Theme: Little Lion Man

A bugbear from the wild forests of the Sauderlands, Zik is a mixed character. Naturally lazy and cowardly, Zik spent most of his early life much like a bear, trouncing through the woods hunting game and sleeping whenever the fancy took him. He built himself a small yet comfortable shack and planned to live out all of his days in solitude. However, it was not to be. The establishment of a village near his home, while not at first frustrating, proved so when the people of the village discovered his shack. Although first contact was rough, Zik was eventually left somewhat to his own devices as the village sprouted up a stone’s throw from his home.

While not completely pleased, Zik became something of a lovable, lazy oaf to the people of the town. Capable of giving off an authoritative and intimidating air, he played the part of peacekeeper and shaggy creature which children would hang off of while he walked around the town, feigning disgruntlement. In truth, Zik had become somewhat happy with his new life.

Sadly, war soon ravaged the land. Zik, having hoped to never truly fight in his life, found himself one day leading the defense of the village. Many are quoted as saying he fought like a mad animal, leaping from man to man and stealing mount and lance alike while running straight through the enemy lines. After the fighting, a relief force arrived but, finding the village safe, soon heard stories of the valiant Zik, earning his moniker “the Quick.” The commander, upon meeting Zik, insisted he take an audience with his lordship for saving the village.

Taken to the Lord’s court, and extremely out of his depth, Zik was offered tutelage in combat. Humbly refusing, Zik was soon persuaded by the fact that, “One does not simply refuse a gift from their lord! Haha!” Serving in the Lord’s court for a time, Zik came up with a scheme to escape the confining circumstances. Making an excuse of receiving news from his family, Zik fled for the City of Eritire, having heard it was a place of great wealth and where one could start a-new. However, Zik’s name preceded him as, on the road, he received a letter from the Morrorend Guild. Upon arriving in the city, he was approached by a dark, cloaked man who, after talking with Zik, “convinced” him to join the guild. Putting his plans of opening his own carpentry workshop on hold, Zik joined the Morrorend Guild.

He would receive some additional training before setting out on his first mission with several other new recruits. Their caravan would be attacked on the road with the party fighting multiple Dragonborn while Zik wrestled control of a Wyvern, nearly dying in his “grand plan” to escape the encounter. Zik would decided to return to the guild after the encounter, stating he had his fill of adventure for the day and just needed to lie down.