Quartz
Garu Coldscale
Hatched in New Steiniklif
Finding Tyr
Garu's Oath
Garu was hatched and raised by the Coldscale Kobolds, under the streets of New Steiniklif shielded from the biting cold of Nor. They grew up with a talent for being quick with their hands, and a knack for being stubborn in the face of adversity. As the days progressed, Garu’s steely resolve lended itself well for trapper training. Garu wanted to help the tribe, but grew bored and listless at the slow and plodding work of a trapper. At Garu’s first hunt, they openly scoffed at being asked to put down defenseless animals caught in traps; there was no challenge or honor in a fight like that.
As the Coldscale hatch-mates continued to grow up, what was once light childhood teasing blossomed into bitter rivalry. Garu’s lack of enthusiasm particularly aggravated Arix, whose temper boiled over into a direct challenge against Garu. The resulting fight was as laughable as it was short, with Garu dancing away from all of Arix's slow, plodding attacks. Completely humiliated, Arix stormed off while being pelted by the rapturous laughter of the warren.
Soon after this, Arix began seeing visions of the future (or, claimed to be, at least), and that her true power as a divination sorcerer was coming to fruition. The elders of the warren saw to it that Arix be given the guidance and training needed to mold this power into a substantial boon. From this sacred position, Arix foretold that the warren would suffer calamity at the hands of Garu. Arix, now favored by the elders of the warren, planted the seed of mistrust in their heads over the fate of Garu. After weeks and weeks of plotting, Arix finally insisted that Garu be slain outright.
The elders discussed and argued their options; killing a member of the warren was unheard of, but if the end of the warren was nigh, perhaps it was the better choice? It was decided the safest route would be to exile Garu. “If Garu was truly the end of our warren, then killing them would only serve to forward the prophecy by one hatching,” said one elder, “Garu must be sent away so their soul can no longer be reclaimed. As Surtr has willed it, we must protect our warren above all else.” With that, Garu was sent above, left to survive in the harsh streets of New Steiniklif.
With nowhere to go Garu scavenged best as they could, panicking and scurrying about the city while trying to remain unseen. Garu wrestled with the cold days and frozen nights, getting by but only just. After a couple of close calls, they were caught stealing by a particularly stern dragonborn in heavy armour.
Носиасса was a paladin of Tyr, and member of the Order of the Stone Gauntlet. An honourable order, they pledged to strike back into the frozen wastes and reclaim the territory of Nor from the frost giant interlopers, by force if need be. They strictly followed the tenets of Tyr, and as such made clear to Garu they would need to repent, and repay, for their crimes. A mix of awe and pure fear coursed through the little Kobold; those ones closer to dragons were in command, and Garu immediately took to doing whatever the Order asked of them.
Through this devotion the dragonborn were impressed and a bit taken aback. The little kobold was able to accomplish so much in ways never thought of, working around their small stature and limited strength. After paying off their debt, Garu still hung around the Order’s temporary quarters, and after a while some of the Stone Gauntlet took pity. They slowly gave Garu basic training in fighting, along with teaching Garu both the tenets of Tyr as well as the Order’s oath.
After a few months, the Stone Gauntlets were ordered further north into the wilderness to strengthen the front lines. While they respected how much Garu had taken on the ideals of Tyr, they could not justify bringing along what amounted to a pet into battle. Носиасса sent Garu on a long task with the promise that this was the final training task: “You must lift our order’s sacred stone gauntlet to join our order. We have placed the gauntlet into the forest to the east. Prove your worth by returning with it.” As Garu began their search, the Order moved out while without anyone the wiser. When Garu came back dragging the massive, definitely wooden and not stone gauntlet, the only thing left was a small note apologizing, held to the door by a small but ornate knife. Носиасса’s knife.
They were confused, frightened, and most of all scared; the stinging cold froze Garu’s tears as they collapsed onto the snow. First cast out, then abandoned?
Listless and without direction again, Garu stowed away with merchant caravans and eventually a trading vessel and made it to Bedon in Forlumen. While the climate was warmer, the people were as cold as ever to a kobold who thought themselves a fighter. While wandering around Forlumen, scavenging for sustenance, they ran into Mughrag and the two made a rough 'partnership' trying to ambush bandits for gold. Now, Garu finds themself in the Kingdom of Ampelus, eager for adventure.
I, Garu, call out to you, Tyr, God of Courage, Strategy, and Justice, to hear my prayer.
I swear to fight against the depravity of raising the undead above all else. Though others may indulge in misgivings, fighting the true evil of the depraved extends in importance above lesser squabbles.
I swear to eliminate those who manipulate the dead, with no mercy given to those who have tampered with the souls and bodies of those who have passed.
I swear that I will fight through my misgivings; that I will hold my oath of extermination above what petty qualms I may have.
I swear to restore the lands and its people to their rightful place, to oust the power that oppresses them and help those harmed by their misdeeds.
I call upon you, o mighty Tyr, to take this offering of my hand as proof that I will use my life, body, and soul to mete justice upon those who stray from decency. I beg of you to let me be your agent in this realm, and cleanse the world of the evils that choke it. I beg of you to empower me with your judgement.
Please, Tyr, hear this plea and know my cause is just; my words true.
