Ragnar Ironhope
Character
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
What does your character look like? Do they have any distinguishing features, a certain style of clothing, or anything else which might be noticed?
Bald, usually with a beard, a scar over his right eye, he has a stern face that lights up when he smiles. Mostly though the first thing people notice are the tattoos. Many mistake them for a brand of Sith tattoos and he allowed both allies and enemies to think so while he was Sith. Truthfully though they are a dedication to Helm the Valkyri god of War and Justice.
He used to interpret the red spirals indicate a never ending path of blood he has sworn an oath to follow, the grey ash coloured skin canvas is a commitment that his body will die in battle.
Now he believes the bloody swirls symbolised is instead symbolises that he is willing to shed his own blood in defence of others, and that his ghostly complexion a representation to die in the service of others.
In terms of clothes Ragnar generally wears:
Shoulder Armor/Cape: Often wears a dark, shaggy animal pelt or thick wool cape over his left shoulder for warmth.
Chest Harness: A simple, dark leather strap harness leaves his right side bare, showcasing his chest scar from a Jedi's lightsaber and signature red tattoo.
Armored Gauntlets: Leather and iron-riveted bracers covering his forearms.
Kilt and Belt: A long, wrapped leather kilt and a thick leather belt (or double-belted) with a cloth sash.
Accessories: Leather boots and various pouches
INVENTORY
His Axe and Chain Blades-
PERSONALITY AND BELIEFS
To understand who Ragnar is now you have to understand who he was then.
Ragnar is now reformed but he once believed it was his destiny to die in battle as the greatest warrior in the galaxy. He got sacred tattoos symbolising blood and death and the warrior way of life. A foolish angry man's oath. He indulged in the rage, the pain, the passion and the power of the dark side. He fought for Sith in various forms the Sith code seemed a natural extension of his own. That the only freedom was in the glory of battle.
Now Ragnar is ashamed of his former life, he tries to reconcile the sacred oath he took to Helm and the gods by telling himself his previous interpretation was the blasphemy. That now it is his duty to risk shedding his own blood for others, to die in the service of those who need to be defended. To give them hope in their darkest moment.
Another aspect Ragnar has discovered since his reformation is his sense of humor. It is frequent, raucous, gentle, kind, giving and wholesome. He believes he cannot give people hope solely through martial actions, humour is crucial to make someone laugh in dire times is a gift. As such Ragnar can be quite silly in his natural state. He likes to think of it as a breath of fresh air.
STRENGTHS
Combat- Ragnar Ironhope has been fighting it feels like his entire life. First as a young warrior on Midvinter then as a misspent decades as a Sith Marauder, now he's fighting to defend good people and redeem himself.
Force- Powerful with physical applications of the force, at least as applied to personal combat.
WEAKNESSES
Piloting- Ragnar just didn't grow up around ships, he's a lousy pilot, he can get point a to be if you don't mind a bumpy ride, but he's not going to be winning any races.
Tactics- Although he has been fighting for nearly a century it has always been on the very front lines, more a Champion than a General, Ragnar leaves the big decisions up to others just tell him where to go and who to fight.
HISTORY
Ragnar was a Northern Valkyri, he was an angry young man, prone to brawls and growling at anyone for any reason. The only light in his life was Lagertha a pretty young maiden the desired catch of the entire village. For some reason she saw through his irritability, almost as if she made it her mission to tease him into a smile. More often than not it worked.
They fell in love, married had a beautiful daughter.
Those were the good times. Before the Jotnar came. It came killing without mercy. Ragnar lost everything. He killed the monstrous thing, barely, gaining a permanent scar across his eye. The village grieved with him, many also spoke in whispers of how he killed such a great foe, one fool one night when Ragnar was drowning his grief in ale congratulated him on a fine kill.
Ragnar nearly beat him to death. It felt good. To unleash his rage on someone else, cause someone else pain. It felt right. So he started brawling, any chance he got. Eventually he was kicked out of the village.
Ragnar was found by someone who wanted to help, a wise man. He suggested what Ragnar needed was to turn to religion in the wake of his loss. Ragnar spat out in anger what had the gods ever done for him, all he wanted to do was fight and die.
"There's a god for that." Was the reply.
Ragnar laughed a cold bitter laugh.
"Well then I may as well be cursed by the gods twice." Ragnar replied.
He swore an oath to shed blood and die in battle to Helm. Ragnar called himself Ragnar Bloodborne.
Not wanting to shed his own peoples blood Ragnar knew the only option was to leave. First chance he got he caught a ship off world. Fought as a mercenary in any conflict that would take him, fell in with the Sith who trained him further. The Dark Side seemed a natural evolution. He may as well be thrice cursed.
Eventually he went up against a Jedi that was his match. A Yinchorri Xuan Wu. The details don't matter. Ragnar fought, Ragnar fell, stabbed through the chest. Finally he was free.
He woke up in a cabin in the woods. Xuan Wu was making tea.
Ragnar realised his release had been denied to him.
"You should have killed me." Ragnar said softly.
Xuan Wu shrugged.
"Perhaps. We will see."
Ragnar considered attacking, but when he tried to get up he collapsed the pain in his chest too great.
"If I help, will you give me your word you will not attack?" Xuan Wu requested.
Ragnar snarled and tried again. And again. And Again. Panting he glowered at Xuan Wu. Xuan Wu waited, watching patiently. Ragnar snarled, rolled over with effort, giving Xuan Wu his back.
Ragnar stayed for days, turning into weeks, to months, to years. Xuan Wu became a good friend. At some point Ragnar told him everything. Breaking down sobbing. Xuan Wu listened without judgement.
Eventually Ragnar was healed in body, but he knew that the Jedi path Xuan Wu offered wasn't for him. Xuan Wu offered an alternative, a simple life, to return home to Midvinter.
Ragnar did so. Exploring his home planet looking for a place to call home. Torn between doing the right thing and his oath to the gods. One day the call came that the Duergar needed aid, a fel species of Uruks were pressing them.
Ragnar answered the call, not entirely sure why or which path he was following. He found himself befriending a Duergar family, being welcomed into their Hearth & Home. Life was good again. It wasn't his family, but at least he was close to a loving one that welcomed him.
One day the Uruk's broke through in the section of the tunnels the family was living in. Ragnar led the counter charge and defence. He was given a new name and a new purpose that day. Ragnar Ironhope. A way to fulfill his oath to Helm in a manner he would be proud of. To fight in service of others, to give them hope.
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