I just rolled this character for a campaign starting this next week, so I'm leaving some of the locations up to the DM.
Arlo Adair is an older, travelled dwarven Demi-Bard. You can see on the ridges of his brow the experience and wisdom of his life so far. It's easy to find him slightly off the well trodden paths of [the world], following his intuition and whim to interesting stories and adventures. Living on the road, he makes his way in the world playing his drum and chanting ancient songs of his people in exchange for money, food and lodging. To many, he still maintains the quiet, determined demeanor dwarves are infamous for, but to the few people who know him well enough, he is wise, caring, and open; always willing to spend an afternoon in conversation.
Arlo [clan name] grew up in the hills of [dwarven city], a great Hill Dwarf City in [place.] He was always smaller than his friends and other dwarves his age, and was constantly ridiculed for being weak. He became jaded and sarcastic, using his quick wit as a defense from the scathing words his peers would throw at him. Working under a weaponsmith, learning how to smelt ore, and forge great weapons. His scrawny frame [by dwarf standards] limited his usefulness in the forge, so he found himself drawn towards the great dwarven chanters that kept the smiths on pace, with their deep voices and powerful drums. After his apprenticeship was over, he studied under [dwarven city]'s head chanter, and became an official chanter at 76 years old. When a massive orc clan invaded [dwarven city] land and razed farms and smaller dwarven villages, his Clan Leader organized and army to fight back, and Arlo jumped at the chance to earn the respect of his peers in battle. Again, his weak, "pitiful" body left him wanting, and he was relegated to rear line support. During the war, he put his chanting skills to work, empowering his dwarven brethren to fight longer and harder. He earned the respect he desired from his commanding officers, and was given a leadership position as his phalanx's lead chanter. While never a "War Hero," Arlo was well known within his clan for his skills and his heroism.
During his time in the army, Arlo met and befriended four soldiers, who became like family to him. Durgren, the phalanx's apothecary, taught him how to tend to the wounded, and how to use his music to abate some of the pain. Serving alongside Frili, a gnomish engineer, he learned an appreciation for clever inventions and good ale, at least while his superior officers were away. And the two brothers, Bowen and Rofuin, were his steady companions, and helped teach Arlo to play to his strengths. (and weaknesses)
The war lasted 17 years, with no real victor at the end. Arlo, although not on the front lines, felt the stress of battle. Upon returning home, he felt disillusioned with his battle-hungry clansmen. He spoke with his clan leaders, and decided to take to the roads, to study the world, and to find peace. Although they couldn't understand his reasoning, the leaders respected his wishes; they stripped him of the clan name, but left him in an honored position within the clan, and gave him the surname "Adair," named for the great tree that marked the Easternmost end of [dwarven city] land. Arlo left his clan and family at 93 years old, and to this day has not returned.
Almost fifty years have passed since then, and Arlo has walked the world over. Arlo has lifetimes of experience behind his beard, and he'd be willing to share it all with you over a comfortable fire and a hearty drink.