Grufflehead: intense back story, and interesting twist on introducing a character. We got her story, though, but it introduced the Old Woman, her cat, and the young man. We didn't reeeeally meet our heroine (though it might be interesting if you were playing a younger version of the old woman; if you happen to meet one with a cat familiar... I say no more!)
Yes, I was conscious of the fact that I didn't really reveal a lot about Renya. Perhaps I'm rebounding from a recent experience with another game where I wrote a background that was so detailed that, after a few sessions, I soon realised I'd tied myself up in so many knots there really wasn't a lot in the game for him; certainly no reason for him to be doing what the GM had set up. I hope I put in enough justification for the 'crunch' of the character (classes, skills and feats), but otherwise it is a fairly blank slate from which to work.
In terms of the way I wrote the background, it was an attempt largely to tie us all together in the narrative, to help create that cohesive element that binds the group together before we start. Without that, there are a couple of PCs who don't seem to immediately fit the group dynamic, but if we handwave a little of our past history, then that is more easily glossed over.
The witch telling the tale - if it wasn't clear to anyone else - is the same Hag who set Keepiru on his path. I was (hopefully) giving the GM an opportunity to have her appear in the game if you want; and now there is a Witch class in PF, how can you resist
Normally I'd shy away from rape, but I learned that mostly after talking to female gamers. It makes ladies reeeally uncomfortable. In fact, generlaly violence against women turns them off a lot, in any format (unless it's Buffy or Xena).
I hope I didn't offend anyone by using that device - if so, I apologise unreservedly. It was no more than a hook, and I realise the potentially unpleasant connotations to it.
However, as a big fan of Sword & Sorcery, it's there. Have you thought of having her as a human or half-elf (or even elf) rather than a dwarf? I admit to being rather sexist about my dwarves. Also, if she's gorgeous it adds a note of tragedy to her: everyone's thinking about something that was traumatic for her. NPCs, who could be perfectly nice, might not understand why she's so distant. Sort of a little mermaid figure (ie: the Little Swordmaid). Other quirks are also good, but this is a great base to jump off from.
Having recently been reading Robert Jordan's 'Conan Chronicles' I'm rather familiar with that particular trope. I deliberately steered clear of the classic 'slim waisted, large breasted beauty' type who is the only sort of woman who ever has any major part in a Conan story (apart, funnily enough, from mysterious old crones...). Frankly, I'd rather not compound my 'sin' of objectifying violence towards women with a healthy helping of rampant sexism if its all the same!
No, I see her as just an ordinary woman who is a victim of circumstances - as sadly happens to too many women the world over. She can't just make things better by flaunting her beauty (and wouldn't that just invite the same thing to happen again anyway?) but she has an inner strength and determination which has lead her to this point. I also avoided making her a bitter and driven bitch with the 'burning revenge' motivation as a) it is also rather stereotypical, and b) someone else beat me to it! If anything, you could argue that by encasing herself in metal, she is trying to create a protective shell around herself, and her nature is to be protective of those who can't stand up for themselves.
As far as race goes, the character was written for another game that didn't come off. When I jumped into the recruiting thread, the question of everyone being male and human had been raised, so it offered some diversity. Race is the least part of the concept though, it works equally well in my mind as a human so I have no issues changing that. The extra feat and skills will be welcome, and I can re-work the stats to reflect the different modifiers.
Other quirks are also good, but this is a great base to jump off from.
Thank you. I look forward to working with you and the other players to create an interesting and enjoyable tale.
And this will be my post colour