Karag Giantslayer

Karag is the current war-leader of Stoneheart Hold who has strove to rebuild much of the Hold's former glory. Keeps that were abandoned across the realms have been reclaimed, repaired, and currently stand ready to repel its foes. This has brought Stoneheart into conflict with many of the nations who have claimed these lands over the years, but Karag has dealt with that by threatening to withhold valuable trade routes unless their ancestral claims were recognized. This has made him many enemies among those nations not traditionally opposed to Stoneheart as well as within the largest merchant clans.

Karag comes from a rich and powerful clan; however that alone did not secure for him the position of Warleader of Stoneheart. It was on a long scouting mission deep into Eishen territory where Karag earned his name and reputation. As they were leaving the area around the Eishen town of Runish his patrol was ambushed by a large giant. The giant made quick work of the others before Karag could close with the mighty creature. A fierce battle ensued until Karag at least landed a deathblow and felled the giant. Of his patrol only Morag still lived. Ignoring his own wounds, Karag carried the wounded dwarf back towards Fort Shard.

If being knighted as a dwarven hero for slaying the giant, saving his soldiers and still finishing the and saving wasn't enough — Karag went on to success in several more campaigns, eventually leading to his being named general over the northern army. For that high command it was only natural that when Pargoth left the post that he would be named the new warleader. Still, it was only the second time in the history of Stoneheart that the new warleader came from the ranks of the northern army.

Since becoming warleader he has brought to the attention the sorry state of affairs that have begun to dwindle the military power of Stoneheart. Once unmatched by any nation in the realms, they currently can do little more than threaten or support their nearest neighbors. With new funds and some personal initiative he has begun the process of clearing the tunnels from its inhabitants over the years, clashing often with the snakemen who prefer dwarven tunnels to their own. Forts have begun being rebuilt and upgraded as necessary. It will take a long time for the dwarven army to fully shake off the lethargy that has sapped it strength — but the dwarves feel they have time to spare.

Karag is no longer the young firebrand that slew the giant and then carried his companion home to safety. During the battles between then and now he has lost his left leg, right hand, and has trouble seeing out of his right eye. The full picture of a grizzled veteran his is now the face and personage that scares little children back into bed. However, those who have met him know that he is the iron forged in the heat that becomes the finest dwarven steel.

His coal black beard is just beginning to show grey streaks that he shows with pride. A crisscross of scars cover his body from his many campaigns, which has darkened from the sun and wrinkled from the lost muscle. While he is still a fearsome opponent his wounds have caught up enough that he can no longer fight in the line.

His right eye rarely focusses properly and has a slight milky color from his partial blindness. The left is still a chocolate brown and sharp as ever. Unlike his body, his mind and speech still work wonderfully well and many councils have been forced to quiet when he begins barking at them during sessions. He has little patience for fools and will use his bulk, reputation, appearance, and anything else to make others see his view.

Until the dwarven army regains it full strength they have relied on outside mercenaries to fill the gaps. This allows them to continue to train and husband their strength in case they are really needed. It is possible the characters could be hired through a third party to acquire some things that Karag needs for his army. This is even more important if the character is a spell-caster, with any in their ranks the dwarves have been forced to turn to mostly human magicians.