Kusghuul

[Khaelieth]

Kusghuul is a former orc of Tolagâl and leader of the Shadow Alliance. He is a ravenous, brutal creature and currently prowls the northern lands.

Appearance

Kusghuul is relatively tall by cave orc standards, standing 1 metre and 67 centimetres tall. His left eye is missing, now a burnt-out maggot infested wound - a scar from kidnapping a Celt boy called Criofan Geraghty, who managed to stab him in the eye when the Militia sent a daring rescue team into the Garmogatz itself! His left ear is also missing, cut off by Dalamar of Cove during a fight. His teeth are small and jagged, and he has a cunning glint in his eye. He is muscled and is rarely seen without a weapon in hand, preferring axes.

Kusghuul’s arms and armour is normally well cared for, and he encourages his troops to do the same. He usually wears a red cloak, but when out fighting may don darker colours, to blend in with the night. If one looks closely, one can still see Tolagâl's crossed sabres emblazoned on his armour, even if it is rather faded.
Background
Tolagâl Years

Kusghuul was born in Tolagâl valley where he fought in the Ashdurbûk Kraadu’s army. He was relatively unknown amongst the orcs, as he was hardly more than a snaga at the Fall of Tolagâl. History is not sure if he even was there, though he certainly claims it! Kusghuul claims he fought in Krishke’s forces during the Fall of Tolagâl, though that is most probably a lie. He also claims to have led a company of orcs out of Tolagâl during the last battles, which might be true, but also unlikely. Though from his Tolagâl-branded armour, we know he had at least robbed a Tolagâl Orc's corpse.

What we do know for certain is that Kusghuul appeared some time after the Fall of Tolagâl, accompanied by several young orcs and a few undead, in the area around Cove.
Marauder

Kusghuul’s infamy first began to grow when he joined up his warriors with Ghazghkull of the Vesperian orcs. They quickly fought a several hard battles against Vesper, eventually controlling the nearby woods, often crossing across to Swagger’s Inn, demanding tribute. At this time Kusghuul’s cruelty started to show; driving naked women like cattle through Vesper after victories. Some orcs believe that it was Mekka Urdgrub, a famous Sebered Hed warrior who had also joined up with Ghazghkull, that inspired him to these deeds. He also befriended Jackal Verilax, as much as an orc can ever have a "friend".

After fighting Vesper for a while, Ghazghkull eventually retreated back to a shabby, wooden, orc-made fortress in the forest: the orc base of operations. Kusghuul drove him out, taking control himself.
The Shadow Alliance

Ghazghkull's old warband had fallen into Kusghuul's vast and thick-skinned hands, though he was no administrator. Instead he looked to a promising hedge-wizard from a nearby clan of forest orcs, Blurghh, who he promptly assigned as his chief advisor. Under the scrawny mage's influence Kusghuul extended the clawed hand of friendship to the undead, bringing them into his growing and fearsome army. Blurghh also alligned himself to darker and older forces, declaring that his orcish kin must join in the worship and service of the Shadowlords. With Kusghuul's backing, no orc or skeletal ally dared reject this new cult. Under the guidance of those unholy spectres they formed the Shadow Alliance and began terrorising the northern countryside.

Kusghuul's confidence and belief in the Shadowlords grew when he met the orcs Xnath and Udrak; refugees of Tolagâl. Thinking this a sign of that surface empire's imminent return, Kusghuul's wrath against Cove and Vesper flared briefly, fuelled further by the mighty Xnath's web of lies. How better to obtain a position of power in this new army than exploiting Kusghuul's sense of nostalgia and loyalty to his home of Tolagâl?

At the height of the Shadow Alliance, Kusghuul marshalled his forces. Sailing under Covian colours, he brought a ship full of orcs and undead camouflaged as mercenaries sent to help Cove against the fight with Yew. Arriving at the docks in Cove, still in disguise, assaulted the party of Covians sent to greet the mercenaries. Leading the charge himself, the invaders drove the Covians under Raiden Morana out of the city proper. This left Cove reeling, who then withdrew its forces from the Yewish front and hired Trinsican soldiers to help retake their town.

Some weeks later the reinforcements from Trinsic arrived and brought their full might crashing down upon the orcs. Kusghuul, having seen this from the walls, had ordered his orc allies in Cove to flee to their ships. Sadly for the Orcs, the Human allies had formed a naval blockade around Cove. The Orcs managed to break free and drive the human naval blockade away, clearing an escape route. As the humans entered the city, the remaining orcs were slaughtered.

This was the first major successful orc engagement after the Fall of Tolagâl, and the last in recent times. The assault devastated the Shadow Alliance. Though Kusghuul showed some tactical skill and withdrew the remains of his army, the Shadow Alliance never recovered, and probably never will. Cove once again returned to Human hands. The orcs, Xnath and Udrak, who had convinced and inspired Kusghuul, fled from the scene; once again narrowly escaping their demise. Veterans of broken armies, they knew the Shadow Alliance would ultimately fail. Though now they have Kusghuul as an enemy, if he can ever confirm they are alive.

To this day Kusghuul can found marauding across the north, and though the number of his followers has dwindled, his ferocity has not.
Personality

Kusghuul is very smart, but not very academically orientated. He fears water above all else, hating to use ships. He despises humans, but saves his hatred for Elves and the Militia of Yew. He often feigns stupidity, once in a while surprising humans with a show of tactical brilliance. He is versed in Elven and Drow, in addition to being able to speak Common with some ability. He can be very resolute, but is also a realist, as he proved at Cove when he withdrew the remaining orc forces.

Kusghuul is fiercely loyal and truly believes in the return of the Ashdurbûk (though which one is debatable), and the armies of Tolagâl, and the conquering of Britannia for the orcish race. Kusghuul's days in Tolagâl have moulded him into a ruthless disciplinarian, requiring absolute obedience and loyalty from his troops and has been known to execute warriors as an example