Vardak al'Gruush

Vardak al'Gruush was born to an orcish chieftain, Gruush al'Vardak who had taken up residence in the depths of the Sable Tower. There, his warband had created a trap for travelers. Seeking treasure at the top of the tower, they instead would be dumped into an arena, and forced to fight for the entertainment of the tribe. This way of life fell apart on July 3, 7384, when the Wheatlon Party nearly became the next victim of Gruush's arena. The adventurers instead bested the arena, and emerged to drive the orcs out from the tower.   With the orcs driven out, and his father slain, Vardak al'Gruush was suddenly in a frightening position. He must either prove himself the best warchief possible for the tribe at that time, or instead be driven off or killed by a rival. He struck first, calling out his rivals still tired by the journey. With his victory, he became the new Warchief.   The warband traveled south along the former border between the Southwood and the Empire, slipping past patrols thanks to the chaos near the front line. They took up residence in the Radan Mountains, there to harry travelers coming along Shepherd's Pass, and Vardak's martial talent and skill lead many Warbands to swear allegiance to him.   It was here, not long later, that he once again encountered the Wheatlon party, now at the head of an invading army, come to reclaim Dovkaal's Flaming Throne. Rather than risk either of their hordes, Vardak and Yngvild Iceblood faced off in single combat. With Yngvild's victory, Vardak planned to slink back into the mountains. Instead, Dovkaal offered a deal: the rich lands of the Sheeplord's Vale, in exchange for their assistance in his reconquest. With Dovkaal's victory, and the death of the Sheeplord in the ensuing purges, that promise was made good on. Under Dovkaal's command, Vardak was married to [Lady Klaudia Schäfer], one of the late Sheeplord's daughters.   Vardak and the rest of the new clan of Dov'Shan orcs were converted to the Church of Kol by Pilgrim missionaries not too long thereafter, coinciding with the sudden Silence of Mardak.   Vardak and his warband served honorably during Karvo's crusade, and it was expected that great land grants wouldbe afforded him in the new Valorane Kingdom, just as soon as a new Triune can be found to make these things formal. He served as military governor of Kavator, and was considered one of the more likely candidates for the Alabaster Throne.   After backing Wolfgang von Eberesche as Phoenix, Vardak was appointed as Grand Warchief over the Na'dan nations. Many of the Dov'Shan settled in frontier areas under his jurisdiction, while many others returned to the Sheeplord's Vale. Vardak has currently appointed his trusted youngest brother-in-law, [Lord Ruprecht Schäfer], as regent for the Vale.