[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 at all 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] 132 [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 been 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. Killing one's child or father is, in the west, one of the worst offences one can commit against Gods and Drakken. And so his father was forced to keep the child, naming him "Zakroti": ball [and] chains. Growing up, Zakroti's was routinely looked down upon by his taller siblings. Outside of his immediate family, his other relations did not care much for him; he was simply another nephew or grandson with little chance of inheriting his father's title. Were it not for his remarkably small stature making him something of a curiosity, he doubted any would even remember his name. On his 50th 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, and gave his ageing mother some of the finest jewelry he and his men had plundered. 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 Ptaz, 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, Nevun Davak. Zakroti launched a retaliatory campaign that culminated with him laying siege to Davak's Castle. After six months, Davak agreed to negotiate a surrender. The terms spared the life of Davak and his sons but would have him pay for the reconstruction of Mu'Kasi. More importantly, it would see his daughter Elium Davak married to Qeynate, one of the few siblings Zakroti liked. Zakroti has been careful to ensure that Mu'Kasi has a considerable garrison ever since. 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. His brothers loyalty bought with his latest gift, they began to plot to advance their own interests in the region... At age 76 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 demanded that his father reduce the taxes. His father refused and consequently, Zakroti's and his coconspirators rose their flags in rebellion. Zakroti led a force of Drakken and mercenaries to sack his fathers estate in a hard fought 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 and alleged that, as his father had been a tyrant, rebellion by the local Lords was just according to land. This was upheld by the family court which ruled in favour of Zakroti, though not out of any love for the young lord himself; His father had already fallen out of favour already. Further, two key family members with positions in court had been amongst those who conspired with Zakroti to bring about his fathers downfall, and sought to strengthen the position of their new found ally. A number his siblings refused to accept the leadership of their runt brother and openly rebelled against him. Even with the nominal support of his grandfather and the de facto support of key political allies, the balance of power was constantly shifting. This power struggle resulted in several wars, 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 struggle ended with the Sack of his brother Lalika's estate, crushing the final credible threat to his rule. Zakroti executing these rebellious brothers. Lalika himself was sewn into a bag along alongside various venomous serpents and diseased animals before being tossed into the river; His body was later found washed up on northern shores, shrivelled up like a prune. Zakroti had planned to attainder the nobles who had supported his brothers cause, however the Grand Duke objected and put a stop to it. Thus, he passed down an edit which 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. His Grandfather, however, did not address the issue of whether the young boy would assume his father's seat on the council, and as such hiw enemies blocked it with archaic rules stated it must de jure belonged to his living father. 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. With his position finally secured, Zakroti spent his 91st birthday plotting out reconstruction efforts and rebuilding his power base. He improved the defences of the newly named Mu'Jupostat and expanded the infrastructure and economic potential of his Duchy. Now surrounded by blackclad bodyguards where ever he went, the young Lord was constantly vigilant - paranoid, even- for assassins and plots. Towards the end of his 131st 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]