Camp Ironhoof

Chief Lorkbold Durase of the Thunderhooves is a calculating and authoritarian leader, driven by a relentless desire to maintain his power and position. Known for his ruthless actions, Lorkbold does not hesitate to eliminate threats, even within his own family. His paranoia is fueled by a prophecy that names his grandson, Batu, as the chosen one destined to unite the tribes.   Viewing Batu as a direct threat to his authority, Lorkbold has sent spies into the camp of his son, Chief Jargal, to monitor Batu and assassinate him if he receives the Mark of the Thunderhoof. Lorkbold assumes no repercussions from Jargal, as his son’s pacifist tribe of horse breeders lacks the means or willingness to retaliate.   Lorkbold’s relationships with his children are marked by manipulation and favoritism. He has shown loyalty to his son, Chief Bold, who dutifully carried out Lorkbold’s orders to attack and destroy the Sunstride tribe. This brutal act resulted in the death of Lorkbold’s daughter, Chief Saran, a pacifist leader, and the near-annihilation of her tribe.   Saran’s surviving daughter, Naran, now leads the remnants of the Sunstriders alongside Batu, as they flee from Lorkbold’s forces. Lorkbold’s contempt for his family’s pacifist ideals contrasts with his support for Bold, whose actions reflect the same ruthless pragmatism as his father’s. Lorkbold’s ambition extends beyond his family to the broader tribal landscape. As the chief of the Thunderhooves, he maintains a strict, fear-driven rule, ensuring loyalty through intimidation. He vehemently opposes Batu’s vision of uniting the tribes, seeing it as a direct challenge to the traditional order he upholds. Lorkbold also resents external influences, particularly from Chief Altan of the Moonriders, whose interference in tribal affairs he perceives as a threat to his autonomy.   Chief Lorkbold’s leadership style prioritizes control and suppression over unity and reform. His actions, driven by fear of the prophecy and a desire to maintain the status quo, have set him on a collision course with Batu’s aspirations. Lorkbold’s cunning, paranoia, and willingness to sacrifice even his family for power make him a central antagonist and a formidable obstacle in Batu’s journey to fulfill his destiny.