Birkog Mekkegagh

Birkog Mekkegagh

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Slightly above average height for a Bugbear, lean but strong limbed, athletic with a healthy layer of softness.

Body Features

Long arms and legs, thick coarse hair covering the skin, large claws instead of nails. Hair starts brown and grey around the head, continue over the chest and abdomen changing out to deep reds and oranges over the torso and limbs.

Facial Features

Long features with a flat, stubby nose, deep laugh and scowl lines, a wide mouth with teeth that are pointed with small tusks that remain under thin lips. Yellow cat-like eyes granting an amount of Darkvision.

Identifying Characteristics

Bugbear with brown into red hair common to his family, a series of scars over his upper back and fingers from injuries gained as a child.

Physical quirks

Maintains a proper posture.

Special abilities

Long Limbed - His arms can reach further than most other humanoid creatures
Bestial eyes - Can see through darkness in shades of grey up to 60ft
Padded feet - Unusually quiet steps help keep him stealthed

Apparel & Accessories

Wears remains of Blackstone soldier clothing/uniform, torn up to avoid it being recognizable and incorporating natural local foliage to act as a camouflage in whatever biome he's going through. Has a travel pack with a long stick wrapped up in cloth and leather.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Birkog Mekkegagh grew up in the city of Hermit, his kin hard labourers and guards within the walls. As a teenager, training for the guard alongside his sister Mezzek to follow in their brother Higgit's shadow, a petty squabble lead to a weapons rack falling onto Birkog, the accident injuring him, damaging a metal weapon leaving him to receive blame, being let go from his training and left to find work elsewhere soon as he was recovered. Mezzek knows it wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t pushed him but admitting such would pull the blame to her, something she regrets to this day especially under the circumstances of Birkog’s future (This family member caused you to have a horrible accident when you were a child. They still feel incredible guilt, which they would do anything to assuage. You gain one ally. Outpost Guard.). Birkog went to work on a farm with his parents and other siblings, sowing, picking and tending to a root vegetable plantation. The hard but humble work helped temper a strong constitution and work ethic that the more strict regiment in the guard didn’t foster.
His sister Aggarakag was, for all intents and purposes, a thug, though one on his side. Should a row or fight break out at the farm or taverns in the area it was a safe bet to say she was involved.
Much to the disagreements of the rest of the family, Birkog and Aggarakag got along quite well, frequently heading out to taverns or the rougher areas of the city and having each other’s backs with an agreement; If they’re together, they don’t start trouble, but if they find it they end it. In the end she got her fight, he got to act like he’s part of the guard. They would get in trouble occasionally, but often had witnesses who helped them get a night in a cell to cool off.
This went well until they uncovered something they couldn’t just fight, late one night they caught Higgit out of uniform with a group of other off-duty guards beating up a Triton and telling them to stay quiet about something. Aggarakag fled when they turned their attention on the two (You have always been better than this family member at a particular activity (controlling their temper). They grew jealous and abandoned you, so that they could return and best you one day. You gain one rival. Stormchaser.), Birkog tried to stand his ground and fight back (You helped this person out once when they were down on their luck, and now they go to you whenever they need help. Scout.). Birkog woke up in a cell, stinking of alcohol with multiple off-duty guards pointing their fingers at his guilt (You uncovered a secret about this family member, whether a tiny embarrassment or a life-changing scandal. They now seek to unveil your darkest secret. You gain one rival. Town Guard.).
For whatever reason Birkog survived that night, Aggarakag however missing. A caravan was stationed in the city offering pay for criminals taking up what is often limited space. It was arranged for Birkog to be sent away, not exactly exiled but his name was dragged through the mud. Unbeknownst to most, this caravan was conscripting potential soldiers for the rising Blackstone empire. Mezzek accepted a position at a more remote guard post at this time, likely as some sort of self inflicted punishment for the fate of her brother.
Emotionally defeated, Birkog accepted his fate, assisting the caravan and along the journey and building a rapport with superior offices and some other criminals on the journey. His diligence and work ethic earned him some lenience when it came to boot camp, quickly gaining favour with S.O.s while proving himself capable from a history of hard labour and vigilantism. He was entered into a special program for athletic combatants, a dojo for guerilla tactics and marksmanship. He was personally trained by Gradras Cragmurk how to use a firearm, how to push his body, throw a punch and ignore exhaustion.
Birkog was sent on simple missions over a decade or so, a faceless soldier doing as he’s told while pushing back armed resistances, guarding forward posts and trade caravans, then ultimately being loosed on civilians.
Birkog flinched, he choked his orders as the line of grey morality was crossed. He pushed back and, using all the training he had available to him, stole what resources he thought he’d need, including his S.O.’s firearm, and fled (A skilled warrior trained you with what has become your signature weapon. You have proficiency with a martial weapon of your choice, and you own one such weapon. It has special features as detailed in chapter 7 of the Dungeon Master's Guide and is mildly magical, though it does not receive a bonus to hit or to damage. You also have the Martial Adept feat from the Player's Handbook).

Gender Identity

Cis male

Sexuality

Pan

Education

Home education to speak Common and Goblin, read and write Common, basic mathematics and basic agriculture (sowing, maintenance, reaping and identification of various root vegetables).
Formal education as a Blackstone soldier to wield and maintain a firearm, read and write Common, the use of Aetherite equipment, maintain personal fitness, the basics for repairing clothing.

Employment

Hermit Root Farm Blackstone military

Accomplishments & Achievements

Well regarded and recognized soldier of the Blackstone Empire.

Failures & Embarrassments

Failed to successfully protect or clear his name against accusations. Well regarded and recognized soldier of the Blackstone Empire.

Mental Trauma

Distrusts authority Dislikes weapons being unattended

Intellectual Characteristics

Quick learner, generally lacks the curiosity to take advantage of such

Morality & Philosophy

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should
Just because you should, doesn't mean you can
Act when you know it's the right thing to do

Taboos

Home

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

There's something wrong in this world and I'm tired of being used by it, time to do something right.

Savvies & Ineptitudes

Quick to recognize a conflict is brewing, be it physical or intellectual.
Has difficulty believing himself to be wrong even if he is, this stubbornness makes it hard for him to convince others or lie outside of his world view.

Likes & Dislikes

Likes: Honest, blunt language Hearty food Sturdy shelter outside of the storms
Dislikes: Uncertainty Zealotry Sweet food

Virtues & Personality perks

Draws a line at 'the ends justify the means'
Roughhousing is his love language

Vices & Personality flaws

Genuinely enjoys acts of violence, be it outright combat or training/sparring, and can come across as sadistic or brutal despite no intent of such
Terribly stubborn once he's made his mind up

Personality Quirks

If he sees a weapon or dangerous object left in the open he will attempt to put it somewhere safe, even if it's not his

Hygiene

Likes to be clean, isn't afraid of getting dirtied or having to not clean for a while.

Social

Contacts & Relations

Blackstone Superior Officer Gradras Cragmurk, Dwarf, oversees the dojo/training program that taught Birkog
Mabel Resistance fighter, intelligent, mute and good hearted.

Family Ties

2 parents Mirkik - Mother, farmer, boisterous and homely Zamnageghk - Father, farmer, quiet and matter-of-fact
5 siblings Higgit - Brother, Town Guard, professional, brutal Mezzek - Sister, Outpost Guard, headstrong, protective Aggarakag - Sister, Stormchaser, boisterous, short temper Bohek - Brother, farmer, quiet, modest and hard working Thunk - Sister, farmer, creative, agreeable

Religious Views

Casually religious when younger, stopped when he left Hermit.

Social Aptitude

Direct, sometimes abrasive.

Mannerisms

Polite, tends to use short words or sentences.

Hobbies & Pets

Wrestling.

Speech

Deep voice, hints of a throaty growl.

Wealth & Financial state

Living off the land, sells items and produce he collects from nature

Battle hardened Bugbear with wild red and brown fur, equipped in basic camouflaged clothing with a stick wrapped on his back.

View Character Profile

Alignment

Neutral Good

Honorary & Occupational Titles

Soldier (Ex)

Age

34

Birthplace

City of Hermit in the Golden Shores

Current Residence

Nomad

Gender

Male

Eyes

Yellow

Hair

Brown, Grey, Red

Skin Tone/Pigmentation

Beige

Height

7ft 2inches

Weight

288lbs

Known Languages

Common, Goblin, Blackstone military phrases