Runt

Runt is an imposing half-orc, with shining scale mail and a ceremonial glaive. He's always eager for a fight, and might seek one out if there are none to be found.

His talents include smashing open trapped drawers and chests, intimidating tiny goblins, and knocking out boars and dryads.

Runt has been coaching Jennrielle to choose her own destiny and train herself to become the adventurer she longs to be. He even gave her a dagger he got from Malzahar.

#### Runt's Backstory

*The Kingdom of Avalice and the orcish tribes on their frontier had an uneasy understanding. The King, like his fathers before him, knew that to subdue the tribes would be far more costly than it was worth. In return for the orcs mostly keeping their raiding outside the borders, and bringing back valuable trade goods and information, the King allowed the orcs to largely rule themselves. The orcs would often serve in the King’s forces, and the King’s men sent foodstuffs if the orcish raids weren’t successful that year; better to keep them fed rather than risk them looking inward.*

*The Drowned were one such orcish warband. Their chieftain had a small but fierce band of pirates and raiders, on a motley assortment of small, fast ships. Infamous and feared for their lightning raids, they terrorized up and down the coast. The smallest of these raiders was a half-orc, aptly named Runt. All Runt wanted was to raid and make a name for himself like the others, but the tribal orcs mocked him and relegated him to guarding the boats while they got all the gore and glory. So when a Captain of the Kingsguard came to recruit, Runt leapt at the chance to sign up. The Captain, in his gleaming armor, had told Runt contemptuously to leave his orcish axe behind. Runt didn’t care; he admired the long glaives of the Kingsguard. He couldn’t wait to march under the Kingsguard banner, and reap all the respect it demanded.*

*Runt found out later that most orcs were sent straight to the auxiliaries, and it was only because he was only half-orc that he was allowed to serve in the elite Kingsguard. Not only did Runt not care, he was delighted that he could sneer down on the brutes that had once done the same to him. This was his world now, and he would work and train until he was the best of the best. He became a master of the Kingsguards chosen weapon; the glaive. He honed his skills and finesse with the weapon. However, when battle came, his tribal roots inevitably emerged. He lost himself in the battle rage of his people, and few could stand against his raw strength. Runt’s captains tried to train it out of him at first, but soon realized what a boon Runt was in a melee.*

*It wasn’t too long before the King took notice of this new, fearsome warrior. The King was delighted to have an orc in his Kingsguard, as it served as a symbol of his dominance over the orcish tribes. The King took to having Runt fight his duels for him, which Runt was more than happy to oblige. It wasn’t long before Runt became a Captain of the Kingsguard himself. Known as a fierce warrior and a favorite champion of the King, Runt of the Drowned had come a long way. But Runt knew he still had legends to carve out for himself. Glory awaits this half-orc, and woe to anyone who stands in his way.*