## History and Description

Khiden Gaeldaire, more commonly known as Khiden Brightbrow, is an esteemed dwarven jeweler and runesmith originally from Kar Karadonn. He arrived in Vessina for a business trip at the age of about a century and decided to make it his permanent home. His decision was influenced by his growing love for the artistic expressions of Marcandria, particularly theater and music, as well as the abundant exotic materials available due to Vessina's strategic location along bustling trade routes around the Wayfarer's Sea. Over the centuries, Khiden established the Brightbrow Company, a colossal enterprise specializing in the creation and sale of exquisite jewelry. Khiden, and his company, later became integral members of the Fulcrum, with Khiden serving on the organization's Board of Nine for several decades. His unparalleled skill as a jeweler and expertise as a runesmith enable him to craft items inscribed with magical runes or symbols, imbuing them with mystical properties. While Khiden lacks innate magical abilities, he relies on external sources to infuse magic when crafting each item. His personally made creations are highly sought after among the elite circles of Marcandrian society.

Khiden possesses a profound reverence and respect for artistry and craftsmanship. To him, a craftsperson's work is akin to a sacred expression of their devotion to their craft. Crafted pieces should be sources of pride for both the creator and the buyer, revered not merely as ornamental trinkets but as objects of admiration. Khiden vehemently despises charlatans, fraudsters, and those who knowingly peddle subpar work, regardless of their motives. He has little patience for those who fail to honor their craft or the craftsmanship of others. Consequently, Khiden has made it his life's mission to purge fraudulent and shoddy works from the jewelry-making industry. His ultimate goal is to establish such dominance in the market that he can enforce rigorous quality control procedures and standards across the entire sector, providing buyers with straightforward methods to verify the quality and authenticity of their purchases. This, he believes, will render it impossible for fraudsters to thrive in the market. He perceives these charlatans as tarnishing the craft, diminishing people's respect for it, and placing skilled craftsmen in a difficult position by forcing them to compete with cheaper goods falsely advertised as being of the same high quality.

Khiden is aware that his aggressive methods to attain market dominance may adversely affect some skilled jewelers. Ideally, he hopes to invite these craftsmen into his company, but he deeply respects those who prefer the freedom to practice their craft without external oversight. His overarching vision is to create an environment where highly skilled jewelry craftsmen can flourish. While he acknowledges the short-term hardships his methods may impose on certain skilled artisans, he believes it's a worthwhile sacrifice if he can acquire the market influence needed to establish his quality control measures throughout the industry, ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Khiden is an opinionated and steadfast elder dwarf who unwaveringly stands by his principles. He's a sharp and uncompromising businessman, earning a reputation as a shrewd and unyielding individual who has little tolerance for deception or time-wasting. Nevertheless, beneath his stern exterior, Khiden enjoys an evening of robust drinks, engaging tales, and hearty laughter among like-minded companions who share his passion for craftsmanship. He's also a dedicated patron of theatrical and musical performances, regarding high-quality presentations with the same reverence and admiration as he does for exceptional craftsmanship.

### The Brightbrow Company

The Brightbrow Company, founded and led by Khiden Brightbrow over two centuries ago (as of 1353 AD), is a prominent member of the Fulcrum and has served on the Fulcrum's Board of Nine for several decades. It stands as the largest jewelry-making and selling enterprise in Marcandria, offering a wide range of products, including bracelets, brooches, earrings, necklaces, pendants, rings, as well as hair and beard jewelry. They craft items ranging from the utmost luxury to more affordable pieces designed for the general populace.

The Brightbrow Company upholds stringent quality control procedures. Each item they sell is accompanied by a detailed certificate that specifies the artisan responsible for its creation, the materials used, and the sources of those materials. Even their more budget-friendly options are crafted with unwavering dedication to quality, employing cost-effective materials that are still skillfully worked.

A significant portion of their inventory consists of items acquired from other jewelers. They transport these exquisitely crafted pieces to markets where they can be sold at a profit. However, the Brightbrow Company only purchases goods from jewelers who can provide comprehensive information, ensuring the quality and authenticity of the items they acquire.

The company's headquarters is situated in Vessina, with many of their jewelry-making foundries located in proximity to the city or along the wider Merchant's Bay area. Additionally, they operate a fleet of ships that traverse the bustling trade routes of Eirus, Androgos, and Tel-Rabil around the Wayfarer's Sea. These vessels transport goods between various ports, enabling them to acquire local products at favorable prices and then market these same goods as exotic treasures in other regions. They also procure raw materials during these voyages for use in their own jewelry-making processes.

## Appearance

Portrait of Khiden Gaeldaire/Brightbrow. (Generated by Dall-E. Prompt: ""Cinematic painting. Depicts an older male dwarf akin to those found in medieval fantasy settings. He has a solid build, with an almost clean shaven head. He has a long grey beard that reaches the bottom of his ribcage. The beard hangs loose, save for a thick central braid that ends in a thick golden ring. His face has several small white marks left over from burns he got at the forge. He wears a a fine doublet with silver embroidery. His scalp is tattooed with thick dwarven patterns, akin to Germanic tribal tattoos. He wears dwarven earrings and beard jewelry of exquisite quality."")

Khiden is a slightly chubby but muscular old dwarf, with a height 1.35m. He has a mostly bald scalp with wide grey hair that reaches the bottom of his ribs. Most of the beard hangs straight, with a few thick braids bearing pieces of jewelry. Khiden's arms have a number of tiny burn scars that he's gotten from stray embers over the years. His scalp, shoulders, and upper back are all covered in dark grey Kardonni runic tattoos. He typically wears fine doublets in his attires, and is most often seen wearing a pair of glasses.

## Characteristics

#### Basic characteristics

Location: Vessina

Race/Gender/Birthyear: Kardonni Dwarf, Male, 1004 (349 years as of 1353AD)

Status: Alive

Occupation: Owner of the Brightbrow Company. Jewelsmith. Board-Member of the Fulcrum.

Affiliation: Brightbrow Company. The Fulcrum

Primary Deity: The Dwarffather, though quite openly pays homage to other good- or neutral-aligned deities, such as the Marcandrians' Diostri.

Abilities: Unparalleled jewelry-maker. Also a runesmith, capable of making jewelry infused with magical runes and symbols – though he needs an external source of magical power when making such goods, as he himself cannot use magic.

Alignment: Lawful Neutral

#### Goals/Motivations

- Lifelong goal: Reach complete dominance and control over Marcandria's jewelry making industry. Khiden absolutely despises charlatans and fraudsters who lacks the proper respect and reverence one should have for one's craft. He aims to, by taking control of the industry, enforce a strict set of quality control procedures and requirements that would make it impossible to sell fraudulent or inferior-quality goods to unsuspecting buyers. The practice of fraudsters selling garbage goods while claiming them to be high quality is to Khiden an insult to his beloved craft, which he seeks to end.
- Goals for foreseeable future:
- Immediate goal:

#### Behavior

- Mannerism (How they speak)
  - Strong, indirect, and slightly sustained. Regular to slight throaty, dry, old (gruff) voice, with a slightly slow tempo and loud volume. Generally friendly tone.
  - Can come across as a bit severe when one first meets him, but quickly becomes friendly if he likes you. He does not suffer fools however, or people who seek to waste his time.
  - Loves a good joke.
- Personality (/Interaction. How they treat others)
  - Has a reverence and deep respect for arts and craftmanship. Despises charlatans, fraudsters, and incompetent craftsmen who dares try sell low quality crafts.
  - Very opinionated and outspoken. Principled when it comes to craftmanship - particularly in regards to view of respecting and revering craftmanship and one's craft – that one should not tolerate low-quality goods being sold, or be willing to tarnish their own honor as a craftsperson by daring to try sell low-quality goods. Holds a very meritocratic view. Thinks highly of people who are highly skilled.
  - Cultured – loves arts and crafts. This includes both crafts such as jewelry and woodworking, but also arts such as theatre and music. Deeply enjoys witnessing high quality crafts and performances, and likewise despises witnessing low-quality ones. Enjoys nothing more than an evening of stiff drinks while enjoying theatrical or musical performances, or while discussing or enjoying fine craftmanship – interluded with a few good tales and a few good jokes.
  - Can be cold initially. Can often be dismissive towards people if he thinks they'll waste his time. Will quickly warm up to people if he believes they share the same respect for craftmanship as he does. Friendly and even mentor-like to people who proves they share the same reverence. Very much enjoys a good joke or a fun story.
  - Shrewd and unfoolable. Has a sharp judgement when it comes to people. Knows when people are trying to play him, distract him, or deceive him. Does not tolerate such behavior, and will have them removed from his presence.
  - Stoic, stern, and stubborn. Is very set in his ways and his views. Very steadfast and unrelenting when it comes to achieving his goals. Is very strict, but is much more strict towards himself than to any others.
  - Meticulous and a perfectionist. Has a keen attention to detail, and holds his employees to a high standard. However, he is particular about never demanding anyone having to be more hardworking than himself.
  - Ambitious and competitive. Expanding his business is to him the thrill of his life. He enjoys coming out on top in new and existing markets.
  - Ruthless when it comes to business. Will do whatever it takes, within the limits of the law, to achieve his goals within the jewelry business. Is a clever and clear-headed businessman. He does not strictly want to
  - Resourceful. Is very well connected, but in terms of suppliers, business-partners, buyers, and in general with influential people. His unparalleled skill as a jeweler himself makes his personal crafts highly sought after. Wearing jewelry made personally by Khiden is a status symbol, and thus people tend to want to be on his good side.
- Body language
  - Gruff with a few aches in his movements due to his old age. Very no-nonsense in how he portrays himself.
- Bond/Core values and beliefs (What they care about, what they can be pressured with, and what they are afraid of – and why)
  - Cares about honest respectful business, where craftsmen and artisans of true quality can thrive.
  - Wants to avoid situations where skilled craftsmen suffer, though he will tolerate short-term hardships if he believes it will result in a stronger long-term gain.
- Quotes and General Trivia:
  - Often starts coughing if he laughs too hard.
  - Brilliant and unparalleled when it comes to jewelry-making in Marcandria. Is also a runesmith, meaning he's able to create jewelry infused with magical symbols and runes, thus giving them magical capabilities. He is, however, not a magic user himself, and thus needs an external source to feed magic into the item while making it. To Khiden, being able to craft items that has magical capabilities is the pinnacle of craftmanship. Not only must one shape the metal and gems, but must know the materials so intricately that one perfectly understands how magic flows and behaves within each material, and how to shape it and incorporate it with magical symbols and runes infused with the perfect amount of magic to create the desirable magical capability in a stable manner.
  - Khiden's passions are jewelry-making, growing and expanding his business, and bearing witness to fine craftmanship made by others.
  - He does not wish to put skilled jewelry makers out of business, as his goals are intended to create an environment where high-quality jewelry making can flourish; where it does not have to compete with low-quality or fraudulent goods who sell their goods at lower prices to customers who are unable to tell the difference between low-quality and exquisite-quality goods – only being able to compare the price. Khiden thus sees it as a loss whenever a skilled jeweler goes out of business because of his ruthless tactics, but views it as worth it in the long run if he can create an environment where the jewelry market has firm enough quality control procedures and requirements so that low-quality and fraudulent sellers cannot survive in the market.

## Related Characters

## Character Sheet