HISTORY / BACKGROUND / BACKSTORY
John Duff was the first son of the famous Duff Brewing family of Waynesbouroh.
As a boy, he was a prodigy. He studied weapons and armor, donating his time at
the forge to learn the crafts. He also spent a lot of time at the arena,
cheering on the gladiators. He saw beneath the flashing weapons,and saw the
artistry and the actual skills being employed. At one point, he asks one of
the gladiators how he had managed the quick-twist to the wrist that seemed to
add power to his blow. Impressed by the youth's observations, Karlos the Great
took him under his wing,teaching the boy the basics of the Warrior philosophy
and skill sets. When the boy grew into his teens, he was sent off to a
gladiator's college, along with a letter of introduction. However the wagon
was intercepted by a band of ogre raiders. They slew most of the guards, and
severely wounded John. When John awoke, the blow he had taken to the head
had robbed him of his memory. One of a passing group of bandits took the boy
as a personal servant. When asked what his name was, the boy had no
recollection. Searching his pockets, he came across the introduction letter,
which had become damaged in the fight. Based off the letter, the best he could
come up with was 'John D....oh', which became his name henceforth. The bandit,
an orc named Krass, worked the boy hard. When Krass had been knocked down by
an ogre spear during one raid, John picked up a blade, and without knowing
how, flawlessly executed the ogre with a quick thrust, saving Krass in the
process. Krass recognized that the boy possessed a rare gift of the blade.
Thereafter, Krass raised him as his apprentice in the arts of fighting, and
blademanship. Krass was surprised to find out that John possessed knowledge
of the care and making of weapons and armor, and encouraged him to learn more.
As John grew through his teen years, and into adulthood, Krass treated him
more and more as an equal. Eventually, Krass was killed in a raid. A letter
left with the leader of the bandits proclaimed that Krass was freeing John.
John spent long weeks making his own set of armor and weapons. He then set
out for human lands, fighting off slavers and anyone else who crossed him.
He will never forget Krass' kindnesses (somewhat forgetting he was a slave
at the time). He now strives to learn new secrets of the Art of the Warrior.
For some strange reason, he has an uncommonly good palate for Ales and Beers,
and enjoys them very much.

John stands at 5'8", weighing just over 200 pounds. He has blond hair and blue eyes. He wears Full plate, and has an animated shield. His weapon of choice is the bastard sword, but he can adapt to a Spiked chain with a little practice.