Sir Balder
Sir Balder (a.k.a. The Northman)
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Balder is built large and strong. His Norslov heritage shows strongly, as he is fair and towers over most of his fellow Swords. He's particularly noted for his broad shoulders and large hands.
Facial Features
One of Balder's most distinctive features is his blond beard. He keeps it a bit shaggy, but not long enough obscure his strong jawline.
Physical quirks
Balder was born deaf and is also mute.
Specialized Equipment
Balder's signature sword is a greatsword. He's also proficient with picks, hammers, axes, and just about anything else heavy and devastating when wielded two-handed.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Balder was born and raised in a small mining town in Norslov. He was born deaf, but wasn't taken to healers and diagnosed until his was six. Up until that point, his family had simply considered him "a bit slow." Due to the lateness of the diagnosis, the label stuck.
Balder learned to lip read, but was never given the opportunity to learn how to write, and so remained unable to communicate. He was raised to take on the heavy labor jobs in the mines, and threw himself into excelling at those, growing into a giant of a man.
Then, Sir Rodnell passed through his town on a quest and recognized the struggle young Balder was experiencing. He took a few weeks off his journey to teach Balder and his family Kaelic Hand, a language of hand signs developed by the Temple's Hospitable Order. The first time Balder was able to speak with his mother, he broke down in tears.
When Rodnell left to continue his journey, Balder begged to accompany him, to find a way to pay him back for what he had given him. When, on top of his strength, Balder proved to possess a cool head even on the battlefield, Rodnell offered him a squireship in the Order of Mikel's Sword, which Balder eagerly accepted.
Gender Identity
Male
Employment
Balder is currently a member of the Order of Mikel's Sword, the Kaelic Temple's order of divine justiciers.
Intellectual Characteristics
Balder is not, in fact, as slow as he was assumed in childhood, though he's learned to accept that assumption even now (as his large physical build often makes people think he's nothing but a dim brute).
In fact, Balder is among the most empathetic and kind of the Mikel's Swords. He pursues peaceful resolutions wherever possible and takes pleasure in supporting his fellow Swords. He's reserved around strangers, but those close to him also observe a gentle, goofy sense of humor.
Morality & Philosophy
Personality Characteristics
Virtues & Personality perks
Balder is capable of keeping a cool, clear head even in the chaos of battle.
Vices & Personality flaws
Balder's most notable flaw is his propensity toward inaction, especially when difficult decisions must be made. He has difficulty making his own decisions and defers quickly to those with more aggressive personalities, even when he disagrees.
Hygiene
Growing up in a small mining community as he has, Balder is less fastidious about his hygiene and personal habits than many of the noble-born Swords prefer. It is a long-standing joke among the Swords that if someone's committed a hygienic or laundry-related faux pas, it was probably Balder.
Social
Speech
Balder does not speak verbally. He uses Kaelic Hand, which Swords and servants in the Anvil have been taught in turn.
Ethnicity
Birthplace
Norslov
Children
Current Residence
The Anvil
Eyes
Blue
Hair
Shaggy, mousy blond
Height
6' 8"
Weight
260 lbs
Aligned Organization
Other Affiliations
- Imperial Common (Lip reading only)
- Kaelic Hand
- Waving Through a Window from Dear Evan Hansen
- Sovngarde Song by Miracle of Sound
Comments