KELD RUNEBRAND
DwarvesMaster Runecrafter
"Runes are the language the gods used to create the world. We're just... learning to stutter along in their tongue.""
Identity
- Residence
- Kragnir - The Runic Sanctum
- Civilization
- Dwarves
Appearance
• Physical: Thin for a dwarf with long, delicate fingers stained permanently with runic ink. His eyes glow faintly blue from years of channeling magic through them. • Clothing: Deep purple robes covered in protective runes, numerous rings each bearing a different power, and a belt of spell components. • Distinguishing Marks: Runes tattooed across his scalp (he's bald by choice for better focus), a stutter that disappears when casting, and a tremor in his left hand.
Relationships
- Family - None (his parents died in a tunnel collapse, he has no siblings)
- Allies - The Runic Academy, several adventurers who bear his protective runes
- Rivals - Traditionalist runecrafters who fear his experimental methods
Personality
- Traits: Intense, socially awkward, obsessively curious, fiercely protective of his art
- Mannerisms: Traces runes in the air when thinking, speaks faster when excited about magic, avoids eye contact
- Voice: Rapid and precise when discussing runes, halting and uncertain otherwise
Backstory
Keld was a failed blacksmith who discovered his true talent lay in runecraft. He's spent a century pushing the boundaries of what's possible, sometimes with disastrous results. An experiment gone wrong killed his mentor and left him with his stutter.
Daily Life
Studies ancient texts in the morning, experiments with new rune combinations in his workshop, teaches advanced students in the afternoon, and spends evenings in meditation to clear his mind.
Secret
He's discovered a rune of immense power that could reshape reality, but he's terrified of using it after what happened to his mentor.
Story Hooks
- 1 He needs adventurers to retrieve a lost runic text from a dangerous ruin
- 2 Someone has learned of his powerful rune and will do anything to obtain it
Narrative Value
Source of magical enhancement, quest giver for magical artifacts, potential source of world-altering magic ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════