Akamos

Akamos, called the Strong, was a warrior of the Theroi, a human tribe that lived along the Zurul coast. Akamos' birthdate is not clear, though it must have been within the first few decades of the First Age. The Theroi tribe were the proteges of the Kulroq, who had settled on Alasha amid the Zurul Sea. Though the Kulroq had taught the Theroi many arts, Akamos came to resent the bullmen, yearning to break free of their stewardship. Akamos united the Theroi clans against the Kulroq and attempted to seize Alasha from them. This venture failed despite Akamos' ferocity. He escaped into the Pale Marshes and there sought refuge with the Hesha. It is not known how Akamos won the Hesha over, but legends state that he was tested by the four Ancients, the oldest and most enlightened Hesha that headed the four castes. The Ancients were pleased with Akamos, and revealed to him the secret to creating a 'perfect' nation that would never know slavery or humiliation. With his Hesha allies, Akamos left the marshes and went out to conquer. He subjugated the Plains Orcs of Salambis, the Laskan clans of the coasts, and the Zorn of the southern savanna. To prove his right to rule, he challenged Thule himself, who emerged from the Abyss to test the Lawbringer. Akamos battled Thule and even removed one of his fingers, which became the massive pinnacle called the Black Finger, where the Ferrymen train. When the conquered people of Orestes saw what Akamos had done, they bowed to him. Akamos had his codes inscribed on an Iron Pillar, and chose four worthy successors, naming them his Heritors. These Heritors were each given a quarter of Orestes to govern. Akamos shared his blood with the Heritors, and so created the Akamic Lineages, bloodlines of particularly strong warriors. With his work accomplished, Akamos went to join Kyrene, or Kyrus as the Orestians name the war deity, upon the Fields of Glory. He remains there to serve as a model and ideal that Orestians aspire to. 
The exact identity and nature of Akamos is unclear, with several myths offering explanations. One story claims that every year, the Kulroq would take a child from every Theroi clan to sacrifice to Hila. Luza, a Theroi woman, prayed that her children and all their children would be spared this fate. In answer, Kyrus appeared to the woman and touched her belly with his fiery spear. Luza became pregnant and gave birth to Akamos. A year later, the Kulroq came to take Akamos for sacrifice. Luza fled into the wilderness and lived among satyrs. She died not long after and Akamos was raised by Cerne, father of satyrs, who taught Akamos all the arts of the wilderness. But Akamos yearned for his people and when he grew to manhood, he went to rejoin the Theroi, who still suffered under the yoke of the Kulroq. When the bullmen came to collect sacrifices, Akamos exchanged places with another youth and was taken to Alasha. However, while being held in the pits beneath the temple of Hila, Akamos broke free of his bonds and led his prisoners in revolt. He stole the idol of Hila and escaped back to the mainland, rallying the Theroi. When the Kulroq came forth to meet them, Akamos led his tribesmen in battle, defeating the Kulroq. The bullmen agreed to end the sacrifices so long as the idol of Hila was returned, but Akamos demanded more. He wanted freedom, and to live outside the 'guidance' of the Alashan lords. But the other chiefs feared to live without their Kulroq masters. They secretly gave the idol back to the Kulroq and Akamos, repudiating the weakness of the Theroi, turned his back on them. 
Some believe that Akamos is an aspect or incarnation of Irud, and that just as Irud freed humanity from the elves, he also manifested to free humans from the Kulroq. This is vociferously denied by the Kulroq, who claim they were always benevolent teachers to the Theroi, never cruel overlords, and they never sacrificed anyone to Hila. Even Akamos' connection to Thule is unclear. He is said to have challenged the Rape God, but some believe he might in fact have been the Rape God, or at least his son. Orestes was the ultimate expression of Thule's mysteries, a realm founded on dominance and power that only the strong had the right to wield. How exactly Akamos 'defeated' Thule, and what the Black Finger really is cannot be known for sure. The Orestians in fact do not spend much time debating the nature of Akamos or even relating his myths. It is enough that he existed and gave Orestes the strength to remain independent and proud. Akamos' statues are everywhere, and he is honored as the ultimate warrior and leader. But he is not discussed much beyond this, almost as if the Orestians are afraid of what they might learn.
Category:Heroes