Black Ice

David, son of Jabir

Motto: “The dead keep silent.”

Biography:
__David was born in the city of Pearl of Sands, or Men Fahir, as it is called by locals. David’s mother died from a disease that raged through the desert at the time, just a few months after his younger brother Melet was born. The boys were raised by their father. He worked as a manager in the city's house of the deceased.
__Anyone who has ever been to Corania knows what a house of the deceased is. The closest analogue for other kingdoms would be a cemetery. However, there are significant differences. For obvious reasons, the people of Corania do not bury the dead in the sand. Poorer people are cremated; the urns are kept in the house of the deceased for a certain period and then sent on their final journey through a religious ceremony. More prominent and wealthy people can afford mummification and their own sarcophagus.
__David's childhood was much like that of most boys from the poor districts adjacent to the city walls of Pearl of Sands. He started working hard early – he was a porter, a woodcutter, an oil presser. Fortunately, David was naturally physically strong. Later, his father began teaching him and his brother the intricacies of funeral rites so that his sons could continue the family business. And also, his father taught them literacy to keep records of the deceased.
__Upon reaching twenty-five years old, his father sent David to gain experience in Vaironia. Of course, there was a huge demand for gravediggers there. David was appointed caretaker of the village cemetery and diligently learned the specifics of local funeral customs, digging graves, and making coffins, as well as getting acquainted with the life and folklore of Vaironia… until unforeseen events occurred.
__Whether it was magicians or demons who frequented the cemetery is unclear. But at night, human figures and strange flashes were seen on the graves. The locals sent a messenger to the nearest town asking for help. However, it was too late. At midnight, the dead rose from the ground and moved towards the village! David did not panic in this difficult situation. He managed to organize defense, and the peasants retreated along the way, fighting off the attacking undead. As dawn broke, reinforcements arrived from the city, and the undead were defeated.
__After his father's death, David returned to Pearl of Sands and became the new manager of the house of the deceased. Eager to fight against otherworldly forces, he joined a volunteer squad created to counter sand demons. Moreover, after living in Vaironia, it would be hard to scare him anymore.
__The squad consisted mainly of former retired soldiers, as well as poor people of all kinds. It was there that David realized that demons and other evil creatures do not have battle formations but rely mainly on brute force; therefore, shields are very useful against them. He also learned from the soldiers how to wield classical desert weapons – a combat yataghan – quite skillfully. After some time, David was elected commander of the squad and began conducting preemptive operations against demons. Quite successfully, by the way. During the five years of his command, the demons did no serious damage to the city.
__One day, a merchant from Heligkight arrived in Men Fahir. By chance, while talking with him, David learned about the existence of the Order of Watchers. Having carefully considered everything, the gravedigger decided to join the Order to fight against magicians and demons. David left the family business to his brother Melet and went to Heligkight.

Appearance:
— A Coranian, almost forty years old, swarthy, with dark hair.
— Of average height, but very massive, broad-shouldered.
— Dressed in loose shirt sewn in Vaironian style, belted with rope.
— Has a travel bag on his shoulder, a yataghan in its scabbard at his waist, and a shield behind his back.

About the character:
— Poorly oriented in the forest.
— Loves warmth.
— Can read and write, but only in Coranian.
— Dislikes mages.
— Reasonable, always thinks things through thoroughly; making decisions in fractions of a second is not his forte.
— Dreams of marrying a mermaid. :eek:

Inventory:
— Combat yataghan
— Large shield covered with texts in an incomprehensible language and bas-reliefs. It looks more like a fragment of some sarcophagus than a shield.
— In the bag: provisions, a water skin, flint, a sharp knife, and other essentials.

Skills:
Caretaker

I (5) +2 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, +6 Willpower.

Shield

I (2) Allows using shields.

Commander

I (7) Increased combat characteristics for all allies.
II (7) Allies regenerate health during battle.

Total 21 Skill Points used, 4 Skill Points remaining.

For now, that's it. I might change or refine something later.