Ironclaw

Background

Ironclaw's background and history consist of three stages. First is the pre-adventuring story that accounts for who and what he is. Then come his adventures in Greyhawk. Last are his adventures in Silversheen, which are still continuing.

Early Years

Ironclaw was raised in an elven community within the Dim Forest in Greyhawk. He was unique in that he had a twin brother. The only traits that marked his brother Cugel as different were a slightly greenish tinge to the skin, and Cugel's right-handedness.

Ironclaw recalls his father as being the leader of this community, but does not remember what his actual title and position were. He assumes his father was a king of sorts, and thus justifies his assertation of being a "descendant of kings". Ironclaw may very well be nobility, but it appears he will never know for sure.

While still an elven child, his community was massacred by an evil cult. Undead forces were used by the cult to kill the elves and scatter the few survivors. Ironclaw retains vivid memories of the attack, which haunt his dreams and force him to avoid any encounters with undead.




Greyhawk Adventures

Ironclaw enjoyed quite a few exciting adventures while in Greyhawk.

Mystul's Misadventures

Mystul's Misadventures II

Rescue of Saltmarsh I

Rescue of Saltmarsh II

Rescue of Saltmarsh III

City Nights

In Search of Mierdamouth

The Lair of the Lich




SilverSheen Adventures

Ironclaw undertook the biggest journey of his life when he came to Silversheen to search for his brother.

Some adventures he took part in:

Looking for Mr. Saren

The Crown

Fortune and Glory

The shores of Silversheen had been invaded by the Oriental hordes that came to pillage every few decades. In particular, the city of Vyquil was under siege. To aid the city, the old maps of the sewers had to be recovered. These were last in the possession of Darren, an architect and warrior. Ironclaw and Cova went north to Sturnheim to retrieve the maps. After much sneaking around, bloodshed, a werebear accomplice, and bully-pounding, the maps were found. There was also a monetary reward that Cova was left behind to collect. The town was also grateful, for the adventure allowed them to regain their business on the caravan trail.




The Squire

Character Traits

Ironclaw is a very complex individual. While he is a thief, he doesn't conform to the normal life of one. His thieving skills are more tools for adventure than for illicit gain. He is above all a showoff. There is no such thing as too much attention. His megalomaniac act is just that; an act. He doesn't want to rule the world, just catch its attention. Being the best is Ironclaw's prime motivation. Even though he does not want to steal, he still wants to perfect his skills. A good description of Ironclaw can be found in The Complete Thief's Handbook under swashbuckler:

Swashbuckler

Description: Part acrobat, part swordsman, part wit, and entirely roguish -- this is the Swashbuckler. He is the epitome of charm and grace.

Role: This is a happy-go-lucky thief, with ready wit and flashing rapier. His home is the city, where he can shine amidst the squalor. He is generally less interested than his warrior counterpart in poking people with his rapier, and is more involved and concerned with his wild theatrics and amazing displays of acrobatic skills. More often than not he also finds himself, justly or not, on the wrong side of the law.

In a nutshell, Ironclaw seeks "Fortune and Glory", preferably in some unique, innovative fashion.

As described in his background, Ironclaw has a deep fear of some undead. Ghouls, skeletons, and other "solid" undead do not bother him much. However, in the presence of ghosts, specters, and other incorporeal, his priority will be to flee, or seek refuge behind the nearest paladin or cleric.

Ironclaw is illiterate, and is very touchy about it. He will attempt to hide this at great length. Passing the duty of reading an inscription or note to a priest or mage is one of his common tactics.




Battle Tactics

There are numerous tricks and techniques that Ironclaw uses to gain the upper hand during combats. The best of them are simple to implement, yet impressive and mysterious.




Gadgets

The use of gadgets, special items, and tricks is a favorite tactic. Bladders filled with ink for obscuring underwater vision and daggers with continual darkness cast upon them help paralyze the enemy and cover escape routes. Creative uses for ordinary items is his constant endeavor. Ironclaw also travels with a backpack and pouches full of items such as wax, whistles, herbs, and chalk. The key to survival is being prepared while remaining unencumbered and agile.

Stealth

Needless to say, stealth is his preferred method of attack. Ironclaw will usually scout ahead of his party

Creatures Encountered

These are the "things" and people that Ironclaw has encountered during his years of adventure. Some of them didn't fare very well. Others did.




Character Classes:

assassin, bard, cleric, druid, fighter, illusionist, magic-user, monk, paladin, ranger, samurai, thief.




The Nasties:

androsphinx, basilisk, bear, boa constrictor, brownie, bullywug, centaur, changeling, cobra - iron, crocodile, disenchanter, doppleganger, dragon - pan-lung, drider, dwarf, dwarf - druergar, eagle-horse?, eel - giant, efreeti, elf - aquatic, elf - drow, elf - high, firelizard, fire man?, firenewt, firesnake, flind, gelatinous cube, ghast, ghoul - red-eyed, hill giant, gnoll, gnome, goblin, gynosphinx, half-elf, half-orc, halfling, harpie, hell hound, hieracosphinx, horse-eagle, hyena, jermlaine, kenku, koalinth, kzinti, lich, lion, lion - winged w/ gold eyes?, lizard man, lizard king, lizard, giant, locathah, merman, mimic-man, mini-rex, minotaur, grown mold, mummy, spirit naga, norker, ogre, ogre magi, ogrillon, orc, orc (yellow), otyugh, owlbear, pseudo-wight, sahuagin, scorpion, sea hag, shark, skeleton, skeleton man?, sprite, stone guardian (spider), giant strider, treant, troglodyte, troll, two-headed troll, ice troll, umber hulk, undead guardian, unicorn, verbeeg, giant wasp, werebear, wererat, stupid wolf, zombie.

Adventuring Companions

These are the fellow adventurers that Ironclaw has risked life and limb with. They are grouped by the two worlds he has adventured in -- Greyhawk and Silversheen.




Greyhawk

Ancrist - A half-elven fighter/magic-user/cleric who could very well be the greediest person in the universe. (Dago)

Arboreus - A human ranger who loves to splatter humanoids (so what else is new). (Gui)

Caligula of Rome - A human illusionist of great power and ridiculousness. (Lucho)

Corum - A most gullible human paladin, yet an overall nice guy. (David G.)

Cugel - My twin, elven brother who is a thief (shame, shame)! Now resides in SilverSheen. (Ray G.)

Hellac - A smooth-talking half-elven bard. (NPC)

Irene - A human female monk. (Elaine)

Macil - A half-elven fighter/magic-user/cleric who managed to switch from cleric to druid. Now resides in SilverSheen. (Ray D.)

Mystul - A powerful human druid. (Rudy)

Tirus - An elven thief with the famous intro - "Hi! I'm a thief!". (Rudy P.)

Silversheen

Aller - A very determined, and bloodthirsty, human female fighter. (Evelyn)

Aramen Saren - A human fighter/dimwit; never stuck around long enough to rescue his sorry ass. (Nelson)

Aranen - A Dwarven cleric. A bit straight- laced and old-fashioned, yet still gives a little. (Rudy)

Bonnie Magen - A tough dwarven fighter. (Gui)

Cova - An elven fighter with a touch of chaos. Ironclaw likes this guy. (Luis)

Cugel - See entry under Greyhawk. He's here, but where he's at is a mystery.

Eel Etrebor - An elven fighter with more responsibility than is good for him. (Tom)

Kyomera - A female human bard. Do I detect a bit of an attitude? (Elaine)

Macil - See entry under Greyhawk.

Philobin North - A very powerful elven bard. I had no idea elves could be bards. (Rudy)

Preston - A human mage apprentice of the elven mage Sym. (Ray D.)

Quinlan - A male human mage with a most definitely warped and flaky personality. Reminds me of a certain illusionist. (Bob)

Sym - A powerful, strange elven fighter/mage. Make that very strange. (Ray G.)

Vlad - A pseudo-wight fighter from the ironclad school of defense. (Ray D.)

Zenobe - A human cleric of some faith. A classy woman-chaser. (Ray D.)

ZigZag - A really good human thief that would make an interesting companion. (Ray D.)