Bannon Scots

Portrait of King Bannon after he returned from the events of the Crucible

### Relatives

Wife: Yuri (deceased)Birth Children: Vannon, Dugan, Marum, Afrendi, Amar Adopted Children: NeroChildren in Law: Castella, Brunov

## Overview

Bannon Scots is a mountain dwarf. He is relatively old, at 392 years of age, his clan's signature red hair fading into white, but still being well muscled. He is also rather tall for a dwarf, standing at 5' 2", and weighs well over 200 pounds, he is very large compared to his kin. He is King of the Scots kingdom of the Dwarven Kingdoms and founder of Clan Scots. His wife, Yuri, had passed away after giving birth to four sons, Vannon, Dugan, Marum, and Amar, and one daughter Afrendi. Bannon also adopted Nero, a hill dwarf, who he believed could make a fine warrior for the clan, and with two of his children being married, leaves him with 8 children and children in law. Bannon lives in Coppermead hall in the town of Afrenbelu, in the northernmost portion of the Dwarven valley bordering the Giant kingdoms.

## Early Life

Bannon was not born into royalty. His family was made up of fishermen, fishing on the great lake at the heart of the Valley of Dwarves. His family would sing on their small vessel, and Bannon developed a passion for song, a passion which could even bring forth magic. Once he was of age, he joined up with clan Donovin as a battlefield musician. He served for a few years, honing his skill until the platoon he served in was wiped out by Giants in the deep parts of the mountains. If his comrades survived, he didn't know.

Bannon, alone and freezing, was forced to survive in the mountains on his own. Here, his strength and will were most important, allowing him survive the harsh weather, which, being exposed to the high altitude and frequent snowstorms, gave him a tolerance for the cold. On his way down from the mountains, he would come across a Giant, who after surprising Bannon by speaking Dwarvish, befriended the dwarf. Afren, the frost giant smith, taught Bannon the ways of the forge and how to forge the various Giant runes. His exposure to the runes increased his height to his staggering height for a dwarf, and gave him the ability to double his size. Coupled with his ability to increase his height through song, Bannon could grow to the size of a giant, which is how he would make a name for himself. He returned to the Dwarven kingdoms with his new friend, but the dwarves were not happy with a giant approaching their homes, and likely would have fought both had another host of giants attacked the village. Afren, a kind-hearted soul, and Bannon fought off the invading giants, giving them both a strong reputation among the other dwarves. It would not take long for some of the other giants to be pushed back, and for Bannon Scots to become King Scots, where he would have the Coppermead hall built, and where the town of Afrenbelu would rise after his giant friend passed in his sleep soon after the kingdom's founding.

## The Dead War

Bannon and Clan Scots played a minor but important role in the Dead War, acting as a solid wall against any Giant or Undead army that would make its way from the Giant Kingdoms into Dwarven lands. Most Dwarven leaders had made their way to Lorthal to assist in the upcoming battle, but Afrenbelu's northern location and Clan Scots' veteran troops made them the ideal choice to hold the mountain pass into the kingdom. Bannon, along with his sons Nero and Dugan, and their army held the line easily against the small force of undead and giants that attempted to destroy the kingdoms while it was distracted with the main force.

## The Crucible

A portal had been opened to King Bannon, a request for aid, to stop another world from crumbling to nothing, and not being one to back down from a challenge, he took up his own forged maul to fight the good fight. It was here that he would meet Merlon and fight by his side. Together, they would face off against Hunkey Dory I, and together defeated him, but Bannon's magical maul was broken in the process. Next, they would face the Crucible itself. Merlon fell in the fighting, leaving his tome for Bannon. Bannon used Merlon's cloak and his own broken maul to create a protected place, as the weapon was already capable of swinging on its own, and defend the crucible from usurpers and those that would disturb Merlon's grave.

## Bannon's Quest

Due to tensions rising in the Kingdoms and his old age becoming more apparent, Bannon began to pour countless hours into researching a theory of his, that their was another continent, untouched by any sentient race. This place would provide a better home for his people, and hopefully keep them out of a massive war between the Dwarven Clans. Once he had a solid lead, he decided to host a tournament, calling for adventurers. The winners of this difficult tournament would be chosen to undertake a quest for Bannon, where they would investigate the lead that he found, a portal that has sat alone in the mountains that should lead to the other side of the continent. The tournament was held, drawing a large crowd from across the continent, and the winners included Shrimp Atomson, Hunkey Dory VII, Galvin Sedrick, and Enduro Rowanson.