Ulfgar Ironwill

Ulfgar Ironwill is a character played by Ryan Neenan. A shield dwarf who defies most dwarven stereotypes, he was a member of the Cirque de Suzail in the Mists of Cormyr campaign.

Description
A stout and strong dwarf, Ulfgar has deep tan skin, dark eyes, and deep amber brown hair. His long beard is often braided, and he has tattoos bearing his religion on his head. He wears a necklace of Orc teeth around his neck at all times. He has one scar on his right cheek.

Personality
Ulfgar has always been one of exceptions - a dwarf who shuns weapons, drunken depravity, and the pursuit of wealth - his personality is no different. Though he does maintain a gruffness only a dwarf can pull off, he gets along with most everyone who he deems on his side, although he still holds a deep hatred for orcs. Honest, loyal, and serious to the end, his faith is the driving force in his life. While he values a good adventure, he also is content serving Lathander in his present position.

Family & Relationships
His mother, Grilka, and father Rurik, are both deceased, the latter in front of Ulfgar by the hands of Orcs. He has no siblings. His adopted father, Emerus Warcrown, a Hammer of Moradin, is alive and presently serves as the head of Citadel Felbarr. Emerus recently left the Silver Marches to join a group of Chosen led by Valen Retoran to defend Faerun against the growing threat of evil, but has recently returned.

Early Years
Born in 1303, Ulfgar grew up in the Silver Marches, taught by his father, Rurik, at an early age the way of a dwarven fighter. His life was happy and normal Dwarven until his 50th year, when a surprise Orc raiding party attacked his camp. Only 3 others of the 30 dwarves survived the raid, and this did not include Rurik. Pausing only to rip a tooth from the Orc leader, he headed to the recently recaptured dwarven stronghold of Mithral Hall.

There he met an old friend of his fathers, Emerus Warcrown. A relationship grew, and Emerus eventually took Ulfgar into the Warcrown clan. Adopting the name, Ulfgar Ironwill Warcrown helped his new father lead an attack to retake Citadel Felbarr from the Orcs. A tooth of the defeated Orcs was taken by Ulfgar, and added to a mithral chain around his neck, adding company to the one from the Orc who killed his father.

Three years later, Emerus asked Ulfgar to represent Citadel Felbarr in the growing union of the Silver Marches. He enjoyed his time in Silverymoon, and it was not long before his battle prowless was put to the test. Three prongs of Orcs descended from the North toward the city - one was defeated by Mithril Hall, the second by the Wandering Guardians, but the third reached the city. It was a vicious fight, and Ulfgar was in the thick of things. Ultimately triumphant, a third Orc tooth was added to the chain.

But something changed in Ulfgar after this battle, now sung by the famous bard Keldoc as the battle of High Hold - he was becomign disillusioned with his life. The bloodshed never seemed to stop. What he found when he returned to Silverymoon, however, seemed to drain the purpose out of him. A dear friend, a gnome and cleric of Lathander called Beren, was needlessly killed in the attack - it had seemed some Orcs had gotten desperate and burned down random buildings. As he knelt next to the ashes of the temple of Lathander, Ulfgar threw down his axe, and vowed never to use a weapon again. He left his post and his adopted life behind, and fled south.

Finding the Light
Remembering the dogma Beren preached to him during their many talks, Ulfgar found himself standing outside a monastery of the Sun Soul in Marsember. At first, he just sought refuge, but he eventually joined the ranks of the students there. This decision did not come lightly, as the path he now decided to walk would lead away from his former life forever. He had little doubt of his path, however, and he spent a year at the monastery training in the ways of a monk. His main teacher was a female moon elf named Xanaphia, whom Ulfgar would later find out to be the sister of the famed Wandering Guardian, Oryn.

At the end of his training, he was sent on a mission of self-discovery. He decided on a small hamlet in Cormyr, called Eveningstar, where a small temple to Lathander had long gone to disrepair.

With the end of this mission, Ulfgar was again at a crossroads in life. His wanderings took him into Immersea, where he eventually joined a group called the Cirque de Suzail.

The Cirque de Suzail
Ulfgar joined a party of adventurers in Immersea who later dubbed themselves the Cirque de Suzail, for their ingenius ploy of posing as a traveling circus. Through many adventures and misadventures, Ulfgar and his fellow heroes managed to save the Steel Regent of Cormyr, negotiate a treaty of sorts between Sembia and Cormyr, help Oryn Silverrain and his sister Xanaphia find and kill the murderer of their father, all the while involving themselves in the beginning of the dastardly plans of Mordeth.

It was also during this time that Ulfgar was killed, saving the rest of his group by throwing himself on a self-destructing clone of one of his adventuring companions. He was later resurrected by his group. The death of Xanaphia was a hard blow to Ulfgar, but as he left the Silverrains and headed to the Moonsea with his troupe, he could never imagine that in a few days time, he would be standing in a flying citadel over a battle that involved thousands of followers of The Triad, their leader Nassim, Lord of the Light, and the combined armies and Avatars of Cyric and Bane, including the Chosen of Bane, Fzoul Chembryl. Ulfgar watched from the tower as the Battle of the Citadel of the Raven unfolded beneath him. Unable to stop Mordeth from harnessing the power of the destruction and death below, he fell with the rest of the tower and the Cirque, as Mordeth departed and plunged the citadel onto the mortal body of Nassim below.

Ulfgar's memories of the next few days are hazy at best, but he emerged from the area alive, and alone. With nothing left of this time in his life, and unsure if his companions survived the fall, he wandered westward to a home he truly missed.

Back Home
Ulfgar arrived back in the Silver Marches, looking to make peace with his adoptive father. Expecting nothing more than a cold shoulder from Emerus, Ulfgar was amazed to see the relief on the old dwarf's face at seeing his son. The past was forgotten, and the two made amends and planned for the future of Citadel Felbarr and the Silver Marches as a whole.

Ulfgar went back to Silverymoon, to again represent his home. This time, however, he brought more confidence and experience to his post. He worked hard, and enjoyed life there. About a year after taking the post, a rather haunting memory was about to repeat itself - a large army of Orcs was massing north of Silverymoon. Both Lady Alustriel and his father requested Ulfgar to organize the defense of the city, a task he zealousy accepted.

It was about this time that Ulfgar was visited by a rather odd guest - a tiefling by the name of Confectus. An old friend of Keldoc Mirrorwind from his Wandering Guardian days, he warned Ulfgar that members of his former adventuring group were being captured and being imprisoned. It was shortly thereafter he learned that none other than Keldoc was also magically captured in some sort of magical prison and held in the city. Ulfgar worked with the head of Applied Magical Studies, Maledd Sphaerthos, an agent for the Harpers named Arteus, and a rather fruity fighter by the name of Sejanus of the Jade Lion Mercenary Group to free Keldoc from the prison. The details of the release are rumored to involve the largest party/orgy that Silverymoon has ever seen, and Ulfgar does not talk about it to this day. Whatever the details, the release apparently helped stop an old nemesis of Ulfgar's - Mordeth - from attaining godhood. With the prison deactivated, Ulfgar bid farewell to Sejanus, and turned to help defend the city from the Orc invasion.

Over the next few years, Ulfgar remained in the city, helping Lady Alustriel, Keldoc, his father and others in their attempt at Democracy in the Silver Marches.

Upheaval
Ulfgar's life changed little until 1383, when news of Emerus Warcrown's death reached Silverymoon. As leader of Citadel Felbarr, and his adopted father, the news hit Ulfgar hard. Though he tried to find solace in the mission his father was on, he still grieved for a long period of time. He spent much of 1384 supervising Citadel Felbarr, but elected to turn down leadership of the keep. He decided Silverymoon was where he best fit, and he returned there late that year.

1385 brought with it even more devastating change; when the spellplague hit, chaos erupted across Faerun, and the consequences of the plague brought panic to many, especially in a city such as Silverymoon. Still, Ulfgar helped the city work through the chaos, and even the sudden transformation of his God did not waver his resolve to help his home through the troubled times.

The next 50 years seemed to go quickly for the dwarf. Silverymoon saw many changes: the deaths of Alustriel and the famous wizard Mozariq among the most important. The biggest change came soon thereafter: the dwarven nations of the north were set to pull out of the Silver Marches defense organization. Though Ulfgar held much sway with the dwarfs, and spoke to all three major dwarven citadels to urge them to reconsider, he simply did not get through to them. Annoyed, he decided to stay in Silverymoon as the dwarf's lone representative there. He did not want Alustriel's dream to disintegrate during his lifetime.

The death of his long time friend Keldoc in 1470 brought a deep sadness to Ulfgar, as most of what he had known and done for the past 75 years was breaking down.

Current Whereabouts / Activities
Now a venerable dwarf at the age of 176, Ulfgar is near the end of his life. While he has retired from active defense of the city, he still helps to oversee Silverymoon's defenses, often consulting with Methrammar Aerasumé. He still has ties to his kin in Citadel Felbarr, where his name is deeply respected. He longs for lasting peace in the region, and hopes to once again see the dwarfs stand side by side with the humans and fey of Silverymoon.

Inventory
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Ulfgar Ironwill is a Monk of Amaunator played by Neenan. In the twilight of his career, he is a respected force in Silverymoon, an expert in defense of the Gem of the North, and a leader in the church of Amaunator and the Silver Marches as a whole.

Themesong: One Man Army by Our Lady Peace

''Take these plastic people, Read their lips, now let it linger ''Is there anything that makes them sound sincere? ''Tightly hold your hand, Take a deep breath, give them the finger ''Are you worried that your thoughts are not quite clear? ''Overlooked, unfit appearance ''I remember falling ''I remember marching ''Like a one man army ''Through the blaze ''I know I'm coughing ''I believe in something ''I don't want to remember falling ''For their lies ''Unbutton your clothes, Undress your soul, show them your vigor ''Are those inhibitions easiest to fear? ''Take this gasoline tin, Head up high, walk like a winner ''Let the bare feet be the last sound that they hear ''Over looked, unfit appearance. ''I remember falling ''I remember marching ''Like a one man army ''Through the blaze ''I know I'm coughing ''I believe in something ''I don't want to remember falling ''For your lies ''But I know I, know I, but I.

Description
Ulfgar is an older dwarf, who looks to be around 150 years old. In reality, he is nearing 200, but has stopped aging due to his abilities. His once dark amber hair and beard have faded to gray, but his eyes are still dark, and seem to hold both wisdom and a kind welcome. He still keeps his beard braided in the traditional dwarven way.

Tattoos of Lathander - Amaunator's previous incarnation - still decorate his wrinkled head. Ulfgar is usually dressed in rather modest robes, though he is both a leader in his church and the defense of the city of Silverymoon. He is always adorned with two simple symbols to say as much: a large symbol of Amaunator, and a symbol of the Knights in Silver, Silverymoon's local guard. This latter symbol is more detailed than the common one and points to the leadership and advisory position he holds in the city.

If you look closely, one may also see a very old looking rope cord around his neck. On this cord are several teeth, which if examined would be clearly belonging to Orc.

Personality
Ulfgar has always been an atypical dwarf, and much has not changed as he has grown older. His faith drives his personality: the inherent law that was born in him as a dwarf found a home in the law of Amaunator. As such, he views honesty and order with high regard, and has often served as an independent judge in local disputes throughout the city.

The rift between Silverymoon and the Dwarven clans to the north (Ulfgar's original home) also expanded the difference in Ulfgar's mannerisms. Though he can still drink most others under the table, those that meet Ulfgar often forget he is a dwarf. One hundred years living among the fey and humans often has this effect, and Ulfgar is no different.

Those that know him best often think him too serious, even in his old age, but also know he is kind, honest, caring, and one of the most wise and trustworthy people they know. Though he has all but "retired" from active adventuring, he still values the defense of Silverymoon and he continues to hold an advisory roll to that effect.

Family and Relationships
Ulfgar has no family left. His mother, Grilka, and father Rurik, are both deceased, the latter in front of Ulfgar by the hands of Orcs. He has no siblings. His adopted father, Emerus Warcrown, a Hammer of Moradin, died in 1383.

Ulfgar has never married and has no offspring (that he knows of). Methrammar Aerasumé, the son of Alustriel and the High Lord of Luruar, is as close to a son as he would consider. Ulfgar is often in consultation with the High Lord and the heads of the Knights of Silver. He has had many close bonds with many of his students. Many of his other close friends in Silverymoon - The Lady Alustriel, Mozariq, Maledd, and Keldoc - have all passed on before him. Keldoc's death in 1470 was most likley the hardest as it ended nearly 100 years of friendship and camaraderie.

Early Years
See Ulfgar's early history on the 3E Wiki here

From Spellplague until the Present
When the spellplague hit in 1385, chaos erupted across Faerun, and the consequences of the plague brought panic to many, especially in a city such as Silverymoon. The great magical defenses that protected the city for so long actually wavered. Still, Ulfgar helped the city work through the chaos, and even the sudden transformation of his God did not waver his resolve to help his home through the troubled times.

The next 50 years seemed to go quickly for the dwarf. Silverymoon saw many changes: the deaths of Alustriel and the famous wizard Mozariq among the most important. The biggest change came soon thereafter: the dwarven nations of the north were set to pull out of the Silver Marches defense organization. Though Ulfgar held much sway with the dwarfs, and spoke to all three major dwarven citadels to urge them to reconsider, he simply did not get through to them. Annoyed, he decided to stay in Silverymoon as the dwarf's lone representative there. He did not want Alustriel's dream to disintegrate during his lifetime.

Thus, he spent the next 50 years helping to protect the city and bringing the glory of his new god to the populace. He helped the new High Lord Methrammar Aerasumé keep the Silver Marches alliance together as best as he could.

Current Whereabouts/Activities
Now a venerable dwarf at the age of 176, Ulfgar is near the end of his active life. While he has retired from active defense of the city, he still helps to oversee Silverymoon's defenses, and has served on the Council of Nine Peers that oversees the running of all of the Silver Marches off and on, currently serving as the "Rotating" member. He still has ties to his kin in Citadel Felbarr, where his name is deeply respected, and he tries to represent the Dwarven point of view as best he can during Council Meetings. He longs for lasting peace in the region, and hopes to once again see the dwarfs stand side by side with the humans and fey of Silverymoon.

Still, a flame for adventure burns inside him, and he sometimes wonders if his destiny awaits him outside Silverymoon's walls...

Statistics
''Ulfgar's statistics are currently kept in Character Builder. As a pillar of the Silverymoon community, he is well known and usually seen throughout the city. As a result, he may be used as an NPC for role playing purposes.