Lancer-Commander Morgrym Ironcliffe
Lancer-Commander Morgrym Ironcliffe
A grizzled war veteran, the current Commander of the Suranthi Army, the most veteran warrior of the Storm Lancers. He is a known war hero from the War of the Butcher, and his valor and courage is unquestioned. He is devout to his faith and his country, and utterly fearless. One of the many pillars of strength that have seen Suranth prosper, even through tough times such as the War of the Butcher. However he too is old even for a dwarf, and naturally there are some questions as to what comes next for both the Church and the Nation-State when the old guard has been called to Kartheart's sacred halls.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Morgrym is of thick stock, bulky, strong and solid in build. He is hearty and healthy, clearly one to take care of himself. However age is starting to show slowly, with wrinkling of skin, silvering of hair, though not yet prominent, is visible.
Body Features
His body is a criss-cross of scars and artwork, religious and military in nature. Every scar has a story behind it, though not all have a battle tale. Around his arms and hands just as many come from his hobbies, specifically cooking. The centerpiece of his tattoos upon his back, is the heraldric symbol of the Storm Lancers, the Glacial Spear.
Facial Features
Morgrym's beard is thick and well kept, running down to the middle of his chest in two thick braids, that are split off about a hand below his chin by a silver clip made in the detailed design of a Thundertusk Boar. His hair is notably less well kept, though not messy, just not carefully trimmed, and he wears it about shoulder length. His scars stand out, the raw and flaky old scar tissue a stark constrast against the remaining left side of his nose and his head, on the left side where he is missing his ear.
Identifying Characteristics
His religious garb, especially his tabbard, which denotes his station, with its gold and crimsion trim. His armor is well worn, battle scarred, and stands out for just how much armor it is. A full, fitted, masterfully crafted set of articulated steel plate, with thick gauge riveted mail, and gambeson layered underneath. On the battlefield, his tabbard marks him. Even when not fully armored, so not in battle, his garb is always religious in nature, the tabbard of the Exemplaris, or the robes and clothes of a priest. His scars mark him clearly as well.
Physical quirks
Morgrym is known to have an odd quirk to how he moves, in that he keeps a small brass chain, like that from a pocket watch, in his robes, and in the pocket of his tabbard on campaign. He pays for these chains of course, and loses them often. He has a physical tick, he can't help but fiddle with something, spinning it, or rotating it through his fingers. Basically if he isn't keeping his hands busy, his left hand needs to be doing something. Hence the brass chain. He fiddles with it, spins it, lets it roll between his fingers as he goes about his day, whenever he isn't busy with his hands.
Special abilities
Being a Warpriest in Sir Kartheart's favor, he can tap into his god's divinity for aid. He can cast any of the blessings of his God. In times of need, Morgyrm also knows many of the various prayers and hymns to call upon and request true intervention, that is, a miracle.
Apparel & Accessories
Morgrym dresses rather comfortably, preferring warm trousers made from elk hide or moose hide, and shirts/jackets of similar nature, though the colors can vary. However this is the rare garb to see him in, generally only if he has a rare day to work in the kitchen, or where he is not undertaking duties for the church or his nation. If on campaign, another extreme is true, which is to see him in his fully kit of layered armor, ending in properly articulated plate armor, along with his tabbard denoting him as not just an Exemplaris with its slate grey color and the white circular symbol containing the Glacial Spear. Unlike those whom wear this simple design, his is finished with gold trim, and the circle is edged in crimson, seperating the grey and the snow white. His day to day garb generally includes his gambeson, and perhaps his chain if he wishes to be...officious, with his priestly robes over it all.
Specialized Equipment
Being a Storm Lancer, Morgrym has much in the way of specialized equipment, which will briefly be listed below;
Thundertusk Boar Mount: His steed Baragot is the fourth generation of this lineage to serve as Morgrym's mount.
Specialized saddle and tack: Made in a unique and molded fashion to fit Baragot, his boar steed. Includes reins, stirrups, saddlebags, a specialized hooked loop for his hand axe and his shield.
Chain Barding and Quilted Riding blanket: Moderate armor, layered, again specially made for his mount Baragot.
Winged Spear: His primary weapon of choice, acts as a lance when mounted, but won't break. Can be used as a two handed spear on foot, much like a Boar Spear.
Articulated Full Plate: His full armor kit for campaign and battle. Includes a layer of gambeson and heavy gauge riveted chainmail he wears underneath. The Plate Armor is made to his body, proper high skill craftsmanship.
Thundertusk Boar Mount: His steed Baragot is the fourth generation of this lineage to serve as Morgrym's mount.
Specialized saddle and tack: Made in a unique and molded fashion to fit Baragot, his boar steed. Includes reins, stirrups, saddlebags, a specialized hooked loop for his hand axe and his shield.
Chain Barding and Quilted Riding blanket: Moderate armor, layered, again specially made for his mount Baragot.
Winged Spear: His primary weapon of choice, acts as a lance when mounted, but won't break. Can be used as a two handed spear on foot, much like a Boar Spear.
Articulated Full Plate: His full armor kit for campaign and battle. Includes a layer of gambeson and heavy gauge riveted chainmail he wears underneath. The Plate Armor is made to his body, proper high skill craftsmanship.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
-Born in 1218, Morgrym Ironcliffe was born a healthy, hearty dwarf babe, with little to no difficulty to the birth.
-His first century or so of life was one of rather normal, and modest, for the son of such a wealthy statesman, childhood. He learned is letters and numbers, recieved a proper if modest education done through the church, not private tutors. He learned the basics of skills at arms with halberd, spear, axe, and crossbow. He was taught the basics of metallurgy and armorsmithing.
-At about eighty years of age, his education subtly shifts, focusing more on the religious, as Morgrym voices the desire to become one of Sir Kartheart's most holy. His skill at arms, particularly with the winged spear, the weapon preferred by the deity himself, caught the eyes of the various orders of the faith.
-After a formal religious education, in which he was taught the fundamentals of the faith and the hymns and prayers of power, over the course of thirty years, he earned his recognition as a Llaunei Ngígam'1 or 'Shield of the People', a warpriest of the faith.
-By 1366 after a few years of military service, he is formally recruited to the Storm Lancers. He quickly climbs the ranks, and has great success within the unit and profession
-After the War of the Butcher in 1415-1418, and in specific after his actions and show of skill in his officer rank as a Major, he is promoted quite quickly for his bravery and skill. Awarded the Tacturnium Lancet, a medal of the highest honor, for bravery, valor and commitment in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity. He wins the award for his bravery in holding the Ferric River crossing, where he lost his left hand, an ear and half his nose fighting and eventually bringing down a Bloodseeker of Iracundia single-handedly, vanquishing the Nightmare and turning the tide of the battle in the favor of the Suranthi forces.
-in 1420, with a new prosethtic hand courtesy of GALRT Prostethics he is officially named and recognized as Lancer-Commander of the Storm Lancers, and Master General of the Suranthi Armed Forces. He holds this position to this day.
-His first century or so of life was one of rather normal, and modest, for the son of such a wealthy statesman, childhood. He learned is letters and numbers, recieved a proper if modest education done through the church, not private tutors. He learned the basics of skills at arms with halberd, spear, axe, and crossbow. He was taught the basics of metallurgy and armorsmithing.
-At about eighty years of age, his education subtly shifts, focusing more on the religious, as Morgrym voices the desire to become one of Sir Kartheart's most holy. His skill at arms, particularly with the winged spear, the weapon preferred by the deity himself, caught the eyes of the various orders of the faith.
-After a formal religious education, in which he was taught the fundamentals of the faith and the hymns and prayers of power, over the course of thirty years, he earned his recognition as a Llaunei Ngígam'1 or 'Shield of the People', a warpriest of the faith.
-By 1366 after a few years of military service, he is formally recruited to the Storm Lancers. He quickly climbs the ranks, and has great success within the unit and profession
-After the War of the Butcher in 1415-1418, and in specific after his actions and show of skill in his officer rank as a Major, he is promoted quite quickly for his bravery and skill. Awarded the Tacturnium Lancet, a medal of the highest honor, for bravery, valor and commitment in the face of overwhelming odds and adversity. He wins the award for his bravery in holding the Ferric River crossing, where he lost his left hand, an ear and half his nose fighting and eventually bringing down a Bloodseeker of Iracundia single-handedly, vanquishing the Nightmare and turning the tide of the battle in the favor of the Suranthi forces.
-in 1420, with a new prosethtic hand courtesy of GALRT Prostethics he is officially named and recognized as Lancer-Commander of the Storm Lancers, and Master General of the Suranthi Armed Forces. He holds this position to this day.
Sexuality
He is hetero sexual.
Education
Morgrym was formally and strategically educated almost entirely by the Kartheartian church, but had the good sense to understand a religous education was going to have....heavy bias. So he read. Voraciously. He is a dwarf whom despite being a true warrior, and fitting many of the stereotypes of the grizzled, gruff, assertive to the point of aggressive, dwarven warpriest, is very well read. He is also a man of many hobbies that would seem, upon first glance, to grate against his personality. He writes poetry, has a taste for cooking and baking, as well as cartography, botany, and biology. His knowledge of metallurgy is passable at best, but his general knowledge of the sciences is impressive, and he is able and willing to keep up with experts in their fields in conversation, always eager to learn. As the dwarf himself would put it;
"Aye I be a warrior. An officer o' 'igh rank an' status. The 'ighest in t'e land, in fact. Many would think t'at at me age, I'd be lookin' ta slow down, enjoy life. Mayhaps retire, live out me days watchin' me bairns grow up, spend t'e rest o' me days wit' me lovin' wife. An' t'ere be value ta t'at fer some I'm sure. I love Ieosa dearly, nae mistake me. Grunik, Banstrum and Valyina be me pride an' joy. But I wants ta set a proper example. I nae feel near four centuries, an' I've oft thought 'bout why t'at is. Why I nae feel me age after all t'e campaignin', all t'e fightin', all t'e four 'undred and some odd harsh and cold winters. Only explanation I've found? I stay engaged. I stay curious. I nae ever satisfied wit' me level o' understandin' or education. An' I nae ever been satisfied wit' just reading reports or books an' makin' decision or learnin'. Hands on, t'at's t'e proper thing. Always bein' in t'e mix, a part o' events, participatin' in yer own learnin', keepin' yer curiosity alive. So far as I can tell, t'at, more t'an anythin' else, is why I nae yet feel me age. I feel nae different nae than I did a century an' a 'alf ago. I can acknowledge the physical, such as takin' me a bit more effort ta loosen up and be ready ta march on chilly mornin's, or t'e stiffness o' ol' injuries. But it nae feels like it slows me down so much as givin' me a reason ta continue growin' as a person, if ye take me meanin'. Ta keep learning, keep growin', keep adaptin'. I truly believes t'at be t'e secret ta a long, 'ealthy, an' 'earty life, an' I wants ta teach me kids t'at. Kartheart willin' I'd like ta be 'round ta teach me grandkids t'at! Best way ta teach is ta be t'e example. So aye, I like ta keep busy an' learn new things. Keeps me sharp, keeps me young."
Employment
He has always been of the cloth, and for most of his life has been a Storm Lancer. However he has, during the long stretches of peace, established a family business, with his wife, a place where in peace time he is the head chef, an eatery in Geata-Iarainn's Cavern district called The Spearhouse. His wife runs most of the day to day business affairs now, with their eldest son Grunik. Valyina, their youngest, she is the co-head chef, basically being the head chef except when her father is in. But for the most part, Morgrym has always and will always be dwarf of the church and state, a military man.
Accomplishments & Achievements
-Master General of the Suranthi Armed Forces
-Lance-Commander of the Storm Lancers
-Has won every Suranthi military award, medal and honor that exists to win, many of them twice.
-Opened a successful eatery
-Is considered equivalent in rank to an Arch-Bishop of the Cult of Sir Kartheart.
-Lance-Commander of the Storm Lancers
-Has won every Suranthi military award, medal and honor that exists to win, many of them twice.
-Opened a successful eatery
-Is considered equivalent in rank to an Arch-Bishop of the Cult of Sir Kartheart.
Failures & Embarrassments
Morgrym is unique as a public military figure and religious figure in Suranth, in that it genuinely seems as if he has made no true public gaffes. There is no doubt that like anyone, he has had failures and embarrassments, but none of them are in the forefront of public eye, whatever they are.
Mental Trauma
Like many whom served in the War of the Butcher, he suffers from some PTSD symptoms, mostly nightmares, given the sheer brutality of the enemy, the visible displays of cruelty they inflicted, the horrors they made sure to force their enemies to witness that they inflicted on prisoners. Greenskins weren't known for taking prisoners until that war. Now we know better, and we have a pretty good idea of the....sheer violence that awaits those so taken. Before the conflict, he'd already been scarred by how he found the human baby whom would become like a brother to him. Sometimes he can still smell burning flesh, bone and blood. Sometimes he can still see the body of Roxanne Storm-Born, violently broken and twisted, but defiant to the end to protect her son. It was a hard sight to bear witness too, this friend of his family's, seeing their entire lineage bar but a baby, wiped out by the sheer violence and wrath of Kurzan the Butcher and his followers. To this day his hatred of the vile Greenskins and their ilk is second to none in Suranth.
Intellectual Characteristics
He has a proactive mindset, despite a 'conservative' religious education. He is well read, studious, and humble. His mind is always working, always learning.
Morality & Philosophy
Morally and Philosophically, Morgrym is a dwarf whom holds to the traditional value of Sir Kartheart's Cult, and of a bent similiar to Witch-Hunters. However as an Exemplaris, he does pride himself on a professionalism and nuance of how, when, and how much, to enforce. He holds himself to high standards when it comes to morality, and refuses to ever let himself make an emotional decision where he is wielding his authority. His discipline is top notch.
Morally speaking, he is a bit of a progressive thinker however, much like his father before him with the elf Arthos Vende'glade, Morgrym took it on faith during what should have been a minor operation to more or less make a deal in his father's name with a Witch, that is with someone whom without proper training was wielding magick. What's worse, Saphira was wielding multiple leylines together, using the Geomantic arts. Such a thing was and that doesn't include the fact that she was a tiefling. Yet he still made a deal with her, instead of executing her or turning her over to the church, to likely be burned at the stake. No, he saw the potential value and realizing a major conflict was on the horizon, he made a deal. Because such a person could be a masterful tool and weapon in war. His thinking was proven correct in the battle for the Iron Bay, the decisive naval engagement in the War of the Butcher, where though the Navy's flagship, the Black Fin, was sunk, the Suranthi Navy broke through the blockade of pirates and Greenskin crewed vessels, breaking the fleet Kurzan had assembled. Saphira's magicks played a key roll in that conflict, as she summoned a great cataclysm of ice and water, a swell which capsized fifteen of Kurzan's forty or so ships as the attack began. She was also the sole magister left with the haggard and harried Northern fleet, and was directly responsible for directing all fourteen of the 'Wolves of the Sea' and communicating with them, alone. Her prowess, as much as the bravery of any captain, marine or sailor, won the day.
Morally speaking, he is a bit of a progressive thinker however, much like his father before him with the elf Arthos Vende'glade, Morgrym took it on faith during what should have been a minor operation to more or less make a deal in his father's name with a Witch, that is with someone whom without proper training was wielding magick. What's worse, Saphira was wielding multiple leylines together, using the Geomantic arts. Such a thing was and that doesn't include the fact that she was a tiefling. Yet he still made a deal with her, instead of executing her or turning her over to the church, to likely be burned at the stake. No, he saw the potential value and realizing a major conflict was on the horizon, he made a deal. Because such a person could be a masterful tool and weapon in war. His thinking was proven correct in the battle for the Iron Bay, the decisive naval engagement in the War of the Butcher, where though the Navy's flagship, the Black Fin, was sunk, the Suranthi Navy broke through the blockade of pirates and Greenskin crewed vessels, breaking the fleet Kurzan had assembled. Saphira's magicks played a key roll in that conflict, as she summoned a great cataclysm of ice and water, a swell which capsized fifteen of Kurzan's forty or so ships as the attack began. She was also the sole magister left with the haggard and harried Northern fleet, and was directly responsible for directing all fourteen of the 'Wolves of the Sea' and communicating with them, alone. Her prowess, as much as the bravery of any captain, marine or sailor, won the day.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Morgrym is more or less motivated in any task he takes on by one of two factors. Either loyalty or curiousity. His loyalty first and foremost is to his family and country, though right behind that is his loyalty to his church and faith.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
Morgrym is a masterful rider, a skilled tracker, along with being well studied in matters of his faith, theology, botany, and the culinary arts. He is a masterful spear fighter, and no slouch with axe and shield. He is well read and spoken, fluent in four languages, and passably fluent in three more.
He is humble and knows his limitations, and in particular, despite being the highest ranking officer in the Suranthi Armed Forces, he openly acknowledges his complete lack of fundamental understanding in regards to sailing and affairs of naval combat or logistics, so happpily and humbly delegates these tasks to the people whom are the experts in such fields. The same is true in his civilian life, entrusting his wife to handle the logistics and day to day management of their restaurant business.
He is humble and knows his limitations, and in particular, despite being the highest ranking officer in the Suranthi Armed Forces, he openly acknowledges his complete lack of fundamental understanding in regards to sailing and affairs of naval combat or logistics, so happpily and humbly delegates these tasks to the people whom are the experts in such fields. The same is true in his civilian life, entrusting his wife to handle the logistics and day to day management of their restaurant business.
Social
Religious Views
A devout Kartheartian, though as is proper, he acknowledges the legitimacy of the other Ascended as worthy of recognition and faith.
Current Location
Species
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Lancer-Commander of the Storm Lancers
Master General of the Suranthi Armed Forces
Master General of the Suranthi Armed Forces
Date of Birth
17th of Menata, 1218 SuD
Year of Birth
1218 SuD
377 Years old
Birthplace
Geata-Iarainn
Family
Children
Current Residence
Pronouns
Male
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark, almost charcoal in shade
Hair
Thick black, shoulder length, showing beginnings of silver-grey streaking.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Pale, battle scarred, aged
Height
1.3 metres or 4 foot 3 inches
Weight
61 kgs or 134 lbs
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
Comments
Author's Notes
1: Llaunei Ngígam- Phoentic Spelling: l̪ˠəuˈnʲɛ ŋiːɟəmˠ