Raner it may have been, though I recall two or three dwarf pallys coming up in thendrell's time. I remember Raner running around and he ended up trying to do a bit of protecting Akan after Thendrell died (I actually was in a group that killed him trying to do it, and I was sorry to do it cause I knew he had no chance.) Takes a while to have a memorable character, but its more about playing a fun character, cause then you play a lot and make it to 500 hours which is to the point of everybody has seen you around. (Like Thendrell and Kalisda)
You'll have characters like that, ones people know before you ever interact with them, from word of mouth or because its a player that has rolled up another and remembers you from before. (Like Lornis's player who played a rager that later on shredded my poor scion) just keep with it and keep having fun. And in time you'll get a character mark somewhere in thera. If I can do it, anyone can.