Background for my character on 50 Fathoms rpg.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Grok is the youngest of 3 children in his family. He has always been strong, perhaps stronger than any other in his tribe.
One day, Grok’s mother had an inkling that something was troubling her son. While he didn’t say anything, she figured he was just bored. She suggested that he go to the tribe shaman for guidance.
Well, Grok was bored. Of course he knew about the problems on Caribdus, but for the most part, is was background. He still did the same things every day that he had been doing. He just had more trouble doing them due to the rising waters.
Anyway, he had heard tales of ships on the high seas and even some who wanted to find the sea hags and reverse the high waters. The adventure sounded like a good thing, and lowering the waters again certainly did.
So, when his mother suggested he go see the shaman, he went. He figured nothing would come of it, after all, he was simply bored, not lacking in spiritual guidance.
When he went to see the shaman, the shaman did a reading of the bones to get some insight. What he (the shaman) saw there was confusing. He said that he saw a member of their tribe setting out on a great adventure. He further said the adventure was vital to the survival of the tribe. But, that was all he saw.
The shaman figured that if someone was to set out on an adventure that was to save the tribe, then it better be the strongest member of the tribe. So, he then arranged for a strength competition to be held.
While this wasn’t quite what Grok expected by visiting the shaman, he was up for a test of strength. That was at least an interesting change from his day to day life.
It was agreed that the test would be held in one week’s time. During that week, Grok practiced, figuring if he won then he might get to leave the village where they lived. He didn’t allow himself to get excited about the prospect of adventure, but it was there in the back of his mind.
The day of the strength competition arrived. Grok lived in a small tribe, so the competition was between 25 of the men of the village. The competition quickly eliminated most of the competitors, but then got tight between the last 5.
In the end, Grok won, and the shaman declared that he must set out on an adventure. How it was vital to the tribe the bones would not say (despite several more readings).
While Grok was hoping for a privateer ship, the best he could get at the start was a merchant posting. Eh, well, it was a start. At least it got him on the high seas, even if the most interesting part of the day was docking and unloading the cargo.
And, so we come to the beginning of our story…