03-02-2017, 06:26 AM
BACKGROUND
Gurkagh hails from a small nomadic Kellid tribe in northeastern Numeria known as the Ox-Bloods, where his father serves the important role as tribal shaman. Three years ago an outlander trader came to the Ox-Bloods’ campsite, and Gurkagh's elder brother (Uteo) was mesmerized by the trader's tales of adventure in the outlands. Two weeks later, Uteo ran away from home. He was gone for over two years before returning to the tribe. Uteo had become a powerful warrior in the outlands, and told many tales of high adventure involving men made of metal, canoes that could fly to the stars, and slingshots that hurled lightning bolts! One night while Gurkagh and his brother were out hunting, Uteo brought forth a bottle of outlander wine. Father always said "Outsider brew full of evil spirits & trouble," but Uteo convinced Gurkagh to share the wine anyway. Gurkagh fell asleep while Uteo was supposed to have been keeping watch.
When Gurkagh awoke late the next morning, he was startled to see his brother was dead, with a python wrapped around his neck. Gurkagh noticed his brother's dagger had not even been drawn. His brother had died because he was careless. To avoid the shame this would bring on Uteo, Gurkagh killed the snake and bloodied Uteo's dagger, placing it in his hand so it would appear a mighty battle had been fought.
When Gurkagh returned and shared the news of his brother’s death, everyone was deeply saddened. Gurkagh's mother entered an immediate state of mourning, while his father was forced to train Gurkagh as the future tribal shaman, even though Gurkagh's father believes him to be a lazy dullard. And worse, many of the nomads blamed Gurkagh for Uteo's death, not realizing just how right they were.
Six months later, Gurkagh was sent down river to hunt a boar for the end-of-mourning feast. Gurkagh killed the boar, but fell asleep on the raft while returning home. He awoke in a land he had never seen before, but soon realized it was the place of wonder described by his brother! People wearing strange clothing, with stranger tools, and words he could barely comprehend. Afraid to go home, Gurkagh decided that the spirits had brought him here, to this strange village called Torch, for a reason. If he could find the secrets of the stars and bring them back to the Ox-Bloods, he’d be lauded as a hero rather than a disappointment!
Gurkagh is extremely friendly, curious, and playful around others, but is deeply troubled and confused by his brother's death. He has no formal education and poor reasoning ability, but his instincts about people and situations are often right. His first spirit-guide is his ancestor, Uncle Shimo, who was outcast from the tribe for cowardice and returned by the gods in the form of a thrush. Gurkagh hasn’t figured out yet quite how to talk to Uncle Shimo, but he’s working on it . . .
Gurkagh hails from a small nomadic Kellid tribe in northeastern Numeria known as the Ox-Bloods, where his father serves the important role as tribal shaman. Three years ago an outlander trader came to the Ox-Bloods’ campsite, and Gurkagh's elder brother (Uteo) was mesmerized by the trader's tales of adventure in the outlands. Two weeks later, Uteo ran away from home. He was gone for over two years before returning to the tribe. Uteo had become a powerful warrior in the outlands, and told many tales of high adventure involving men made of metal, canoes that could fly to the stars, and slingshots that hurled lightning bolts! One night while Gurkagh and his brother were out hunting, Uteo brought forth a bottle of outlander wine. Father always said "Outsider brew full of evil spirits & trouble," but Uteo convinced Gurkagh to share the wine anyway. Gurkagh fell asleep while Uteo was supposed to have been keeping watch.
When Gurkagh awoke late the next morning, he was startled to see his brother was dead, with a python wrapped around his neck. Gurkagh noticed his brother's dagger had not even been drawn. His brother had died because he was careless. To avoid the shame this would bring on Uteo, Gurkagh killed the snake and bloodied Uteo's dagger, placing it in his hand so it would appear a mighty battle had been fought.
When Gurkagh returned and shared the news of his brother’s death, everyone was deeply saddened. Gurkagh's mother entered an immediate state of mourning, while his father was forced to train Gurkagh as the future tribal shaman, even though Gurkagh's father believes him to be a lazy dullard. And worse, many of the nomads blamed Gurkagh for Uteo's death, not realizing just how right they were.
Six months later, Gurkagh was sent down river to hunt a boar for the end-of-mourning feast. Gurkagh killed the boar, but fell asleep on the raft while returning home. He awoke in a land he had never seen before, but soon realized it was the place of wonder described by his brother! People wearing strange clothing, with stranger tools, and words he could barely comprehend. Afraid to go home, Gurkagh decided that the spirits had brought him here, to this strange village called Torch, for a reason. If he could find the secrets of the stars and bring them back to the Ox-Bloods, he’d be lauded as a hero rather than a disappointment!
Gurkagh is extremely friendly, curious, and playful around others, but is deeply troubled and confused by his brother's death. He has no formal education and poor reasoning ability, but his instincts about people and situations are often right. His first spirit-guide is his ancestor, Uncle Shimo, who was outcast from the tribe for cowardice and returned by the gods in the form of a thrush. Gurkagh hasn’t figured out yet quite how to talk to Uncle Shimo, but he’s working on it . . .
