Krogos

Krogos, better known by his alias as the Beast of Boukephos to the Ellyrians, and the Red Titan to those who knew him during his days as a champion in the Blood Pits of Lykandros, is one of the most powerful warlords in Ellyria. A giant of a man, the Red Titan is renowned for his legendary strength, size, and ferocity. He is the Lord of Boukephos, a prominent Ellyrian town, holding dominion over the surrounding lands.

## Biography

Krogos was born a slave within the city of Lykandros. A rebellious and troublesome piece of chattel, he was sold to one of the city's famous Blood Pits when he was nine, along with a clutch of other boys. He spent the next few years fighting other children for the entertainment of slave masters, until he was deemed ready to venture out properly onto the sands and fight amongst the men, at the age of twelve. By then, he was nearly six feet tall, and muscled like an ox.

Krogos soon proved his might within the Pit of Lamedes, and over the next few years, worked his way up to the greatest of all the Blood Pits: The Great Pit of Itor. Krogos took many wounds and won many victories, becoming one of the most famous champions of his age, beloved by the people of Lykandros for his showmanship and the blood he spilled for their entertainment. So much did he shed that the people began to call him "The Red Titan" for his size and brutality.

Eventually, Krogos built up sufficient wealth to buy not only his own freedom, but that of several fellow gladiators. At the age of twenty two, he and his companions left Lykandros to form an elite band of mercenaries known as the Titan's Legion. They battled across the chaotic lands of Ellyria, fought in the trade skirmishes between the cities of Ianos, and served under the banners of Helurar warlords.

After some seven years as a mercenary, Krogos found himself in Ellyria serving Machaon the Vulture, the Lord of Boukephos. After the Vulture stinted the Titan's Legion on their payment, Krogos challenged him to a duel. Supposedly, Krogos killed his horse with a single punch to its skull, which broke its neck, and then twisted Machaon's head right from his shoulders using his bare hands. Taking over Boukephos in such a manner earned Krogos the title "The Beast of Boukephos".

The Beast spent his years of rule bringing relative stability to his domains, leading brutal campaigns against the bandits that lived there and inflicting harsh punishments upon criminals within his town. This was a welcome change for the people he ruled, and has served to elevate him into a beloved leader in their eyes, with a cult of personality having even formed about him. It is widely believed that he is touched by the gods, and that his seed has the ability to make women fertile, and as a result, women from Boukephos are sent to him most every night, often coming away with children in their bellies.

Within the past year, Krogos has feuded with his neighbor warlord, Strymon the Stormbringer, the wars between them having thrown both their lands into disarray. Recently, a peace was reached, with Krogos having given Strymon a great gift of money and in turn receiving the hand of the Stormbringer's maiden daughter. Unfortunately, his bride to be was less than thrilled at the prospect of marrying him.

## Physical Appearance

Krogos towers at seven feet and two inches in height. He is possessed of swarthy skin and black eyes, bespeaking of his mongrel heritage. His black hair is worn long and braided, reaching down to his back, and his face is covered in a thicket of coarse dark beard. Krogos's tremendously muscular body is also thickly covered with black hair, especially upon his barrel chest. His hairy back is marked with scars from the whip, and numerous other old wounds are visible across his flesh. Krogos's left temple is covered in hideous burn scars from when a torch was jammed into his face. A chunk of his upper lip is missing, making it so a portion of his crooked yellow teeth are visible. Krogos's nose is the most hideous sight on his face, huge and red and swollen, completely crooked, having been broken countless times and healed wrong. All in all, he is a tremendously powerful yet ugly man.

## Personality

Krogos is a loud, boisterous man, who laughs loud and easily. His appetites are tremendous, and he is known to inhale wine, gluttonously devour course upon course of food, and to spend most every night drowning himself in flesh. Most of all, though, he loves to fight, taking brutal pleasure in crushing men with his hammer or battering them down with his mighty fists. The main reason for the relative order he imposes on his land is due to his love of the violent aspects of justice, gelding rapists, slitting the noses of thieves and hacking off the hands of pickpockets.

Krogos has a truly fierce temper when roused. Though he has a great appreciation for japes, he does not take to insults well, and will quickly roar his own back in answer, and jump to violence when sufficiently provoked. His rage is like a great inferno, destructive and terrible, but usually burns out fast, as he is not a man to bear grudges.

The Red Titan also has a sense of courage and honor, ingrained in him during his youth in the Blood Pits of Lykandros. He has great respect for worthy foes, and will treat them with dignity if he feels they have demonstrated courage and strength.

## Abilities

Krogos is set apart from other men by his astounding strength, which can easily bring low lesser foes. Years of bloodshed have left him with a tremendous resistance to pain, and he is quicker than any man his size has any right to be. Krogos is also possessed of quick wits, and considerable personal magnetism which draws men to him.

## Skills

First and foremost, Krogos is far famed for his skill as a warrior, which won him acclaim in his native Ianos and the lands beyond. A truly mighty fighter, there are few who can stand against him in direct personal combat. He is skilled in striking fear into the hearts of foes, but also at winning the hearts of his men through boisterous charm. Having travelled the Ellyrian wilds for many years, he is a skilled survivalist and horseman, and has become competent at sneaking up on prey, as well as being able to fire arrows to bring them down. Years of leading his own mercenary band, and then later as a warlord have also made him a skilled battlefield tactician.

## Stats

### Abilities

Strength: 6

Dexterity: 3

Endurance: 5

Intelligence: 3

Charisma: 4

Appearance: 1

### Statuses

Class: 4

Wealth: 4

Fame: 6

Prestige: 6 (domains of Boukephos), 5 (Lykanders), 1 (domains of Tinousas)

Allies: 4

### Skills

Melee: 5

Command: 3

Intrigue: 2

Stewardship: 1

Learning: 1

Stealth: 2

Archery: 2

Diplomacy: 3

Intimidation: 4

Seduction: 1

Ride: 3

Sail: 1

Survival: 3