Turjvok of the Nine-Pound Fist
The glory of the Grand Arena is fleeting. Athletes come and go, win and die, and most of them are forgotten within a generation by all but the most dedicated fans of their faction. Competitors who earn the kind of reputation that outlives them by more than a few years, especially outside of faction devotees, are a true rarity, which is why Turjvok of the Nine-Pound Fist, whose exploits have lived on nearly two decades after his death and become the stuff of local legend, is generally considered to be the greatest Arena champion who ever lived.
Turjvok's fame is largely due to his skill at the games, but he was also a natural showman who could spark a reaction in even the most jaded midday crowd and, by all accounts, and genuinely likable man who made friends easily. In a business where factional rivalries often makes for bitter enemies, it's said that Turjvok was always a welcome guest at any faction house he cared to visit and outside the arena he had a reputation as a generous spender and an athlete who relished in his fame and was always willing to take a moment to meet with his fans and even his (relatively rare) detractors.
No doubt another component to Turjvok's fame was the unique physical deformity that gave him his name: his enormous right hand.
Turjvok met his end when Governor Hursit acquired a Troll and offered a king's ransom to any fighter who could beat the creature. Turjvok was the only man brave enough to accept the challenge, but even he only lasted a few minutes against such a vicious beast. The howl that went up after his death reverberated through the city for three days.
Physical Description
Identifying Characteristics
While his left hand was completely normal (if meaty), his right hand was a gigantic monstrosity nearly the size of his head, from which sprouted 7 fingers (two of which were fused together) and two thumbs. While fairly clumsy, the hand could be balled up into an enormous fist that was said to deliver a blow like sledgehammer.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Turjvok grew up as one of the many orphans in the slums of Dagger Hill. Like most children in his position he joined up with the Tower Hill Boys as soon as he was old enough to convince them he could be useful. That wasn't difficult for Turjvok: He was a tough, strong kid who wouldn't back down from a fight, so he naturally fell into the role of gang enforcer despite his young age. His temperament made him perfect for the job. Trujvok (unlike many of his peers) was not a bully by nature and never instigated violence when it wasn't called for, but at the same time he never held back when a fight was necessary.
When Turjvok was around 15, his crew decided to mug a lone drunk, but this one fought back like a trained soldier, because that's exactly what he was. The soldier managed to run away and lead the crew on a chase to the Slumgate, where a squadron of the legion were on hand to capture most of the crew, including Turjvok. Since attacking an imperial soldier is considered a crime agains the empire and Turjvok and his compatriots were unable to pay their fines, they were sentenced to indenture in various Imperial Work Camps. Turjvok was sent to a logging camp far to the west of the city, which ended up being a turning point in the young thug's life.
The boss at the work camp was a devotee of the games at the Grand Arena, but with hundreds of miles between him and his favorite pastime, he was forced to make his own fun by pitting the prisoners under his care against one another in whatever fights and competitions could be arranged at the logging camp. Turjvok naturally excelled at these bloodsports and it didn't take long for his warden to decide that sentencing the boy to cut timber was a waste of talents that could be put to good use in the arena. He took Turjvok with him on his next trip to the city and after a few meetings (and bribes) the remainder of Turjvok's indenture was sold to the Wolf Faction . By the time his sentence expired, Turjvok had completed his training and competed in enough games to know that he wanted to stay. Not only was the pay much better than a thief in the slums could reasonably expect to earn, Turjvok loved the reception he got from the crowds when he won a match.
Accomplishments & Achievements
Turjvok was a natural athlete and the training he received from the Wolves made him a fierce competitor in most categories of arena competition. While his strength and unusual physical deformity made him a natural at unarmed fighting, he could also hold his own in the chariot races, athletic competitions, and most armed fighting competitions. The only game Turjvok didn't have at least even odds of winning were the archery and throwing competitions. He started winning major competitions (and the prize purses that came with them) in his first year as a Wolf and was named Faction Champion for the first time (of many) in his third season as a competitor.
Failures & Embarrassments
While Turjvok was skilled at using most hand-to-hand weapons, ranged combat was not his forte--especially when it came to archery, where his large hand and extra digits just got in the way, earning him the nickname "Turjvok of the Nine Thumbs" among detractors.
Wealth & Financial state
Turjvok amassed a respectable fortune from his winnings in the Arena over the years. Since he had no heirs, he left about half of his liquid assets to the Wolf Faction. The remainder, along with his estate in Arena Ward went to found the Nine Pound Fist Gladiatorial Academy, where poor children from the city can apply to receive gladiatorial training without first being charged with a crime against the empire.
Turjvok of the Nine-Pound Fist by Steve
Current Status
Deceased
Current Location
Ethnicity
Age
In his teens when he started his career, around 50 when he died.
Year of Death
961 RE
Circumstances of Birth
Unknown
Circumstances of Death
Killed by a troll
Birthplace
Unknown
Place of Death
Children
Sex
Male
Gender
Man
Presentation
Masculine
Eyes
Dark and squinty
Hair
Long, dark, and usually messy
Height
6'1"
Weight
240
Aligned Organization
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