Brutus

Brutus is the very first Warforged in Fearun. Through Brutus, I have not only created a character history, but perhaps an origin story for a new race in Forgotten Realms. Ignacio and I have thought of ways to do this since Vindication of the Merchant Nation, but now, our efforts pay off.

Description
Brutus is just over 6’6 weighing 313lbs. Brutus appears to be a large man made of metal. His body is thick and large. His eyes have no expression and his mouth is just a flap that barely moves and lights up. His eyes light in a bright shining blue color when he is active. His body is a cold shade of gray. Around his joints are areas made of wood. Brutus is a prototype and there are several measurements scratches lightly along parts of his body. He is very large and wide. Scale armor is embedded into his body. On his forehead, there is an acronym spelling IMLF 00. On his stomach there is a small inside compartment with the name Brutus scratches inside.

Personality
Brutus is quiet. He is confused and timid. He knows he is an outcast to the regular world and often wonders the events of his past life. He wants to be accepted. He learned quickly that the world is a harsh place. Brutus is a kind soul, but he knows that the world is a harsh place and he needed to adapt to stay alive. Brutus simply wants to live a peaceful life away from persecution of his existence. He has learned that his only path to salvation through companionship. If Brutus can find friends, then he can support while dealing with his demons.

Family & Relationships
Brutus has no biological family, but his creator, his "father" is Eustace Califomme. Though he never met Eustace, he knows some people who knew Eustace. An old cleric that was part of Jonas Califomme's original team, Komiyartis, the gnome that Eustace spoke of, MeLuis Rollenbrocket and several others he did not really meet. For now, they are the closest thing to family that he has.

History of his Birth
Devil with the Devil: Eustace Califomme was in the face of death. He starred at the angry face of Demogorgon and other large and terrible fiends in a large table. Eustace stood with his friends next to Dhansis Khaldun and next to the most decorated and powerful being who’s presence even outmatched the primal fear Demogorgon. Eustace sat next to the Lord of Nine, Asmodeus. Asmodeus talked to Demogorgon. At that table, the cease fire between the Lord of Nine and the Prince of Demons was broken when the Orc fired his shot and slew the Arch Fiend Eltab. Asmodeus’s consort, Dhansis Khaldun, Eustace Calofomme and his friends were sentenced to death by the Prince of Demons for plotting against the Cult of Eltab and allowing Eltab to die. As Demogorgon shrieked and marked all there for death, Asmodeus’s Ruby Rod glowed and teleported them all to safety in the Nessus. The Lord of Nine had saved Eustace and all of his friends, but for a price. All they had to do was repay Asmodeus with one favor each. It was a simple cost for their life.

That would not be the last time that Eustace Califomme saw Dhansis Khaldun. Eustace bought Dhansis’s services as a tracker to track a creation of his father. Dhansis was to find Athanas, the immortal construct created by Jonas Califomme. The being was both Jonas’s greatest work, but also his demise. Eustace sought to kill this abomination. Dhansis found the being, but he could not approach it. Eustace would later find Athanas in the Dalelands. Athanas was not what he expected. He was majestic and alive. Eustace pictured a monster when he thought of a Humunculus that killed his father. Athanas had a divine aura around him. He was loved where ever he went. Athanas had a long conversation with Eustace. Jonas’s death was at a time of anger and confusion. Athanas with a living being, not an object. Athanas knew that Jonas would see him as a creation and he acted with confusion and rage. He told Eustace that he had spent his life wishing to be Eustace. He would like to know what it really felt like to have a father. Eustace’s intelligence and genuine words broke through the cold heart of the construct. By the end, it was Eustace that pitied this being. Athanas was unmatched in power, immortal and had the knowledge of the world, yet he was blind to his own life. His creation does not decide his purpose.

Asmodeus would send his most loyal few to address the people what their favors would be. Dhansis suggested that he would go to Eustace because of prior experiences. Eustace was to make a humanoid construct fit for battle that could harbor any one soul. This machine would need to be able to be given the gift of life. Dhansis made it clear that this was what Asmodeus wanted from him. Though Eustace could not see through Dhansis’s lies about what this construct’s uses; he knew that the Lord of Nine was still a devil and he was doing Hell a favor. Eustace would have finished faster, but it was not long since he had his friends saved Sembia from Sharran persecution that Sembia would be split in a civil war by the actions of the newly returned state of Netheril. Eustace spent most of his time acting as a fighter in the war and as a military scientist. Eustace’s favor got finished, but he never had time to give it to Dhansis before he died in Ordulin. Eustace fought to his last breath, but he did not forget about his creation. In a personal compartment, Eustace had an old radio message set for him as soon as he was activated. Eustace also spoke to MeLuis about what had happened and asked him to keep his and his father’s technology out of the wrong hands.

It would not be for almost a 100 years that he would become a issue again. Dhansis Khaldun had found he too busy with other projects to venture into the Shadowfell of Ordulin to retrieve the finished prototype Warforged. Dhansis had become a Duke Devil himself and made acted as benefactor to Calvin Corp. Acting as Dennis Kasey 1st, 2nd, and presently 3rd, he has managed to keep in relative strength within Calvin Corp. despite the family ties. Cornelius Ford is a shrew businessman when questionable traits. People still believe him to be a man with a good head on his shoulders, but some question his ethics from time to time. Dhansis received a call from Asmodeus that it would be time to retrieve the prototype from the Shadowfell. Dhansis was very busy other works, but Asmodeus could not be denied. Dhansis could almost taste Asmodeus’s new sleepless army of the damned.

Asmodeus did not wait a bit too soon. When Asmodeus decided it was time to act, not for an arbitrary reason, but he knew he could not let anyone else strike before he did. Asmodeus was smart. He wanted to unleash his army of the damned as a surprise. If he had Dhansis retrieve him earlier, that means that other people might have discovered the technology before his necessary opportunity to strike the heavens. Asmodeus waited the latest possible time to have Dhansis bring him back. Spark Hunters learned that the Shadovar within Netheril had planned to storm the Califomme compound learn their secrets. One of the Shade Princes was infatuated with the technologies of the Califomme. The science was like nothing they ever saw before, and its infusion of magic was much like the works they engaged in themselves back in the time of ancient Netheril. The Shade Prince ordered an elite team to enter the Shadowfell and learn any and everything available to them. Shades have looked at places in Ordulin before, but the Califomme compound was often beyond their grasp. This alone was intriguing to the Shade Prince. His ambitions would be pushed to side as Netheril rose to a world power, but in the wake of resistance from Cormyr, he suggested that learning from the powerful technology created by the Califomme family would help solidify their dominance over the world. What Asmodeus or the Shade Prince did not know was that Athanas himself knew about the creation of this prototype. Athanas had the power of a God, but no dominion to rule or help. He knew that if either Asmodeus or the Shade Prince got a hold of him, that lives would be enslaved because of Eustace’s invention. MeLuis was never able to find the lost Califomme compound in the Shadowfell. Athanas would give him the location of the compound in a dream. He decided that it would be best for the world if they could not misuse Eustace’s creation… Athanas could not destroy the shell… It was a shell for life, and opportunity to do something right. Instead of destroying the shell, Athanas pleaded to Kelemvore to take one of the souls of the faithless and breathe new life into Eustace’s creation. Kelemvore disagreed with this venture, but he also cried for the plight of life… Kelemvore aloud his emotions to get the best of him and agreed that it would right to use the souls of the faithless to give this machine life. The faithless are destined for nothing… now, a soul has a chance to live once more. At that moment, Athanas breathed life into Eustace’s creation, giving birth to Brutus, the IMLF 00, the Intelligent Mechanized Life Form 00. Brutus had the soul of a human who died during the Time of Troubles. He died after his deity and his soul was moved to the faithless. Now Brutus lives, with no memories of his past life as his own life form.

Transmitted Message
“ shshshs… Greetings and salutations. If you are getting this message, that means that you live. You are my greatest work and accomplishment, but more important than that, you are alive. What are you? You are an IMLF 00… an Intelligent Mechanized Life Form… Who are you?... You are Brutus, my creation… my son.

You are the first and only of your kind. You may look different from other beings, but you have a soul and a life like everyone else. You aint any more or less alive than anyone else. If you’re getting this message, that means that Athanas also gave you life. I gave you full knowledge of the Califomme Compound, your home… If my prediction is right, when you wake up, this land will be someplace in the Shadowfell. Hell, I hope nothing happens to you. What about me? Umm if you are hearin this message, that means I aint tellin you personally because I am probably dead. I don't want you to be about silly revenge like I was. I probably died fighting bravely for my country, like a hero.

I know I built in some knowledge, but no one knows everything. I wanted to tell you a few messages… My life’s actions lead to some mistakes, Brutus. One of these mistakes is being yours to bear. Be cautious of a man named Dhansis Khaldun or anyone from the Nine Hells. Being afraid of Hell aint a message I gotta program into you, but this is a little off. The devil himself helped save my life from a time far back. He wanted me to make you. Heavy message, but you live for no one other than yerself. I wadn’t about to let the devil take you and use to enslave other people. If you are hearing this message… there is a good chance, my dad’s old friend MeLuis Rollenbrocket is already on his way to pick you up. He's gnome and an expert tinkerer like me and my dad. He is also a good man. When he shows up, come with him and help him back my stuff. I always like the family name, but I gotta save the legacy. It aint dumping this problem on you though. MeLuis volunteered to keep the legacy safe. All I ask of you is to help him back this stuff. After that… live. I asked nothing of you, but hope for the best. You may be built as an adult, but you are still gotta grow up.

I hope you can forgive me for the stuff that happened. You will see that you were built tough. Remember that you are a life form like all other life forms. Like all humans and elves and stuff, you need parts to keep working right. The people on the outside might not know that, but you do. Know you aint all that different after all and you will find a good life. The world is a tough place, but you gotta be tougher. My personal advice is a find a group of friends and stay close. People will always be after you for what you are, but make a team of good friends by showin who you are instead of what.

May science be your guide… Live well, my son… shshshshshshshshs”

Eustace Califomme, Nightfall 11, 1379

That message is all that was recorded from Brutus's past. This is also the latest account from Eustace Califomme recorded before his death in the Sembian Civil War.

Friends of his Father, and his Father
The door to the Califomme compound opens as a small gnome with a beard enters the house. He is stockier than most gnomes and appears to have many tinkering projects on his person. He walks over to Brutus with a smile and introduces himself.

“Why hello, … uh Brutus. I am MeLuis… MeLuis Rollenbrocket. I am a good friend of your crea… father, and his father. Like your father, I to am an adventurer and a tinkerer. It is my pleasure to meet you. Your god Athanas lead me here to help you leave.”

Brutus was happy to hear these warm words. MeLuis was surprisingly accepting and kind towards Brutus. Brutus helped clear the Califomme compound before they left. The inside security, and all links to the superscience were all taken. Eustace did want MeLuis to hold the items to keep them in safe keeping and to make sure that the wrong hands could not find them. MeLuis knew that they could not waste time. Athanas gave him the hint because he knew it would not be long before the forces of Asmodeus and the forces of Netheril would find the compound.

Brutus left the compound and saw himself and the deep and dark horrors of the Shadowfell. The swirling blackness covered the sky as MeLuis created a teleportation circle. MeLuis brought him back to where he was staying. MeLuis brought them to a woods. Brutus had knowledge about the woods, but had no idea where he really was. MeLuis grabbed bark and twisted it like a door. He lead Brutus inside a door that looked far too small for him and then found himself inside a mansion. MeLuis lived like a king. He saw several figures.

A tall man with white robes walked towards Brutus and bowed before him.

“MeLuis, this is Brutus…? Brutus, my name is Komiyartis. I knew your father vaguely, but spend much time adventuring with your grandfather. I am a man of faith. It is a pleasure to see you. No matter size or shape, gender or race can stop someone from following their faith and their soul. I have joined MeLuis and several other of Eustace and Jonas’s living friends. We have become our own social club these past few years. It has become mildly expansive after the inclusions of Jonas’s living professors from Halruahh and Dario’s many contacts from back in the day. You will find that you are always welcome here. Though you might not know where it is, we can find you if you want to look for us. Eustace told us before his passing about what plagues follow you. I assure you, that we will do everything in our power to help you live a normal life, and grant the wish of my late friend.”

Other people in unique robes introduce themselves to Brutus. He was very confused. These people were nice, but is he to live here with them. They all told him that it was Brutus’s choice what he really wanted to do with his life. Living outside would give him a great potential for growth, but also gives the risk of danger. Eustace was a good man, but he did not limit his actions.

Brutus wanted to live in the home of his father. MeLuis told him that that was no option anymore. The compound was there home and his father’s home town was thrown into the Shadowfell during the Twilight War when the Shadovar Empire fired the Shadow Scar into Ordulin. Komiyartis suggested a life in the Dalelands. It was the most unassuming place for people and adventurers. Jonas spent much time in the Dalelands. If he could not life where his father lived, then he could live in some places where his grandfather lived. Brutus accepted the idea and soon left for the Dalelands.

Komiyartis brought him to the location where he first met Athanas. He spoke of Athanas in a bitter, but respectful tone. It was as if Komiyartis himself did not understand Athanas. He said that it would be good to discover himself through his home, but also his spirituality. One’s outside is never a reason to ignore the inside.

Brutus had no real cause outside his own life. He was told that there might be trouble for him and that he had a home if he needed a place to do. Brutus thought that the best thing he could do was live as close to a normal life as he could. He knew that he could not be a commoner, but Brutus believed that if he wanted to fit in, his best chance to fit in was with other people that stood out. Adventuring was common in the Dalelands, and he believed he was told that it was the magnet for the strange and capable. Brutus knew that his body mold was built for combat.

Memories of his Soul
Brutus was given life from a man named Joachim Kailas, a man who died in the Troubled Times. He originally worshiped Cyric before he betrayed his faith. When he betrayed his faith, he was killed and became a faithless as a result. He was the soul Kelemvore used to allow Athanas to give Brutus life.

Personality
Joachim has long slick back hair with a few graying stripes along it. He has a slick beard. He commonly wore Black Robes. Joachim lived two lives though. He has a private family life and a business life as a clergy of Baal. He had a regular family, a loving wife and kids. Joachim was a taller than average man with light blue eyes, almost pale. His skin was very white. He has regular relaxing clothing and commonly hid one life from the other.

Personality
Joachim was a vindictive person. He had his family, and his faith. Everyone else was a possible threat to his happiness. He killed and called hits on anyone that he believed could be a threat to his happiness. To those of his faith and his enemies, he was cold. He cared little for most human life and was no beyond torture. He never smiled and had no emotions. His stare was as cold as death itself and his words never showed sympathy for anyone. With his family, he could not be any different. He believed that the world was a horrible place and the only way to be happy was to be even more horrible than his enemies. He held close to his family and loved every moment. He ended up hinting to his wife that he was a bad man. With his family he was guilty of his actions, but he believed it was necessary to keep them safe and a live.

History
Joachim was born into the faith of Baal. His parents were fanatical followers and gave their son to their god as a sacrifice for a use of a powerful ritual to kill their enemies. Luckily for Joachim, the ritualists were attacked and they all fled. Joachim’s parents were killed and the others there decided it would be better to teach the boy than repeat the ritual. Even the other priests of Baal felt sadness when Joachim was sad for his parent’s death… They did not feel sad that they died, but sad that he felt bad for it. Those two were going to sacrifice and torture their own son to death and he missed them. The clergy were not to be confused with good people. Joachim was still brainwashed and put through pain when he learned, but his teachings made him a very deadly and efficient member of the Church of Baal.

Baal lived two lives. He was a land owner in Waterdeep and he was a member of the Dark Clergy of Baal. He slowly grew in both lives. He would get married and grow a family. He originally did it to lose track of the Harpers, but he did not want to admit to his fellow clergy that he truly loved his family. It was the only time that Joachim was ever happy. He could not stay with them for long enough, and they knew he was busy, but he worked for them and to protect them. He always tried to keep both lives apart. His family would be mortified if they knew he was a horrible murderer, and if his enemies knew he had a family, they would target them to get past his iron cold resolve.

Joachim murdered many people, but he also lived to raise 2 kids to live in their teenage years. Joachim lived a difficult life, but he truly felt guilty for lying to his family. In his life he regretted no action to anyone not matter how violent or terrible, but his family balanced his life. The priests around him barely believed that Joachim was human.

The Troubled Times: The Troubled Times is when Joachim left his family. He told him that he needed to leave. He did not tell them who he was, but he said that he made mistakes that he needed to fix. Joachim did not know what that meant. All he knew that is that he would fight along with side with Baal. Baal’s presence on the material plane was very enlightening. He learned that the one his master most resembled was his parents. The only time Joachim showed emotion to his master and he seemed disgusted with the sight of his own God. He knew what he needed to do. He was going to betray him. Baal wanted to find a way to steal Bane’s power. The god’s often conspired against each other.

Baal hid in Waterdeep waiting for the right chance. He was also after Mask. What Baal got was not Mask, but he and his forces fought a group of humans. Joachim was surprised but this group of humans was fighting them off. Baal had run off, a human rogue chased him. One of the other humans called out to him “Cyric, return, he is leading you to a trap!” Joachim followed and several other followers joined Joachim and left the battle towards their God in need. What they saw when they reached the battle was Baal fighting in his true form against a human with a truly devastating sword. Most of the people who came with Joachim came to fight Cyric and several people came from the shadows to fight on Cyric’s aid. Joachim started fighting, but on Cyric’s side. He betrayed Baal in the belief that joining Cyric would save his family from the forces of Baal. If Baal was like Joachim’s parents then he knew that anyone would be better than Baal. If Baal died this day, then he knew he would be safe.

Cyric slew Baal and Joachim was taken back by the others who joined in Cyric’s aid. He was greeted by three men. Malshus, Regrim, and Eshkabel took Joachim in and allowed him to stay. Cyric had slew a God, Malshus’s prophecy of ruin has come to effect. They were some of the first worshipers of Cyric. They believed that he would strike down the Gods to take from the very goblet of divinity and taste the drink of divinity. They did not trust Joachim, but they knew their faith was small and based on people who betrayed other faiths. At this point, Cyric was already planning his betrayal of his friends Kelemvore and Auriel.

Joachim joined the followers of Cyric, but he would soon abandon them to find his family. Now that Baal was dead, he no longer needed this life of murder and hatred. He could leave and join his family. Cyric needed all the help he could get. Cyric convinced Joachim that his family was already dead. If he betrayed Baal, the God of Lies, they would likely either kill his family in revenge or use them to ransom your life and everyone you just helped, and then kill them. Cyric told him that there was no path to salvation. The only way to be safe at all was to support him.

Joachim worked with Cyric and the other Cyric followers. The faith grew as others died before his hands. Cyric would even usurp Bane’s portfolio before the Troubled Times ended. In Waterdeep when Cyric killed Kelemvore, Joachim left to see if Cyric spoke the truth. His family still lived. He decided at that point that there was no longer any danger. Baal had been dead for some time. He urged his decision to leave to Regrim and Eshkabel. Neither accepted his proposal to leave. Joachim decided that he did not need their permission to leave. He helped him by his choice, and he did not need their permission to stop helping them. Both of them saw his action as a sign or treachery. Cyric was making enemies fast and they believed that he was a spy now. They could not let Joachim leave alive. Joachim ran from the two of them to try and make it back to his family. He was followed. He made it back to his family, but it was a brief moment of happiness. Two men in cloaks came by and Joachim knew what he needed to do. He shot a spell into the house forcing his family to leave out the back. If he showed hatred toward his family, they would leave and the two might not pursue them in his death. Joachim fought both Eshkabel and Regrim and died in the battle inside his burning house.

Joachim died with no faith and got sent to the Faithless. His soul was forever trapped. His family learned that died trying to protect him and tried to get him resurrected, but they told him that he became a faithless. He was actually a worshipper of Baal before he died and that he was a wanted man. Joachim killed many innocent people. His family could not believe it… his wife let a sigh and admitted that she had an idea. She just did not want to believe it. He felt such a strong sense of guilt, and she knew why. He wanted to be happy, but he was forced to live a horrible life. He was too afraid to fight back in fear of his life, and when he became strong, he was too afraid to fight because of the fear of his family. They thought of him as a good man, but the truth was they were the only three people in the world he cared about. Joachim had turned to ice and let only a few people see that he was human. He had hid moments of happiness just to show that he was capable of it.

Current Whereabouts / Activities
After meeting with Komiyartis and his group in the Dalelands, Brutus has decided to move to the land of Athanas. Perhaps he would learn more about his existence there. The home of his father Eustace has been sent to the Shadowfell, and the other home of his grandfather had been destroyed during the Spellplague. Brutus did not know where else to go. Brutus knew that he was built to be a warrior. As much as he did not want to believe it, he knew that his appearance would stop him from living a normal life. He knew he would need to take advantage of his strengths if he wished to succeed in this world. Eustace's message was plain and clear about the ways of world.

He had gone to one of the first towns where he believed Athanas lived after he killed Jonas Califomme. Brutus knew it would be difficult. Athanas had god-like powers to alter his appearance. Brutus knew that he would suffer persecution for what he was, but he would search for the opportunity to prove himself. He is just as alive and anyone else.

Miscellany
I made the first Warforged in all Forgotten Realms!

Very much like Joseph, he is part of a bigger picture. Unlike Joseph though, he is not destined to know all of it. I may have been too ambitious with this idea with Ignacio's first campaign, but I feel like I am doing him the save service he did for me when gave me all of Eustace's NPCs to work with. Keilrecht Tillenbirg added a great deal of depth to the plot that I originally did not plan for.

As for concept comparisons, I was thinking that he would act kind of like Cold Stone from Gargoyles, but seem a little like the Terminator 800 in Terminator 2. I am still debating having a little story segment where he helps a young teenage kid from bandits and learns 1990s lingo and learns human social skills.

I do know I have to throw a few memorable quotes at the opportune time.

Note: I think I am finally getting good at 4th Edition.