
Lance-Constable Carrot Ironfoundersson
(Profile #1)
Context
Carrot is one of the lead characters from the City Watch series of fantasy novels, by Sir Terry Pratchett . These are in turn part of his greater Discworld series. Most City Watch action occurs in the unruly city of Ankh-Morpork .
The Discworld stories are highly regarded for their witty writing style, incisive satire, and charismatic characters. Their differences from more traditional fantasy stories such as Tolkien’s contributed to their great popularity.
This profile covers Carrot’s first appearance, in Guard! Guards!. It is followed by our Captain Carrot Iroundfoundersson entry.
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Background
- Real Name: Carrot Ironfoundersson.
- Other Aliases: Kzad-bhat (dwarfish for Head Banger).
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Unnamed dwarfish adoptive parents.
- Group Affiliation: Night Watch.
- Base Of Operations: Ankh-Morpork.
- Height: 6’6” Weight: 210 lbs.
- Eyes: ? Hair: Red
Powers & Abilities
While lacking powers as such, Carrot’s size and upbringing in dwarven mines has left him extremely strong and tough. He’s thus able to beat crowds of combatants, and even a troll (although this did just mean he was last to fall).
He’s memorised most of the laws of Ankh-Morpork (from an old book from when the laws were actually adhered to), and can (and will) recite them at length.
He carries the only heirloom recovered from when he was found, an unimpressive-looking but sharp sword whose inscription is long faded. Any resemblance between the blade and that of the believed-extinct royal family of Ankh-Morpork is surely coincidental. As is his birthmark.
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History
Carrot was adopted by dwarves as an infant after they found him the sole survivor of an apparent bandit attack on travellers. His sole heirloom, a worn old sword, and his birthmark identify him to any student of history as the heir of the last King of Ankh-Morpork.
Carrot is unaware of this, and was surprised to learn he was adopted – despite growing up to six and a half foot in tunnels five foot high.
The truth that he was human was revealed when his adoptive parent grew worried that he needed to be around his own kind. They sent him to the city to join the Watch, and a neighbouring human gave him a book of Ankh-Morpork’s laws (significantly out of date) which he read on the way.
He proved over-eager in the role of Lance-Constable in the Night Watch, arresting the head of the (officially sanctioned) Thieves Guild for thievery on his first day. He had to have the way the city operated explained to him by Sgt. Colon and Corporal Nobbs, though it still took him a while to see how it actually worked.
Even after grudgingly accepting that the Guilds legalised many crimes, he continued to charge anyone performing even minor infractions, obliviously walking into situations his teachers would sooner run away from (which is most situations where the individual to be arrested isn’t already unconscious).
When the Watch were forced to deal with a dragon that’d taken over the city, Carrot tried arresting it when it was briefly unconscious, defending his prisoner from the mob trying to kill it.
The dragon situation was dealt with and the Watch credited with its resolution, so Carrot was soon promoted to Corporal. While he’s learnt that some official laws can’t be enforced in the modern city, he nevertheless encourages people to obey them. And many seem to do so, if only to please him.
Description
While tall, Carrot still tends to stoop much of the time, a product of growing up in tunnels only five foot high. This doesn’t prevent his presence from making him seem taller still, and he becomes the centre of attention without trying.
Personality
Cheerful and always looking for the good in everyone, Carrot’s directness and metaphor-blindness make many see him as stupid. He can – and does – quote the laws and regulations of the city by heart, and has trouble when they conflict with his orders.
His blindness to metaphor can be a problem – although he’s starting to learn about them as he spends time with humans. He’s generally obedient to commands, trusting his superiors to know what they’re doing, so he can sometimes interpret their orders literally and do silly things.
Despite his precise adherence to the letter of the law, most people can’t help liking him, even some of those he’s arresting. His open honesty can also throw many off, leaving them dazed and certain he must be pulling a fast one.
Carrot is virtually fearless, primarily by dint of a dwarfish upbringing that has left him lacking the imagination to predict bad outcomes befalling him.
Quotes
“I have told Nobby about the Gambling (Regulation) Acts, and he said ’piss off‘, which I think is in violation of the Decency Ordinances of 1839 but I have decided to use my discretion.”
[Arresting a dragon] “It is my duty to warn you that you are to be reported for consideration of prosecution on some or all of the following counts, to whit: One, (One) i, that on or about 18th Grune last, in a place known as Sweetheart Lane, the Shades, you did unlawfully vent flame in a manner likely to cause grievous bodily harm in contravention of Clause Seven of the Industrial Processes Act, 1508; AND THAT, One, (One) ii, that on or about 18th Grune last, in a place known as Sweetheart Lane, the Shades, you caused or did cause to cause the death of six persons unknown…”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Carrot Ironfoundersson
Dex: 05 | Str: 05 | Bod: 06 | Motivation: Uphold the Good |
Int: 04 | Wil: 04 | Min: 04 | Occupation: Watchman |
Inf: 05 | Aur: 05 | Spi: 06 | Resources {or Wealth}: 001 |
Init: 016 | HP: 030 |
Skills:
Charisma (Persuasion): 06, Detective (Law): 05, Martial Artist: 06, Weaponry (Swords): 06
Advantages
Expertise (Laws of Ankh-Morpork), Iron Nerves, Language (Dwarfish), Police Credentials (Lance-Constable in the City Guard, Low).
Connections:
Night Watch (Low).
Drawbacks:
MIA (Obey and enforce the law precisely as written).
Equipment:
- GUARD ARMOUR [BODY 04, Skin Armor: 01, Limitation: Partial Coverage (-1CS Trick Shot to bypass)].
- Family Sword [BODY 05, EV 04 (06 w/STR, 07 w/Martial Artist), Sharpness (EV): 01].
Design notes
While naïve of the ways of the city (and humans), he doesn’t really display the gullibility suggested by Innocent (he’s resistant to Nobby and Colon teaching him the way of things), so I’ve left it as a personality note.
Source of Character: Guard! Guards! by Terry Pratchett.
Writeup completed on the 14th of July, 2014.