The fire of a forge makes steel, aye, but the warmth of a tavern makes stories. Sit, drink, and share yours. You’ll leave stronger than when you came in.

— Grumli Emberkeg

Title: Proprietor of the Emberhearth Tavern, Retired Brewmaster

Age: 138

Race: Dwarf

Appearance

Grumli Emberkeg is a stout, round-bellied dwarf with the jovial demeanor of a lifelong tavern keeper. His auburn beard is thick and long, braided neatly with small copper and brass rings that glint in the warm light of his tavern. His bushy eyebrows, often furrowed in amusement or curiosity, frame his bright amber eyes, which sparkle like a well-polished mug of mead.

Grumli’s hands are broad and calloused, a testament to years spent brewing ales and hefting barrels in the forges of Ironhearth. His attire is practical but vibrant: a sturdy leather apron adorned with the Emberkeg family crest (a frothing mug wreathed in flames) and a deep red tunic embroidered with gold thread. Despite his cheerful appearance, a long scar running down his left forearm hints at a more tumultuous past.

Grumli is rarely seen without his signature mug—a sturdy froststeel tankard engraved with runes that keep his drink eternally cold (or warm, depending on his mood).

Personality

Grumli is the very soul of warmth and hospitality in a city built on fire and stone. Known for his booming laugh and endless good humor, he makes everyone who walks into the Emberhearth Tavern feel like family. He has a knack for defusing tensions with a well-timed joke or a perfectly poured pint and takes great pride in his ability to create a welcoming space for adventurers, merchants, and locals alike.

Despite his jovial nature, Grumli is a keen observer with a sharp mind for business and an uncanny ability to read people. He remembers every patron’s name, favorite drink, and the story they told the last time they visited. Beneath his cheerful exterior, Grumli has a deep sense of duty to Ironhearth and its people, often acting as a quiet supporter of those in need. He has no patience for dishonesty, cruelty, or those who bring harm to his patrons.

Grumli can be fiercely protective when his tavern—or the people within it—are threatened. While he’s left his days as a brewmaster and fighter behind, he’s not above reminding troublemakers why dwarves are feared in battle.

History

Born into a family of renowned brewers in Ironhearth, Grumli spent his early years perfecting the art of crafting ales and meads. His signature creation, Emberkeg Stout, became famous across the tundra for its fiery aftertaste and ability to warm even the coldest of adventurers. Grumli’s brewing prowess earned him wealth and recognition, but he always preferred the camaraderie of a tavern to the solitude of a brewing hall.

After an accident in the Forge Warrens left him with the scar on his forearm, Grumli decided to leave brewing behind and open the Emberhearth Tavern. His goal was simple: to create a space where people could share stories, celebrate victories, and forget the harshness of the tundra, if only for a while. Over the decades, the tavern has become a cornerstone of Ironhearth’s culture, attracting everyone from miners and smiths to adventurers and merchants.

Grumli’s ties to the Emberforge Clans and his reputation for fairness have made him a respected figure in Ironhearth. He often acts as a mediator in disputes and a source of wisdom for those seeking guidance.