Artwork by doubleleaf
<center><i>Originally from the Great Rift, far to the west of Freehold, Marten claims to be a gold dwarf despite his physical appearance, and indeed demonstrates all the mannerisms and cultural behaviors of his people. He is recognizable not just by his strong dwarvish accent and bright metallic scales, but also by the symbol of Moradin on his flask and the intricate artificial "beards" he wears: One of stout chain for combat and other everyday purposes, and a finer "dress beard" made from fine gold and precious gems.

Cantankerous at best, Marten was encountered by those who accompanied the first caravan to Assur, where he found himself short-shrifted by the Trollslayer Chaka after his most recent work as a mercenary. After hearing of the Freeholders' need for guards on the journey home, he assisted Councilor Shara Graye and Lord Aram Lazard in retaining a number of other qualified sellswords and hirespells. The dwarf proved a savvy negotiator and was able to secure quite a lucrative contract for himself, which he earned when the traders were attacked by giants during their return. Along with some of his fellow Trollslayers, Marten held a defensive line for Bartleby Crumb, Councilor Shara Graye, her apprentices Starla Kingshand and Kawashiro Katsura, and numerous noncombatants, taking on several giants easily ten times his own size with crossbow and explosives.

After successfully reaching Freehold, Marten found himself intrigued by the exploits of other villagers during the poisoned water crisis, and was lured into staying by the mystery of the ruins and by Lord Lazard's standing reward for the discovery of nearby resources upon which the settlement could capitalize.