Zazem Bracebow

Zazem Bracebow was the first thane and founder of Clan Bracebow. The husband of Khosava Bracebow, he was broke away from Clan Cloudpeak, buoyed on his wife's success as an artificer, founded his underclan and oversaw construction of Snowperch, their new seat.

Appearance

By 68 2A, the vicissitudes of the luxurious life were taking their toll on Zazem Bracebow. He was notably pudgy, with soft hands and doughy features. His hair was thin over his scalp and gray across his chin, where it was hung in braids along his jawline. In his home at Snowperch, her preferred to wear his silken pajamas, whether night or day, but would often compliment this look with a more regal mantle, set with a glimmering opal at its center.

History

First Age

Born in 669 1A in Castle Cloudpeak, Zazem led a luxurious childhood. From a young age, though, he found the castle – with its hierarchy and his comparatively low status within it – tiresome. It was his lifelong dream to establish his own stronghold, where his needs and desires might come first, rather than sixteenth.
As a child, he saw one of Khosava Quicklime's demonstrations and while it failed to make much impression, he admired the young artificer for her seeming freedom in the smaller underclan. All the while, Zazem was dreaming of founding his own clan, with a stronghold to make, somewhere in the Roofbeams. It wasn't until 770 1A that Khosava entered his life again, when her bracebow caught the attention of many great clans, Clan Cloudpeak included. That's when Zazem saw his opportunity.
In 776 2A, Zazem and Khosava were wed. Shortly thereafter, they appealed to Clan Cloudpeak's Peer Council, seeking permission to found their own underclan – Clan Bracebow – where they might make more weapons and where Khosava could work in peace. Approved by the Peer Council, Zazem's dream was finally a reality and, with Elder Clan backing, he began his new endeavor to construct the ambitious Snowperch.
The process was far from simple, however. Construction difficulties, coupled with Zazem's own personality, made the construction of Snowperch a long and laborious process, lasting nearly a century. All this time, Zazem and his new wife were still dwelling in Castle Cloudpeak, overseeing the construction from a distance. When it was finally finished in 888 1A, they both took up residence there and, in the following centuries, left quite rarely, if ever.
Following a black bloat scare in 48 2A, Zazem petitioned the Mystriarchy to send a cleric. When Brother Sorav arrived and cured those afflicted, he became one of Zazem's most trusted advisors.

Personality

Accustomed to his comforts, Zazem Bracebow was considered difficult by many who knew him best. Known to be somewhat persnickety and particular about his desires, he was never quite pleased with the work of others and could often seem quite critical. For his part, Zazem spent much of his day lounging in solitude and, considering the difficulty in constructing the the stronghold, showed little interest in improving or expanding its grandeur.
While married to Khosava, they too shared little affection, preferring to keep to themselves. They never had children together. As a matter of formality, Zazem appointed his younger brother, Zazav Bracebow, as his apprentice, though this too was something of a pretense.

Campaigns

The Menagerie

• Khûm: The Commander's Tent first met Zazem Bracebow under strange circumstances – placed upon his hold by giant eagles and held hostage, in a manner of speaking, for three days. The thane was dismissive of them and continued to refuse to allow Chimera and her army into his hold (Chapter 11). Only when they rallied votes on Bracebow's Peer Council was this ruling overthrown, despite Zazem's stomping and outrage (Chapter 12). From then on, Zazem retreated into his private quarters and instead sent Zazav – his younger brother and apprentice – to represent him at all future meetings (Chapter 13). it was revealed that he was complicit in the poisoning plot, pressured by Brother Sorav. Upon seeing Khosava as a casualty, he attempted to use Brother Sorav's cure on her but not before Griffon was able to use the antidote on Dûnya. (Chapter 14)

Name: Zazem Bracebow
Ancestry: Dwarf
Title: Thane
Born: 669 1A
Reign: 776 1A – 68 2A
Height: 4'5"
Weight: 179 lbs
Hair: Gray
Eyes: Brown
Alignment: Neutral
First Appeared: Khûm – Chapter 11