Zarb Kushkam

Zarb Kushkam is the Commandant Supreme of the Azimir Imperial Guard and a member of the Unoathed on Roshar.
== Appearance & Personality ==
Commandant Kushkam is "a shorter man, but thick of neck and limb". He is missing an eye, but bears tattoos surrounding the wound that spell something in Azish rather than wearing an eyepatch. When in a formal procession, he rides an extravagantly adorned horse.
== Attributes & Abilities == 
Kushkam is an expert Towers player. He is also an excellent tactician and capable soldier. As a member of the Unoathed, he is able to summon a set of blade and plate.
== History ==
When he was younger, Kushkam distinguished himself in fighting at Yulay. Kushkam was a field commander before he was promoted to the Imperial Guard sometime during the two years before the Contest of Champions, in spite of his desire to remain on the field.
As head of the Imperial Guard, Kushkam led the Azish forces during the Battle of Azimir. His initial plan for defense of the Oathgate is to pour water into the control building to be Soulcast into bronze. He also planned to use flammable oil as a frontline defense, but Adolin convinces him that this should be a last resort. When fighting begins on the third of the final ten days, Kushkam quickly recognizes Adolin’s strategic assessment is correct and that forming lines further back from the control room would better counter the individual strength of Regals. That evening, he invites Adolin to dine with him.
During the fighting, Kushkam was regularly stationed in the Oathgate dome’s balcony, overlooking the battlefield. On the fourth day, Kushkam successfully predicts the timing of enemy attacks by likening them to a “Castle Down” maneuver from Towers. On the fifth day, Kushkam again anticipates the enemy strategy—this time, their focus on bringing down one of the two Coalition Shardbearers. He communicates this to Adolin with another Towers maneuver: “Cast the Banner?” 
On the seventh day, he comes up with the idea of plugging some of the dome’s exists with Soulcast bronze. He also tells Adolin of the adage “As long as the emperor is on his throne, Azir stands” and relays the history of the Dusqqa Dynasty. A short while later, he witnesses Deepest Ones emerging in the plaza outside of the Oathgate dome, and personally leads the charge against them. He is injured when Heavenly Ones begin dropping boulders from above, but is healed by Rahel. Almost immediately afterwards, the dome is breached by Focused Ones and Kushkam gives the order to drop firebombs in the dome. In the aftermath of Taln and Ash’s slaughter of the Fused, Kushkam is discovered, unconscious but alive, by Adolin and healed by Rahel again. He resumed command of the defenses during the eighth day.
Near the end of the ninth day, Azir’s defenses are overrun and Singers take the city. Kushkam’s face is wounded during the fighting, and he retreats with Adolin and Yanagawn to the saferoom beneath the hospital. During the final day leading up to the Contest, Kushkam joins Adolin, Sarqqin, Hmask, Colot, Rahel, his son, and others in the mission to claim the Azish throne room. He joins the Unoathed and helps hold the throne room against the Singer attack.
== Relationships ==
=== Gezemal Kushkam ===
Gezemal is Zarb's son and a member of the Imperial Guard under Zarb's command. 
=== Adolin Kholin ===
Kushkam is initially distrustful of Adolin's strategic perspective and considers his assessment to be an insult to the quality of the Azish troops. After the first battle within the Oathgate dome, however, he realizes the merit in Adolin's strategy and is won over by his sincerity. Kushkam profusely apologizes to Adolin and thanks him for saving lives. Throughout the rest of the defense of Azimir, Kushkam frequently consults Adolin to make tactical decisions together.
== Notes ==
category: viewpoint characters