves, it exploded during its first test, killing several prominent craftsmen, including his mentor, Gildrak.
 
Social Outcast Among Peers: His constant tinkering, disregard for tradition, and rebellious nature made Drogath an outcast among many of his peers. While some respected his talents, others viewed him as arrogant and dangerous, leading to isolation from much of the younger generation of craftsmen.

Mental Trauma

The explosion of his steam-powered siege engine left Drogath with deep psychological scars. He is haunted by the screams and the sight of his mentor, Gildrak, consumed by flames. He frequently experiences nightmares of the incident, often reliving the moments before the explosion, feeling the heat of the blast, and hearing the cries of those who perished because of his invention. This trauma has instilled in him a lingering sense of guilt and self-doubt, manifesting in moments of hesitation whenever he is about to test a new creation.
 
Drogath also suffers from survivor’s guilt, believing that he should have perished in the explosion along with the others. This guilt is compounded by his new quest, which has left him feeling betrayed and abandoned by his clan, particularly his family, who did not stand up for him during his trial. He struggles with the belief that his clan’s elders are unjust, and this has caused him to question his own values and loyalties.

Intellectual Characteristics

His creativity is boundless, leading him to devise new inventions and gadgets that push the boundaries of traditional dwarven craftsmanship.
 
However, his intellect is often paired with impatience and impulsiveness. Drogath tends to rush into projects without always considering the full consequences, driven by a desire to see his ideas realized as quickly as possible. He has little tolerance for what he perceives as "backward thinking" and often clashes with those who prefer tradition over innovation. Despite his brilliance, he sometimes lacks social awareness, struggling to communicate his ideas in a way that others can easily understand.

Morality & Philosophy

Raised in a culture that deeply values tradition, honor, and loyalty, he once believed that innovation and progress were the highest virtues—values that could advance his clan and protect it from its enemies. However, the loss of his mentor has made him more cynical about the rigidity of dwarven society and its leaders.
 
He believes in personal freedom, the value of creativity, and the right to question authority. Drogath respects those who think for themselves and challenge the status quo, even if he does not always agree with their methods. He is suspicious of blind loyalty and considers it a weakness. His philosophy is increasingly pragmatic; he is willing to use unconventional methods and take risks if he believes the end result will be worthwhile.
 
Despite his rebellious nature, Drogath does hold a core sense of honor. He feels deeply responsible for the lives lost in the explosion and genuinely wants to make amends.

Taboos

Blind Obedience to Authority: Drogath despises the idea of following orders without question, especially when those orders come from figures he perceives as corrupt or hypocritical. He believes in challenging authority when it seems unjust or outdated.
 
Destroying Knowledge: As a seeker of innovation and truth, Drogath considers the destruction of knowledge or suppressing new ideas to be a grave offense. He has little patience for those who would burn books, destroy blueprints, or ban new technology out of fear or ignorance.
 
Wasting Resources: Having spent much of his life experimenting with limited materials, Drogath values every piece of metal, every tool, and every drop of oil. He abhors wastefulness and sees it as a sign of laziness or incompetence.
 
Dishonoring the Memory of the Fallen: Drogath is deeply sensitive about the deaths caused by his failed invention, especially the death of his mentor, Gildrak. He views any insult or disrespect to the memory of the fallen as a personal affront and reacts with intense anger if anyone mocks the incident or speaks ill of those who died.

Personality

Social

Contacts & Relations

Thurim Silverforge (Older Brother): Drogath’s older brother, a steadfast warrior and defender of the clan, who fully embraced the traditions of Clan Silverforge. Thurim is a dutiful son and was once Drogath’s closest companion, despite their differing views. Since Drogath’s disgrace, Thurim has distanced himself, torn between his loyalty to his family and his duty to the clan. While Thurim does not believe his brother is evil, he feels Drogath’s actions were reckless and deserving of punishment.
 
Bromli Silverforge (Father): Drogath’s father, a respected weaponsmith who values tradition and honor above all else. Bromli was deeply disappointed by Drogath’s actions and supported the Magams’ decision to punish him, believing that the clan's rules must be upheld at any cost. He is ashamed of Drogath’s failure and considers him a cautionary tale against youthful arrogance and defiance. Despite this, there is still a part of Bromli that grieves for the loss of his talented son and secretly hopes for Drogath’s redemption.
 
Runa Silverforge (Mother): Drogath’s mother, a skilled gemcutter who always encouraged his creativity and independence. Unlike her husband, Runa has a softer view of Drogath’s actions and believes the Magams were too harsh in their judgment. She has tried to reach out to him since his quest began, but her letters were intercepted or left unanswered. Runa holds onto hope that her son will return one day, proving that his intentions were noble, even if his methods were flawed.
 
Gildrak Silverforge (Mentor, Deceased): Drogath’s former mentor, a master smith who believed in nurturing innovation alongside tradition. Gildrak was one of the few elders who supported Drogath’s inventions, even arguing in his favor during council meetings. His death in the steam engine explosion was a devastating blow to Drogath, who carries the weight of that loss heavily.
 
Barin Blackiron and Duri Flintfoot (Friends, Fellow Inventors): Two young dwarves who shared Drogath’s passion for invention and experimentation. Barin and Duri were his closest friends during his early years of apprenticeship, often collaborating on various projects in secret. Since Drogath’s disgrace, they have distanced themselves, fearing association with a pariah. Barin, however, secretly admires Drogath's courage and remains torn, while Duri has grown more cautious, fearing Drogath’s fate might become his own.

Wealth & Financial state

Drogath's wealth is minimal, reduced significantly after his disgrace. He was forced to leave much of his material possessions behind when he was sent on his mission. His most valuable assets are the tools he carries with him—various hammers, wrenches, and other specialized devices, along with a few pouches of rare minerals and metals that he managed to smuggle out of the clan’s forge.
 
He occasionally barters his inventions, skills, and knowledge for food, shelter, or supplies when necessary. Any wealth he once had in the form of precious metals or crafted items is long gone, traded away or confiscated by the Magams.

Family Ties

Drogath has a few cousins, aunts, and uncles within the clan, most of whom have distanced themselves from him to avoid tarnishing their own reputations. Some secretly sympathize with him, believing the Magams were too harsh, but they remain silent for fear of retribution.

Religious Views

Drogath’s views on spirituality are unconventional by dwarven standards. He was raised with the traditional dwarven reverence for ancestors and the earth, believing in the spirit of stone and the guiding hands of the forefathers who shaped their world. However, his experiences have made him skeptical of the organized rituals and dogma enforced by the elders.
 
Drogath respects the old ways but believes that true worship of the ancestors lies not in rigid rituals, but in the creation of new works that honor their legacy. He sees his inventions as a form of tribute to the ingenuity of his forefathers, a living testament to their spirit.
 
He still occasionally offers prayers to the ancestors, but his prayers are more like conversations, often filled with frustration or demands for understanding rather than humble supplication.