Gorgon Graytusk

The Background

An unfortunate orphan born to a human mother and unknown orc father, Graytusk spent his early years abandoned to one of Tragador's orphanages where he stayed until his 5th birthday. Adopted by Rolf Galburg, a soldier captain who's wife and own son had been lost at the hands of vicious monsters, Graytusk was brought out of his life of poverty and introduced to a world of duty, discipline and honour.

Life with Captain Galburg was strict and demanding - even harsh at times - but Galburg came to love Gray as a son and filled the poor young half-breed with a sense of purpose. By his 10th birthday Gray enlisted as a Tragadinian Military Cadet and was given the choice of adopting a new, proper name to replace his given nickname. Captain Galburg suggested Gorgon - a mythical, steadfast beast of strength that had fascinated the boy while growing up - and Graytusk accepted, taking his old nickname as a second family name.

Gorgon Galburg-Graytusk Excelled as a soldier, proving to be a quick study for all forms of martial combat and benefiting from the power and speed of his half-orc body. By the age of 16 Gorgon was a proper Tragadinian soldier stationed at the defense of Tragador, where he was then ordered to leave with General Aramil for training exercises. Upon returning home Gorgon learned that Tragador and all of Tragadine had been seized by the combined orc and ogre tribes who exploited General Aramil's excursion into the wild. Furthermore, Captain Rolf Galburg had been killed in the desperate defense of Tragador, but not before leading the soldiers under his command against the enemy and slaying a number of lieutenants despite unlikely odds, a humiliating blow that sat poorly with the orcs.

Five years have passed since that day, and a 21 year-old Gorgon Graytusk maintains a stalwart outer appearance to fend off a burning hatred in his heart. The loss of his home to savage intruders, the death of his father, serving in a shamed and broken army lead by an unscrupulous general, being forced to abandon his family name lest the orcs seek to extract blood for Rolf Galburg's final act... Gorgon's anger mounts with every passing moment, and some day he will strike back against those who took his life from him.

The Character

Gorgon Galburg-Graytusk is a physically imposing young man: At 6 foot 4 inches and well over 250lbs. of solid gray muscle spread over a broad chest, wide shoulders and thick biceps, Gorgon's half-orc lineage is clear even before one notices his pointed ears or large canines. True to his nickname, Gorgon's skin is a deep shade of metal gray and his hair is a sleek jet black. Despite his burly proportions Gorgon is exceptionally well-groomed: Hair cut and combed back, proper sideburns that extend to his jaw and a patch of a beard upon his chin, with teeth cleaned and nails trimmed and tidied. Gorgon stands with confidence and a proper soldier's posture, maintaining a strong stance while at rest or play, refusing to sloop or slouch as that would simply not be appropriate for a man-at-arms of Tragador.

Gorgon's heart burns with the in-born rage of his father's people, but a lifetime of order and discipline has helped him control himself. Still, there are moments where Gorgon's anger gets the best of him, causing him to lash out in a terrible fury. Gorgon remains a soldier at heart and follows the rule of law and his superiors dutifully, but the events leading to the occupation have cast doubt over his faith in those who command his sword arm.

Gorgon wishes for nothing more than the destruction of the orc-ogre combine and waits for the opportunity where they can be crushed totally. He enjoys darts, dice games and cards and is at a disadvantage around elven women. He loves mushrooms and hates carrots as they "taste like defeat."

The Stats

Gorgon Galburg-Graytusk, lv.8 Half-Orc Fighter
XP: ?/?

Strength: 21 (+5)
Dexterity: 14 (+2)
Constitution: 15 (+2)
Intelligence: 08 (-1)
Wisdom: 14 (+2)
Charisma: 10 (+0)

Speed: 5 = 6(base) -1(armour)
Initiative: 6 = 4(level) +2(attribute)

Armour Class: 25 = 10 +4(level) +9(armour) +2(shield)
Fortitude: 24 = 10 +4(level) +5(attribute) +2(class) +2(feat) +1(item)
Reflex: 19 = 10 +4(level) +2(attribute) +2(shield) +1(item)
Will: 17 = 10 +4(level) +2(attribute) +1(item)

Hit Points: 77
Bloodied: 38
Healing Surges: 11
Surge Value: 19

Low-Light Vision
Half-Orc Resilience (p.14 PHB2)
Swift Charge (p.14 PHB2)
Furious Assault (p.14 PHB2)

Combat Challenge (p.76 PHB)
Combat Superiority (p.76 PHB)
Fighter Weapon Talent (One-Handed) (p.76 PHB)

Athletics: +14 = +4(level) +5(training) +5(attribute) +2(background) -2(armour check penalty)
Diplomacy: +6 = +4(level) +2(Aramil's Training) Endurance: +11 = +4(level) +5(training) +2(attribute) +2(race) -2(armour check penalty)
Intimidate: +11 = +4(level) +5(training) +2(race)
Perception: +6 = +4(level) +2(attrivute)

Background: Military (Athletics) (p.180 PHB2)
Heavy Blade Expertise (p. 314 HotFL)
Weapon Proficiency (Bastard Sword) (p.201 PHB)
Aramil's Training (Diplomacy)
Armour Proficiency (Plate) (p.222 PHB)
Superior Fortitude (p.318 HotFL)
Toughness (p.201 PHB)

Orangeman's +2 Bastard Sword (standard action, at-will; +16, 1d10+7 (+2 vs. bloodied targets) dmg; item 5/7 of Orangeman set) (p.218 PHB)
Heavy Shield (p.214 PHB)
+1 Versatile Plate Armour (p.54 AV)
Gauntlets of Blood (p.350 HotFL)
+1 Amulet of Something (I forget what, I'll find out soon)
Standard Adventurer's Kit (p.193 PHB)
Tent (p.222 PHB)

Tide of Iron (standard action, at-will, must be using a shield; melee, +16 vs. AC, 1d10+7dmg (+2 vs. bloodied targets) and push target of size Large or smaller 1 square, Gorgon can shift into target's original square as part of action) (p.77 PHB)
Cleave (standard action, at-will; melee, +16 vs. AC, 1d10+7dmg (+2 vs. bloodied targets) and second target adjacent to Gorgon takes 5 damage) (p.77 PHB)

Hack and Hew (standard action, encounter, invigorating; melee, one attack against two different targets, +16 vs. AC, 1d10+7dmg (+2 vs. bloodied targets,) Gorgon gains 2 temporary hit points) (p.8 MP2)
Sweeping Blow (standard action, encounter; close burst 1, each enemy in burst Gorgon can see, +18 vs. AC, 1d10+7dmg (+2 vs. bloodied targets)) (p.79 PHB)

Comeback Strike (standard action, daily, reliable; melee, +16 vs. AC, 2d10+7dmg (+2 vs. bloodied targets) and spend a healing surge) (p.78 PHB)

Shielded Sides (minor action, encounter, must be using a shield; Gorgon gains a +2 power bonus to AC and Reflex and does not grant combat advantage to enemies flanking him until the end of his next turn.) (p.10 MP)