@BorenStrongarm
Boren Strongarm is the Captain of the City Guard and one of the most recognizable figures in Daggerfall. A towering Goliath veteran with decades of military experience, Boren represents discipline, order, and the belief that civilization survives only when people follow the rules that hold it together.
Though respected throughout the city, Boren's reputation is not built on charisma or diplomacy. It comes from consistency. Citizens know what to expect from him. Criminals know what to expect from him. Guards know what to expect from him.
Whether they like it or not.
To Boren, law is not a suggestion.
It is the foundation that separates a city from chaos.
Race: Goliath
Class: Fighter
Level: 8
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Pronouns: He/Him
Captain of the City Guard
Commander of the Wall Watch
Shield of Daggerfall
@BastionCouncil
City Guard Headquarters
Standing nearly seven feet tall at 6'11", Boren is an imposing figure even among other warriors.
His frame is broad and heavily muscled, built through decades of military service, weapons training, and constant patrol duty. Numerous scars cross his arms and shoulders, reminders of battles he rarely discusses.
His dark hair is kept short and practical, while traces of gray have begun appearing around his temples. His face is stern and weathered, with the permanent expression of a man who has spent years expecting trouble.
Boren almost always wears armor, even when off duty. What little civilian clothing he owns is simple and functional.
The armor itself was crafted by @MasterOrik and fitted specifically for him. Though Boren rarely acknowledges the gesture, it remains one of the finest suits he has ever worn.
Boren believes in structure.
Rules.
Discipline.
Duty.
These principles guided his military career and continue to shape every decision he makes.
He has little patience for excuses and even less patience for people who believe they are exceptions to the rules.
Though often perceived as stubborn, Boren genuinely believes institutions exist for a reason. When people ignore them, someone else usually pays the price.
He is not cruel.
He is not malicious.
He simply values order more highly than most people.
His greatest weakness is an inability to understand why others sometimes reject the systems he depends upon.
Boren began his career in the military before eventually transitioning into city service. Though the official records describe the departure as honorable, the truth is more complicated.
Military life became central to his identity.
When that chapter ended, Boren struggled to adapt.
The City Guard provided a new purpose and a familiar structure, allowing him to continue serving something larger than himself.
Over the years he rose steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming Captain of the City Guard and earning a permanent seat on the Bastion Council.
Though he rarely speaks about his military years, those who know him well understand he never truly stopped being a soldier.
He merely changed uniforms.
Boren oversees:
City patrols
Criminal investigations
Wall defenses
Emergency response
Guard training
Prisoner management
Most citizens know him by reputation long before meeting him.
Guards respect him.
Criminals avoid him.
Merchants tolerate him.
Adventurers frustrate him.
As Captain of the Guard, Boren represents security and military preparedness within the Bastion Council.
He frequently aligns with @ArlenBridges on matters involving law, defense, and civic stability.
While he respects @MasterOrik and recognizes Forgehand's importance to the city, he often finds the old dwarf's independence frustrating.
Boren prefers clear chains of command.
Orik prefers results.
The two occasionally clash because of it.
Boren respects the office of Mayor and views Arlen as a capable administrator.
While they do not agree on every issue, Boren trusts Arlen's commitment to Daggerfall and generally supports his efforts to maintain stability.
A sharp negotiator whose influence often extends further than Boren would like.
Though he occasionally finds her methods frustrating, he recognizes her value to the city and respects her ability to keep trade flowing.
An old dwarf whose work Boren relies upon far more than he admits.
Though not close friends, Boren respects Orik's skill and understands that much of Daggerfall's strength rests upon Forgehand's shoulders.
A source of constant frustration.
Boren views Grusk as stubborn, unconventional, and frequently unwilling to follow proper procedures.
At the same time, he cannot deny the results Grusk produces.
This contradiction irritates him more than he cares to admit.
A former subordinate who tested his patience at nearly every opportunity.
Boren disliked her disregard for appearance, protocol, and discipline. He also disliked how often she proved him wrong.
Though he would never openly admit it, he respects the warrior she became.
Among guards and tavern storytellers, Boren is most famous for an incident involving a gang operating near the docks.
During an attempted arrest, Boren reportedly grappled multiple suspects before throwing four of them into a large fishing net with a single heave.
The story has grown considerably with each retelling.
Boren refuses to confirm or deny any version of it.
When not working, Boren rarely visits taverns or social gatherings.
Instead, he prefers quiet places where he can maintain equipment, practice drills, or work on weapons and armor.
Many late nights find him alone at the city's archery grounds.
There he sharpens blades, oils leather, repairs gear, and occasionally enjoys a strong drink while watching the moon rise above the walls.
To Boren, caring for equipment is not a chore.
It is a form of discipline.
Constantly inspects equipment for flaws.
Adjusts straps and buckles while thinking.
Crosses his arms when annoyed.
Prefers direct answers to long explanations.
Maintains strict posture even while relaxing.
Frequently uses military terminology in conversation.
Watches entrances and exits whenever entering a room.
Among citizens, Boren Strongarm is viewed as a dependable if intimidating protector.
Among guards, he is respected as a commander who never asks others to do what he would not do himself.
Among criminals, he is considered relentless.
Among adventurers, opinions vary considerably.
Some view him as a necessary authority.
Others view him as a stubborn obstacle.
Boren would likely consider both descriptions accurate.
Boren believes civilization is fragile.
Walls fail.
Laws fail.
People fail.
The only reason cities survive is because someone remains willing to stand watch when everyone else has gone home.
For nearly two decades, that responsibility has been his.
And despite every frustration, argument, and sleepless night, he still reports for duty.
Because somebody has to.