“I’ve lived fer so long and can’t help but to wonder if what I’ve been fightin’ fer is gettin’ any closer. Maybe fightin’ fer peace this way is just the wrong way of doin’ things, bein’ in the military and whatnot. We sure aren’t focused on learnin’ about the other, that’s fer sure! I suppose it’s time I found a different path fer peace before I finally hit the pinewood box.” – Berlshenk
A respected sniper, tactician and mountaineer Berlshenk Alban Riflemot started his long military career around the middle of the War of the Three Hammers. Upon the First War he guided a platoon of soldiers as a captain and made another reputable mark during the defense of the Thandol Span. Along with his wife, Mardia Riflemot, and younger brother, Barzik Riflemot, the platoon held out as long as they could before losing their position in the Arathi Highlands.
They wouldn’t have lasted as long as they did were it not for a Dark Iron named Beln Brogglesmecker. Beln provided valuable information in order to confuse, misdirect and attack the oncoming Dark Horde for Berlshenk’s platoon. While they had lost their position in the Highlands the armies of Lordaeron continued to swarm throughout Arathi and have the platoon regroup with them to resume pushing south. It was only a matter of time until Berlshenk and his group watched the Dark Portal come to a close and for the armies of Lordaeron to scratch out any remaining major resistances of the Dark Horde from Azeroth.
Berlshenk spent the time between the Second and Third wars with his family and friends, coming to further enter the natural wonders of the Hinterlands with Mardia and finding that Beln wasn’t so bad despite his heritage. Being part-Wildhammer and Bronzebeard, Berlshenk’s journey into nature solidified upon his encounter with sea turtles near the shore and raising them from birth. Ever since then he’s been able to communicate and befriend animals of all kinds and also learn about the earth he walks on, forever entwining himself with it.
As soon as the Third War came into play Berlshenk and his troupe sprung back into action under the command of Arthas Menethil. Morale and troops were high as they pressed back orcish invaders and undead minions from the world, hoping that these small problems would correct themselves in a few months. That relief never came, morale succumbed to fatigue and Berlshenk’s platoon found themselves lacking the numbers they had when they returned to action. It was only Berlshenk, Barzik, Mardia and unofficially Beln along with two or three others, and by this time Arthas’s overzealousness was apparent to them. After regrettably taking part in the Culling of Stratholme the platoon abandoned the heir and journeyed alongside Jaina Proudmoore to the west to find a semblance of motive to all the madness around them.
Morale recovered well enough until the encounter with the Horde. Several skirmishes later and a meeting between Proudmoore, Thrall and Medivh, Berlshenk found himself working alongside a group of orcs led by a veteran named Kokorem. While they had their suspicions of each other they slowly succumbed to friendship, even doing battle with outraged Night Elves that were daring enough to attack their encampment. Even so they found themselves fighting alongside the Night Elves and thwarting the demonic hoards of the Burning Legion attempting to destroy the World Tree. The aftermath of the battle left Berlshenk’s platoon to realize the importance of peace and further familiarize themselves with their once-hated enemies. Also in this point in time was Berlshenk’s encounter with Khaadgrim Roark, who was Kokorem’s pupil and also fought during the battle. Little did the dwarf know their fates would soon be forever entwined in order to halt a bigger menace.
Once the remnants of Berlshenk’s platoon arrived in Ironforge they found a peaceful position within Loch Modan as guards. Barzik inquired with the Explorer’s League and became a cartographer for however brief a time until furthering his engineering training. While unable to enter Thelsamar Beln loitered around the Loch and returned to fishing in peace. Mardia stood by Berlshenk and patrolled alongside him throughout Loch Modan. For this little moment of time the group found some semblance of peace after all the chaos they had endured; but, alas, everything would shatter upon Berlshenk’s first encounter with the troubling organization known as the Vorisswa.
Upon a dark, silent night Thelsamar was greeted by fire and demonic minions. While a few mountaineers were injured during the skirmish Mardia had been killed and Berlshenk’s entire left side was covered by some purple, demonic taint. Once Berlshenk discovered the person behind the attack he departed and vowed to hunt him down.
This long journey of strife and danger proved to acquaint Berlshenk with friends from both the Alliance and Horde, also allowing past regrets, grudges and questions to be answered as well. This journey would come to be the key to unlocking those affected by it to look past their differences and work together under one banner, that banner becoming the Freelance Carrier’s Union in the future. Daneth Granjer, once a noble soldier in the army of Stormwind, was found to be the culprit of Mardia’s death he was slain by Berlshenk’s hands. Even so Vorisswa activity seemed to continue, and Berlshenk resolved to request an audience with Warchief Thrall regardless of his chances.
It was upon arriving near Razorwind Canyon that Berlshenk witnessed Khaadgrim’s close encounter with death by harpies. Realizing who he was the dwarf wasted no time in getting the orc’s back and successfully pushing back the harpies in order for Khaadgrim to escape harm’s way. Their friendship wasn’t certain during the battle at Mount Hyjal, but upon getting to know one another they knew their bond in battle would bloom through. Instead of trying to head into Orgrimmar and meeting a great amount of resistance the dwarf passed a message to the orc and parted ways.
Unfortunately the Vorisswa had already infiltrated Orgrimmar, arresting Khaadgrim under the credentials of high-ranking officials and sentencing him to death. While Berlshenk would say that a little scorpid told him of Khaadgrim’s danger it would be anyone’s guess, but regardless the dwarf managed to save him before the Vorisswa members could do anything to the orc’s hanging body. Once the danger cleared the two decided to venture to Thrall together instead of making another possible mistake and going to him alone.
With that done the two parted ways for the last time until some months before the Burning Crusade occurred. However, by another twist of fate Berlshenk reunited with friends both old and new by Cham Baergs and his organization, the Freelance Carrier’s Union. A forlorn, old soul found renewed hope with the FCU for peace and was given an honorable discharge from the Ironforge military after decades of service. Beyond the Burning Crusade, Berlshenk has answered the union’s call of duty, offering his services as a tactician and marksman in hopes of giving the generations before him a better understanding for the beings they were always told to hate.
Personality and Traits
Berlshenk’s mountaineer training has tempered his patience to the point of infinity. Not only did it help his sniper skills but it also strengthened his understanding of others before making judgments. Many of his comrades have described him as an old and wise dwarf, providing unto others a fount of knowledge in order to cleanse the generations before him of baseless hate or fear.
Calm-hearted and soft-spoken, Berlshenk remains to be one of the pinnacles of the Freelance Carriers Union due to his wisdom. His skills as a scout, mountaineer and marksman have hardened him to battles as well as clearing and scouting out paths for caravans or carriers. As well-reputed as the dwarf is within the union one shocking fact about him remains to stand out: He doesn’t drink alcohol – at least, not anymore.
Berlshenk is also known to be very spiritual, mostly keeping himself to the wilderness while conducting business through the radio. His connection with the wilds has given him friends amongst nature as well, ranging from an assortment of animals in practically every area. No matter what though there is only one animal that will hold a close place in his heart; an old, dogged sea turtle named Mhukah.
In terms of combat, Berlshenk tends to stay in the back lines to provide covering fire from his sniper rifle or relay communications for better organization. If he’s forced into melee combat his prowess with polearms typically fends off assailants, or at least provide enough time for the dwarf to open fire with his rifle; if that’s not enough he can launch traps and ensnare his opponents for easy pickings. While his aim isn’t what it used to be his friends will testify that he can still aim well enough to shoot the wings off a fly, it just takes him a bit more longer to do it!
Apparel
During the skirmish in Thelsamar, Berlshenk was struck in the left arm by Daneth’s scythe. Due to the corrupt nature of the weapon the wound spread across the dwarf’s whole left side, causing it to turn a dull purple and make him feel immense pain, putting demonic whisperings in his mind. While the affliction has lessened due to specialized bandages which run across his body the whisperings seemed to have gotten louder and can now be heard by anyone who gets close enough to him.
Berlshenk can usually be seen wearing his green mountaineer vestments along with a cloak that covers his whole body. His beard is tied into two, long braids accompanied by a mustache, both streaked in grey with fading black hairs. Beneath his hood his hair is dry and just as grey and the dwarf is bald up front, making him look as if he had a large forehead. The permanent scar has also mixed with his left eye, coloring his sclera in putrid yellow while mangling the iris in red. Being old and smiling often, Berlshenk’s face is covered with enough wrinkles for his eyes to always look shut or narrowed. Two amulets with gold chaining can be found underneath his beard: One with a ruby center clasped in gold and another with an obsidian center clasped in ivory.
