W is for Waulker

Waulker is known throughout Coldtreath as Vesseth’s partner and bodyguard. He has been Vesseth’s shadow since they were in the Army together. Many believe that he is in Vesseth’s employ, and wonder how Vesseth can possibly afford to keep his loyalty. Many have tried to buy him away from Vesseth’s side and have failed. Some have paid dearly for the attempt.

Vesseth and Waulker were in the Army together for several years before chance threw them together. During a deadly rout by dark elves, Waulker was badly hurt and threatened with capture. Vesseth happened to see the half-orc fall and stopped running long enough to return for Waulker and drag him to safety in the face of a scouting party of dark elves. Vesseth was able to move Waulker far enough that their comrades-in-arms could come to their aid. It was not until their companions got them back to the tents that Vesseth found that the man he saved was a half-orc. Waulker was wondrously grateful; as a half-orc he would have been slowly tortured and killed by the dark elves. Vesseth had prevented a truly tragic situation and Waulker swore a life-debt to Vesseth on the spot.

Waulker was disowned by his human parents once and for all when he joined the Army. Life before the army was not much better. His father blamed him for the assault on his mother that spawned him and treated him cruelly from childhood. He is the youngest of three children; his siblings have always been openly hostile to him as well.

As an adolescent, he fled with his family from their home village to avoid imprisonment or death at the hands of the authorities. His mixed heritage made him the suspect of every crime or misdeed that occurred in the village and his parents were considered to be accursed. Even now, they are barely accepted by their neighbors and his home village still want to capture and put him to death for his “crimes.” Luckily, though, since he has moved to Coldtreath he has earned the respect of the Town Guard who provide him with protection and equipment, overlooking his barely successful larcenous career.

His grandfather was the only one in the family that showed any love for him. Unfortunately, his grandfather vanished under mysterious circumstances when Waulker was a teenager. He fears that his grandfather may be dead, but has long hoped otherwise. He joined the Army, thinking that his travels would aid in his search for his grandfather. He has dedicated himself to finding his aged grandfather, or, at the very least, discovering his fate.

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Waulker
Half-Orc
Warrior 3
HP: 19
Init: 0;
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 13 , touch 10, flat footed 13 (Studded leather)
Base Attack: +3
Grapple: +5
Attack: Pick, Heavy (+5) 1d6+3 Crit (20) x4 or Rock (+3) 1d8+2
Alignment: CN
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft.
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +1, Will +0
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 9, Wis 9, Chr 6
Skills: Climb 4, Intimidate -2, Jump 3, Listen -0.5, Search -1, Spot -1, Swim 0
Languages: Common, Orc
Feats: Blind Fight, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, Martial Weapon Proficiency, Medium Armor Proficiency, Shield Proficiency, Simple Weapon Proficiency, Toughness, Tower Shield Proficiency

CR 2

MAGIC ITEMS
Elixir of hiding
Elixir of vision
Elixir of sneaking

**Many thanks to WotC's "PC Portraits" Archive for the image.