High King Cormac Ironcliffe Character in Tariek Rough Collection | World Anvil

High King Cormac Ironcliffe

High King Cormac Ironcliffe Suranthi (a.k.a. Battlefield Book-keeper)

The silver haired dwarf, his beard thick and rich, well kept and down to his belt, sits upon the stonework throne. He is old, ancient even by the measures of his own kind, needing spectacles to allow his coal black eyes to be able to read and see properly now. Yet his stance and posture is strong, and despite the wrinkles all about his face, he cuts every bit the regal king, his cloak of granite grey emblazoned with the heraldry of his nation, The shield of silver grey on the left, ocean blue on the right, divided by a soft crimson line vertically. Emblazoned upon the shield image, a towering spire of Geata-Iarainn, with two axes crossed overtop of it. His clothing matches these colors, a rust red belt, silvery grey greaves of chain with thick hide leggings beneath them, and a tabard of soft ocean blue over his iron breastplate, thick gauge mail sleeves, all with a moose hide tunic beneath. The silver crown upon his head denoting his station, but subtle in its beauty, though hardy in its design, with but two penny sized topaz as decorations, lined up to sit upon the crown in line with the wearer's own eyes.

He has the wizened face one that you would expect to see on a dwarven merchant or master craftsman perhaps, centuries of experience upon it. Solidly built, like all dwarves, but if one was honest, he was of average size and build for dwarven kind, strong, hearty and healthy of frame even for his age, but not overtly imposing or warrior like, no more than one would think of any dwarf. Indeed many would perhaps imagine that High King Cormac Ironcliffe Suranthi, before being elected to the throne centuries ago, had been perhaps a skilled smithy or armor craftsmen, or some other sort of businessman. He had the look. A chief of commerce, of craftsmen. Indeed, if you did not know of the dwarf, one could be forgiven, despite the armor, for thinking he was one more economically inclined, and that was how he'd built his reputation. He did, as far as dwarves go, look rather....bookish, as some would call it.

You could be forgiven for such a mistake. He had forged his reputation with both halberd and crossbow, against Greenskin and Joten alike.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

He is old, almost ancient even by dwarven standards, and age is having an effect upon him. The spectacles help, but he still suffers from lost eyesight (For GMs he suffers from Blind [2] with them and Blind [4] without them.) and his hearing is going as well (Again for GMs he counts as Deafened [2] permanently). Age has been kind to his body from without but his many wounds from wars and battles, skirmishes and conflicts, both mental and physical plague him now. He wears it well, but their is a tiredness to him that he simply cannot seem to shake, and though he wears it well, it is visible to a keen eye (Again for GMs he does count as having Fatigue [1] Always). Yet he still seems a pillar of strength for his nation regardless, and something about him seems almost indomitable. Even warriors many years/decades or even centuries his junior, in their prime, carry themselves in his presence with great respect that one man of combat and war normally reserves for someone he knows could take him apart. It goes beyond just respect for the position, for even those of elite units like the Iron Dragons, or the Storm Lancers, whom are allowed to be armed in the city and within his presence, will subtly but noticeably go out of their way to keep their hands the maximum possible distance from their weapons at all times. There is something to him, physically, despite his now aged form, a power that exudes from the dwarf. For it is not just reputation, as even foreign nobles and elite bodyguards, folks whom would not be disarmed, and have never met or seen the High King behave this way, seemingly unconsciously. He exudes a cold confidence, a complete fearlessness the same as a flame exudes light. It is almost visible, but it is palpable. You can physically feel it.

This is not to say he inspires terror or fear exactly. He is a kind dwarf, given to smiles and bellied laughter, even now in his advanced age. A true Suranthi, he is loud, proud, friendly, and bold. He truly embodies his people in his behaviors and physicality. Barrel chested, strong as an ox even now, though it is failing him, tough and for his impressive age, quite healthy. He has not let himself go, keeping trim and fit, clearly not enjoying the comforts of his throne to heavily. His queen gone three decades previous, he holds her seat empty beside him, save for a portrait of her. He does not talk to it nor any other such signs of madness, it is merely a token of the depth of their love. By his own words;
"I nae could 'andle t'e day ta day o' t'is damned position wit'out 'er smile an' beauty ta glance at. Yer mad as lemmings if ya be thinkin' I'll do t'at nae! I'll serve fer life, I swore an oath, but I'll do so in me own comfort, as best I can!"

Body Features

Silvery haired and barrel chested, with notable scars anywhere that can be seen on any given day, along with (despite many of his advisors insistence against them and the continued practice) many tattoos on his arms, chest, back, legs, and even neck.

Identifying Characteristics

Most of the tattoos seem symbols or insignia of some sort, and anyone with appropriate knowledge could recognize them as regiment patches of all sorts. If someone is well versed on Suranthi military lore or the lore and gossip of nobility, they might even know some of the symbols, and perhaps, if they are exceedingly well read, know why they are there. The other way one could know of course is as a current or former member of any of the regiments and divisions depicted, and have heard the story. The High King was known to lead from the thick, to march into battle with his men. A true throwback to some more ancient times, like most of the dwarven leaders and clans, and most of Suranthi culture in general (though many amongst the noble elite, the ruling class, are changing and seeing such methods as reckless and foolish. Times are changing as is war, after all). He is a throwback to the time of heroic leadership, and that is seen in these images, the scars, and the tales of ink, scar tissue, and strength he has even now at this advanced age. For he did not just lead his men or march with them. He'd always attach himself to the regiment or group that would most likely see the ugliest and most vicious of the action, in any given military action he was leading. His coal black eyes still flicker ever so slightly with the remnants of that dwarf, who Father Time has slowly sapped away the physical essence of. A flicker of a spirit that is undeniable, unbreakable and defies even Time itself to burn it out.

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Cormac Ironcliffe was indeed born into a position of authority. He was born to the Ironcliffe family, the head of the clan that bears their name. His father was chief of course, but though able and as capable as any dwarf to handle himself in combat, his father was indeed a blacksmith, a weapon-smith to be exact, with a specialization in blades. He was the best in the tribe and many of the other tribes would not be ashamed to admit he perhaps was the best of his era, his works traveling through the tribes in great volume before the march. Indeed many of the weapons made famous in the reclamation war for the Tundra Realms by the heroes of all the clans were forged by Cormac's father in Nightvale. He was a truly gifted craftsman, and even recognized by the clergy of Sir Kartheart as being blessed with the hands of a true builder, entrusted to arm the elite faithful, the unit of religious warriors that would become the Storm Lancers reborn. Many of his spears and axes are still in use by the unit today, passed down to the next generation. Yet Cormac's father Volcor Tormac Ironcliffe was never the warrior first. He could fight, as any dwarf worth their beard can, but he was not exceptionally skilled or notable in the art or skills of combat.

His mother however, was a different animal entirely. Azila Yvoninion Ironcliffe was a fighter without peer amongst the Ironcliffe clan, born to a mother and father that both were of the knightly order within the clan. She learned to fight by her fifth decade. She could outfight the most veteran warriors of the clan by her first century. She fought like she was possessed by the warrior spirit of Sir Kartheart himself. No shield did she use, for her preference was for the halberd, a weapon which she became quite famous with, and the skills with which she passed on to her eldest son. Azila eventually met her end at one of the last battles of the Tundra Reclamation, fighting side by side with her eldest son. For a while it had seemed both would die. They'd been cut off, surrounded by dozens of foul orcs and ogres. Yet the pair, back to back, halberds flashing, held their own for nearly an hour. The enemy fell to their blades with vicious and devastating certainty, both dwarves using every modicum of skill. Mother and son back to back, were unstoppable in that moment. Unbreakable. Orcs broke like waves on a cliff, ogres fell like wheat to a scythe. Again and again they'd come on, but again and again the pair held their own and when the beasts backed off a bit, still surrounding the pair, they left many of their comrades dead and dying in agony. However Azila was not well. Almost in her fourth century of life by this point, and having lost her husband to infection months earlier, her heart was weakened. It couldn't take this kind of strain much longer. The Ironcliffe forces had broken through the Green-skin ambush, and the beasts made one last desperate attempt at the pair. Again many of the beasts fell and died in the attempt. But as the rest of the clan finally made it to their chief and his mother, Azila looked at them, her face pale, her legs shaking, and smiled as her halberd fell. Reportedly she admonished the rest of the clan's forces. "Yer late damn fools." before collapsing into Cormac's arms, clutching at her chest. He held her tight, and has never told anyone what she said to him. One must assume, since he did not break in grief and take the Slayer oath, she absolved him of any feeling of responsibility for her death. Cormac ordered half the forces to give chase to the fleeing Green-skins, including the Storm Lancers, with very strict orders. "Nae survivors. Nae a single one o' t'at rabble escapes t'is day." And he carried his mother alone. They buried her at their camp, a place that would eventually have a chapel built beside it, and where the town of Grakenfjord would eventually come into being.

It was only three decades later that he was elected High King of the Suranthi. His first act as High King was to petition, successfully, the clergy of Sir Kartheart, to have his mother recognized as a hero of the faith. His father was well known amongst the faith for his role in arming their heroic Exemplaris, the Storm Lancers. Now his mother is formally recognized as a hero and saint of his patronage. Over the next nearly three hundred years, High King Cormac would lead his nation-state with tact, skill, savvy, and an ability beyond a mere warrior king. That isn't to say he didn't lead his people in war to consolidate and expand beyond the initial regions they'd managed to reclaim, fortify and keep. But he did so with strategy and tact, never over committing his people. He also invested in infrastructure, science, tech, and alliances. The most powerful and key of these of course was getting the nation of Suranth recognized and added as an equal partner to the NPA agreement with Depenwood, Raechin and Rohara. This one move is perhaps his greatest legacy, for it gave his people the promise of an existence well beyond merely surviving in the tundra. It gave them a bit of wealth, gave them strong allies, partners, and access to goods, supplies, equipment, and foods they'd otherwise never have proper access too, or at least only the richest among the Suranthi would due to the obscene cost. With this agreement, this complex import and export agreement of trade goods, the markets of Suranth offer a variety that, whilst not nearly equal to any of the warmer lands to the south, does offer variety in diet and goods.

Cormac was married early in life, and indeed during the march his wife, Evanna Isobelinion Ironcliffe (formally Kithrune, took Ironcliffe name) was caring for and raising their son, whom would become the well known hero Morgrym Ironcliffe. The pair would have no more kids directly, however they would adopt the human son of Storm-Born Clan, the last survivor after a horrible tragic raid by the monster Kurzan the Butcher. That human boy, raised amongst dwarves, Twaren Storm-Born, would earn quite the reputation during his life. Whispers spoke of him being the head of the Wave-Runners, though of course these are mere unsubstantiated rumors.

Education

His mother taught him the arts of battle and war of course. His father taught him the skills of commerce, trade, economics and an understanding of politics, trying to prepare him to be Clan Chief someday. It is doubtful, however, that either realized or ever thought their son would find himself using these skills to guide the entirety of Suranth however, but their lessons, it would seem, have served him well.

Employment

He is the High King of Suranth now, before that a clan chief and military leader.

Accomplishments & Achievements

Married in 1140.
Birth of his son Morgrym Ironcliffe in 1210
Suranth added to the NPA in 1318
Breaking and destruction of Kurzan the Butcher's horde in (1430 I think but must double check story plot map to be sure that date lines up)

Failures & Embarrassments

The closest he's had was the slaughter that befell the Storm-Born family, and though tragic, twas no fault or lack of anything he could have ordered or done. Otherwise he has been blessed with a successful reign.

Mental Trauma

The loss of his mother and then of the Storm-Born family hit him particularly hard. When Twaren died of old age in 1471....well despite the fact that the man, son he had adopted in honor of his clan's oldest and most trusted non dwarf friends and allies.....when Twaren Storm-Born passed, suddenly the strong dwarven king, and his indomitable son Morgrym both began showing the weight of their years. It is believed that Cormac is not much longer for this life, the weight of it breaking him down, his shoulders sagging with the weight of time.

Personality Characteristics

Motivation

His nation and people drive him. He simply wishes to insure that when his term finally is over and Sir Kartheart calls him home, that which he has accomplished for his people is a solid and strong foundation for his successor to utilize and aid the nation in growing and carving out prosperity from their harsh, dangerous, but beautiful homeland.

Social

Contacts & Relations

His contacts are vast, as a High King, just as one might expect.

Family Ties

He was the Chief of Clan Ironcliffe, and when he was elected, his brother in law, so the other side of the family, became chief. Now Morgrym's youngest cousin, Cormac's nephew, one Killian Torgamac Kithrune-Ironcliffe, whom is but two hundred and eight years of age, is chief of the clan. His two elder brothers were lost during Kurzan the Butcher's brutal siege of Geata-Iarainn but a few decades ago. They fought like heroes, and Killian is known to share that spirit. He has voiced his love for his uncle many times and has openly spoken fondly of his cousin's official return to the clan, though lamented at the circumstances of how such a thing must eventually occur, as is proper. Besides this Cormac had been an only child, his wife but one brother, Killian's father whom had also passed from this world. Morgrym married of course, and has children of his own, grown now and already members of the clan once again, along with their mother. Morgrym is a member in all but name, official title and formality only. Killian himself has not yet married, though there are rumors of a suitor to be.

Religious Views

Cormac has always been devout of faith to Sir Kartheart and in that, naught has changed. He attends mass on the holy days, and still honors the Iron Code. Of course he has, in the course of his life, also found spiritual awakening to some aspects of others amongst the Ascended. Talia, when his wife was pregnant and going through the difficult labor that brought Morgrym into the world, Boran the Bloodhound when hunting game, or when hunting more dire and urgent prey, such as a Goblin or Orc warband. Feyheart for guidance through the dangers of the wild when on campaign. They all have their place, but Sir Kartheart first and foremost, is and always has been, the deity that held his morals and loyalty. But such are the reasons why he merely prays, and never joined any of the warrior orders. Because like any faith based group, even the Storm-Lancers do not offer, and frown upon the practice, prayer or praise to the other 8 Ascended. They acknowledge their validity outside of such positions, even having small altars to them all along the sides of their church. But the direct servants of the faith, or his most holy warriors of honor that swear fealty to protect the ancestral homeland of his people, of the Suranthi? It will not do to have them worshipping others.

Social Aptitude

Confident, Charismatic, Indominable, Powerful

Hobbies & Pets

Though he lately has practiced such far less, due to his age and the failing eyesight, he is known to have something of a passion, and hobbyist enthusiasm for the a very fine sort of metal working and machining, that is the craft and skill of watch making. Ever since his time in Nightvale, where and when timepieces first began. Clocks and watches though not the wooden part of the larger clocks, no he cares not for that. If he decides to work on such a project, he has those parts imported and put together by a local carpenter, a great honor for whomever he would pick. It would pay well too. No it is the making of, including the gears and dials and those smaller parts that Cormac enjoys. His father's love for metal working rubbed off on him, but weapons were of no interest to him, nor armor. He saw too much of both on a day to day basis for such an interest to ever ignite a true flame of creative passion. Instead the fine and nimble work of timepiece craftsmanship caught his eye and even in his old age, fills him with wonder. It is how he relaxes, and even now in his advanced age, he takes an hour every day in his workshop, where he is not to be disturbed unless a dire emergency. He does not accomplish as much as he once could, and has not finished a piece in two or three years, yet he still takes great joy in the work.

Speech

He's a deep, gruff, and kind rough voice. His accent is less notable than many of his kin younger, born to these lands and with their people, as he was born and began his education in Nightvale, and given his family's position of prominence amongst the military reclamation and the position he came to hold as well within that, the allies other northern nation-states offered were oft enough in his company. Becoming High King continued this as such, with diplomats, emissaries, and retinues replacing military officers, soldiers and auxiliaries.

Relationships

High King Cormac Ironcliffe

Brother by Marriage (Vital)

Towards Lord Protectorate Joakim Ironcliffe

4
5

Honest


Lord Protectorate Joakim Ironcliffe

Brother by Marriage (Vital)

Towards High King Cormac Ironcliffe

5
5

Honest


History

Joakim wasn't even old enough to remember the marriage and as such, may as well have seen Cormac as his own flesh and blood literally. They were utterly loyal to each other, and dear friends. However recently, Joakim passed, killed in a beastmen raid by a particularly old and vicious yeti, three decades or so ago. When Cormac heard, well he took up arms again, the most recent time, and led a vicious campaign against the filthy creatures in the mountain ranges near Geata-Iarainn, slaughtering hundreds if not thousands of the damned creatures. Yeti haven't been seen within a hundred kilometers of Geata-Iarainn for the last thirty years since that event.

Nicknames & Petnames

Begigkhav was a nickname bestowed with love upon Joakim by Cormac, just as 'Battlin' Bookie' was one bestowed upon Cormac by Joakim, though neither ever admitted it to the other.

Relationship Reasoning

Cormac married Joakim's older sister, so they are as family

Commonalities & Shared Interests

Most things, if one is to be honest. They were brothers, but also dear friends.

Shared Secrets

The truth of Cormac's failing health. He only every talks about it on his less and less frequent visits to Joakim's grave. Cormac knows that he'll be dead before the year is out, for though he does not show, he is desperately ill, cancer riddling his stomach and blood. Only the court physician shares this knowledge with them, having been the one to diagnose it. Cormac is ready to die, and has made his peace with it, though if he could choose, dying in his bed riddled with cancer will not be it. He would rather die in battle if the opportunity presents.

Shared Acquaintances

They have many, more than worth listing.

High King Cormac Ironcliffe

spouse (Vital)

Towards High Queen Evanna Isobelinion Ironcliffe

5
5

Honest


High Queen Evanna Isobelinion Ironcliffe

spouse (Vital)

Towards High King Cormac Ironcliffe

5
5

Honest


Wealth & Financial state

He is above class and dependencies, along with most of the rest. As the High King, he represents the nation and stands as the name and carrier of all her wealth, debt, assets, funds and resources. These amounts and how they operate are as complex as one would expect, and ever fluctuating. He will die a pauper, in technicality, but yet be buried in full honors, full regalia, in a proper tomb with full honors. His interests passed to his clan, whom will be ordered to pass seventy percent of these back into Morgrym's possession, as he returns to take up role as second only to his cousin whom is the current chief. In this way, two lines of each clan family exist and when one's patriarch is elected to the throne, the other family take over as chief until such a time as perhaps their patriarch is elected, and then it passes back to the descendants of the first family again. This complex system insures the clans remain a tight bound family, insuring strength, unity, and fiscal solvency. The thirty percent is passed to the new chief, and many of the same assets may be returned to Morgrym's descendants much later when the time comes. These can be interests in mercantile affairs, trade goods, businesses, farms, or many other such things.
Current Location
Species
Honorary & Occupational Titles
High King of Suranth

Suranth's Smithy

The Battlin' Bookie
Currently Held Titles
Date of Birth
12th of Halan, 1073
Year of Birth
1073 SuD 522 Years old
Birthplace
Nightvale, though his time there was brief
Spouses
Siblings
Lord Protectorate Joakim Ironcliffe (Brother by Marriage)
Current Residence
Geata-Iarainn
Gender
Male
Eyes
Coal black, though cloudy now, and squinted, he needs spectacles
Hair
Long, thick silver grey, more alive than many would think for his advanced age
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
pale and gnarled, wrinkled all about.
Height
1.4 m
Weight
95kg (209 lbs)
Aligned Organization
Related Myths
Known Languages
Dwarven, Elven, Vrock, Valarian

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