Thems'k tar-Khórr Anmura
Wolf of Issqar Thems'k Khórr-tar (a.k.a. Börniq)
Among the most loved generals in Harnothi history, Thems'k Khórr was the proprietor of Issqaran army, as well as a major figure in Tvbéran doctrine for more than twenty years - as well as their de facto leader during the Fringian War, and the Kiri Civil War, which saw his body killed in advanced age, yet his being ever ingrained in the minds of commander and common alike-- he would later be seen as one to inspire and a Father of Iron Will.
Well he was writing poetry. This saw the Harkgan, and he was a tad confused-- he had his pencils and quills, and his parchments and books which he was in the process of organizing. Little of it seemed military related. The Harkgan stood in the doorway in the dying light, and took his cover off, his great-cloak dripping water in the Autumn rain and straightened his rye-flower on his shirt and made sure he looked military. Long time since he saw his relative. 'Sir, the Harkgan.' announced the Khórr's servant in a low voice, and the older man turned, his appearance tip-top yet his *skin* was older, far older and his eye-- good Lord had he aged. The Harkgan was very frightened of the situation. The Khórr's grand-son had died to his sword. This was not a good position to be in, yet to be summoned--
'Oh Lord do the stars fall or is it-- Young Eregieth Harkgan!' and the Khórr jumped up, and he was reaching for his cane, but instead he went for the major's hand and shook it.
'Sir.' said the Haraerlan, the elite soldier and the veteran of campaigns and operations which the Khórr might not know his guest had anything to do with-- what a wretched position to be in, Harkgan and Khórr both. The Khórr took a very long look at the Harkgan. Sir-- he whispered and laughed.
'It is not sir, and has not been for years. Sit! You catch me in a moment a civilian. We may be informal for now-- none to see us, but my trusted servants. And they all I do.' and the Harkgan nodded and sat politely, and made sure to cross his feet as not to appear nervous. But he did.
'How was the way hither. Rocky?'
'Nay sir, not bloody at all.' and the Harkgan wanted to bite his tongue off-- 'I noticed yon pavement.' and nothing else he said. They were silent again. Well, it was the Khórr residence, and the academy was likely preparing to receive a whole lot of House possessions as salvage, and quickly: this is why the roads were improved upon and paved, and. And? The Harkgan was unsure of what he was to think at this moment. He was looking at the most skilled commander in House service at this time, writing poetry and looking to evacuate his possessions. It would have seemed he had taken right House goods and work-force to aid himself. The Khórr had been fiddling with his sharpened pen, half-turned to his work. Now he turned fully, and looked again at his guest.
'Glum, is it not.' he said, and let his hands jump on his knees. 'Do you know, Eregieth-tar-- I was among those to send you to other masters.' and there was a silence again thick enough to cut with a knife. 'I blame ye not. We must all become what we are. I *never*-- saw-- it in you. But I do now. I have heard of Haevn'dan. Stone-cold, decisive action. You may well have saved Tvbéra.' and again the silence ruled for a full minute.
'Khórr. I know nay what ye have heard. I was ever my own agent, Haevn'dan or elsewhere.' and the Harkgan, trembling inside, took the sheathed sword which had killed the Khórr's grand-son and held it steady. 'It was not the Qaran who ruled my hand, or takes responsibility of my deeds. Look at me.' and the old man did. His eyes were sorrow, and defeat. 'I will not apologize.' and the Harkgan stood there, and bowed eventually and put the sword away. The Khórr looked at him, stared and his eyes focused and his hands tensed. He was thinking. He spoke.
'Stone-cold.' and he sighed. 'I never saw it in you. I do now.' and the Khórr turned and took a small, signed and sealed letter and gave it to the Harkgan casually. 'I had to see it in you, Eregieth. War changes us all, some for the better. Whatever becomes of these lands, they have a champion in you, lord Harkgan. There is nothing more.'
'Khórr.' said the Harkgan and as the servant opened the door out, turned to the Khórr, yet before a mountain of letters and papers, turned toward the window facing East and holding his head, and left. And the Khórr mumbled some words in rhyme from decades ago and sent his servant out as well and worked for a while, writing and signing--
Yet soon, he got up and took some restless steps around the room.
'Fool I was.' he was thinking of the letter to the Harkgan. He sat down for a while, and listened. He could tell his heart beat and rumble slowly at first, and then louder, loud and harsh like a drum of war and he wept for the Harkgan was elected and he would in turn carry the army and not one of the Khórr-- and he was terribly proud of his instructed man, terribly relieved to see him a man of iron-- nay, Bronze!-- and a leader worthy. But this was no Khórrite. Thems'k had not yet grieved, truly, for all. It was upon now he realized and came to understand all. And it was all on him. All of this, the Fringian War they call it, the sacking and burning all his, and he felt a fury build inside for he knew *Týoll* could have, would have won where he was braken't by the other command, his momentum retarded by those feeble in terms of elan. He was missing elements in him, which made him an officer of considerable antiquity yet not a Legend. And he was angry for being tried now, and now knowing whether he had passed. But the Harkgan would. His tears dried as he visualized the gravestone of his grandson, the Kettlehead and the fool, and he saw it in his mind eye turn grey and grinden to dust with time, and his name also, through him. He would not during his lifetime see his House rise to the standard he had himself set it upon in life. And his sorrow returned a black cloud when he imagined receiving Rotoszher and not Eregieth-- and in his desperation his mind sought all things cruel, all things dark.
And in the stables, looking for his horse, the Harkgan held the letter in his hand and asked for the servant there to fetch for him some fresh buns, for he was out himself-- wartime-- and it was not asking politely. He was alone and opened the letter. It was a short lament, in gentle yet precise rhyme. [It beseeches for the Harkgan to remain ever faithful to his homeland, and never abandon flag or fail--]
Well he was writing poetry. This saw the Harkgan, and he was a tad confused-- he had his pencils and quills, and his parchments and books which he was in the process of organizing. Little of it seemed military related. The Harkgan stood in the doorway in the dying light, and took his cover off, his great-cloak dripping water in the Autumn rain and straightened his rye-flower on his shirt and made sure he looked military. Long time since he saw his relative. 'Sir, the Harkgan.' announced the Khórr's servant in a low voice, and the older man turned, his appearance tip-top yet his *skin* was older, far older and his eye-- good Lord had he aged. The Harkgan was very frightened of the situation. The Khórr's grand-son had died to his sword. This was not a good position to be in, yet to be summoned--
'Oh Lord do the stars fall or is it-- Young Eregieth Harkgan!' and the Khórr jumped up, and he was reaching for his cane, but instead he went for the major's hand and shook it.
'Sir.' said the Haraerlan, the elite soldier and the veteran of campaigns and operations which the Khórr might not know his guest had anything to do with-- what a wretched position to be in, Harkgan and Khórr both. The Khórr took a very long look at the Harkgan. Sir-- he whispered and laughed.
'It is not sir, and has not been for years. Sit! You catch me in a moment a civilian. We may be informal for now-- none to see us, but my trusted servants. And they all I do.' and the Harkgan nodded and sat politely, and made sure to cross his feet as not to appear nervous. But he did.
'How was the way hither. Rocky?'
'Nay sir, not bloody at all.' and the Harkgan wanted to bite his tongue off-- 'I noticed yon pavement.' and nothing else he said. They were silent again. Well, it was the Khórr residence, and the academy was likely preparing to receive a whole lot of House possessions as salvage, and quickly: this is why the roads were improved upon and paved, and. And? The Harkgan was unsure of what he was to think at this moment. He was looking at the most skilled commander in House service at this time, writing poetry and looking to evacuate his possessions. It would have seemed he had taken right House goods and work-force to aid himself. The Khórr had been fiddling with his sharpened pen, half-turned to his work. Now he turned fully, and looked again at his guest.
'Glum, is it not.' he said, and let his hands jump on his knees. 'Do you know, Eregieth-tar-- I was among those to send you to other masters.' and there was a silence again thick enough to cut with a knife. 'I blame ye not. We must all become what we are. I *never*-- saw-- it in you. But I do now. I have heard of Haevn'dan. Stone-cold, decisive action. You may well have saved Tvbéra.' and again the silence ruled for a full minute.
'Khórr. I know nay what ye have heard. I was ever my own agent, Haevn'dan or elsewhere.' and the Harkgan, trembling inside, took the sheathed sword which had killed the Khórr's grand-son and held it steady. 'It was not the Qaran who ruled my hand, or takes responsibility of my deeds. Look at me.' and the old man did. His eyes were sorrow, and defeat. 'I will not apologize.' and the Harkgan stood there, and bowed eventually and put the sword away. The Khórr looked at him, stared and his eyes focused and his hands tensed. He was thinking. He spoke.
'Stone-cold.' and he sighed. 'I never saw it in you. I do now.' and the Khórr turned and took a small, signed and sealed letter and gave it to the Harkgan casually. 'I had to see it in you, Eregieth. War changes us all, some for the better. Whatever becomes of these lands, they have a champion in you, lord Harkgan. There is nothing more.'
'Khórr.' said the Harkgan and as the servant opened the door out, turned to the Khórr, yet before a mountain of letters and papers, turned toward the window facing East and holding his head, and left. And the Khórr mumbled some words in rhyme from decades ago and sent his servant out as well and worked for a while, writing and signing--
Yet soon, he got up and took some restless steps around the room.
'Fool I was.' he was thinking of the letter to the Harkgan. He sat down for a while, and listened. He could tell his heart beat and rumble slowly at first, and then louder, loud and harsh like a drum of war and he wept for the Harkgan was elected and he would in turn carry the army and not one of the Khórr-- and he was terribly proud of his instructed man, terribly relieved to see him a man of iron-- nay, Bronze!-- and a leader worthy. But this was no Khórrite. Thems'k had not yet grieved, truly, for all. It was upon now he realized and came to understand all. And it was all on him. All of this, the Fringian War they call it, the sacking and burning all his, and he felt a fury build inside for he knew *Týoll* could have, would have won where he was braken't by the other command, his momentum retarded by those feeble in terms of elan. He was missing elements in him, which made him an officer of considerable antiquity yet not a Legend. And he was angry for being tried now, and now knowing whether he had passed. But the Harkgan would. His tears dried as he visualized the gravestone of his grandson, the Kettlehead and the fool, and he saw it in his mind eye turn grey and grinden to dust with time, and his name also, through him. He would not during his lifetime see his House rise to the standard he had himself set it upon in life. And his sorrow returned a black cloud when he imagined receiving Rotoszher and not Eregieth-- and in his desperation his mind sought all things cruel, all things dark.
And in the stables, looking for his horse, the Harkgan held the letter in his hand and asked for the servant there to fetch for him some fresh buns, for he was out himself-- wartime-- and it was not asking politely. He was alone and opened the letter. It was a short lament, in gentle yet precise rhyme. [It beseeches for the Harkgan to remain ever faithful to his homeland, and never abandon flag or fail--]
Divine Domains
Will
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Thems'k was a soldier, through and through. He was at home in camps, marching and drilling. An officers' officer, as well as one for the men-- he could inspire loyalty and a fierce spirit with presence alone. He was apparently always the model Kiri officer. Few remember any kinds of lapse, or periods of incompetence or carelessness. House Khórr was the de-facto military and officer family in Issqara, and they were well respected in other places as well, and Thems'k as a young man was placed in a position he thrived in, he would *have* to live up to his family name. And why not? Planetary bodies are defined by the length of their leashes, as well as men, the Khórr would muse as a young man. I was given a long leash. Why test it further than needed? I have a place, and the place remains.
He was, however, aware of the other players in the East and elsewhere, who were apparently plotting to destroy the Kiri. Plague had happened-- Khórr was well funded, and remained with few casualties to the Pox, in fact their kin was amongst those who came up with a vaccine. Thems'k had an interest in the scientific, and he wrote in his diary 'I stand a man of iron, and my will is strong. It is strong enough to withstand enemies, yet the mind itself, honestly, feels it has spent its focus on utter muck, considering where I may have been. Yet *sacrifices* must be made.' Uses of iron are many, but once cast and smitten into shape-- Thems'k, perhaps, felt like an older man even in his thirties, as he was a general by then, and a respected reformer of the armed forces.
The Fringian war was not started by House Khórr, or their immediate allies. Violence broke out, and the Taergaledian crown declared war against aggression, however without the approval of the Senate. Thems'k gathered his army and marched quickly on to plug the Fringe, that is man it and burn as much of the local ferries down as possible in order to make it impossible for the Taergaledians to march into his lands, or Issqar in general. However, units began burning and killing in bouts of vengeance with no orders, and soon enough the entire army was headed directly at Khaerlemmen lands, as the local villages could harbor enemy armies. The Winter Campaign was a bloody affair, and one of crimes and butchery. The army could hardly be controlled when marching, and even whilst at rest it would loot and burn. Thems'k had men whipped and executed for going over 'military expediency' and exiled officers who failed to prevent, or encouraged looting. By some miracle, mainly the radiance of the Khórr name, the army reached Khaerlemmen and went on to win a major early engagement at Bryintarl, yet the prisoners of yon battle were slaughtered by the Kiri.
Upon hearing of the army's conduct-- the Khórr had naught against butchery as long as it was controlled-- Issqar had 'cold feet' and the House Harkgan as well as the Druids recalled Khórr, who, fearing to be unmade as a commander and losing all support back home, turned back, ravenous and enraged for sensing victory, for the L'ostavs and the Senate had not yet mobilized, and the war may have well been over before it began had his small force been suffered to act as it pleased. So, Khórr returned with his 10 000 men and much loot, some prisoners and a major war to follow.
He was, however, aware of the other players in the East and elsewhere, who were apparently plotting to destroy the Kiri. Plague had happened-- Khórr was well funded, and remained with few casualties to the Pox, in fact their kin was amongst those who came up with a vaccine. Thems'k had an interest in the scientific, and he wrote in his diary 'I stand a man of iron, and my will is strong. It is strong enough to withstand enemies, yet the mind itself, honestly, feels it has spent its focus on utter muck, considering where I may have been. Yet *sacrifices* must be made.' Uses of iron are many, but once cast and smitten into shape-- Thems'k, perhaps, felt like an older man even in his thirties, as he was a general by then, and a respected reformer of the armed forces.
The Fringian war was not started by House Khórr, or their immediate allies. Violence broke out, and the Taergaledian crown declared war against aggression, however without the approval of the Senate. Thems'k gathered his army and marched quickly on to plug the Fringe, that is man it and burn as much of the local ferries down as possible in order to make it impossible for the Taergaledians to march into his lands, or Issqar in general. However, units began burning and killing in bouts of vengeance with no orders, and soon enough the entire army was headed directly at Khaerlemmen lands, as the local villages could harbor enemy armies. The Winter Campaign was a bloody affair, and one of crimes and butchery. The army could hardly be controlled when marching, and even whilst at rest it would loot and burn. Thems'k had men whipped and executed for going over 'military expediency' and exiled officers who failed to prevent, or encouraged looting. By some miracle, mainly the radiance of the Khórr name, the army reached Khaerlemmen and went on to win a major early engagement at Bryintarl, yet the prisoners of yon battle were slaughtered by the Kiri.
Upon hearing of the army's conduct-- the Khórr had naught against butchery as long as it was controlled-- Issqar had 'cold feet' and the House Harkgan as well as the Druids recalled Khórr, who, fearing to be unmade as a commander and losing all support back home, turned back, ravenous and enraged for sensing victory, for the L'ostavs and the Senate had not yet mobilized, and the war may have well been over before it began had his small force been suffered to act as it pleased. So, Khórr returned with his 10 000 men and much loot, some prisoners and a major war to follow.
Education
Partly self-learned, partly trained in the academia at Vaerg'vara, in large part one to learn by doing i.e. leading men, Thems'k was quite the military academic, yet natural science as well as humanism came to him as well. He would read much, even late in life. He would write books of doctrine and drill-- histories of previous wars, and he learned much by venturing into Cal Mihur in the 7-610s and studying the forts, weapons and armies there. He was welcomed and eventually requested to remain, and become a republican officer for the many expatriate Kiri who lived in the Adherent lands. This he refused, a cold gleam in his eye-- to steal the weapon from yon enemy's hand? No.
Employment
General by the age 30, Thems'k was a mercurial man in the armed forces. He was a scientist as well-- he would deal in medicine and chemistry, with a fair understanding of the fields, as well as curiosity toward the arcane in alchemy and astronomy, especially late in life. Thems'k felt affairs human and humanism cannot be reduced to mere formulae and movements of atom.
The most important book from Khórr to the lord Harkgan, was one exploring myths and spells which many peoples and eras seem to share. Harkgan, a hard scientist, saw the value in which, and linked the hypothesis of shared ideals into his theory of war trauma-- why is one culture not traumatized in war, and the other is? How does this work? *Are* humans not universal in all places?
The most important book from Khórr to the lord Harkgan, was one exploring myths and spells which many peoples and eras seem to share. Harkgan, a hard scientist, saw the value in which, and linked the hypothesis of shared ideals into his theory of war trauma-- why is one culture not traumatized in war, and the other is? How does this work? *Are* humans not universal in all places?
Accomplishments & Achievements
Issqaran military forces were left in exceptionally well trained hands because of Thems'k Khórr. Duke Harkgan himself felt Khórr was to thank for his thinking, and much of his officers were trained at Vaerg'vara, of which Thems'k was principal officer of.
Failures & Embarrassments
Few embarrassments, as Thems'k could well apply his stoic thinking and react well to adversity.
However, his experiences in the Fringian War and the subsequent Issqaran Civil War left the Khórr shaken and shocked. He was convinced the entire world would march against him, should he be *weak* and this fear left him in a position of danger, as his go-to method was to gather around him soldiers and seek to use subtle or not-so-subtle force to gain strategic advantage in a place in which all see him as a threat.
However, his experiences in the Fringian War and the subsequent Issqaran Civil War left the Khórr shaken and shocked. He was convinced the entire world would march against him, should he be *weak* and this fear left him in a position of danger, as his go-to method was to gather around him soldiers and seek to use subtle or not-so-subtle force to gain strategic advantage in a place in which all see him as a threat.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Thems'k was a pragmatic, who saw the Kiri-people in a terrible bind due to the Adherent fearing their plague, and the Royal Taergaled being outright hostile to them, even refusing commerce due to the Pox-- he sees the entire nation as one which must prepare for war to exist at all. Only through victory can their chains break. They must be able to defend, and solve the plague, and other issues which make diplomacy virtually impossible with the Mihurite and the Orthodox.
So, House Khórr was very much a scientific, especially medical, and military House. Thems'k was a Botanist, and had a hand in dealing with vaccines and drawing many a swamp in Eastern Issqar, and creating them as agricultural places-- orchards blossomed, and the Khórr apple was seen a fine gift of love, especially by the Northern peoples. The Kiri merely proposed with an apple: to some, the Apple of Khórr was the symbol of the House in peace, as the Spear from the raging Seas was the banner in war. This was a good description of the House. Science in peace, Will whilst at War, and the Khórr was extremely militant and unflinching in his view that all the Kiri would have to defend their lands against a full onslaught sooner or later...
Later in life, he sought the end of the Druidic institution due to them stone-walling the Khórr House for driving technology and use of materials procured from the sacred places in Harnothi. One part is indeed vengeance, for the Druid were the ones to pull their support during the Rape of the Fringe.
So, House Khórr was very much a scientific, especially medical, and military House. Thems'k was a Botanist, and had a hand in dealing with vaccines and drawing many a swamp in Eastern Issqar, and creating them as agricultural places-- orchards blossomed, and the Khórr apple was seen a fine gift of love, especially by the Northern peoples. The Kiri merely proposed with an apple: to some, the Apple of Khórr was the symbol of the House in peace, as the Spear from the raging Seas was the banner in war. This was a good description of the House. Science in peace, Will whilst at War, and the Khórr was extremely militant and unflinching in his view that all the Kiri would have to defend their lands against a full onslaught sooner or later...
Later in life, he sought the end of the Druidic institution due to them stone-walling the Khórr House for driving technology and use of materials procured from the sacred places in Harnothi. One part is indeed vengeance, for the Druid were the ones to pull their support during the Rape of the Fringe.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Harkgan, Lamkonn, Khaerlemmen, and distantly L'ostav and the Principal Tvbéra-- Khórr was a well connected House, even if much of Thems'k's life the relations were often rocky, if not hostile.
Thems'k himself had hundreds of thegns loyal to himself, and none other-- he raised men from clay, and left them bronze. Certain men were iron to begin with, others few brazen and Thems'k would see the field of battle himself and observe officers and others who filled his standards. These he would encourage on to become higher ranks. House Khórr in general was known to promote meritocracy, and this drove a wedge between them and many other Houses.
Thems'k himself had hundreds of thegns loyal to himself, and none other-- he raised men from clay, and left them bronze. Certain men were iron to begin with, others few brazen and Thems'k would see the field of battle himself and observe officers and others who filled his standards. These he would encourage on to become higher ranks. House Khórr in general was known to promote meritocracy, and this drove a wedge between them and many other Houses.
Family Ties
As stated before, many a House was related to the Khórr one by blood, and others by marriage and many more by either land or office. Thems'k had a wife, and then another: neither was especially close, and the Khórr was known to be quite cold either way, with his poetry and books closer to him than any woman, or his children. Even then, he raised his two sons to become major figures in Issqar, with the older one dying at Tvbéra, and the other one being a Botanist at the time, and not loyal to Khórr per ce, but favoring other masters-- grand-sons were many, six in total, but many died with only one daughter, who married into Lamkonn House and remained in the North. Rotoszher Khórr-tar was his final legitimate estate, who however foolishly sought to commandeer a foreign elite unit trained in Harnoth, and died in the attempt. After this, Khórr House was deemed the Botanist son's, as well as the Lamkonn married daughter's. Either way, neither was specifically competent in military matters, and thus the House was to likely crumble as a force of Kiri politics.
Religious Views
Thems'k was Somnist, and believed the Dead could inspire the living, and become part of their being in the mortal world. He, himself sacrificed and revered his ancient Father Orhelan Týoll-tar Anmura, who was rightly seen as Thems'k's inspiration.
Social Aptitude
Khórr was an extremely charismatic man, who was able to make others feel far worthier and more honorable than their condition.
Wealth & Financial state
Considerable, even if much of Thems'k's wealth went into creating professional units, training them as well as improving the Issqaran academy in whatever ways it could be-- hiring foreign professors, and ensuring their students become as proficient in their fields as possible e.g. law, architecture and medicine.
Divine Classification
Father of the Kiri
Current Location
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Count of Vaerg'vara, Captain of the Iron Division
Life
585
637
Circumstances of Birth
Son to a noble professional soldier and a mistress whom he later married, Thems'k was since birth someone who would have to prove himself.
Circumstances of Death
Killed unceremoniously by deserters in Issqar, possibly on Lord Harkgan's orders. Despite this, he was revered by the soon to be Duke.
Birthplace
The Khórr Estate by Vaerg'vara
Children
Eyes
Open, awake and somewhere between blue and grey in hue. Eyes seemed warm, yet focused and sharp.
Hair
Greying, but not balding. Thems'k was well groomed and wore his fairly thin hair in a short and clean cut.
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Brown and weathered, but oddly smooth even in advanced age.
Height
Tall, and thin. 2.2m.
Weight
Light. 110kg.
Quotes & Catchphrases
'Ignore those to doubt you. Know yourself and yon worth in all those who are tested, and pass-- for you live, as they said you would *not*. And you live for more than merely to spite them.'
'It may take decades, and pain beyond the battlefield, but those who embrace fate will find their golden years *ever* ahead of them. Your fear the dark? Then light the stars in that void which is your existence. Only ye can-- will ye?'
'It was not mine to begin with. This is a birth-mark which will not wash away, even with blood. *His* to take, and not yours.' - referring to his life a soldier, and him refusing his father's call to marry in favor of life as a professional Vaerg'varan.
'It may take decades, and pain beyond the battlefield, but those who embrace fate will find their golden years *ever* ahead of them. Your fear the dark? Then light the stars in that void which is your existence. Only ye can-- will ye?'
'It was not mine to begin with. This is a birth-mark which will not wash away, even with blood. *His* to take, and not yours.' - referring to his life a soldier, and him refusing his father's call to marry in favor of life as a professional Vaerg'varan.
Aligned Organization
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