'Bully' Butch, Orc Enforcer

[Rumsztyk]

https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=676533

Orc, Street Urchin, Rogue (Ruffian racket)

Harrow Card: The Uprising

APPEARANCE

Butch is built like a brick shithouse, standing over 6 feet tall. His bald head sports two ears malformed from years of beatings, together with an equally hideous nose. Small brown eyes are lodged deep into his skull. A mouthful of tusks is barely contained by his lips. His ragged clothes have seen better days, a glint of steel breastplate occasionally shining through holes in the cloth. His weapons of choice are a dagger with large guard for blocking, and a spiked ball on chain.

BACKSTORY

Butch was born and raised in Old Korvosa. His father was absent and his mother was sickly and full of bitterness, so the hot-headed boy was almost never home (if you could call a rotting wooden shack with one and a half beds a home). He wound up in the worst of companies, a child gang - "Cheliax Imps". Led by Sly Ruth, halfling girl with a hair full of flame and head full of schemes, they gang would steal, bully and extort their way through life. Butch, now the 'Bully' of the group, was acting as the muscle. Big Thimble, gnome of unusually small stature, was a crackshot with the sling and had a way around (almost) every lock. Lastly, Cassie was an easy- going human girl who could run her mouth without stopping for hours, leaving adults stupefied and distracted. The rough life in the streets had him pick up a lot of useful skills here and there.

He was seventeen when Ruth came up with the most brilliant of her schemes yet, getting in touch with one Gaedren Lamm, a legendary figure. Finally, a chance to score big! One job after the other, Butch was living the high life of crime and loving every moment, growing more careless.

Few jobs later, another job from Gaedren Lamm comes along. But this time, Butch was not the enforcer - he was the fall guy. Blindsided by the betrayal, Butch spends the next five years in city jail with a lot of time to think.

First thing he does with his newfound freedom? Finds out his ma, fixes up her derelict shack and sets her up for the nearest future. Then, after doing a few odd jobs here and there, he decides to use his brain, perhaps for the first time in life, and starts plotting to take down Gaedren Lamm.

EDICTS

Play dirty. Honor is for pretentious idiots who never had to fight for a piece of bread. Use all you got at your disposal.

Own up to fuck-ups. So you screwed up. That's fine! Not the first time, not the last. Be a man and take responsibility, for once.

Use your brawn AND your brain. Any midwit can get big and scary. You are built different - there is something special in that big skull of yours. Use it!

ANATHEMAS

Bully kids. Seriously? You're better than that. Remember your roots.

Play along. Something's wrong? Say it. Or you might end up in jail again, played like the fool you are.

Rat a guy out. The law is not your friend. Got a problem? Solve it yourself.

Edited February 24 by Rumsztyk (see edit history)

[Zen Gypsy]

Interesting character with street smarts, a school of hard knocks attitude, and a criminal code. I like the loyalty to his mother, some interesting hooks there. Couple questions though ... Beyond plotting against Gaedren Lamm, does Butch seek redemption for his past actions, or is he primarily motivated by revenge? How does he plan to reconcile his past as a member of the Cheliax Imps with his current objectives? Given Butch's edict of playing dirty, how does he handle conflicts within the group, or with the group's allies? Does he prefer straightforward confrontations, or is he more inclined to use cunning strategies to resolve disputes?

[Rumsztyk]

If Butch is seeking redemption or absolution, he buried that feeling deep - only showing a glimpse of it when he reconciled with his mother. He doesn't have any plans after 'dealing' with Lamm, that would only distract him.

As for his former gang... Were they in on the setup? Were they fooled? Are they even alive? Butch would love to have a word with each of them, pushing them to a confession if necessary.

Before he was jailed, Butch was a brute, but an honest one - betrayal stung all the more because of it. He's currently playing solo due to trust issues, but realizes he won't take down Lamm alone - he will likely keep his guard up at the start. He would love nothing more than to return to his glory days - ride or die with the Imps, just the four of them watching each others backs. A pipe dream, or so he thinks.

If ever catches the smell of bullshit from people he's supposed to rely on, he won't hesitate to speak up, aggressively. Otherwise, he's got a working brain in that dome of his, and he's not above being reasonable if everything is done above board. A little bit of social manipulation goes a long way, too.

[Zen Gypsy]

Perfect! Thanks for answering my questions, I will mark Butch as complete!