Bio

No realm in northern Ustalav is more barren and harsh than that of the Tusk Mountains. A thick line of defense which remain as the only thing separating the Orcs of Belzen, and the people of Ustalav. The Tusk Mountains represent the northern most reaches of North-West of Ustalav, and create the border between north-eastern hold of Belkzen and the the southern edge of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords.

In this region however, a clan of Shoanti tribesman have taken control. This tribe, originally employed years ago by the Palatinates to keep the Orcs at bay while Ustalav went through a revolution, now occupies most of the upper regions of the Tusk Mountains. The clan, although the agreement’s end date came and went years ago, still keep a watchful eye on the Orcs who attempt to cross the mountains, and of course to their Ustalavian Masters to the east.

The tribe, know as Ochii-Muntiis (Eyes in the Mountains) are primarily represented by the Shundar-Quah (The Spire Clan) whose aim it is to seek to re-unite the disparate Shoanti peoples under one banner that they might once again have a place they can all call home, and the Tamiir-Quah (The Wind Clan), who are among the most territorial of the Shoanti people, and some of the fiercest warriors in all of Golarion.

Some years ago, the son of the leader of the Tamiir-Quah and a Tamiir-Quah warrior woman fell in love and soon after gave birth to a child named Roakk’ad. Born of these two clans, it was hoped that Roakk’ad would one day lead his peoples. A witch, and follower of Thremyr named Kala’ess however, had other plans.

On the day before the day of his 18th birthday, Roakk’ad was summoned to the alter of Thremyr, a half days travel into the mountains. There he was met by Kala’ess who convinced the young and naive Roakk’ad to take part in a dangerous vision quest. Roakk’ad had always questioned the teaching of Thremyr, as he was not inherently evil, and found that following through fear alone was a journey he did not feel he should be taking, especially if he was to unite his people.

Roakk’ad agreed to take part in the ceremony, and in doing so fell into a deep, fever fuel dream-state. Unfortunately for the witch, the ceremony did not go as planned, and her wishes fell silent on the ears of her evil god. Another, however was listening, and provided Roakk’ad with a vision. A vision, which would change his life forever.

In the vision, Roakk’ad stood on a plain of ash and dirt, a large tower looming in the distance, lightning flicking across its roof-tops. A deafening raw, and a light rumble on the ground was all that he could feel. Suddenly, the noise stopped, and Roakk’ad heard the unsheathing of two weapons. He realised that he was not alone. As he spun to his side, he saw a man of short stature, wielding two blades, and who features were similar to that of a rat. The man’s eyes were fixated on the temple before them. Roakk’ad felt no compulsion to attack him. In fact, it was quite the opposite. It was then that Roakk’ad felt a hand touch his shoulder. He spun around, Greataxe at the ready, only to be confronted by a woman with pale white glowing skin, all dressed in black. “You must face this evil Roakk’ad”, the woman whispered. “All our fates demand it. Will you fight alongside your brother against this great evil? Will you fight against the darkness? Will you fight against that which should not be? The choice is yours alone.”

Roakk’ad questioned the figure, “Are you a dream? Who are you?”

The woman did not reply, only telling Roakk’ad that he was being manipulated by the witch who had summoned him, and that she was attempting to manipulate his mind to assist this great evil. The woman continued, explaining that time was at stake, and that agents of the evil were already well on their way to raising the greatest evil Golarion had ever faced. The woman urged him to leave now.

Roakk’ad again question what she was saying.

“You must travel south, Roakk’ad. You will know your brother by the mark of the rat that he bares. You must move quickly and tell no-one of your quest until you reach your brother. Go now, amiss all depends.”

Roakk’ad’s eyes snapped open, the witch leaning over his body. The witch begged Roakk’ad to tell her what he had seen, and as instructed by the mysterious woman, Roakk’ad refused. It was then that the witch knew she had failed to do what she had initially intended. With that, the witch attacked the young warrior.

Through some stroke of fate, or perhaps something else entirely, Roakk’ad bested this somewhat powerful being, the battle ending with Roakk’ad throwing her off the side of the cliff. Injured and in need of healing, Roakk’ad fought the urge to return to his village. Somehow he knew that there would be questions. Questions that he could not answer. He had no time to bid his family goodbye. He must go at once with what he carried. And so, armed only with the Great Axe that had been given to him by his late father, Roakk’ad headed towards the cities of Ustalav, driven by the vision of the man with the mark of the rat.

After many days, traveling through the mountains, battling Orcs and other creatures of region, Roakk’ad arrived in Tamrivena. As he attempted to enter, he was stopped by the town guard and questioned at length. With no coin, or means to trade, he was refused entry and sent on his way. Roakk’ad felt he had failed in his question. It was not until later that afternoon, that he saw a group of children playing near the side wall, closest to the river. As he watch, Roakk’ad saw the children move through and overgrown part of the wall. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the wall was in disrepair. “A way in perhaps?” he pondered.

At nightfall, Roakk’ad stealthily made his way down to the river and made his way through the mud, through the broken wall, and into the city. Roakk’ad had no way of knowing this was were he needed to be. All that he knew was that he was driven to do so, and made his way to the loudest tavern he could find. It was not long before he was united with his brother and with the trail of fate…