Johteh Greenthumb

Johteh is a tanner and member of the Dawnguard.

History
Johteh Greenthumb was born in Southhedge in 1095, the son of two local farmers who owned lands on the outskirts of the city. As such, the young boy received very little formal education, with the majority of his time being spent tending to the animals and crops on the farmstead. When he was an adolescent, his father died, leaving him as the man of the house. The young man did what he could, but the loss of his father started a terrible chain reaction. His loss resulted in one less hand to help on the farmstead, which meant less could be done, which meant smaller profit margins when they sold their goods in town, which meant they were able to afford fewer peasant helpers, which meant smaller profit margins when they sold their goods in town. Unbeknownst to Johteh, in order to make up some of the difference, his mother began selling herself as a prostitute.

Supplemented by the money his mother was secretly bringing in, the duo was able to stabilize their financial situation, earning enough to keep their farm and keep an extra farmhand or two on hand to help them with day-to-day duties. All that changed in 1110, two-and-a-half years after his father died. A traveling mercenary who was passing through Southhedge hired Johteh’s mother for the night, and in the process ended up killing her. When he found out, Johteh swore revenge, following the mercenary and his companions east, to Witchhedge.

Just outside of the town, the young man revealed himself and challenged the mercenaries. Battle hardened warriors, they easily defeated Johteh, sparing his life. He spent the next few days among the xenophobic Witchhedgelanders, recovering and planning his next move. During his time in the town, he learned about the witch who lived in the woods south of the town and committed to seeking her out. He reasoned that he would be able to convince the witch to teach him magic that would aid him in his quest for revenge.

Entering the forest, Johteh did indeed encounter Githzerion, the witch of Witchhedge. How their meeting went is known only to Johteh and Githzerion, but the angry young man abandoned his quest for revenge, instead becoming something of an apprentice for the witch. For the next few years, he would serve under her in various capacities. During this time, he would be given membership into the Dawnguard and meet Richter Belmont.

Richter and Johteh would become close friends. Along with Nadoc of the East and Liana Goodberry, other Dawnguard members, the four former a small adventuring party that traveled the continent. In 1126, Richter was forced to return to Belguard to ascend to leadership of House Belmont, causing the party to break up. The four went their separate ways, keeping in contact. Johteh returned to Southhedge, purchasing the farm that squatters had taken over when he left decades prior. Rather than farming, he took up leatherworking, turning the farm into a tannery.

Personality
Johteh tends to keep to himself. Tannery is generally a trade in which artisans are isolated, and that is one reason why he chose to go into the profession. As a member of the Dawnguard, he is privy to dangerous knowledge and knows to treat those who approach him with caution.

Appearance
Johteh is an older man in his 50s. Though he is getting on in age, he still has a full head of dark brown hair and is in excellent physical shape. A tanner by trade, he generally wears earth-tone clothing, and leather made by his own hands. Taught by Richter Belmont himself, Johteh also uses a whip when defending himself.

Motivations and Goals
In his normal life, Johteh is a tanner. He operates his tannery alone, making leather and creating items from it. He specializes in making whips- he is the personal whip maker of Richter Belmont. He makes normal, everyday items that he sells in the Southhedge marketplace weekly, but he makes the majority of his profits from making specially commissioned gear, such as leather armor and adventuring boots.

Though in his 50s, Johteh is still a member of the Dawnguard. Though he has not left his home to go adventuring in many years, he keeps himself in good physical shape. He generally aids the organization by providing material assistance and lending his experience and wisdom to those that need it. Johteh still considers himself an acolyte of Githzerion, seeing her periodically to share news of the world and get information from her.