He is not the most dangerous person in most rooms. He is the most dangerous person in most rooms who is also friendly about it, which turns out to be considerably more unsettling.

Gromthar stands at eight feet tall with the build of someone who has been hitting things professionally for most of his adult life. His skin is mottled gray, and he is covered in tattoos — each one a record, a commemoration of something he has proven about himself in combat. His eyes are a piercing blue. His head is shaved, and he wears a long braided beard. He carries his greataxe, Stormcleaver, with the ease of someone who has been carrying it long enough that it has become part of how he moves, and he wears heavy plate armor with the same unselfconscious comfort.

He is, in most social contexts, genuinely pleasant company. He is interested in people, interested in a fight well fought, and has a straightforward relationship with his own capabilities that comes across as confidence rather than arrogance — he is not trying to intimidate anyone, he simply is what he is, and what he is happens to be very large and exceptionally good at combat. He will shake your hand carefully. He will eat more than you expect. He will laugh at things and mean it.

The tattoos are the thing people ask about, and he is happy to tell the stories.

Stonefist the Elder. The apple landed nearby.

Right Bicep

A ferocious bear with its mouth open in a roar, surrounded by lightning bolts. This commemorates Gromthar's victory in the "Bear's Grasp" tournament, where he defeated a renowned grappler named Tolvold the Iron Grasp — known for a bear-hug technique that had ended other fighters' careers. Gromthar broke free and landed a decisive blow. The tattoo communicates, to anyone who knows what they're looking at, that holds don't work on him.

Left Forearm

A serpent coiled around a shattered sword, its eyes a menacing blue. This marks his win in the "Serpent's Duel," a tournament emphasizing quick strikes and agility. Gromthar won by breaking his opponent's weapon and disarming him. The shattered sword within the serpent's coils is a specific message: he can break the weapon, not just the fighter.

Center of Chest

An intricately detailed eye surrounded by swirling storm clouds and lightning. He earned this after winning the "Thunderstrike Arena," a tournament held during a violent storm. He remained focused and won through conditions that knocked out most other competitors. The tattoo says: adverse conditions are not a factor.

Both Ankles

Chains that appear to wrap around both ankles, broken, with pieces flying outward. This celebrates his victory in "Freedom's Gauntlet," a tournament where fighters start chained and must free themselves before engaging. Gromthar shattered his chains in record time and went on to win. No bonds hold him. He likes this one.

Stormcleaver is a greataxe Gromthar has carried long enough that most people who know him associate him with it before they associate him with anything else. The blade is etched with ancient runes that glow a soft blue. The haft is enchanted oak reinforced with bands of mithral. It hits harder than a greataxe has any right to hit, and it makes noise about it.

Race: Goliath | Class: Fighter (Rune Knight) | Level: 8

HP: 76 (8d10+24) | AC: 18 (Plate) | Speed: 30 ft.

Saving Throws: Strength +7, Constitution +6 | Skills: Athletics +7, Survival +4 | Passive Perception: 11

Equipment: Plate Armor, Stormcleaver (Greataxe, +2 to hit/damage, 1d12 slashing + 1d6 lightning), Longbow (20 arrows), Explorer's Pack, 2x Potion of Healing

Stormcleaver — Thunderstruck (Constant): On a hit, target must succeed DC 14 Constitution save or be deafened until end of its next turn.

Stormcleaver — Thunderclap (Action, Recharge 5-6): All creatures within 15 ft. make DC 16 Constitution save. Fail: 3d8 thunder damage and knocked prone. Success: half damage, not prone.

Runes: Hill Rune (advantage vs. poison, resistance to poison damage; invoke for bludgeoning/piercing/slashing resistance 1 min), Storm Rune (advantage on Arcana, can't be surprised; invoke to grant advantage/disadvantage on rolls within 60 ft.), Fire Rune (double proficiency on tool checks; invoke to deal 2d6 fire + restrain on hit)

Giant Might (Bonus Action): Grow to Large size (if room), advantage on Strength checks/saves, +1d6 damage on one attack per turn. Duration 1 min, uses = proficiency bonus.

Feats: Strike of the Giants (Fire Strike: +1d10 fire damage, uses = proficiency bonus), Charger, Grappler