Legends of Belariath
Demetrios
>Born of Trokknos into the Red Fist Clan Demetrios is a powerful warrior. Though his height at 5'8'' is slightly less imposing than many other barbarians, his power, endurance, and composure are on par with the greatest of warriors. He has an olive/tan complexion with a thick mane of shoulder-length dark brown hair. He has a broad chest and shoulders which support powerful arms. Over his body he wears thick leather armor, well worn from extensive use. He carries a war hammer with him. His face is half covered by a short-trimmed beard, slightly more than a few days shadow, of brown hair which is fire red around the chin, which covers some but not all of the scars spread across his face. He has many small scars over his body from his battlefield experiences, though only 3 stand out: a short up-curved scar above his left eye, a thin, jagged one spiraling down his right calf and shin, and a long, thick one straight up and down his upper back between his spine and rirght shoulder blade. Though this makes for a grizzled appearance, his soft brown eyes suggest a deeper, contemplative man with a long, intense story. He has a strong belief in honor and respect and does not tolerate those who do not treat him with the respect he deserves and the respect he is careful to give to others. Although slow to anger, he is also slow to forget insults and transgressions against him.
Demetrios is often seen with a serious or grim expression on his face, though this is indicative of his mood only about half the time. His shyness coupled with his frigid stare often discourage others from approaching him. However, once one meets him past the appearance he is often lighthearted and playful, especially by a barbarian's standards. He has a strong belief in honor and respect and does not tolerate those who do not treat him with the respect he deserves and the respect he is careful to give to others. Although slow to anger, he is also slow to forget insults and transgressions against him.
Equipment: 1 war hammer, leather armor.
Born into a powerful Red Fist family from the Northland village of Lathor known for its fertility and prowess in battle, there were high expectations for Demetrios from birth. As a child he was always very obedient and respectful, never one to cause much trouble beyond the occasional mischief. Demetrios was often quiet as a child but always observant. He would always watch the adult men, studying them, constantly learning from them. He began training as soon as he could, always eager to be the fastest, the strongest, the smartest, or simply the best at whatever he undertook. By the time the signs of manhood began to show on him he was already the most talented fighter among the youth of the Clan, years ahead of those his age. Yet Demetrios did not misuse his skills to force others into submission as many often tried to do. Rather Demetrios sought to protect those who needed it and punish those who showed themselves to be dishonorable or those who disrespected him. His power did not go unnoticed despite his tendency to remain quietly in the background. As Demetrios approached adulthood he was given a spirit guide, as all Red Fists were, in order to watch over his spirit after his death. Since Demetrios was patient, often silent, and slow to anger yet lightning fast and deadly when necessary it was decided that his spirit guide should be the crocodile, a patient yet lightning fast beast.
Yet Demetrios' story really begins at his first steps into manhood. At 18 he was called before the Elders to be given a quest to prove his manhood and gain true entry into the Red Fist Clan. The Elders led Demetrios into the Spirit Hut and lit the fire that would summon the Great Spirits. Demetrios stood before the fire, chest out firmly, hands clasped behind his back, head held up proudly as he waited in complete silence as the ritual dictated. Demetrios remained in this position for almost three days, standing straight and proud without sleep, waiting to be contacted by the Great Spirits. Finally, just as the last beams of sunset on the third day were shining through the door to the hut the spirits came forth. Demetrios heard a booming symphony of voices all demand of the Elders to tell them why they had been summoned. Though he was not sure if he had heard the voices out loud or within his own head, the Elders answered the Spirits saying that Demetrios had come before them to be admitted as a man into the Clan. The Spirits considered the young warrior as he stood before them, proud, obedient, and fit. Though Demetrios was not as large as many of the Elders in the hut, the shadow his muscular frame created loomed, huge and ominous, over all within the room.
After what seemed like hours of waiting for the Great Spirits to decide on Demetrios they finally spoke again. The blaring chorus of disembodied voices told Demetrios that his path to manhood lay far to the north in the land of the Ice Bear Clan. He was to travel into those lands to find a cure for a disease that was spreading through nearby Red Fist villages and had even begun to spread into Lathor, leaving one Elder on his deathbed.
Demetrios stood unflinching as he was told of his quest. Demetrios obediently accepted the quest and left immediately to search for the cure. He travelled north where he wandered for many days until he realized that he had become completely lost on the frozen tundra. He continued to search however, certain that he would succeed. After days of searching he finally collapsed, overcome by exhaustion and exposure. He would have died had he not been rescued by a member of the Ice Bear Clan, a man named Vrold. Despite the usual indifference towards outsiders held by the Ice Bear Clan, Vrold sensed and respected the power and honor within Demetrios. They became very close friends and as a result of Vrold saving Demetrios and enabling him to finish his coming of age quest Demetrios took an oath to always guard Vrold from physical harm should he ever journey to Demetrios' homeland. This oath proved to be his downfall however, as Vrold came to see his old friend on his 20th birthday. Demetrios went out to meet Vrold at his camp outside the village about a day's trek away as a surprise. However, when he got to Vrold's campsite he found that Vrold had been killed in his sleep by what at first glance appeared to be raiders. After further examination however, Demetrios found the sword of a man Demetrios had once had challenged, beaten, and driven from the Clan for his dishonorable actions, a man by the name of They`ak. Demetrios wept at once due to indescribable grief and uncontrollable rage. Demetrios blamed himself for the death and felt that he had dishonored his oath by allowing Vrold to be killed so close to his home. He didn't return to his home that night, feeling he wasn't worthy to remain with the clan after breaking his oath. Due to his prowess as a warrior Demetrios works as a mercenary and bodyguard while on his self-inflicted exile, but is constantly looking to find the man who killed his friend to restore his oath as best he can.