Adventure Title
Backstory

Levels Gained

Location Played

Notes
# Backstory Sarak Steadyflesh Ariku, a Goliath hailing from the hills of the eastern mountain range, was never a warrior or a hero, unlike many of his kin. He was practical, grounded, and, most importantly, a merchant with a talent for trade and negotiation. Sarak earned his title "Steadyflesh" from his remarkable calm in stressful situations—whether haggling for prices or traveling dangerous trade routes, he remained unshaken, always managing to walk away with the better deal. Sarak's business had been steady for years. He traded yarn from the mountains down to the lowlands and cities. He was well-known in the trading circles and even enjoyed a quiet renown among the human towns where he passed through. Sarak was a self-made figure who relied on his wits and hard work, far removed from the spiritualism or superstition of his fellow Goliaths who still clung to ancient traditions and elemental spirits. One night, while on a trading journey, Sarak found himself caught in a violent storm. The winds howled through the mountains, tearing at his tent and tossing his supplies across the rocky ground. His prized navigator’s tools—essential for charting safe paths through the treacherous hills—were broken, shattered beyond repair by the fierce winds and driving rain. The storm was unlike anything Sarak had ever seen, a chaotic fury that made even his steady nature falter. With no shelter in sight and the storm growing more dangerous by the minute, Sarak took refuge in a small rocky alcove, clutching his fur cloak around him to fend off the cold. In the night Sarak slept deeply, but his dreams were anything but peaceful. He found himself standing before a swirling void, its depths filled with dark, unknowable shapes. From this void came whispers—words he could not understand but felt deep in his bones. Suddenly, the void spat forth a massive weapon—a greatsword unlike any he had ever seen. Its blade seemed to shimmer and shift, as though made of starlight and shadow. When Sarak reached for it, the weapon felt heavy and powerful, yet unsettlingly familiar, as if it had always been a part of him. He woke suddenly, his heart pounding, only to find the greatsword clutched in his hand. The instant he became aware of it, the blade vanished into thin air, leaving no trace except for the lingering sensation of power coursing through him. At first, Sarak dismissed the experience as a trick of the mind—perhaps a result of the long journey or the stresses of trade. However, the dreams persisted, and each time, the greatsword returned, more real and vivid than before. It began to appear even when he was awake, summoned to his hand in moments of stress or danger. The greatsword always had the same form—massive, unearthly, and far too large for any normal merchant to wield. Yet, when Sarak held it, the weapon felt natural, as though it had been forged for him. Its presence disturbed him. Why would a simple yarn merchant be gifted with such power? And by whom? Sarak sought answers from every scholar, mystic, and priest he met along his trade routes. None could explain the nature of the blade, though many whispered of old gods and ancient pacts—powerful beings that chose mortals to serve them without their consent. Some believed that Sarak had been marked by one such entity, a Great Old One from beyond the stars. But why him? Why a merchant who traded in yarn, not blood or steel? Despite the unsettling nature of his newfound abilities, Sarak continues his trade, traveling from village to village, offering the finest yarns and fabrics to those who need them. However, rumors have begun to spread. Stories of the calm and collected Goliath who can summon a greatsword from the ether, a merchant who could be a warrior in disguise. Sarak himself remains pragmatic about his situation. Though he has no control over the mysterious patron who has chosen him, he has learned to wield the greatsword when necessary. He uses it to defend himself on dangerous roads or to intimidate those who might think a humble yarn merchant easy prey. Yet, deep down, Sarak knows that the weapon's appearance is not just a gift—it’s a sign. A connection has been made, and one day, the force behind it will demand something of him. Until then, he continues his life of trade, as steady and calm as ever, with the shadow of the greatsword always looming in his dreams.