Slash

Slash was born on the frontiers of the human lands, near the Deadlands, also known as the Orcish wastes, as Willem Thatcher. He was born to a human mother, Bonnie Thatcher, who was brutally raped by orcish raiders. His mother was never really accepted back into the human village, especially since her husband was killed in the same orc raid. However, Willem's mother was proud and strong. She raised Willem even though neither of them were really accepted as part of the village. They lived on the outskirts raising pigs and chickens. The other kids used to pick on Willem and call him names. The favorite name they used was Slash. When still rather young, Willem was helping his mother with the chickens since she was very sick and could not do it herself. While doing this the rooster went berserk and raked a large claw across Slash's face, leaving a scar that is still visible. Slash was actually rather proud of this name because he recieved his scar while helping his mother whom he very much loved. Slash was always bigger and stronger than the other boys. He usually could beat any of them one on one, but they would gang up on him. His mother was very intelligent and taught him to be smart as well. So though Slash got in his fair share of fights, he also learned to be sneaky and to take advantage of his opponents when he could.

When Slash, as he was known now to everyone but his mother, reached 13 years of age his mother was very sick. Slash tried to care for her the best he could. He even tried to sell the pigs and the chickens for medicines. But the medicine was for naught and his mother soon passed away. He mourned her, but, having no money and no livestock, he knew he had to move on quickly. He was already very large and strong for his age, able to beat most of the 18 year olds in wrestling, so he signed up for the border gaurd. He was given some cheap weapons and sent on patrol. During his first patrol they met savage, brutal orcs who killed nearly the entire patrol. He managed to escape by playing dead and hiding under a rocky outcropping. Now he was wandering alone in the wastelands. It was not long before he was found by a band of mercenaries/brigands called the Wolfpack. It was a very mixed group with orcs, half orcs, humans and even some other races. They were known for there raiding and fighting methods which were effective and brutal. They were also known as the people who worked for money first, loyalties to countries, etc, second. They fought guerilla style, unlike most standard armies. Slash fit in well. He was smart and sneaky, but also immensely strong and dangerous. He became one of the 'Packs rangers. Scouts who were also dangerous fighters. During this time he learned to speak Orc. He also met Ember, a halfling rogue who recieved his name from his bright red hair. Ember taught him how to move quiet as a mouse and hide anywhere.

Ember was one of his best friends during this time. They got along fairly well and watched each others backs. The Wolfpack could easily turn upon its own when money was at stake. Indeed, during the 3 years that Slash was with them he and Ember survived two major coupes which left many of the 'Pack dead. Ember was very good at gathering information to pick the winning side and avoid the intrigue that could have otherwise gotten them in trouble. Slash provided the muscle.

Slash and Ember had established themselves in the Pack and after 3 years were some of the most senior members. Fang, who was the current leader, was especially mean, cruel and evil preferring to raid and pillage than any real fighting. The money was good so the Pack went along with it at first. However, the first few raids focused on caravans and food and they left alive those they captured or held them hostage for ransom. More and more though Fang and his henchmen began killing and torturing, not just capturing. This grew more and more mumbles. Not only is it excessive to many of the Pack, but also was a waste of money. Money was the primary concern. Talk of another coupe began to spring forth, but this time Slash was chosen to be the leader.

Fortunately, or perhaps not, the coupe never happened. The last raid of the 'Pack was on the caravan of a rich nobleman. The caravan was bringing the beautiful virgin daughter of the Earl of Cunningham to be wed to Lord Atreides. Fang found her and did terrible things to her. He kept her alive for days raping, torturing and finally killing her. Her body was discarded and eventually found by the local Militia. When word got back to the Earl he was furious and demanded that each and every one of the Fang be brought before him. He dispatched troops, along with rangers and bounty hunters. They located the camp of the Wolfpack and destroyed them. Many were killed, some taken captive, very few escaped. Slash happened to be out hunting when the attack occured. He came as close as he dared, but was naught he could do. His last vision of the camp before he left was his friend Ember in a jail cart being lead out from the camp with the few other survivors. The survivors were crucified along the roads from the frontier back to the Earls lands as a warning to others. Fang himself was caught alive and disappeared into the Earls dungeons. It is rumored that he still lives, though is tortured to death every day and brought back to life with magic to suffer yet another day. Slash looked and looked for Embers body. He found many of his friends from the pack, all dead, but no Ember. The few leads he got all were dead ends.

The next couple years Slash found himself wandering the frontier. He visited human towns now and then, and although not turned away, was usually not made welcome. From his time with the Pack he had learned Orcish and many Orcish customs so he was able to visit his Orc brethren as well. Again, he was not usually much appreciated and he didn't care for the savagery and brutishness of the orcish villages. So he lived alone in the woods mostly. His previous skills served him well. The last 2 years he has spent doing various things, never staying in any area for very long. He made some extra money as a bounty hunter, poacher, caravan gaurd/guide, mercenary and has even hired himself out to bandits and brigands who are looking for a little added muscle.

Slash has a disdain for kings and earls and government. They have never done anything to help him or his mother. He also does not consider himself a citizen anywhere. Therefore he feels that laws do not really apply to him. He only obeys the law if it is convenient for him to do so or if the penalty for breaking the law is unavoidable. He is not evil though. He generally stays away from people and believes in a live and let live attitude. He will not go out of his way to help anyone, but has a soft spot for poor tradesmen (like farmers) and halflings. He does not care for the haughty and the rich. His code of honor is eye for an eye. If someone does something to you, then you get them back just as good if not worse.

He is very large 6' 5" and about 280 lbs. Built like a rock. He dresses in leathers and usually wears his chainmail shirt. He wears a wide leather belt with a sword and axe attached. He also keeps 2 throwing axes close in order to get to them fast and a dagger in his boot. He keeps a shield, bow and quiver, and backpack strapped to his back and a huge brown bear fur cloak to top it all off. He is usually muddy and sweaty, though he does like to bathe in natural streams and springs when they are available. Does not care for perfumed baths and the like. He has a very visible scar about 6" long that goes down the left side of his face close to his eye. He also has a tattoe of a wolves paw on his right shoulder. Other than that he has green eyes and long brown hair in braids with feathers and beads. In fact he is quite hairy all around and dark, deeply tanned skin.

Noteworthy NPCs.

Bonnie Thatcher - Mother, died when Slash was 13.

Ember - Halfling rogue from the Wolfpack. Captured by the Earl, but current status unknown, believed to be dead.

Fang - Leader of the Wolfpack in its final days. Cruel, evil and viscious. Either dead or in the Earls Prison.

Earl of Cunngham - His daughter was raped and murdered by Fang. He was responsible for putting a bounty on the head of all the Wolfpack members. He provided major amounts of troops to smash the Pack. Undoubtedly Slash's name is on the list of the Pack that are still wanted, as the living members were all tortured before they were killed. How much the bounty is, whether anyone is trying to collect, or if the Earl is even still offering an award is unknown to Slash, though he has never encountered any lawmen or bounty hunters who tried to take him down for being a Wolfpacker.

Lord Atreides - Son in law of the Earl. He has either married one of the Earls younger daughters, or is promised one in the future if they are not yet marrying age.

Wolfpack - Mercenary/brigand group that met it's end about 2 years ago. In it's heyday was known for it's efficient and deadly raiding and fighting style. All members have a tatto of a wolf paw print, usually on the arm or forearm.