Brak

Brak was a legendary dwarven warrior and a founding member of the group known as The Cleansing Wave. Renowned for his gruff demeanor, unwavering resolve, and powerful axe swings, Brak played a pivotal role in liberating the land of Khurabil from various tyrannical forces and establishing new settlements contributing to the safety and wellbeing of those he assisted in liberating. He is particularly revered among dwarves for his contributions to their freedom and safety.

Early Life

Details of Brak's early life before joining The Cleansing Wave are not recorded, though he is known to have been in captivity until encountering Lok and Bella for the first time. He met Bella and Lok in 2685, shortly after Bella and Lok had formed their initial partnership in 2684. Later that same year, Glade joined the burgeoning group, and by 2687, with the addition of Melody, The Cleansing Wave was complete.

The Cleansing Wave continued to fight for the freedom of the people of the Dryft Empire for several years until they departed for Khurabil.

Time in Khurabil

In 2688, The Cleansing Wave arrived in the region that would become Khurabil. Brak, with his formidable combat prowess, was instrumental in their early campaigns. He participated in:

• Liberation of the Kaelen Peninsula (2688): Driving out warlords and rescuing various humanoid peoples.
• Fall of The House of Night (2688): Brak was a key figure in the night battle near what is now Battervold, where The Cleansing Wave, led by Lok, defeated the Black Dragon Nullatrix, the Night Terror, and brought down its dynasty.
• Routing of Orcs (2689): Contributing to the expulsion of Orcs from central Khurabil.
• Defeat of The Sylvan Plague (2690): Brak, alongside Bella's group and the newly allied Vanguard (led by Bruno), ambushed and slew the Green Dragon Mervygrus, also known as The Sylvan Plague, liberating a vast ancient forest and its captive inhabitants, primarily elves and halflings.
• Pushing Back Giants (2691): He helped drive giants back to the south and west of the Earthspine Mountains, supporting dwarven and gnomish strongholds like Karaz Angur.
• Attack by Bikorreth (2691): Brak was part of the fateful expedition into a snowy mountain pass alongside Moradin's Hammer and numerous dwarven and gnomish refugees. During this harrowing encounter with Bikorreth, a powerful White Dragon, Melody was tragically killed. Brak's "bloody hands" in the aftermath suggest his direct involvement in the brutal fight.
• Slaying Bikorreth (2691): The Cleansing Wave, including Brak, later found and slew the White Dragon Bikorreth.

Personal Life and Later Years

• Move to Verdant Isle (2692): Following the major campaigns, Brak and Glade moved to Verdant Isle, a place that would become a key location for the legacy of The Cleansing Wave.
• Marriage and Family (2694): Brak married Heidi Chainbreaker in 2694.
• Birth of Son (2698): In 2698, Brak and Heidi had a son, Brakir Steelfist.
• Community Building: He was instrumental in the construction of The Cleansing Wave's home, "Bella's home," on Verdant Isle, providing "gruff corrections and suggestions about the best way to lay and prepare the stone." He also contributed to the building of the bastion of Steinwark in 2693, which became a formidable city.
• Dwarven Resettlement: In 2699, a select few other dwarves also moved to Verdant Isle, further cementing a dwarven presence there.
• Death (2932): Brak died in 2932, nearly two and a half centuries after The Cleansing Wave was formed. His wife, Heidi, passed away seven years later in 2939. He was eventually interred at the dwarven burial ground on Verdant Isle alongside Heidi.