Captain First Rider Dame Ruga Dugal
(a.k.a. Commander-Dwarf)
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Dame Ruga is as dense and muscular as any seasoned melee fighter. Despite her short stature, she looks like she could win in an arm wrestling competition with all but the biggest of behemoths.
Body Features
Her coloration implies primarily Duergar heritage, but her rounded facial structure and her thick, silky mohawk of white hair suggest a bloodline mixed with other Dwarven cultures.
Identifying Characteristics
Besides the number of scars all over her body (mostly from blades, teeth, or talons,) her right eye is entirely missing. Across her back are several Spellwrought tattoos with shield-like designs. Woven together in the pattern that they are, they somewhat resemble large dragon scales. Hair does not grow on the sides of her head.
Special abilities
Ruga is psionic. She uses her mind to augment her physical and mental capabilities. Sometimes these capabilities extend towards being able to manipulate people and things other than herself, such as her ship, The Astral Cutter. She can also use her mind to provide limited defenses to her allies in combat situations.
Apparel & Accessories
She's always worn an eye-patch over the socket with a missing eye. At the risk of looking too much like a pirate, she now also wears an old, slightly battered, black leather tricorn hat, which is soulbound to her and actually quite a potent magical item.
Her blue, silver-lined, sleeveless coat isn't magical at all, but it is sentimental.
Her blue, silver-lined, sleeveless coat isn't magical at all, but it is sentimental.
Specialized Equipment
The Battleaxe of the Kalach-cha:
This large, silver battleaxe with a brilliant ruby in the blade's center is coveted by the Githyanki and is an item that represents both ability and station. To have a weapon like this signifies that its holder has slain a Githyanki commander. It is capable of psychic resonance with Ruga, allowing her to unlock potential within the blade that others cannot.
Psionic Resonating Throwing Axe:
Similar to the way in which her battleaxe can perform extra feats when Ruga is psychically attuned to it, this throwing axe can produce replications of itself mid-flight, dealing multiple throwing axes' worth of damage. She also has the ability to summon it back into her hand afterwards.
Valakhis’ Swords of Lightning:
Ruga is the keeper of the duel lightning swords used by one of Marakhan's two former Balor lieutenants. They are instruments created for the sole purpose of inflicting as much raw lightning damage as possible, but they're almost impossible for anyone except a duel wielder to use properly. Being attuned to these swords also endows the wielder with resistance to fire and complete immunity to lightning damage.
Arachknit Armor:
A full set of darkly toned plate armor with nebula-like patches of color, roughly reminiscent of Drow design. The manner in which it is built up over itself, in sinewy layers, seems almost organic, and it is home to a very rare, very unique variety of tiny Phase Spiders that, when wounded, will surface to stitch Ruga up. The suit also sheds dimness, enabling her to use her innate Duergar abilities even in direct sunlight.
Zakharan Feather:
A large, white feather, approximately four feet long, that Ruga will stand on and ride like a hoverboard. It can easily move twice as fast as she can on her own two legs.
Crabscalibur:
...It's like Excalibur, but for crabs. It pinches.
This large, silver battleaxe with a brilliant ruby in the blade's center is coveted by the Githyanki and is an item that represents both ability and station. To have a weapon like this signifies that its holder has slain a Githyanki commander. It is capable of psychic resonance with Ruga, allowing her to unlock potential within the blade that others cannot.
Psionic Resonating Throwing Axe:
Similar to the way in which her battleaxe can perform extra feats when Ruga is psychically attuned to it, this throwing axe can produce replications of itself mid-flight, dealing multiple throwing axes' worth of damage. She also has the ability to summon it back into her hand afterwards.
Valakhis’ Swords of Lightning:
Ruga is the keeper of the duel lightning swords used by one of Marakhan's two former Balor lieutenants. They are instruments created for the sole purpose of inflicting as much raw lightning damage as possible, but they're almost impossible for anyone except a duel wielder to use properly. Being attuned to these swords also endows the wielder with resistance to fire and complete immunity to lightning damage.
Arachknit Armor:
A full set of darkly toned plate armor with nebula-like patches of color, roughly reminiscent of Drow design. The manner in which it is built up over itself, in sinewy layers, seems almost organic, and it is home to a very rare, very unique variety of tiny Phase Spiders that, when wounded, will surface to stitch Ruga up. The suit also sheds dimness, enabling her to use her innate Duergar abilities even in direct sunlight.
Zakharan Feather:
A large, white feather, approximately four feet long, that Ruga will stand on and ride like a hoverboard. It can easily move twice as fast as she can on her own two legs.
Crabscalibur:
...It's like Excalibur, but for crabs. It pinches.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
A legendary artifact vital to Clan Dugal's space-faring civilization, The Reigns, were stolen from Citadel Ylbar's protector and deity, The Great Celestial Ram. Without The Reigns, the asteroid upon which the citadel stands is untethered from their god and drifts aimlessly amidst the stars. Without the trade route that has enabled life to continue on the asteroid for several centuries, the entire population will slowly die out. Dame Ruga and three of her kin, along with the clan's elder steward, Grygron "Gary" Grimcrag, (The Dwarven Object Recovery Forces or DORFs) have been selected to retrieve the artifact and return it home safely. Additionally, they are charged with finding and bringing justice to the thieves who stole it. All signs pointed to Idriell.
Sexuality
Heterosexual
Education
Ruga has undergone a formal education under the private tutilage of Grygron Grimcrag, graduated from the Upper-Left Hooves of the Holy Academy, and has completed her squireship in service to her father, the patriarch of Clan Dugal.
Employment
Coming from a highly militarized society, Clan Dugal is a noble house. Ruga holds a position similar to knighthood, but her division is specifically referred to as First Riders. The title references a person's ability to hold The Reigns and actually drive The Great Celestial Ram as the citadel's founder once did. It is the highest honor besides being a member of the governing council.
Now, beyond captaining The Astral Cutter, Ruga owns and operates her own brewery in Galloran's Port, along with her clan, called The Buried Hatchet.
Now, beyond captaining The Astral Cutter, Ruga owns and operates her own brewery in Galloran's Port, along with her clan, called The Buried Hatchet.
Accomplishments & Achievements
She's likely best known for her efforts during the siege of Infernum, in which both Marakhan and the greatwyrm Permaea were slain. She is also partially responsible for the resulting survival of Marakhan's offspring, Veram the Unborn.
Mental Trauma
With the help of meditation and psionics, Ruga is a very mentally hardy individual. She has, however, been known to come back from the Astral Plane and a battle with a Void Dragon or two with madness that has been successfully treated. Otherwise, she's just a typical alcoholic Dwarf.
Intellectual Characteristics
She's more logical and book-smart than she is intuitively savvy by a large stretch, and while she doesn't learn abnormally fast, she does retain information better than most.
Morality & Philosophy
Ruga is a hardcore believer in equal opportunities for all genders. She believes that balance is important to the universe to keep it the way it is, but will also prioritize the well-being of the people she knows over the mechanisms responsible for cosmic order. The Dwarf is intensely loyal, especially to her clan, however she does also view it as her job to protect people who are either innocent or cannot protect themselves. In some past situations, her priorities have led to contradictions. When she has to question her direction, Ruga will always go with what she instinctively feels is right, no matter how gently those scales lean, but will often ask for advice from her friends and family first.
The Dwarves of Citadel Ylbar have been raised to believe that Illithids, Aboleths, Beholders, and similar aberrations are to be hunted down, exterminated, or killed on sight. Mind Flayers have been mortal enemies of her people in the past, as well as, to some extent, The Abolethic Sovereignty. Even saying a word that means 'Illithid' will cause everyone from Clan Dugal to immediately spit on the floor.
The Dwarves of Citadel Ylbar have been raised to believe that Illithids, Aboleths, Beholders, and similar aberrations are to be hunted down, exterminated, or killed on sight. Mind Flayers have been mortal enemies of her people in the past, as well as, to some extent, The Abolethic Sovereignty. Even saying a word that means 'Illithid' will cause everyone from Clan Dugal to immediately spit on the floor.
Taboos
Breaking one's word and insulting her or her clan's drinking prowess is a bad idea. You can call her mother ugly before you call her a lightweight. A person can also expect to have a punch thrown at them for generally insulting her aptitude as a ship captain.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Getting The Reigns back, family, friends, hunting aberrations, drinking, and tempting fate.
Virtues & Personality perks
Ruga is fiercely loyal. If a person becomes her friend or they join the family, she will never abandon them, even if the rest of the world tells her to. This has been proven over and over, sometimes to the detriment of a quest or even to neighbors and fellow adventurers. In a similar vein, she has never broken her word. The only way to back out of an agreement with her is if the original agreement-maker formally insists, and she will make a big deal about it the whole time.
Another facet of the commander is that she is tenaciously driven towards the goals she sets out to accomplish. If there are no leads to the next step in a journey, she will craft one using whatever resources are available.
No one can call her a coward, although her lack of reservation when dealing with greater powers can get her and her allies into trouble.
Another facet of the commander is that she is tenaciously driven towards the goals she sets out to accomplish. If there are no leads to the next step in a journey, she will craft one using whatever resources are available.
No one can call her a coward, although her lack of reservation when dealing with greater powers can get her and her allies into trouble.
Vices & Personality flaws
She's definitely an alcoholic, and she takes it way too hard in situations where she can't or doesn't know how to help. She gets uncomfortable when surrounded by grace and opulence, and she also has absolutely no sympathy for those who would side with Illithids, Aboleths, or most other aberrations.
Ruga is still young and relatively inexperienced for a Dwarf. She doesn't have a lot of wisdom stored away, and she has zero talent for being able to tell if someone is deceiving her.
The loss of one of her eyes has left her with very poor depth perception and only half the range of a typical two-eyed person's conventional scope of sight. Low-key, she relies a lot more on her psionics to perceive than most people know.
Ruga is still young and relatively inexperienced for a Dwarf. She doesn't have a lot of wisdom stored away, and she has zero talent for being able to tell if someone is deceiving her.
The loss of one of her eyes has left her with very poor depth perception and only half the range of a typical two-eyed person's conventional scope of sight. Low-key, she relies a lot more on her psionics to perceive than most people know.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Clan Dugal:
Grygron "Gary" Grimcrag, Orthan Khadras, Vargas Dugal, Euler Dugal, and Wilda Bonebreaker. Friends:
Veram the Unborn, Poteryal Strannik Vsevidyashcheye Oko, Cedric Restares, Spoon Neighbors:
Namarrkon, Hazel, Adrian Maja, Professor Starlette Skye, Dena Merillin
Grygron "Gary" Grimcrag, Orthan Khadras, Vargas Dugal, Euler Dugal, and Wilda Bonebreaker. Friends:
Veram the Unborn, Poteryal Strannik Vsevidyashcheye Oko, Cedric Restares, Spoon Neighbors:
Namarrkon, Hazel, Adrian Maja, Professor Starlette Skye, Dena Merillin
Social Aptitude
Ruga is a big personality. While she could use etiquette, she doesn't. Instead, she curses at the appropriate level of a sailor. She would rather treat everyone like they're all her comrades-in-arms, although she might lighten up a little if she perceives someone to be sensitive to her obnoxiousness. Still, even perceiving that is a hurdle.
Mannerisms
A very physical person, the commander has a habit of affectionately smacking, punching, and generally man-handling people she likes. When she's embarrassed or nervous, she rubs the back of her neck a lot.
Hobbies & Pets
Kolrik:
A raven (who can clearly speak a handful of words including 'please' and 'thank you.') He's been trained to deliver messages between Galloran's Port and Vareholm.
Neoweiss:
Also referred to simply as 'Neo,' he is a massive orange tiger with a lion's mane made out of a substance similar to steel wool. He is a literal monstrosity.
Kasz:
Out of spite, Ruga kept a piece of a fearsome revenant who seeks to kill all adventurers. But only a piece. That piece now loosely resembles a cactus sticking out of a small pot located in her room beneath The Buried Hatchet.
Hobbies:
Blacksmithing, brewing, drinking, riding/sailing, sparring, working out, and being generally social.
A raven (who can clearly speak a handful of words including 'please' and 'thank you.') He's been trained to deliver messages between Galloran's Port and Vareholm.
Neoweiss:
Also referred to simply as 'Neo,' he is a massive orange tiger with a lion's mane made out of a substance similar to steel wool. He is a literal monstrosity.
Kasz:
Out of spite, Ruga kept a piece of a fearsome revenant who seeks to kill all adventurers. But only a piece. That piece now loosely resembles a cactus sticking out of a small pot located in her room beneath The Buried Hatchet.
Hobbies:
Blacksmithing, brewing, drinking, riding/sailing, sparring, working out, and being generally social.
Speech
Her accent isn't particularly thick like Gary's. It's just really lazy speaking. She doesn't seem to want to open her mouth enough to pronounce anything particularly well. Weirdly, this does not carry over to the way she speaks Gith, which is, conversely, with painstakingly careful pronunciation.
Words like 'awright, gonna, and gotta' are common from her, as well as 'fer' instead of 'for' and 'yer' instead of 'you're'. She also usually drops the 'g' in words that end in that letter.
Words like 'awright, gonna, and gotta' are common from her, as well as 'fer' instead of 'for' and 'yer' instead of 'you're'. She also usually drops the 'g' in words that end in that letter.
Wealth & Financial state
She's disgustingly rich and a frivolous spender.
Alignment
Good
Species
Age
67
Birthplace
Citadel Ylbar
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Black
Hair
White
Height
4'2"
