User:Thalaros/Rhombur Ayrathnar

General Information
Rhombur is a former guard of the Human nation of Stromgarde, born to a family that has had a long line of service to Stromgarde and the nation of Arathor. He now adventures as a sword for hire, hoping to become powerful enough to lead a force to drive out the Ogres and the Syndicate from Stromgarde's walls.

Personality
Rhombur is a gruff, stubborn, proud man, who tends to believe that might makes right. While he is generally good natured to both friends and family, he continually suffers from alcoholism, which combined with his inflexibility (friends have remarked that his head is thicker than Dwarven ale), tends to alienate those he is with. His fiery temper has also gotten him the distinction of being forcibly removed from every tavern and bar in the Eastern Kingdoms.

A reckless, fearless warrior in combat, Rhombur holds his ground, placing his massive frame between the enemy and his allies.

The Early Years
35 Years ago Rhombur was born along with his twin, Bronnar, to parents Xavier and Elysa. His father, a Captain of the guard, gave both of them a wooden sword and began teaching him basic swordplay as early as the age of 5. While Rhombur developed into a natural fighter, his brother did not possess such prowess, but did show a talent for arcane arts. And so, while Rhombur was enrolled into military academy, Bronnar became a apprentice mage, studying under a High Elf who was a part of the Kirin Tor and later became a member of that order.

At 17, Rhombur finished his training at the academy a year early and became a full fledged guard of Stromgarde. Many among his peers however were bitter about his early graduation, and felt that it had only happened because he was the son of one of the Captains of the Guard. For this reason, Rhombur was rarely shown respect, and came under constant criticism for any mistake, minor or major, he made.

The Second War
Even despite the fact that he wasn't generally well liked, Rhombur enjoyed his role as a guard, and felt proud for it. Though tough times were to come ahead. When Tol Barad was completely sacked by Orgrim Doomhammer the his Horde, he lost several friends that he had made in the academy. When the Horde was finally subdued, and the Second War came to an end, Rhombur, who was still greatly upset and intoxicated at the time, visited one of the internment camps and murdered several of the orcs there in cold blood. His actions cost him a demotion in rank, and he was temporarily relieved from his duties for a year.

It was during this time that Rhombur's slide into alcoholism began.

The Fall of Stromgarde
After being reinstated as a guard, Rhombur started to try and clean up his act as well as mend relationships that had been strained from his delve into alcoholism, things started to look up for the young warrior. But then with the onset of the Third War things began not to bode well for the nation of Stromgarde. A victory from repelling the Scourge was short lived as the leader of Stromgarde, Thoras Trollbane was mysteriously and suddenly assassinated, this left the nation in a state of chaos, from which Ogres and the Sydincate would capitalize, and seize control of most of Stromgarde.

While Rhombur, his elder sister Jenene, and his mother were all able to flee safely (Bronnar was safe, as he was no longer living in Stromgarde at the time.), his father, last seen leading his men into a large group of ogres, was never heard from again. Even though his body has never been recovered, nor his badge found, Xavier was presumed dead, and a tombstone marks an empty grave at Refuge Point. Rhombur resigned from his duties a day later, discarding his badge into one of the many lakes in the Arathi Highlands. He helped his mother and sister settle into a new home in Stormwind City. However, he was unable to cope with the loss of his father, refusing to believe he is dead, and reverted back to heavy drinking.

Recent History
Rhombur now currently adventures as a sword for hire, primarily for bettering his combat skills, and finding any rare equipment that he can put to use, as his goal to eventually lead a force to retake Stromgarde for good. As well, he tries to raise awareness over the plight the once proud Arathi kingdom has fallen too. When word reached him that Danath Trollbane had been found alive in Outland after the reopening of the Dark Portal, he quickly traveled through it to meet with him and try to get him to help retake Stromgard. However, as events in Outland keep Danath from leaving, Rhombur was now started to fight for alliance interests in Draenor. He quickly allied himself with the Scryers, a group of Blood Elves that splintered off from Kael'thas and who Rhombur believes to be much more akin to the High Elves that once were a close ally of the nation of Arathor.

Though he keeps a residence in Ironforge, Rhombur now resides more in Shattrath City though he'd much rather be closer to home.