Rekhaz An-Thurn (? AC - 424 AC ) was a male minotaur that was a legend in the Imperial League, as a peerless warrior and tactical genius. However he was as ruthless and cruel, as he was skilled, and was greatly feared both his subordinates and his enemies. Standing at almost nine feet tall, the broad minotaur had a white coat and a long black mane that he wore in braids. His standard was that of two crossed silver swords set on a black starry sky.
Rekhaz was well known as a fearsome gladiator and fighter across the League, as well as a fine tactician, for which he was given command of both the Imperial Army and the Imperial Navy by Emperor Ambeoutin XII. The minotaur was also given the title of duke, and became one of the most powerful individuals in the entire empire of the minotaurs, second to the emperor himself.
Following the earthquake in 424 AC that rocked Kristophan and killed the emperor and all his heirs, Rekhaz quickly took control of the city, bringing it under his rule. Several imperial legions swore fealty to the duke, however Rekhaz was unable to convince Barreth Forlo to continue to serve as commander of the Sixth Imperial Legion. In the following weeks, two other contenders for the throne arose; Akan of Highvale and Shold Ar-Torath. Rekhaz set about crushing his rivals so he could make an uncontested claim on the throne. He first went after Shold and slew his rival in a duel, before going after Akan. He again offered Barreth a command under him, and again the human refused to serve Rekhaz, earning the would-be emperor's enmity.
Barreth returned soon after, warning Rekhaz that the Uigan were invading the empire from across the Tiderun Strait and that they needed to be stopped. Rekhaz believed he could crush his rival Akan first, claim the throne and unite all the legions under him to crush the Uigan. However in order to gain Barreth under his thumb, he offered a mere cohort to the human to put down the Uigan with, and then he must swear to support Rekhaz's claim to the throne. Barreth was forced to agree and then went forth with a cohort of human troops to stop the Uigan.
Rekhaz went on to defeat Akan and claim the role of Emperor of the Imperial League in Kristophan. On learning that Barreth Forlo had deserted his post to race back to Coldhope Keep after defeating the Uigan, Rekhaz ordered Barreth to be dragged back to Kristophan in chains. Once in Kristophan, Rekhaz told Barreth that he would face execution for desertion, however Barreth told him he would face trial by combat, invoking one of the laws of the empire.
As the emperor and the minotaurs of the League watched Barreth and his companion Hult face their deaths on the sands, a contingent of elves sprung a rescue. The elflord Quivris faced off against Rekhaz, and cut off both his hands during their fight, then kidnapping the emperor to ensure the elves could safely escape. Rekhaz swore vengeance on the elven nation of Armach for their involvement in the rescue, and the elflord Quivris asked Rekhaz to not retaliate in return for his freedom. The hotheaded Rekhaz refused to deal with the elf, and Barreth intervened, driving his sword through Rekhaz's chest.
References[]
- Blades of the Tiger, p.42-47, 176-179, 240-245
- Trail of the Black Wyrm, p.84-86, 126