Josef Bugman

Brewmaster Bugman

"There are many famous dwarf ales, and many renowned brewers, but the name of Josef Bugman stands as a paragon of quality. His family originally came from the Halcyon Mountains. The tale of Josef and his ancestors is one of hardship and loss, and from their story comes the ancient dwarf phrase “There’s no beer as bitter as its history." —‘Dwarfs of Korrisia, a Brief History’, by Rikard the Holy and Njel of the Stills.
Josef Bugman is the most legendary Master Brewer of all time. This is really saying something, for Dwarfs take their ale seriously, and there are many famous brews and renowned brewers. Still, the name of Bugman stands as a paragon of quality. After inheriting a brewing operation in the northeastern Republic of Calemdar from his father, he began operating what would become the most renowned brewery in the known world. His beers, such as Bugman's Ale and Troll Brew, were served to the likes of the Calemdarian Lord Chancellors, Kings & Queens of Ashglade, and legendary heroes alike.
However, at the height of his success, disaster struck. While returning from a delivery, Bugman arrived at his brewery to find it a smoldering ruin. The goblin warlord Git Guzzler had razed his operation, carrying off all of its living inhabitants to an unknown fate.
Then and there, Bugman and his companions swore a mighty vengeance on the goblin raiders, and set off to destroy them, and rescue their kinfolk if they could. Only rumours of Bugman's exploits have been heard since. He may launch a cunning night raid on a goblin encampment, save a dwarf patrol from a greenskin ambush, or appear with a dwarven army on the eve of a large battle against a horde of orcs. His rangers tend to keep to themselves, sitting around the campfire, hands clasped around tankards of their precious ale.

Physical Description

Identifying Characteristics

Ol' Trustworthy (Rune Axe) - Bugman bears a large rune-covered axe, an ancient heirloom of great prestige handed down to him from his father, Zamnil. It bears a Rune of Cleaving and a Rune of Fury. The old ranger won’t reveal its true name, but refers to it as Ol' Trustworthy.
Bugman’s Tankard - A family treasure, any who quaff from the tankard are engulfed in remembrances of the glorious past. It is said that, as long as it is held by a Bugman, the tankard never empties. After a long haul upon its contents, the drinker feels refreshed and restored.
Bugman also has been known to be equipped with a chainmail shirt, a helmet, a crossbow, and a shield.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

"Though Josef Bugman’s ancestors moved into the lands that would later become Calemdar, they lived for a few generations in the Dhenbadir Mountains. Dwarfs are reluctant to talk about such things to outsiders, but it is the understanding of these scholars that Josef’s ancestors were involved in some part with the founding of Karak-Eight-Peaks. While little can be gleaned from our libraries, Karak-Eight-Peaks is remarkable amongst the holds of the dwarfs for the fact that its first ruler is believed to have been a queen. History has, alas, forgotten her name."
—‘Dwarfs of Korrisia, a Brief History’, by Rikard the Holy and Njel of the Stills.
Josef Bugman's ancestors were members of the Dragonback Clan of Dhenbadir. Josef's father, Zamnil, set up the family trade in the eastern forest of Calemdar. He built a stout brewhouse near the village of Wusterburg[, where the crystal clear waters of the River Sol cascade down from the foothills of the Halcyon Mountains. In order to sell his ale more readily in the Empire, Zamnil took the name of Samuel Bugman, and when his son was born he called him Josef. If Josef ever had a proper Dawi name, it was never recorded. After his father's death, Josef took over the business. Although the brewing operation had previously been moderately successful, only then did the business come into its own, thanks to Josef's superior brewing skills. His beer acquired a considerable reputation for fine quality and potency. Shipments of Bugman's Dark Choice and King's Gold were sent to the High King at Karaz-a-Karak, while the Human courts enjoyed ales such as Bugman's XXXXXX and Dark Bitter. He also became known for the notorious Troll Brew. At the height of his success, carts of Bugman's beer were travelling the roads of the Mortal Kingdoms, while barges plied the River Sol, which connected to the great cities and trade routes of the Republic of Calemdar.
Within a few years, Bugman became a prosperous brewing merchant and a reasonably content Dwarf. His brewery had grown into a small Dwarf settlement, where other families from the Halcyon Mountains came to live. This small community lay well off the beaten track and was usually ignored by any armies or raiders rampaging through the region. The area was protected by stone watchtowers, each with a great warning beacon that could be lit in the event of an attack. The settlement itself was surrounded by an earthen fortification with large wooden stakes driven into it.
However, all was not well. The shrewd and cunning Goblin Warlord known as Git Guzzler, leader of the Troll Beaters and several other tribes from the Black Mountains, was plotting the destruction of the brewery. It was in a fungus-induced trance that Git first learned of the brewery's existence. He planned to destroy the brewhouse and steal all its contents. With his newly acquired beer, he believed that he would be able to bribe other tribes into joining him in a Waaagh! that would rival even that of Grom the Paunch.
The Brewery defenders were not successful. As Josef Bugman returned home, he saw the smoke gently rising from his brewery among the trees and thought it was time that the great chimney was swept. When his barge rounded the bend of the river, he saw the smoldering ruins of his settlement. It appeared as if the victorious goblins had not been able to restrain themselves, for empty beer casks were strewn about the ruins. The vats were smashed, empty barrels floated on the river and there was no sign of any inhabitants. Every last one of them had been taken off by the Goblins to who knew what fate. After salvaging what gear and ale they could from the ruins of the once-proud brewery, Bugman and his remaining companions swore vengeance on the Goblins for this foul deed and resolved to hunt them down and rescue their kinfolk if they could. The band trailed the Goblins across the Halcyon Mountains and Desert, and into the wilderness beyond. When the paths of the goblin tribes diverged, the dwarfs resolved to follow all the tribes. "We just chase down one tribe, kill 'em, then move on to the next," Bugman was heard to mutter.
Their fellow dwarfs know little of the whereabouts of Bugman and his rangers. Rumors are heard of his ravages, of cunning ambushes and night raids against Goblin camps. Sometimes, the band suddenly emerges from the wilds, tattered and blood-stained, to join up with a Dwarf army before a great battle with the Goblins. They keep to themselves, huddled around their own campfire, with a strange glint in their eyes and their hands clasped around tankards of Bugman's ale. Recently, they were seen saving a dwarf patrol from a Duergar ambush in the Dhenbadir Hold Remnants.
In reality, Bugman has ceased to pursue only those goblins who razed his brewery. His vengeance is now upon any member of a greenskin race- Orcs, Goblins, or Hobgoblins. Although many believe the dwarf was forever ruined by the attack on the brewhouse, he in fact keeps many secret, hidden caches stocked with ale and other equipment.

Year of Birth

3122 DB 562 Years old

Gender

Male

Eyes

Dark Grey, squinty

Hair

Long and wavy grey, has a long white beard that is braided

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

White

Height

4'11"

Weight

277 lbs.