Morthran Goldenbraid

Early Life
Morthran Goldenbraid was born in Zhrak un-hai, on the date of 4th of Vhanrom 171 AT. When he was 25, there was a falling out with his father Fredrick and powerful members of the Jewellers Guild. The family business collapsed, and they were forced to immigrate to the empire. They settled into the city of Matrum, not far from Avum. They worked on building up a reputation over 50 years starting with a humble workshop, gradually expanding to the point they had their own small factory, run by Morthran’s father (Fredrick) and three brothers (Robar, Theodore, Hugo), and a dozen local apprentices. Morthran didn’t have the jewellers skills of his brothers, but he had an equally important talent – business smarts. Thanks in no small part to Morthran’s work, the small firm was able to get the contract to supply the Epaulets and buttons for the officers’ uniforms at the vast Matrum naval base. This contract alone brought in a great deal of wealth for the Goldenbraid family, and opened up the potential for further expansion.

The next few years of his life, Morthran travelled the Empire and abroad. In this time, he was able to secure training to cultivate his innate talents and developed his skills as a caster in the Bardic traditions.

Morthran was on a Merchant vessel on a visit to Ibernia, in late 243AT. The vessel was boarded by Drow pirate, who were suprised to find that it was packed with Vaalburdian mercenaries, commanded by Captain Sigrid, who were using the vessel as bait to catch raiders. This is where Morthran found his shards. After him and a friend fell a fearsome drow warrior pirate. He saw a few diamonds fall to the floor, which he then tried to pick up. Which to his realization they just vanished. Figured it was just a foggy brain after all the combat and time at sea.

Several months later, Morthran, back in Matrum, visited the Naval base to renew the contract on the Epaulets. To his surprise, while traveling through security, he triggered an alarm, and was detained by the guards. A man – a member of the Household itself – visited Morthran, calming him and explaining the situation. Morthran had become caught up in wider events, the fragment calling him to arms. After a long discussion, Morthran agreed, and entered service in the Auxillia Empyrean.

Since then, Morthran has undergone two major missions with the empire as a member of the Auxillia, loyally and faithfully serving his new adopted homeland that had been so good to his family. He aided in the rescue of an informant in Rachenbeau, then worked with a group of adventurers, a group known as the Longshots, to acquire a rare historical tome from a wizard’s collection in Rinta.

Wonders in Alorn
He then linked up with an expedition that was being formed in Rinta to support another group of the Auxilia Empyrean, the Shardbearers, as they entered the Agony on a dangerous mission. Initially, his only role was to help the Ships Purser acquire the huge range of goods needed for the mission, but having seen the dangers within, he has volunteered to join the main group on their expeditions into the Dunathur.

Lament for Morthran
With golden hair and gilded heart, His shining armour, dwarven made. Loving tribute, with verbal art For our heroic Goldenbraid.

A merchant of some great renown, From Ajax to the Augal sea. He sailed the world from town to town, With acumen and repartee.

A champion we could admire Chaff-Crusher wielded by his might. With wit and grace, and emerald fire, Inspired his friends with inner light.

A hero though, his greatest trait, For though his heart was full of fear, Stalward he stood against his fate And filled his allies' hearts with cheer.

From Zhrak-Un-Hai, he left his home, And to the Imperial city came. No safer harbour had he known Than those enwreathed in Avum's flame.

Hearth gained and earned with honest ways, Mothers Pie and homely joys. With kin he spent his halcyon days, Mother, father, beloved boys.

His kindly eyes, bearing noble, Soft smile, gifted armour gealm. Forth he strode, his talents social, stalwart scion, Imperial Dream.

A friend he found on ocean treks A pirate mercen’ry reformed Fought back-to-back on bloody decks In those dark waters, drow interred

Twas there that he espied a glint Divine in nature, bound to soul A mighty thing, a fragile splint God and Good, a Great new whole

When duty called, he would answer new comrades found, fighting terror. Beneath Green Oak, team enhancer, Our Intrepid standard bearer.

Yet at his fall, a dragon rend, Last thoughts of pie, lovingly made, The soul in flux, a woeful end, For our heroic Goldenbraid.

We mourn the loss of brave Morthran. He raised the standard, undismayed. He met that measure, a good man. And thus was Morthran Goldenbraid.

People he knows

 * Johann Holzappel – A senior Master within the Jewellers guild, and the figure most responsible for the exile of the Goldenbraid family. A powerful individual within Zrahk-un-Hai. Father to Burkhardt Holzappel.
 * Burkhardt Holzappel – childhood friend. Old drinking buddy. Shared many stories. Good fighter mainly focused on wrestling. Morthran and him got into many tight situations. Morthran would talk up his fighting skills at any point he could. He had a brothers bond with him, but their relationship became strained as the dispute between their fathers grew, and after Sofia chose Burkhardt.
 * Rudi Goldenbraid - Favourite uncle. A real funny guy, He had a big influence on Morthrans human and overall personality. Pretty optimistic and a hard worker, mostly works in the front of the Goldenbraid factory shop.
 * Otto Bode - Gnome that Morthran worked for at one point. Possibly connected with some smugglers groups in the Augal Sea. Otto was based in Rachenbeau. Was able to get a hold of most things people needed. Morthran would put people in contact with him if they needed a hook up.
 * Otho Aelius Lentinius (Human) – A pal of Morthran. An Imperial, his father was the main backer that invested in the Goldenbraid shop when they arrived impoverished to the Empire. Morthran has known Otho since the human was born, and tutored the boy in the business arts. Otho has since grown into a fine young man. Morthran has the confused feelings of fatherhood, brotherhood, and friendship that comes with friendship of one of the short-lived races. Otho is now 38, and a successful entrepreneur, with a small fleet of trade ships. They write letters to each other, sharing trade tips from their travels around. Morthran includes instructions of where to write when he sends a letter.
 * Sofia Rhen (Dwarf) - Morthrans first love. They romanced for a few years until Burkhardt stepped up. She left Morthran for him. His life was substantially more stable, another issue was Morthran infatuation with women. He stayed loyal to her, but barely. He still misses her and regrets moving on. If she needed anything, he'd be the first to answer. The last he heard, she was in the city of Rachenbeau, within the Zachliche Commonwealth.
 * Sigrid Julius-Tarr - Shipsjarl of the Fíodóir, a Mercenary Vaalburdian Longship recently aligning with the Empire. Morthan commissioned a voyage on her ship, and despite her presumptions, (fuelled by his "needlessly" gaudy armor and weapon) Sigrid respected his tenacity and loyalty to stay in the fight.
 * Yohnny Tarr - A Vaalburdian sailor and brawler, Houscarl on the Fíodóir and Sigrid's younger brother. Morthran and him only sailed together for a year but forged a brotherly bond they carry to this day. it was also on a skirmish with Yohnny that Morthran got his first shard.
 * Vincent Rhoar - a pal of Morthrans. They used to sing together, nothing to serious. They just loved to drink and sing. they could find a good time anywhere as long as they were together. They still keep in touch from to time, when they are both in Matrum.