[hider Zakroti Unalim] [centre] [img]https://staticdelivery.nexusmods.com/mods/110/images/80141-7-1478951448.jpg[/img] [i]One could not find a less impressive looking Drakken if they were given a lifetime to search. Easily a foot shorter than most Drakken with short, stubby horns which he commonly covers with a hood or helmet, apparently out of shame. At a glance one could be forgiven for not realising he was one of the Drakken and perhaps merely an extremely muscular if unusual looking Gem. However, those reptillian eyes hide a burning lust for power, supported by an expertise in military strategy and a sound grasp of how to weave his elemental powers into combat. However, this one at least we can reason with, and we should not underestimate him.[/i] - Description of Zakroti Unalim as given by a Gem Representative [h2]Zakroti Unalim "The Usurper" [/h2] [b]Race:[/b] Drakken [b]Age:[/b] 73 [b]Element(s):[/b] Fire, Earth [b]Height:[/b] 5'11 [b]Bio:[/b] Zakroti was easily identifiable as a runt upon his birth and had he been born in the East (or had the wishes of his father, Orstaki Unalim, been followed) would have likely beenn left out to die in the elements. But he was born in the West, where the culture is different and the traditions are extremely alien - and yet to the contrary, based off the extremely similar values. His father abhorred him growing up and he was routinely looked down upon by his taller siblings, indeed Zakroti existed as a blot in his immediate families gaze. Outside of his immediate family, his other relations did not care much for him as he was simply another nephew or grandson and were it not for his remarkably small stature he doubted any would even remember his name. His small size was and in many ways still is a source of humiliation for him and as a child he was only able to take solace in his mothers presence. She was one of the very few members of his family to show him any kindness and he was understandably devastated by her death. On his 15th Birthday Zakroti led a small force of thirty Drakken warriors across the mountain border into Northern Pratia, a foreign land. Having sent ahead spies to open the gates to a town, the thirty drakken warriors were able to enter it under cover of darkness and sack the town, returning with nearly one hundred and fifty slaves and saddlebags full of gold and jewels. The fledgling lord sent them off to his father as a gift. Grudgingly, his father acknowledged the achievement and granted the boy the holding of Mu'Fanla, a small fortress situated in the otherwise barren mountains to the south of his families holdings. Although this was somewhat impressive for a first military achievement, given that few expected to see him in any form of leadership role at any point in his life time and certainly not so young, he first rose to true prominence during a conflict in the western lands with the Welebak, the Frost Giants of the North. It was here that he saved the life of a prominent noble and was gifted the holding of Mu'Kasi, a large fortress situate overlooking the pass out of Drakka and into the neighbouring territory of Pratia. Zakroti exacted a toll on armies passing through and raised considerable funds from this, which drew the ire of several nobles. Mu'Kasi was eventually levelled after the toll fees offended a particularly ill tempered noble, which resulted in a retaliatory campaign that culminated in a six month siege; The lord agreed to pay for the reconstruction of Mu'Kasi and Zakroti has been careful to ensure that it has a considerable garrison at any given time. By this point, a number of Drakken nobles and even a handful of members within his family had begun to see Zakroti's potential as an ally rather than another foe to be dealt with. At age 50 an opportunity presented its self that Zakroti could not ignore; His father had fallen out of favour with the family and the king and, as such, Zakroti seized the chance and met in secret with a number of family members and Drakken nobles to hatch an insidious plot. Long had his father earned the disdain of his vassals and few objected to the idea of a regime change, especially once Zakroti put forward his terms and agreed to reduce taxes severely from the excessive rates his father had set. With all the pieces on the board set, Zakroti challenged his father to honourable combat. As expected, his father refused; Consequently, Zakroti led a force of Drakken and mercenaries to sack his fathers estate, culminating in a bloody battle. The young lord had his father thrown into an oubliette where he is rumoured to remain to this very day. Zakroti claimed dominion over his fathers lands and vassals by right of conquest and alleged that his father had refused to fight him out of cowardice. This was upheld by the family court which ruled in favour of Zakroti, though not out of any love for the young lord himself but rather for political reasons; His father had already fallen out of favour after refusing to commit his forces to a war effort two years prior and so this was considered to be an acceptable trade. Further, two key family members with positions in court had been amongst those who conspired with Zakroti to bring about his fathers downfall. A considerable number his siblings refused to accept the leadership of their runt brother and openly rebelled against him - and by extent the ruling of the family. As such, Zakroti engaged in a half decade long internal war of stabilisation with the nominal support of his grandfather. This war was drawn out by repeated outside interference as many Drakken nobles joined the war on various sides simply for the joy of fighting or in order to further their own ambitions. The war ended with the Sack of his brother Lalika's estate, crushing the final credible threat to his rule. The consolidation that followed this infighting resulted in Zakroti executing several of his brothers. Lalika himself was sewn into a bag along with various venomous serpents and diseased animals before being tossed into the river and washing off downstream into the ocean; His body was later found washed up on Gemminite shores, shrivelled up like a prune. Initially, Zakroti had planned to attainder the nobles who had supported his brothers cause, however the Drakken king had been planning a major offensive and did not wish to see his vassals numbers decreased by the infighting. Thus, he passed down an official order to prevent further escalation. This edict officially declared Zakroti to be the rightful successor of his father by right of conflict and both sides reluctantly backed down, neither willing to incur the ire of the Grand Duke or King, knowing that they would be all too willing to crush the weakened lords if given an excuse. The King, however, did not force the family to accept Zakroti onto its internal council and as such Zakroti was not allowed to claim his fathers seat under the pretence that it still de jure belonged to his living father. This humiliation proved intolerable. Regardless, resistance had been crushed and many had been sent to meet Krenta during those dark days. Any siblings that still harboured misgivings about his position wisely fell silent after this; After all, the strong rule in Drakka and the West was, for now, a de facto part of Drakka. With his position finally secured, Zakroti spent his 55th birthday plotting out reconstruction efforts and rebuilding his power base in preparation for another conflict, greatly improving the defences of the newly named Mu'Jupostat and improving the infrastructure and economic potential of his duchy. Towards the end of his 71st year, Zakroti pledged his armies to his families cause to quell an invasion from the Giants of the North. Assigned directly to serve his grandfather, his performance was exceptional and his grandfather saw fit to elevate him at last, finally being allowed to claim his fathers seat on the family council. With his new station came the privilege (and indeed, the obligation) of taking a bride or several. Zakroti was ordered to take at least one Gem Bride from the next group of selectees, a decision the lord reluctantly obeyed and found Miry... [b]Other: [/b][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/415636207528312832/415636257356513281/Darkwolf.png[/img] [/centre] [/hider]