# #### **Basic Information** - **Name:** Howlan Garess - **Race/Species:** Dwarf - **Class/Profession:** Noble/Merchant Prince - **Alignment/Morality:** Lawful Neutral - **Age:** 278 - **Gender & Pronouns:** Male (He/Him) - **Appearance:** A stately dwarf of imposing presence, standing just over four feet tall with a broad, powerful build that speaks to both noble breeding and practical experience. His face is distinguished by a strong, aquiline nose and deep-set eyes of steel gray that miss little in their careful assessment of people and opportunities. His beard, once dark auburn but now mostly silver, is meticulously groomed in an elaborate style befitting his station, with intricate braids adorned with small platinum and iron clasps bearing the House Garess anvil emblem. He dresses in finely crafted clothing that balances dwarven tradition with practical functionality—rich fabrics in the house colors of gray and deep blue, cut in conservative styles that nonetheless display subtle evidence of his wealth and status. He typically wears several rings of exquisite craftsmanship, each representing a significant business venture or political alliance. Despite his age, he stands remarkably straight, moving with the deliberate confidence of one accustomed to command, and often carries a walking staff of polished blackwood topped with an iron anvil—both a symbol of his house and a practical tool for a dwarf who has spent nearly three centuries on his feet overseeing his family's interests. #### **Personality & Traits** - **Personality Summary:** Howlan embodies the pragmatic merchant spirit of House Garess—a shrewd businessman who values tradition but recognizes the necessity of careful adaptation. He approaches both commerce and politics with methodical precision, weighing options with the same careful assessment he would give to a precious metal sample. To his family and allies, he is a demanding but fair patriarch who expects excellence while rewarding loyalty and initiative. To business partners and political contacts, he presents a carefully calibrated blend of traditional dwarven steadfastness and cosmopolitan flexibility that has served House Garess well in expanding their influence beyond traditional dwarven markets. His dwarven heritage manifests in his reverence for quality craftsmanship, his meticulous attention to contractual details, and his long memory for both debts and favors. Though not naturally charismatic, he has developed a diplomatic polish that allows him to navigate diverse social contexts, from dwarven clan gatherings to human noble courts. Beneath his businesslike exterior lies a deep commitment to his house's legacy and the welfare of his extended clan, for whom he feels personally responsible. - **Strengths & Skills:** - **Commercial Acumen** – Exceptional ability to identify profitable opportunities and manage complex trade networks - **Metallurgical Knowledge** – Deep understanding of metals and their properties, the foundation of House Garess's wealth - **Diplomatic Tact** – Carefully developed skill at navigating diverse cultural contexts and negotiating favorable terms - **Strategic Vision** – Ability to plan decades ahead, a perspective enhanced by dwarven longevity - **Network Management** – Talent for cultivating and maintaining a web of useful contacts across multiple regions - **Weaknesses & Flaws:** - **Conservative Risk Assessment** – Sometimes misses opportunities due to excessive caution - **Cultural Prejudices** – Harbors subtle biases against certain races and traditions despite his cosmopolitan facade - **Micromanagement Tendencies** – Difficulty delegating important matters, leading to occasional bottlenecks - **Family Favoritism** – Gives preferential treatment to blood relatives even when others might be more qualified - **Grudge Holder** – Never truly forgives those who have crossed House Garess, even after apparent reconciliation - **Mannerisms & Speech Patterns:** - Speaks in measured, precise sentences with careful consideration of each word - Unconsciously assesses the quality and value of crafted items he encounters - Strokes his beard when contemplating important decisions or complex negotiations - Maintains direct eye contact during conversations, a habit developed to project authority - Uses metallurgical metaphors in everyday speech ("testing the metal of a person," "forging new alliances") #### **Background & Story Role** - **Backstory Summary:** Born to the main branch of House Garess during a period of relative prosperity, Howlan was raised with both the privileges of noble status and the practical education of a merchant house. From an early age, he showed aptitude for both metallurgy—the traditional expertise of House Garess—and the diplomatic skills needed to expand the family's commercial interests beyond dwarven communities. His defining moment came during the Iron Crisis two centuries ago, when a major vein in the family's primary mine failed unexpectedly. While other family leaders advocated retrenchment and focus on remaining dwarven holdings, young Howlan proposed an ambitious expansion into human markets, particularly focusing on specialized metallurgical services that human smiths couldn't match. His plan required significant investment and risk but ultimately proved visionary, establishing House Garess as a cross-cultural commercial power rather than merely a wealthy dwarven clan. This success propelled him to leadership of the house's commercial operations and eventually to his current position as family patriarch. Under his guidance, House Garess has developed a reputation for reliability and quality that transcends cultural boundaries, with trading operations extending from Brevoy to the River Kingdoms and specialized consulting relationships with several human noble houses. Though he has faced challenges, including trade disputes with rival houses and the occasional political machination from those who resent dwarven influence, his steady leadership has maintained House Garess's position as a respected power in both dwarven politics and the broader regional economy. - **Current Motivations:** - Securing House Garess's commercial interests against increasing competition - Establishing his grandson Jerrik as his eventual successor despite some family resistance - Exploring potential relationships with the Deepforged Syndicate despite traditionalist concerns - Expanding influence in Brevoy's political landscape through strategic alliances - Resolving a generations-old dispute with a rival dwarven clan that threatens a key mining operation - **Connections & Relationships:** - **[[House Garess]]** – The extended family and commercial organization he leads - **[[Jerrik Garess]]** – His grandson and chosen heir, whose progressive ideas both impress and concern him - **[[Myrna Garess]]** – His niece and chief diplomatic envoy to human realms - **[[Keldran]]** – Half-dwarf diplomat from the Deepforged Syndicate with whom he has established cautious relations - **[[Edric Tormayne]]** – Human metallurgist who serves as a key consultant and liaison to human markets - **Factions or Allegiances:** - **House Garess** – His primary loyalty and identity - **The Dwarven Merchant Council** – Influential trade organization where he holds significant sway - **The Metallurgists' Guild** – Professional association that respects House Garess's expertise - **Brevoy Noble Circles** – Maintains carefully cultivated relationships with human nobility - **Notable Items or Equipment:** - **The Patriarch's Staff** – Symbol of his authority within House Garess - **House Signet** – Ancient ring bearing the Garess anvil emblem - **The Iron Ledger** – Record of all significant House Garess contracts and agreements - **Masterwork Dagger** – Ceremonial weapon of exceptional quality, used to seal important contracts - **Collection of Ore Samples** – Specimens from every mine House Garess has operated #### **Additional Notes** - **Recurring Themes:** - The balance between tradition and commercial necessity - Family legacy and responsibility across generations - The challenges of cross-cultural commerce and diplomacy - The weight of leadership and decision-making - **Player/GM Notes:** - Can serve as a potential employer for missions requiring discretion and reliability - Might become an ally for characters with metallurgical or commercial interests - Could provide access to specialized equipment or materials through his trade networks - His extensive contacts make him a valuable source of information about regional politics - Despite his generally lawful approach, might support bending rules for House Garess's benefit