 New Character
((This is my first character submission, and I am no writer. Please excuse any grammatical/sentence structure mistakes.))
Name: Andel
Race: Half-Orc/Half-Giant
Age: 19
Class: Fighter
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Deity: None at this time (explained)
Bio:
The harsh icy hand of winter already clawed at Krashin's northern coast in the month of Leaf
Gold. The small clan, making their way to winter lodges among the hills, found a young woman
wandering alone. Ill clad for the cold, and delirious from malnourishment and exposure, the clan elders took her in; for they observed she was heavy with child.
The blonde woman was not of their people, for she was frail and delicately featured; a sharp contrast to her stout, hearty rescuers. Despite all they could do for her she remained weak and bedridden, speaking very little. She lingered until the month of Frost Eve, when she passed from the world giving life to a huge newborn son. With her last breath she named him Andel.
The clan elders took the newborn under their wing, and the child was raised as one of their own despite the fact that Andel was 'different'. His growth and physical development were astounding; he was easily the largest and strongest child they had ever seen. The elders explained this away, saying that he was an 'anointed one' of Vorax and Andel would be a champion of the clan; however, some of the members murmured that Andel was 'un-natural' and trouble would come. The elders persisted in raising Andel and the child seemed to thrive in the harsh environment and rugged life-style.
Andel learned most of the ways of the clan, but as he grew older they began to notice that his mental development slowed in contrast to his physical growth. Andel could speak well enough, though his sentences remained short, often misinterpreted as being too blunt or just rude. His reading skill remained at a very basic level. These traits were not considered to be big problems as Andel learned readily enough by watching, listening and then doing. His physical strength coupled with his unassuming manner earned him a place with the clan for a time.
Significant trouble did appear as Andel entered his teens. The other young bucks challenged him too fights due to Andel's size and strength; it was a way to test their mettle against his, but he always won these brawls and sometimes serious injuries would be incurred and hard feelings generated as a result. His massive physical structure became more pronounced, emphasizing his divergent ancestry from the rest of the clan. It was becoming harder to 'fit-in' as he grew older, and clansmen began whispering behind his back about 'giant blood' and 'half-breed'. Andel became quieter and more withdrawn, often staying to himself in the shadows.
Failing to mitigate the effects of his physical differences, the elders decided to concentrate more on teaching him their beliefs in Vorax; they hoped that Andel would become a devout follower and that this would make him more acceptable. Here the elders ran into an iceberg. Either Andel was simply refusing to worship Vorax as a deity, or he could not get his mind to grasp the concept of a divine being; the elders could not tell which was the case but in the end it did not matter and Andel's fate was virtually sealed.
In his 18th year, Andel stood at 7 feet tall and weighed 300 pounds. He was easily the tallest and strongest personage within the clan and he was feared or shunned by most. In his coming of age ceremony, the elders pushed the issue of Vorax worship--they commanded Andel to bow and give allegiance to the deity. Too the shock and dismay of all present, Andel refused, saying he would bow to no one that he could not see, feel, smell or hear; too Andel, Vorax just wasn't real. The elders had lost face, for Andel was not the 'anointed one' they had said he would be some 18 years ago. Failing to proclaim allegiance to Vorax, Andel was now a godless 'freak' as well as a physical one; the clan would not tolerate such. Andel was told to leave the clan or face death. Bitter and hurt, Andel quietly stalked out into the wilds of Krashin. He resolved to go his own way whether he belonged or not.
His 19th year found Andel on his own in the Raven's Watch area, living mostly off the land; he did not trust strangers of any sort and kept himself isolated. Once in a while, due to his size and stamina, he would get temporary work at the docks loading and unloading ships. It was here that he heard talk of the land of Mistone, so he began to look for a way to acquire passage. Andel finally found a merchant captain willing to let him 'work off' the price of a berth for Leilon.
Just a few days into the run, a sudden storm blew over the Great Northen Wash and the merchant vessel foundered. Andel was washed overboard and found himself clinging to some wooden planking. Tossed unmercifully about in the cold rough seas the wind howling ceaselessly around him and peppered by sea-spray and a hard-driving rain, Andel lost consciousness.
He awoke to find himself battered and waterlogged on a stony beach. He had no idea where he was or how much time had passed since he had been in the water. Confused and dazed, Andel began to head south westward, until he came to a small village straddling a road. His ragged appearance did not endear him to the village wardens and there was a tense confrontation; however, Andel was able to procure food and water in exchange for simply leaving the vicinity of Sar. He was also able to learn where he was and was given rough directions to a town called Hlint. With little more than the clothes on his back, he began following the road south . . .
Andel now stands at just over 7 ft. 4 in. tall and weighs 350 lbs.--none of it fat. His bone structure and musculature are massive. His bald forehead sports a prominent, squarish frontal aspect with harsh, sharply defined cheekbones accentuating a hard chisled-looking jaw and a flat broad nose. Though his face seems carved out of rock, he looks through pale blue eyes that have a hint of softness for those who take the time to look. | 
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