Ludo Fuhz-Bahl

Pocros is an continent well-inhabited by Thur'ati. The cat-men rule the land with an iron fist, or rather, powerful paw. The society is comprised of a decent number of large cities of impressive size, many shared with other races from across the globe. But those cities were foreign to Ludo Fuhz-Bahl. Ludo was born in Khat'Skillz; a quaint town, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, but still large enough to have a school and some respectable shops.

From birth, Ludo's parents knew he was a very special child. When most children his age were walking and talking, Ludo continued to walk on all-fours and only communicate with grunts. What he lacked intellectually, he more than made up for in size. Even at a young age, Ludo showed great promise with his physical strength. As a baby his favorite toy was a wooden club, which he would often flail about, excitedly. His absent-minded play would often lead to him smacking various objects within his reach. This wouldn't be a problem for many Thur'ari parents; however, his parents (Lionel and Kitney Fuhz-Bahl) were highly respected members of their community. Both well educated, almost aristocratic citizens, they simply could not understand their child. How could two such highly intelligent, gentle people create such a reckless child who seemed incapable of living in a civilized society? After much

deliberation, the Fuhz-Bhals felt they had no other choice but to release their feral child into the wild. This was a difficult decision to make, but they felt that he would be happier in an environment that was more suitable for his... needs.

Deep into the jungle they walked. After all, they had to ensure nobody would discover their terrible conspiracy. One can't say their child was eaten by a dire bear on a camping trip after simply abandoning the child a mile away from their home. So deep and deep they traversed into the wild jungles of  Pocros. Perhaps a little too deep. For you see, being the aristocratic-type, they were not well versed in the survival skills required for the wild. After what must have been dozens upon dozens of miles into the jungle, they found themselves thoroughly lost. And so the time had come, to do the deed.

The young boy, with such energy and excitement was bounding over rocks, jumping from tree to tree, and making far more noise than anybody should while so deep in unexplored jungles. But that didn't occur to the Fuhz-Bahls. The couple then began to bicker over how to lose the child and make their way home. Lionel was happy to simply throw a ball of twine (one of Ludo's favorite toys) and run in the opposite direction. Kitney on the other hand, was insistent that abandoning the boy wasn't good enough and death was the only option. Shocked by how extreme his wife was being, Lionel refused, even suggesting he didn't want to go through with the plan at all. As the couple bickered, louder and louder, they were completely unaware of the group of hunters from a tribe of Thur'ati Barbarians slowly creeping in to surround them. By the time the couple noticed the “change to their surroundings” the hunters had already heard everything.

Normally, the Fi'Lyne tribe follow a strict code of not harming women; but plotting to murder your own child was enough reason for them to disregard their guidelines. They quickly threw nets over the couple, ensnaring them and then binding their snouts to allow for breathing but no speaking. One of the larger hunters bent down, scooping Ludo up in his equally muscular and furry arms. After a short walk (and prisoner march) Ludo found himself in a small village, comprised of thatched huts and little more. He was carried into the biggest of the huts, which was more of a Hall than a hut. The hunter laid the boy down before the largest Thur'ati Ludo had ever seen. He was an older male with spots of graying fur and hints of battle scars, half-hidden by his thick coat. “Da'King” the hunter began, addressing their leader. “We find city-folk in jungle... trying to kill child!”

Da'King stood up, towering over Ludo. He leaned down, and reached out, taking hold of and inspecting the name tag around Ludo's neck. “Bring me Bu'Kat” instructed the hunter. With a dash, the hunter ran from the Hall, shouting for someone to find and fetch Bu'Kat. Da'King sat and watched Ludo while he waited. The impatient child grew restless and began flailing his wooden club around, smashing whatever was within reach. Da'King watched while shaking with laughter. “You like play?” he asked Ludo, to which Ludo shyly nodded.

Just then, a portly, less impressive Thur'ati made his way into the Hall. He walked up to Da'King, gave a small bow and then shrugged, as if asking what he was summoned for. Da'King simply pointed at the tag that had been around Ludo's neck and said only, “Read.”

Bu'Kat stared at the tag, inspecting it for several minutes before confidently concluding, “Ludo Fuhz-Bahl.”

“Ha!” Da'King burst with laughter. “Bu'Kat so smart! So, he have name!” Da'King then leaned over and whispered something into Bu'Kat's ear. With that, Bu'Kat ran from the hall and immediately began barking orders to men outside. “Little Ludo, you want to play more?” He asked. Again, Ludo responded simply with a shy nod. Da'King patted Ludo on the back, leading him out into the middle of the village. There, Ludo found two sacks laying on the ground. “Play.” Da'King instructed, “Just for Ludo.”

Excitedly, Ludo ran over to the sacks. He had never seen sacks squirm and groan the way these sacks did, but he really did love to play. All through the night, Ludo played and played until the sacks were soaking wet, changed color and stopped their animation. When they did finally stop, the tribe all chanted together, “Ludo Fuhz-Bahl of Fi'Lyne!” He had become one of them.

As an adolescent/teen, Ludo spent much time with Bu'Kat. By Fi'Lyne standards, Ludo may not have been the biggest and strongest, but he had shown great promise in his intellect. After all, look at how intelligent his parents were..... Anyway, Ludo quickly became known as the smartest member of the Fi'Lyne tribe. Some say he became even slightly smarter than Bu'Kat. Of all the things Bu'Kat taught Ludo, shamanistic crafting was his specialty.

One day, Da'King got word of some Lazulians setting up an encampment on the shore, not too far from the Fi'Lyne tribe. Being their smartest member, Ludo was sent to see what the Lazulian wanted. Unfortunately, Ludo was too confident in his language skills and insisted on going alone. Upon meeting the Lazulians, Ludo attempted to greet them, which was mistaken as a threatening gesture and Ludo was taken captive.

While a prisoner of the Lazulians, Ludo found himself to be sharing a prison cell with a strange rancher named Horatio. When collectively they realized they weren't going to be released any time soon, at Ludo's insistence they combined Horatio's physical skills and Ludo's intellect (or was it the other way around?) and ended up making a daring escape from the prison.

Having formed a bond and finding themselves so far from either of their homes, Ludo and Horatio have formed a bond of compatriots. Helping each other out whenever they can, but often bickering as well.

Perhaps one day Ludo will be able to make his way back to the Fi'Lyne tribe or even back to Khat'Skillz.