Heidrek Bern

From BrWiki

Stjordvik » Heidrek Bern

Male Rjurik Noble 2/ Fighter 6/ Warmaster 3; CR: 11
Lord of Uleåborg, High Marshal of the Armies, Second Lieutenant of Stjordvik
Lineage of Nomadism
Tainted Bloodline of Reynir, 9
LG Medium Humanoid

VP/WP 86/12
Init +4
Languages Rjuven

AC 19, touch 13, flatfooted 19
Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +6

Speed 30 ft normally, 20 ft in theater
Melee Atk +15/+10 (2d6+7 /x2, greatsword)
Ranged +11/+6 (1d8+4 /x3, masterwork mighty [Str 16] composite longbow)
Base Atk +  ; Grapple

Abilities Str 18, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 10, Cha 10
Feats: Leadership +2, Weapon Focus (Greatsword), Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Cleave, Weapon Specialization (Greatsword), Mounted Combat, Mounted Archery, Brotherhood, Iron Will, Battle Cry, Direct Troops
Skills: Bluff 6, Climb 2, Diplomacy 10, Handle Animal 7, Intimidate 10, Jump 2, Knowledge (Tactics) 9, Knowledge (Logistics) 6, Perform (Epic Poetry) 5, Profession (Commander) 5, Ride 14, Sense Motive 7, Swim 5
Special Qualities: Enhanced Sense, Partial Deafness -4
Description: 5 ft, 150 lbs
Possessions: Military saddle, Reynir's Vengeance a greatsword +1, masterwork mighty (Str 16) composite longbow, 25 +1 arrows, 100 normal arrows, full plate mail +1, 2 potions of cure moderate wounds, potion of Intelligence, heavy warhorse, chainmail barding, masterwork black leather hauberk (AC 15)

Italicize feats and abilities followed by a brief description

Typical Dialogue:
"Prithee, note me, sire. I'll tell you how to deal with Olfjor and Guthrim. I'll spit them on top of Reynir's Vengeance and lo, you can take Arvaald and Hollenvik, the bloody forest province, for the asking."
"Yes, Your Grace, I am sure it can be done."
"Action Your Grace, action will weld this kingdom together like iron forged into a Halskapan sword. Our steel will taste their blood! Yea in good faith, sire."

Biography:
Small for a warrior for such military stature, Heidrek barely clears five feet. His face is scarred from wounds inflicted by the denizens of the Blood Skull Barony, and these he bears proudly. He is 54 years of age, yet the years have not slowed him in the least. His voice is deep and full, well suited to conveying orders. His voice is also projected quite a bit to compensate for a partial deafness resulting from a well thrown orog spear.

When not suited for battle, Heidrek has a black leather hauberk that reaches to his knees. He carries a battle axe tied to his belt at his hip. No one is surprised to discover that his motto is "always prepared." Heidrek was not well connected to the court during Queen Ljorrah's reign. Bern's fortunes have changed considerably with Varri's accession. Not only have both the king and his marshal fought off the Blood Skull Barony together, but Hjalmar has included Heidrek in Varri's facade. The Marshal plays his part well, demonstrating the need for additional units, repairs, and improvements on the Wall. While Stjordvik is not currently able to mobilize its full available resources, Heidrek's ability as a commander is probably unsurpassed on the Taelshore, bolstering Helder's diplomacy.

Heidrek was born in Svinik as a bastard son of Boden Thajarr of the nomadic tribe of Thajarr. While young Heidrek's half brother, Lars, was marked to be chief of his tribe, little awaited Heidrek except a lifetime of wandering. At the age of 13, having rejected the nomadic life, Heidrek joined a company of horse as a stable hand. The commander recognized Heidrek's noble birth in his carriage and demeanor and took the boy under his wing. Heidrek adopted the commander's name, Bern, and served as his squire before becoming a commander of troop within the unit, and then finally taking over the unit itself when the commander was too old to continue. Bern's Light Horse Guards passed then to Heidrek Bern. Much later, when Queen Ljorrah's marshal was killed in combat against the Blood Skull Barony, Hjalmar suggested Heidrek for the post and the queen appointed him High Marshal of the Armies. Recently Varri has further favored him, making him lord of Uleåborg. The king has instructed Heidrek to find a location, and the crown would contribute toward the construction of a keep.

Despite Bern's gruff exterior, he fancies himself a poet at heart. He has been working, in secret, on the Song of Heidrek for thirty years. The epic, a historical tale of Heidrek's adventures in the Stjordvik armies, has reached 13751 stanzas and shows no sign of ending any time soon. When a young man, Heidrek married a young woman of the Fjarlaaf tribe, Galhild Fjarlaaf. She has born him three sons and a daughter. See the Stjordvik Marshal's Barracks for more information about Heidrek's own organization.