Humbrall Taur

Humbrall Taur [HUM-brahl Tower]Steven Erikson Deadhouse Gates Interview - Ten Very Big Books podcast - As pronounced by Steven Erikson at 44:55 was the warchief of the Senan Clan of the White Face Barghast and rose to be the supreme chief of all the White Face. He was father to ten, including Hetan, Cafal, and Netok.Memories of Ice, Dramatis Personae 
Captain Paran described him as a huge warrior, "bestial, bedecked in the withered, hair-matted skins of deboned human heads [… wearing a] hauberk of overlapping coins". He had small, flat eyes and used a spiked mace as his weapon of choice and also as a symbol of his rank.Memories of Ice, Chapter 11, US SFBC p.387/393
Cafal claimed his father could crush a man's chest with his embrace, wield hook-swords in both hands, and slay ten warriors in seconds. He also said his father was most feared for his intelligence, which had been inherited by Hetan.Memories of Ice, Chapter 10, US SFBC p.374
==In Memories of Ice==
Humbrall Taur sought to unite the White Face clans under his leadership. He sent his children, Hetan, Cafal, and Netok, to Capustan to demand the return of the bones of their ancestors. The barrows of the Founding Families, whose spirits were now worshipped by the Barghast, had been destroyed by the city's founders. Whoever freed the mortal remains of the Barghast spirit-gods could potentially unite the fractious clans under one rule. Facing certain extinction at the hands of the Pannion Domin, the Mask Council finally relented.Memories of Ice, Chapter 10
At the same time, he called for a gathering of the White Face tribes. The Barghast Bridgeburner, Trotts, called for recognition of his noble lineage and faced Taur's unnamed youngest son in single combat. Trotts defended his claim by killing the boy, but nearly died himself in the process. Quick Ben helped calm the heated emotions of the Barghast throngs by bringing Barghast Elder Spirits to the camp. Their presence was revealed to the Barghast shouldermen and confirmed the imprisonment of the Barghast gods at Capustan. Taur's primary position among the White Face was secured and he agreed to join the Malazan alliance against the Pannion Domin.Memories of Ice, Chapter 11
Taur coordinated the efforts of his 70,000 Barghast to lift the Pannion Siege of Capustan.Memories of Ice, Chapter 10, US SFBC p.356Memories of Ice, Chapter 17 By then the city had largely been destroyed and the Barghast negotiated deals with the Mask Council to provide food to the survivors.Memories of Ice, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.704 Taur's people reclaimed the bodies of their ancestors from the Thrall. Through his son Cafal, Taur asked Ganoes Paran to officially bless the Barghast Gods in his role as Master of the Deck. Paran promised to think on it.Memories of Ice, Chapter 18, US SFBC p.644-648
Taur attended a parley of the alliance commanders and chose to follow them to fight the Pannion Seer at Coral.Memories of Ice, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.702 When the alliance split in two to cover more ground, Taur chose to travel with the familiar Malazans and Whiskeyjack whose sense of humour he enjoyed.Memories of Ice, Chapter 20, US SFBC p.718 He was amused when Hetan took Kruppe as her lover and suggested her subsequent seasickness while rafting down the Maurik River was a sign of pregnancy.Memories of Ice, Chapter 23, US SFBC p.836-839
After the Battle of Black Coral was won, Humbrall and his children turned for home with their clan. Along the way, they encountered Kilava Onass and her brother, Onos T'oolan. Hetan turned her attentions to the newly mortal Imass, who responded with obvious interest.Memories of Ice, Chapter 25, US SFBC p.995-996
==In Reaper's Gale==
Humbrall Taur died at the landing of the White Face Barghast's war canoes on the coast of the Awl'dan in Lether. The manner of his death was unrevealed, but was described as "tragic". His son-in-law, Onos T'oolan, took up his role as war leader despite not being one of their race. Hetan eased his ascension, but Tool's will and wisdom had secured the Barghast's loyalty as well.Reaper's Gale, Chapter 22, US HC p.703-704
==In Dust of Dreams==
After Hetan married Onos T'oolan, Taur died in an accident while traveling to Lether from Genabackis. His death led to the installation of his son-in-law as the new head of the White Face Barghast.Dust of Dreams, Chapter 4
==In The Crippled God==
Ralata told Draconus that Humbrall Taur drowned during the landing upon the shores of the original homeland of the Barghast.The Crippled God, Chapter 2
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Category:Barghast
Category:Males
Category:Rulers
Category:Warleaders
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