Appearance

Physical Description

Doran has spent years working at a forge where he needed to be strong in order to shape the metal he forged though almost more importantly he has developed a strong body able to last hours at the forge striking the anvil with the same amount of force over and over again. The only thing he lacks is any amount of quickness due to him never having need of it and the dwarven mentality to always stay and fight.

Body Features

If you see Doran without his armor on you would notice that he had scars and burn marks almost everywhere above the elbow on his arms. You would notice that there is a circular scar on his neck and wrists which would make one think that he was chained up for an extended period of time.

Facial Features

Doran has a bright red nose that looks like it has been broken too many times to count, what seems to be permanent soot stains on his face despite being very hygienic, a small scar on his upper lip that was most likely a cut from a broken bottle, his pupils surrounded by dirt brown irises seen to always be small as if he is always staring into a the fire of a forge. He keeps his beard long even though it would seem to be a potential hazard while smithing and well groomed due to every dwarf taking great pride in their beard.

Identifying Characteristics

His armor and weapons are very noticeable due to the quality not necessarily of their materials but of their craftsmanship that would be the pride of any blacksmith to take credit for.

Physical quirks

Doran always walks around with a slight slouch that seems to be from years of leaning over an anvil. Whenever Doran is nervous or scared he will subconsciously rub his neck or wrists.

Apparel & Accessories

Helm

Doran wears a metal helm that leaves his face and beard visible though it closely protects the rest of his head so that his ears can not be seen. The top of it is adorned with ram horns that point forward with the Hearthblood crest engraved where Doran's forehead lies.
 

Chest and Neck

Doran wears the symbol of the All-Hammer on a silver chain around his neck that has been passed down for generations. Doran's chain mail fits so perfectly on his body yet loose exactly where it needs to be that it is obvious either he or another skilled blacksmith forged it as a custom order for him.
 

Gauntlets

Doran's gauntlets fit just as well as his chain mail does and is always has a slight gleam to it showing how much care Doran takes in keeping his armor in mint condition. If you were to examine the palms of the gauntlets themselves you would notice the slightest vertical, semi-circle indention that allows the handle of a war hammer to fit perfectly within the gauntlet.
 

Greaves and Boots

Upon Doran's lower body are fitted and custom greaves as well as heavy metal boots that no one would want to be stepped on by even with Doran's relatively low weight. The greaves and boots were obviously made with each other in mind by the fact that there are no openings for dirt or even sand to get in between them allowing Doran's feet to always be comfortable.
 

Hammer and Shield

Either in his hands or somewhere attached to his body are Doran's ever present hammer and shield. Doran's shield is just big enough to adequately protect the vital parts of his body without blocking his line of sight at all. The shield itself is almost a work of art with a picture of a dwarf kneeling in front of a God who's blessing him along with multiple symbols of the All-Hammer and the Hearthblood crest adorning the outside of it. His hammer is less artful though still boasting stunning craftsmanship two of the sides posses the Hearthblood crest yet the other two sides have no art work as if there is something to be put there later. The handle of the hammer when held next to the gauntlet would confirm ones suspicion that they too were made with each other in mind so that the hammer would perfectly fit in the gauntlet and allow it to be wielded slightly better.

Mentality

Personal history

History of the Hearthblood

 
Wherever Doran grew up he was the son of a blacksmith his father probably and his mother was a brew-master/cook and together they ran the Hearthblood Armor and Ale a half pub, half smith establishment that was extremely popular among dwarven foak. Their popularity was mostly due to the secret family recipe of Hearthblood Ale that was so popular the Hearthbloods didn’t even provide a delivery service for it and instead would stock 10 kegs a day that when sold out they would not sell any more. The reason for its popularity being that it is imbued with the tiniest of fire magics that Doran’s mother created with her connection to the All-Hammer. Doran was born a twin with his brother Loran, no other siblings were born. As children the two brothers were told the tale of their Hearthblood ancestors and their dealings with the mighty All-Hammer. As their father sat at their bedside one night he began to tell them the story that had been passed down for generations in the Hearthblood family.
Long ago before our kin had the name Hearthblood even before the time the Gods left Emaxus our ancestors were brewers and smiths just like me and your mom are and if everything goes fine so will you two as well. One of our ancestors by the name of Ornn was the greatest smith Emaxus had seen and it was told his creations could rival that of the Gods. One of his domains being the forge and with a hint of jealousy the All-Hammer decided to test this smith himself and one morning at Ornn’s forge made himself appear as a wealthy king. The king spoke to Ornn saying, “Ornn I have heard from all around that you are able to forge items more powerful than the gods themselves, I see that your shop walls are lined with fine swords, hammers, axes, and shields, I request to purchase all of them and quite a lot more for my army.” Putting his hammer down from his current project Ornn turned to observe the king and he only saw greed and malice in his eyes.”These weapons are not for sale to you. Leave my forge now.” The All Hammer taken back replied, “I know your creations are expensive, but believe me money is not an issue I can pay more than twice the price for all your weapons and more to come.” As he said this the All-Hammer snapped his fingers as the area outside was filled with piles of gold and other precious gems. Not even sparing the valuables a glance Ornn began to work back at the forge as he replied,”A true smith takes responsibility for his creations, you are filled with evil intentions and as such the weapons are not for sale for you.” With that Ornn gave a grunt that threatened violence with the king if he did not leave and he was wise to do so. The All-Hammer was moved by the mortal smith’s words and decided to give him one more test to see if he was a true smith who deserved his respect. On another day the All-Hammer came into Ornn’s shop disguised as a youthful bard who had come to tell tales of Ornn’s greatness to him and wanted to write songs of him. The bard said to him,”Ornn the greatest smith of this land please allow this humble bard to compose a masterpiece of music in your honor. All I request of you is to show me the weapon or armor you are most proud of creating so that I may have authenticity to my song. Ornn without looking at the bard said, ”There is no reason to sing about me young bard, I have never had a single creation that I was pleased or satisfied with and I probably will never be able to create one within my short lifetime. If you wish to truly sing a great song make one about the common man who works as hard if not harder than I do just to give his family food. Sing about the single mothers in the slums who work two jobs during the day and sell themselves at night just to give their child a piece of bread once a day. Talk about the common half-elves and half-orcs who do twice as much work as their pure blooded brethren, yet they receive half the pay. Those are the people who do great things worthy of praise in this world, not me.” After these moving words the All-Hammer revealed himself to Ornn and said,”Mortal you have struck fire within my veins as hot and welcoming as a hearth. I will gladly grant you three wishes as long as they are reasonable.” For the first time in his life Ornn looked away from his forge during a project as he set his tools down and turned around and kneel in front of the God. “I am humbled to accept this gift from you All-Hammer, for my first wish I desire that you help my children and their children and their children’s children for as long as you can.” Smiling at how selfless a wish Ornn made considering he was a mortal the All-Hammer replied,”This I will do great smith I just request that in order to designate who are your kin you take the second name Hearthblood to forever show your children how pleased their ancestor made me.” Ornn nodded his head in agreement to this and said,” For my second and third wish I desire a private place that I may be able to smith in complete peace as well as life everlasting as long as I desire to live and forge items.” “Now these are the wishes of a true smith. HA HA! I will gladly grant you this. Now Ornn Hearthblood rise and accept my blessings upon you and your family for as long time moves on.”
“But father”, said young Doran, “where did Ornn go to forge”? Doran's father gave a hearty laugh and replied,”Boy it wouldn’t be much of a private place if the story told where he was.” The faces on Doran and Loran fell as they realized they would never be able to meet Ornn their newfound hero. Seeing this Doran’s Father said,”Don’t be sad sons look at it this way, if no one knows where Ornn is then the All-Hammer really did his best fulfilling his wish which mean me, you, and your mom all have his blessings even today. The children fell asleep that night with thoughts of working with the great Ornn with the sounds of their fathers rhythmic strikes on the anvil.
 
 

Childhood

 
Doran grew up with the sound of the forge and the smell of ale and was quickly put to work alongside his brother in the inn and forge. It was these early days that Doran discovered his talent and love for smithing while Loran discovered his talent for brewing and wood craving. The two boys were also lead through prayers to the All-Hammer by their mother were both boys developed a devout faith to him and his beliefs in loyalty and legacy. Both boys were delighted to see that as their faith grew they would occasionally hear a whisper of inspiration and teaching within them while perfecting their respective crafts. When he reached the age of 20 Doran's father began teaching him the art of combat focusing on how to move in all types of armor and the use of a shield, war hammer, and crossbow. Doran proved superior of the two brothers in armored combat yet he was never able to beat Loran in a bar fight. When he reached the age of 35 Doran officially became his father's apprentice in order to become a blacksmith in the forge while Loran found an apprenticeship under their mother in order to become a Brewmaster where he would learn the Hearthblood ale secret recipe. During his childhood Doran developed some of the bad habits most dwarves are known for he became brash and rude whenever anyone interrupted his work in the forge even cussing his own mother out when accidentally walked in on him in which she knocked him out with one swift wallop to the back of his head with a frying pan. Doran also developed an extreme sense of loyalty to his family and the All-Hammer as well as a respectfulness of the law when it did not interfere with the first two things mentioned. Doran and Loran as they neared the age of maturity noticed that their parents were much older then the parents of their peers were, as of this time they were both around 320 years old. Due to this the brothers agreed that together they would run the Hearthblood Armor and Ale together when their parents were gone and together they would bring the Hearthblood name to its former glory. It was finally the day that both boys reached maturity on their 50th birthday and were recognized as adults by the dwarven community. As part of this ceremony the dwarf in question is to present his/her greatest craft in order to showcase the fruit of their labors as the culmination of their apprenticeship.
 

The Ceremony

 
Doran and Loran were both dressed in their ceremonial armor as they were preparing to present their creations to the public with Doran making a fine war hammer with the Hearthblood family crest that was the head of a ram with a hammer in the middle that also could double as a smithing hammer when traveling. Loran was preparing to present a version of the Hearthblood Ale that cooled the body instead of heating up allowing it to be more popular in the summer times. As the two dwarves left their home and made their way to the stage where they were to present their creations to the town they suddenly heard the alarm bell ringing from the guard tower as a band of raiders that were a part of __________ quickly slew the guards at the gate and poured into the town. They boys quickly grabbed their hammer and shield as they made their way to meet the raiders with a war cry. The ensuing battle was a nightmare for both of the brothers as they witnessed almost everyone they knew slaughtered before them and their town set ablaze. The brothers after killing quite a few of the raiders were eventually surrounded and forced to surrender by the raiders due to them already having captured their mother and holding her hostage. As the boys were put in chains and were being taken out of the town they passed by their father's dead body which was alone except for what seemed to be two dozen raiders. For the first time in almost 40 years Doran cried along with his brother and mother as they were dragged away from their father and their home.
 

The Call

 
The now broken family were dragged to someplace, they were too grief stricken to notice or care. Eventually the brothers came to their senses though their mother who had know their father for more then 200 years was in such a state of grief and mourning that she totally shut down. She didn't eat, sleep, or even talk to her sons, all she did was cry and go wherever the direction her chain was yanked in. The two brothers focused on keeping their mother alive for the time being in order to curb the tidal wave of emotions they were feeling. They barely managed to do so by using the limited number of blessings they knew from the All-Hammer they kept her and themselves alive over the two week march. At first Doran blamed the All-Hammer for not preventing all of this or helping them out of their current terrible situation but in the long hours of marching he had much time to debate the topic within himself. It was one night at the end of the two weeks that he decided that it was not that the All-Hammer couldn't help them it was just that Doran's faith wasn't strong enough if the All-Hammer really did hear every prayer made to him then Doran must have been droned out by the noise. As he kneel down about to give a prayer to the All-Hammer for the first time not lead by his mother Loran came to him with a look of death in his eyes as he said two words that would haunt Doran for the rest of his life, "Mom's dead," The brothers embraced each other as they both began trembling and letting loose cries as anguish, yet no tears fell due to how dehydrated both of them were. After 5 long hours of mourning it was dusk and the two brothers were the only two awake as Loran released their embrace and Doran saw the sadness in his eyes turn to fury. Loran clenched his fists so hard they started to bleed and his hold body began to shake as his face turned red. Loran then slowly removed the symbol of the All-Hammer from his neck as his eyes suddenly locked on it. What began as barely a whisper then turned to screaming Loran spoke to the symbol,"Where were you All-Hammer? Aren't the Hearthblood blessed and protected by you?" Doran fearing what his brother was about to do said,"Loran you are hurting and looking for a place to blame that hurt on, its not the All-Hammer's fau-" "MOM AND DAD ARE FUCKING DEAD DORAN! ALL THE SHIT THEY TOLD US ABOUT BEING THE ALL-HAMMER'S FAVORED IS

Education

Doran was never officially schooled anywhere though he received an education about everything he would need to know working as a smith and a servant of the All-Hammer. He learned how to count coins and make sure they weren't counterfeit as well as appraising armor and weapons for their value. He knows how to preform different ceremonies in service of the All-Hammer and knows much about the history of the Gods besides the All-Hammer.

Employment

From the time he was able to do simple chores Doran helped run the Hearthblood Armor and Ale inn/forge. He then apprenticed under his father for 30 years in order to become a blacksmith worthy of the last name Hearthblood.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Doran on the inside is extremely proud of the armor and weapons that honor his family and the All-Hammer that he made for himself. He also became a Hearthblood level of a Smith after apprenticing under his father which carries a lot of weight with all the short people in the world who revere the creations of a Hearthblood. Despite all the horror and trauma Doran has gone through his faith to the All-Hammer has only grown stronger allowing him to channel the blessings of the All-Hammer in combat much more reliable then before.

Failures & Embarrassments

The thing that will haunt Doran for the rest of his life is not being able to save his brother from the path he went down. He blames himself for not being strong enough when he raiders attacked his village.

Mental Trauma

Doran had to watch his village become razed, his father's dead body, his mother deteriorate from grief until she died from it, his brother renounce the All-Hammer and forsake his family name, his brother turn into a rush junkie, and finally having to fight his brother to the death at the end of it.

Morality & Philosophy

"Just because I serve the All-Hammer its not up to him to save me, only I can save me and the All-Hammer has already given me the tools to do so long ago and for that I will always have faith in him."
 
There are definitely evil people out there that deserved to be killed, though most of them are probably like my brother. I will give them a chance to go down the right path though after that I will not show them mercy. I won't repeat the mistakes I made with my brother and allow another to turn into a monster because I couldn't finish the job.

Known Languages

Common, Dwarvish

Personality

Social