Berrun Dimmabrow
Watchwarden of Hearthring Post, friend to firelight and folk alike
Berrun Dimmabrow is a long-serving Watchwarden of the Hearthring Post in the City of Or. A dwarf of middle age and dependable temperament, he serves not just as a lawkeeper but as a familiar face across the upper districts—greeting bakers, helping lost children, settling disputes, and ensuring that the city’s warmth runs deeper than its stone.
With a weathered smile, a nose for trouble (and cinnamon buns), and the unshakable air of someone who’s heard it all before and still chooses to listen, Berrun is both public official and beloved neighbour. Though he wears the sigil of the Hearthring Guard, he carries himself with the quiet grace of someone who considers the entire city part of his extended clan.
Appearance
Berrun is of sturdy dwarven build with a square jaw, weathered features, and deep-set brown eyes that miss little. His chestnut-brown beard is thick and well-groomed, bound at the end with a copper ring and streaked with the occasional glint of grey. He often smells faintly of woodsmoke, hops, and lanolin—a combination earned from long nights in Hearthring taverns, patrol walks through early dawn, and wool-trading days of his youth.
His uniform is practical but precise: reinforced leather with a shoulder guard bearing the Hearthring sigil—a stylised brazier encircled by flame-carved runes. Beneath his armour he wears a simple wool shirt, sleeves rolled back in the warmer months. A pendant of family make—circular, burnished, engraved with the Dimmabrow crest—rests against his chest beneath the front clasp.
Personality
Berrun is a man of well-earned patience, the kind who can break up a tavern brawl with a raised eyebrow or defuse a shouting match with an arm across a shoulder and a whispered jest. His humour is dry, his memory long, and his temper slow to stir—but unignorable when roused. He’s especially fond of helping younger guards find their stride, often pairing them with unusual partners or tasks to test their strengths.
He speaks plainly but warmly, choosing words with the same care he uses when carving wood, a pastime he rarely admits to indulging. His laugh is quiet but sincere, and he has a soft spot for anyone who takes pride in their craft.
Duties and Reputation
As Watchwarden, Berrun oversees operations across the Hearthring, ensuring patrol rotations, market peacekeeping, and conflict resolutions. He liaises regularly with council aides and civic guilds, and keeps a friendly working relationship with Brother Ienor of the Red Palm Hall, especially during public health concerns or festival overflows.
Among the folk of the Hearthring, Berrun is regarded as a guardian and advocate. Children wave when they see him; elders know to invite him in when the tea is ready. His presence during the Election Festival is often accompanied by cheers, veiled bribes in pastry form, and a running tally of how many pies he can eat without flinching.
Relationships
Brother Ienor – Berrun respects the healer deeply, both as a professional and a personal friend. The two have often been seen in gentle conversation, sometimes sitting together in silence beneath one of the older flame-statues of Stonehollow.
Gundric "Gundy" Alebrow – While Gundy rarely speaks, the two share an unspoken rapport. Berrun is one of the few people permitted behind the Brazen Burp’s bar without question, often fetching his own mug while Gundy raises a brow in approval.
Guardling Darik Stoneveil – Berrun keeps a watchful eye on Darik, recognising in him the makings of a future Watchwarden. He offers the young guard mentorship through quiet assignments and gentle nudges, never praise too quickly, but always watching with hope.
Lore and Local Sayings
- “Ask Berrun, he’ll know.” – Common advice when someone is lost, confused, or in need of a favour.
- “He’s the Dimmabrow bellwether.” – Said with respect, implying that Berrun’s mood reflects the city’s.
- “Don’t lie to Berrun. He already knows what you meant.” – An adage among children and petty thieves alike.