Post by Henrik Sorensen on Jan 31, 2014 16:42:14 GMT -5
Henrik Einar Sorensen
Character;;
Play-By: Gerard Butler by Goran-Alena (deviantArt)
Name: Henrik Einar Sorensen
Age: Thirty-six
Gender: Male
Race: Human
Rank: Middle Class; blacksmith
Sexuality: Straight
Nationality: Nidavellir, Thule
Home: Niflheim, Thule
PHYSICAL;;
Description: For all intents and purposes, Henrik would be accurately described as massive. With a height of just under seven feet, he towers over pretty much everyone, regardless of race. And he has a build to suit his height- not quite bulky, but very well-muscled and made for strength. His lightly tanned complexion has been made rough from years of working the forge, making him look a bit older than he actually is, and is marked with a number of scars left by past mistakes, mostly on his hands and arms. His thick, longish hair is a dark shade of chestnut brown, and has a slight wave to it. He also maintains a fairly short beard. His eyes are a medium shade of stormy gray. As far as clothing is concerned, his style tends to be fairly simple, made up of thick, rough cloth or animal skins to help fend off the cold in the event he wanders outside, and occasionally custom pieces of armor if he feels the need. Inside the forge, though, his clothes tend to be significantly lighter, save for the heavy apron he wears for protection.
Weapons: Although he doesn't often use it, Henrik carries a claymore for combat- after all, what sort of blacksmith would he be if he had no idea how to use any of the objects he makes? In a pinch, he can also improvise quite well with some of his smithing tools.
Stats: Dexterity x2, Strength x2, Stamina x1
Skills: Blacksmithing +60, Swordsmanship +25, Racial Bonus; Mechanics +5
MENTAL;;
Personality: Henrik is the gruff sort, to say the least. He always seems to be rather bad-tempered, as much as he snaps and growls at other people. A hard, stern look is almost always etched into his features, and it is rare for his sharp tone to waver. He's always rather impatient with people, and does not react to attempted humor very well, as he views it as foolish. And given his sheer size, it's not much of a shock if someone finds him downright intimidating. He's a difficult man get along with, let alone to get through to, and even after one manages to do so, little about his behavior changes (although he may yell a little bit less). In all honesty, though, his bark is a lot worse than his bite- he doesn't enjoy fighting at all, and will only do so if pushed to his very limits.
A man of few words, it is rare for him to say much at all at one time. When he does speak, he most often uses short, concise sentences, wasting no time in getting straight to the point. Tactfulness is not at all a strong suit of his, and he's never afraid to speak exactly what's on his mind, even if it ends up hurting someone's feelings. Sugarcoating is a waste of time in his mind, and he does not endorse it. Of course, there is something to be said for frankness, but people tend to see it more as rude than anything else. Not that he really cares. Regardless of what people may think of him, it's just his way of being practical.
However, stick around long enough, and it's possible to see a much gentler side to Henrik. He may act tough, but he's really just a giant teddy bear. He has a hidden soft spot to him, especially toward children, and will always provide a shoulder to cry on when necessary. He's not the best at giving pep talks, but he'll listen to just about anyone's woes if given a good enough reason to, and is more than willing to help someone in need. A sucker for puppy-dog eyes and genuine tears, his harsh exterior will melt almost instantly with the right triggers. He's not a pushover, though, and does not respond kindly when someone attempts to manipulate him.
Likes:
- working the forge
- kids
- directness
- good metals
- being useful
Dislikes:
- combat
- interruptions
- half-assed jobs
- making mistakes
Obsession: Any and all things to do with blacksmithing.
Phobia: Being unable to work; losing his daughter.
Alignment: Good
Disposition to the Law: Lawful
PAST;;
History:
From almost the very beginning, it seemed as though Henrik's life was already planned out for him. His father was a blacksmith, as was his grandfather before that, and so on. It was the family business and, like so many in his situation, it seemed he was destined to follow it. And follow it he did, along with his younger brother once the boy was old enough. At about ten years of age, he began working as an apprentice at his father's forge in Nidavellir, fetching tools, storing completed pieces, and completing other small jobs that needed doing until he was old enough to start learning the trade himself. Overall, things were comfortable; the work was often difficult, but his family never went without, and throughout his childhood and teen-aged years, no major tragedies took place.
By the time he was twenty, Henrik had gotten to be quite the skilled smith. He still had some way to go to be called a master, of course, but his name was starting to spread through the community. It was also around this time that he met his first- and since then his only- love, a miner's daughter by the name of Catherine. Despite a somewhat rocky start to the relationship due mostly to Henrik's surly nature, the two ended up getting along quite well, and in not much time at all had thoroughly fallen for one another. A few years later, the two were married, and when he was twenty-six his daughter, Eva, was born.
For a time, everything seemed perfect. Business was good, his marriage happy, and his daughter was growing very well. However, about four years ago, disaster struck. Nobody was ever quite sure how it happened, but there was a small cave-in near the city's marketplace that managed to take several lives, including his wife's. The sudden loss very nearly broke Henrik, and for several months he simply threw himself into his work and caring for Eva alone- little else seemed to matter at the time. His attitudes seemed to grow sharper, and he spoke even less than usual, often snapping at anyone who tried to cheer him up.
Not long afterward, he and his daughter made the move north to Niflheim- partly to start up his own forge there, and partly to get away from the pain. Although he's still the same irritable man he was before, things have gradually gotten better over the years. The forge is running well and getting plenty of business and, more recently, he's even begun teaching Eva the trade, since she showed an interest.
OTHER;;
Other: None.
