Olaf Strongquarry

Information

Player: Walluce

Character Full Name: Olaf Strongquarry

Character In-Game Name: Olaf

Nickname(s):

Association(s): Not many.

Race: Dwarf

Class: Rogue

Age: 155 years

Sex: Male

Hair: Dark as coal and as wild and unkempt as the mane of a mangy dog his beard tumbles from his chin like a black waterfall while the stuff from his scalp hangs about his head like the furious storm clouds which drift among mountain peaks.

Eyes: A dark green reminiscent of the color of vegetation stomped under the sole of a boot.

Weight: 225 lbs

Height: 4 feet and 9 inches

Appearance

Dressed strictly for function the rugged dwarf drapes a long cloak about his shoulders in some earthy hue and suits the rest of his body in rough leather or other light armor.

Personality

Alignment: Unlawful Neutral

Above all Olaf is a survivor. Tackling problems in an aggressive and practical manner this dwarf does what it takes to make ends meet. Blessed and cursed with an unwillingness to admit defeat he is as stubborn as the stone which his race was carved from. Whether it's the city or the harsh wilderness Olaf extracts great pleasure from mastering his surroundings, mixing mental and physical strategy to achieve his desired goals.

Surviving is one thing, living however is quiet another. Inspired by the world around him he writes poetry to calm his head. Otherwise, tending to be tight lipped, it is peculiar that the dwarf enjoys the company of others so much. Sometimes describing himself as a good listener he prefers to let others do the talking whilst he sips his beer and opens his ear. Among Olaf's other social hobbies is included the relaxed pass time of people watching. Gathering "people" as a collector might hoard coins, the dwarf enjoys gathering observed personalities in an imaginary catalogue. Often he is judgemental.

Alike most other dwarves Olaf is passionate about what he does, whether it's looting, spying, blacksmithing or otherwise. Unlike most other dwarves though, he does so in a rough and unique fashion reminiscent of his rusticate youth. Always ready for the unexpected adventure Olaf assaults the future with measured optimism and forward thinking.

History

First born of the union between a blacksmith and a merchant's daughter, Olaf was raised by the shores of the Loch, just below the frigid peak of Khaz Modan. His upbringing was simple enough with only enough traditional schooling from his mother in order to read, write and perform basic mathematics which she had learned from her merchant father. Under his own father the young Strongquarry was taught the art of the anvil and hammer. In the way of tradition the blacksmith's trade was passed onto him as soon as the youthful beardless dwarfling was able to hoist a hammer over his head. Apprenticed under his father for many years the dwarf child grew into maturity and finally joined his senior in partnership by the forge.

Like so many dreamers hanging between their coming of age and full adulthood though, Olaf looked to the sky for opportunity and saw the wintry peaks of Khaz Modan and the prosperous city of Ironforge. Packing his things and leaving for the halls of his forefathers Olaf moved to the city. For the first few weeks the dwarf stayed with his great uncle and thane of the Strongquarry clan, however after a loan from the Ironforge bank he was eager to remove himself from their hospitality and rent a dirty lodging near the great forge. Quickly it became clear that the availability of jobs as a smith though were few and far between and quickly gobbled up by those with far more dazzling resumes then himself. Unable to support himself under his only learned trade Olaf began looking for other options.

In this way the dwarf was drawn to the darker districts of the noble city in the mountain. Strapped for cash petty crime amidst the crowded streets and harsh thief catchers became more appealing then the ultra competitive job market around his beloved anvils. So began Olaf's criminal life as a cut purse and a some time thief. Such deplorable activities inevitably draw equally deplorable company and soon the simple dwarf from the rural hinterlands was woven into the Ironforge underground.

Covering his criminal income under the guise of freelance blacksmithing, Olaf forged metalwork and repaired armor or weaponry now and again for the rare customer which came to his door. The vast majority of his time, though, was spent dealing in the shadier businesses he had come to sustain himself upon.

The years rolled on and besides a few close scrapes with the law Olaf prospered, keeping in touch with his immediate family down the mountain and now and again checking in with the rest of his clansman in Ironforge. Neither of whom knew definitively of his illegal dealings. War, however, changed many things and when the Orcish horde burned its way through the Hinterlands and knocked upon the gates of Ironforge it was the duty of every citizen to aid in the fight for survival, even a petty thief. As the second war swept across the known face of Azeroth the green menace took the lives of many honest folk including Olaf's father. His mother, the merchants daughter, along with Olaf's younger siblings escaped and slipped inside the gates of Ironforge, among the last refuges chased to that sanctuary by the orc war machine.

The death of his father and the siege of the city inspired a streak of patriotism in Olaf and in response the thief took up arms with the citizen militia which was organizing to aid in the defense of the forge. Though never seeing much real action the dwarf did manage to gather a few arrow wounds while manning a vat of hot oil high above the attacker's green heads.

When the siege of the city finally broke and the horde was chased down into the hills and swamps in the shadow of the mountain, Olaf was employed in a hunting parties which tracked down and rounded up orcs for internment. A skill set developed robbing, sneaking, looting and running in the ironforge underworld proved to make the criminal an adept scout, spy, and infiltrator. Such risky business with such savage enemies, however, finally got the dwarf caught and an incident in the Wetlands as a prisoner to orcs left the dwarf with some truly grotesque scars on his back.

Luckily for Olaf Strongquarry his rescue came swiftly and he was allowed to carry on in his duty to the Alliance. When all was said and done Olaf returned to Ironforge a changed individual. Life as he knew it was flipped upside down. Unwilling to fall back into petty crime a new chapter in Olaf's life began. Seeking solace in the wilderness, as many dwarves do, Olaf purchased a rifle a ram and a thick cloak and left the city behind.

The first months were hard and despite a basic knowledge of rugged existence acquired from his youth many lessons had to be re-learned. The silence of the peaks and valleys had a deep effect on the dwarf and inspired him creatively. During this period began his tendency to write poems. As well, nearing the end of his time in the wilderness, grew his great fondness for time spent with other people.

By the time he caved to these desires for social interaction the Third War had passed him by. Since his return to the world Olaf has taken to wandering. Drawing on his unique background he now employs himself in work ranging from mercenary and spy to tracker and guide, hiring himself out to merchants, businessmen, adventurers and anyone else willing to pay.