Yorgos of Nyre

Yorgos of Nyre was a human mercenary and commander of the Iron Word. A veteran of the Night Wars and an old comrade of Chimera, Yorgos has led his army to victory on five continents, all under the stainless reputation of his unbreakable oath. Those who knew him, however, knew this reputation hid an inner cunning and ruthlessness.

Appearance

By 68 2A, Yorgos was well into his late sixties and showing the signs of a lifetime on the warpath. His taut muscles were slackening, he was widening around the middle and the lines of his face were deeply etched like chiseled stone. His hair and mustache were both gray and well-groomed. When in uniform, he wore a long blood-red cape over one shoulder and an iron shackle – the tradition of his company – around his left wrist. He was regarded one of the greatest swordfighters of his generation but favored no particular blade himself.

History

Night Wars

Despite his name, Yorgos never went to Nyre. Born in 4 2A in war-torn Auros, he was a mercenary brat, both his parents rank and file soldiers of the Iron Word, on campaign against the undead legions of Thanatos. He was immersed in military life from a very young age and never knew life outside the service. As he aged, he rose higher and higher in ranks, eventually even outstripping his parents. By 25 2A, he was promoted to captain and met Tchari Thrak on a joint operation near Qhlomi.

Second Age

When the wars ended abruptly in 32 2A, the Iron Word departed Auros for parts unknown and would not return until the Night of Twenty Moons in 48 2A. It was during this stint that Yorgos met both Remorhaz – now a recent recruit – and Stirge. The precise nature of his relationship with the latter remained unclear but Stirge felt she owed him a great debt.
When Yorgos did return, summoned by Tchari Thrak's plea for help in besieging Aos, Yorgos of Nyre was the new commander of the Iron Word. For three years, they besieged the city of the dead, Yorgos providing the naval blockade necessary to prevent Thanatos from resupplying their last hold-out. During this time, Yorgos first attempted to convince Tchari Thrak to join his mercenary company. When the siege finally broke in 50 2A, however, she went her own way and founded the Menagerie instead.
The Iron Word took other contract work in the meantime but Yorgos never forgot Chimera or the potential she represented. When next they crossed paths in 56 2A, they were both hired by merchant consortiums in Rubicos to break the back of Brigandia, the bandit kingdom. During the long campaign, Yorgos lost a particular unit of soldiers – one containing Stirge – to Chimera in a hand of cards. It was revealed, almost ten years later, that this was a calculated plot on the part of Yorgos to plant a disloyal intelligencer in Chimera's ear; to drive her towards joining the Iron Word. That particularly contract, however, ended in disaster when the Menagerie fell upon the Iron Word, believing them to be poised to betray their mutual client.
Yorgos kept his distance the next decade, communicating solely letters with Stirge, helping to drive the company to financial and prestigious failure.

Personality

A life in the mercenary service taught Yorgos to play things close to the chest. He was primarily concerned with the outward image of his company – how it was perceived by the world and how that perception would lead to more work. To this end, he maintained the Iron Word's reputation – that of sterling silver, never breaking a contract – through thick and thin. He believed that, as long as his company never broke their word and preserved their image, he was permitted any number of other allowances; he was only a mercenary, after all.
He was careful to hide all this calculation under a veneer of calm composure and honest dealing – another aspect of his branding.

Relationships

Perhaps Yorgos of Nyre's oldest and strongest relationship was with Chimera. The two veterans shared many experiences together, fighting together and butting heads during the Night Wars. In many respects, they were opposing equals; she commanded troops long before he did, he ran a mercenary company before she did. Rumors swirled around their time together in the Night of Twenty Moons – about the two children she sired, one orcish on Throka Thrak and the other human on an unknown father.
Adding further fuel to this rumor-mill was the strange fascination Yorgos of Nyre held for Griffon – and vice versa. It was revealed that they were exchanging letters, even before coming to Khûm, and they met in private more than once. What's more, Chimera seemed concerned about them interacting too much, as though fearful of what her rival commander might say to her younger son.
For those Menagerie members who once served in the Iron Word, Yorgos of Nyre was careful to maintain ties. While Remorhaz seemed to scorn these advances, Stirge remained loyal the entire time, reporting on Chimera's movements and feeding her false information to drive her company into poverty. Their exact history was unclear but the loyalty he seemed to inspire was hard for some in the Commander's Tent to grasp.

Campaigns

The Menagerie

• Vhakizla: Upon departing Qoza, Griffon sent a mysterious letter to an unknown party, later revealed to be Yorgos (Chapter 2). By the time he received a reply, he was too catatonic from the injuries he sustained in Caliphar II clutches to comprehend that he'd accidentally sent him the wrong letter, exposing Stirge's betrayal (Chapter 17).
• Khûm: Upon arriving in Truethrone, the company was alarmed to discover the Iron Word already there, also receiving the same invitation from Dûnya Dragonbane. The queen interviewed Yorgos and Chimera together for the position, Yorgos attempting to argue that she should hire them both for the job (Khûm – Chapter 3). After the meeting, Yorgos spoke privately with Griffon and explained this aim – to use Stirge's misinformation as a means to drive Chimera into his employ. Griffon, in anger, rejected Yorgos and plopped his sword at his feet (Chapter 4). Days later, when escaping the Mystriarchy, Dûnya ordered the Commander's Tent to contact Yorgos at Truethrone and convince him to spring her from the Sanctum in Stone (Chapter 9). Yorgos jumped at the chance, marched his army across Khûm, besieged the Sanctum in Stone, retook the queen and accompanied her north with an escort – leaving behind a contingent of soldiers to claim Tyrodax's gold. When next he saw Chimera, he asked for five minutes of her time, promising to take his soldiers and leave if she indulged him that (Chapter 13). When they came to ask for the use of his cleric, Yorgos returned Griffon's sword, newly enchanted, and suggested to Umber that he ask more questions. When Chimera came to see him, they spoke about the company's future, declaring his intention to retire and that he'd like to leave the company to Griffon (Chapter 15).

Name: Yorgos of Nyre
Ancestry: Human
Born: 4 2A (Auros)
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 174 lbs
Hair: Gray
Eyes: Hazel
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
First Appearance: Khûm – Chapter 3