Gouda

"I'm not worth remembering. Leave here and forget you ever saw me."

Confident, Stubborn, Grouchy, Blunt, Crude, Loud, Pessimistic, Flamboyant, Grizzly, Caring

The last surviving member of The Gouda Clan, a name that was slowly being forgotten with the passage of time. In times of war, The Gouda Clan would always be called upon to fight for the crown. They were a family that had trained strong noble warriors over many generations. 

When Gouda was young,  his name still meant something. Like many of his family before him, he too was called to war. With his brothers in arms, they secured many victories in battle. But the war persisted on. It was not until he took a brief leave to return home that he discovered his village had been destroyed and much of his species with it.

Soon the name Gouda did not hold the same meaning it once did. A noble capable warrior such as himself was unable to protect his family, his village, from the repercussions of war. He began to lose his faith in not only his ability but the cause itself (crown & country).

Despite seeing this as a failure in himself, he was too cowardly to take the honorable way out, and instead fled and retreated far into the mountains, where he could look down upon the ashes of his destroyed village and remember.

Hidden from most of the world, Gouda has now found some semblance of peace. Although being a recluss does not suit him, as he still craves connection, his guilt keeps him in place, so he'll often try to push those who wander close away. Once proud, Gouda still carries himself with confidence, believing he deserves no pity or sympathy.

Gouda fears being remembered but finds some solace in the fact that most who knew him likely have perished too, like he should have. 

Trivia:

• Exias is an old companion of his, and he does not know he's still alive 
• Loves rivers and ponds and poetry
• His species is a cross between a frog, a toad, and a man, and yes, he can transform into a more toadlike form
• Design notes: Cicada wing back tattoo, pierced tongue, eyes turn yellow, hair can be up / down / short, optional goatee, 3 moles by each eye, bridge piercing, nipple piercing, lip piercing, optional facial markings, patchy eyebrows, flat long nose