Sigvar Stormhorn
Character Profile: Sigvar Stormhorn
Description
- Gender: Male
- Race: Variant Human
- Class: Cleric
- Subclass: Twilight Domain
- Faith: Ilmater
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Background: Outlander
Appearance
- Eyes: Blue
- Hair: Auburn
- Skin: Fair
- Height: 5'8"
- Weight: 165
Attributes
- Strength: 13
- Dexterity: 10
- Constitution: 16
- Intelligence: 10
- Wisdom: 18
- Charisma: 8
Skills
- Languages: giant, common, elvish
- Proficiencies: animal-handling, survival, insight, horn, religion, athletics
- Expertises: none
Known Spells
- Thaumaturgy
- Bless
- Detect Magic
- Healing Word
- Hold Person
- Guidance
- Life Transference
- Spirit Guardians
- Dispel Magic
- Augury
- Spare the Dying
- Sacred Flame
- Spiritual Weapon
- Command
Background
Childhood
Raised on the rugged highlands of the Storm Islands, Sigvar learned to care for himself, his family, and their herd of Stormhorn cattle. His family, like many Storm Islanders, had a deep connection to their ancestors, and herding cattle gave Sigvar ample time to reflect on his heritage and his place in the world.
The Death of Agnhild
On a grim day during Sigvar's youth, he and his sister Agnhild were en route to the market in town, carrying goods for trade. As they navigated the rugged path, marauding raiders from the sea suddenly ambushed them. These brigands threatened not only to steal their goods but also to abduct Agnhild. In a desperate bid to protect her, a frenzied struggle erupted, ending in heartbreak. When the bandits finally subdued Sigvar, he was devastated to find Agnhild lifeless. Overwhelmed by grief and racked with doubt, he feared that in the tumult, it was his own hand that had fatally struck her down.
The bandits, not content merely with killing him, cruelly strung Sigvar up with heavy ropes and thorny vines against a tree, subjecting him to the agony of starvation under the scorching summer sun. They left the corpse of his sister before him, only to torture him further. Exposed to the relentless elements, Sigvar found fleeting comfort only in the brief coolness of dusk. Yet, he refused to succumb to death. With each new dawn, he thanked his ancestors for the strength to endure another night, fueled by the hope of one day bringing justice to the bandits and, perhaps, atoning for the tragedy he feared he had caused.
As the days stretched on without rain, Sigvar's sole means of hydration came from the sparse moisture he extracted by chewing on the thorny branches of the tree to which he was bound. Over time, his senses dulled, and the line between dreams, nightmares, and his harsh reality blurred. Time lost all meaning, and it seemed he was suspended from the tree indefinitely.
At the morning twilight of what Sigvar believed to be his last day, he began to pray—not just to his ancestors but to any divine entity that might heed his desperate calls. He vowed to atone for his sins and to aid the needy. In a sudden rush of clarity that seemed to answer his prayers, the dim red light of sunrise revealed his ancestors approaching, including Agnhild, all smiling warmly. Among them, a figure appeared broken yet comforting. As Agnhild reached out and touched his hand, she gently untied his bonds. Just then, a soothing rain began, dissolving his ropes and cleansing away the thorns.
As he collapsed to the ground, freed but exhausted, Agnhild and the visions vanished. Despite his weakened state, a profound determination filled him, invigorating his spirit.
Empowered by this revitalized strength, Sigvar committed to fulfilling his vows: he would never rest, he would continue to atone. Wrapping the thorns around his wrists as a reminder of the pain he intended to conquer, he sensed a divine force intensify within him. Ilmater, sensing his resolve, had bestowed upon him the power to channel his ancestors’ spiritual energy through himself.
He gathered his sister's remains, and carried her back to his homestead for a proper burial. He kept a lock of her hair, and fashioned his metal barbed arm bindings, to remind him of the only thing that gave him purpose now.
Loss of a Family Heirloom
In the bandit ambush, the thieves stole an amulet that Agnhild had inherited from her grandmother. Sigvar now seeks to recover this family heirloom, honoring Agnhild’s memory.
Travels
With his newfound devotion, Sigvard broke up with his homestead, leaving his two older brother to help his parents with the cattle. He set out into the world to learn more and find places where he was needed the most. Where he could most effectively use his powers.
His journey took a turn to Blood Haven, where he aimed to help those in distress. While he achieved some success, conflicts with local forces escalated, culminating in his killing an infamous bandit leader in a public duel, which forced him to flee the area.
Throughout his travels, Sigvar indulged in mead and revelry, habits that contrasted with his spiritual aspirations. These indulgences led to self-reproach, prompting him to atone through self-punishment and a renewed commitment to do good, striving to balance his shortcomings with acts of kindness.
Personality and Behavior
- Sociable and Optimistic: Sigvar consistently presents a cheerful demeanor, striving to forge friendships and lighten the spirits of those around him, even during challenging times. His outgoing nature and eagerness to connect can sometimes be perceived as overwhelming, particularly because he lacks finesse in social interactions. It can sometimes seem as if he's forcing himself to be happy, to hide a darkness.
- Rooted in Tradition: A true son of the Storm Islands, Sigvar's cultural heritage profoundly influences his lifestyle. No amount of religious devotion alters his fondness for Storm Islander traditions, including enjoying a good drink and engaging in friendly scuffles, which he views as expressions of strength and honor.
- Reflective Meditator: In quieter moments, such as during rests, Sigvar often observes nature or people, meditating and seeking to understand his ancestors’ guidance through the lens of his spiritual beliefs.
- Economical and Strategic: While careful with expenditures, Sigvar is adept at making strategic investments, particularly in personal equipment or community resources, always considering the long-term benefits.
- Selflessly Altruistic: Always prioritizing the needs of others over his own, Sigvar embraces personal sacrifice as a noble endeavor, believing that true honor lies in the welfare of the needy.
Relevant Relations
- The Chieftain's Son: Ildur Fanjord, son of chieftain Svendir Bedjar, is a well-known figure from Sigvar's homelands. Sigvar and Ildur have never met, but Sigvar respects chieftain Svendir's family deeply, and is aware of ongoing related issues in the Storm Islands.
Persistent Challenges
- Missing Ancestral Amulet: Sigvar's family has misplaced a vital amulet that is essential for sustaining their spiritual ties to their ancestors. Sigvar is determined to recover it.
- Targeted by Crime Syndicates: In Bloodhaven, Sigvar has become a target, relentlessly pursued by various criminal organizations.
- Compulsion to Aid: Sigvar is driven to seek out areas and circumstances where he can deliver significant aid to those in distress.
Flaws and Weaknesses
- Self-harm: Sigvar takes pride in his physical pain tolerance, but there's a possibility much of it is also a bad habit of escaping from his inner demons.
- Fondness for Mead: Sigvar often indulges in mead, viewing his resulting discomfort as a form of atonement for his perceived failings. While not debilitating, these hangovers serve as a self-imposed penance, reflecting his deep-seated belief in enduring pain as a path to redemption.
- Clumsy: Sigvar's low dexterity makes him less agile, particularly in environments requiring quick or precise movements. His time at sea highlights this weakness, as he struggles with seasickness and maintaining balance on the tossing decks of ships.
- Hesitation and Self-Doubt: Deeply conscientious about the moral implications of his actions, Sigvar often hesitates, burdened by doubt regarding the righteousness of his decisions. This can delay his responses in critical situations, sometimes complicating matters further.
- Reserved Influence: Sigvar often finds it challenging to assert himself and inspire confidence in others. His modest presence may lead to difficulties in persuading or leading groups, impacting his effectiveness in social interactions and his ability to rally support for his causes. This trait makes him more reliant on wisdom and compassion rather than charismatic leadership in his endeavors.