Jorg Ancrath

**Jorg Ancrath** was the first and eldest son of King Olidan Ancrath, although he was disinherited from the throne when his father married Sareth ap Scorron following the death of his mother, Queen Rowen, and was given another son, Degran. Jorg later killed his half-brother by accident through the use of necromancy.

## Biography

### Background

When Jorg, his mother, and his brother were returning to the Tall Castle from a trip, they were ambushed by Osson Renar's men on the Castle Road while traveling near the town of Norwood. Jorg was stuck in a patch of thorns after trying to escape with the help of Jan and was forced to watch and listen as his mother was raped and his younger brother was hit in the head with a rock. Jorg eventually passed out. Sir Reilly discovered Jorg held place in thorns and cut him loose before returning him to Crath City in a cart. Jorg's father didn't come to see him; instead Lundist and Gomst helped him recover from his wounds. Jorg, already wanting revenge on his uncle, asked his tutor if revenge was a science, or an art.

Jorg was hurt and enraged when Lundist later informed him that his father, King Olidan Ancrath, would not be taking vengeance and would keep the Army of the Gate inside Ancrath, and that instead he had struck a truce with Renar to gain control of the Cathun River. Jorg, sickened, swears to some day kill Renar by himself. Time passed in Ancrath and Jorg was later told of a group of bandits in the dungeons who were scheduled for execution. Posing as a serving boy, Jorg meets with them and arranges to escape with them so they can aid him in taking vengeance against his uncle. He befriends an Afriquan man named Kashta, calling him "the Nuban" for his dark skin.

### Prince of Thorns

Jorg's brotherhood loot the village of Mabberton and, in the process, kill its leader, Bovid Tor. This serves as a warning to Kennick, a local baron, telling him not to follow them down the Lich Road towards Wennith on the Horse Coast. However, he does not explain this immediately to his comrades, and Brother Gemt doubts him. As a result, an irritated Jorg stabs him in the neck and orders Maical to take his head.

While traveling down the Lichway, the brotherhood encounters a gibbet with four prisoners hanging inside - two of which are alive. Jorg recognizes one of them as Father Gomst and they briefly converse before Gomst warns him to run. Jorg realizes they are being surrounded by undead coming out of the swamp. Jorg, defying Gomst, chooses to stand his ground.

They soon come to Norwood, finding it burned and looted - undoubtedly by the Count of Renar. Rike, furious that there was no gold to be found, began to come at Jorg. Never loosing his cool, he brought the big man to where a score of festival beer lay cooling their kegs, in his way, silently warning him to never doubt him. Gomst tells Jorg to just have Makin kill Rike, but he cuts him off. Rike, at last remembering how Father Gomst had called Jorg 'prince', demanded answers. Jorg tells him, how Makin is Captain Makin Bortha of the Ancrath Imperial Guard, how he is the beloved son and heir to King Olidan of the House of Ancrath, how that very day was his fourteenth birthday.

The Brothers toast to Jorg, drink and celebrate. In a little while, Jorg finds Makin, who informs him of the pyre he found - two hundred dead upon it, but unlit, and that the rogues were probably some days away.

Jorg tells the brothers otherwise and ordered them to set up an ambush. When the troops came up, Jorg knew what he'd suspected. It was men of Renar, led by Marclos Renar under the banner of his house. back to finish where they'd left. Jorg, knowing that they couldn't fight off such a large troop, calls for a truce under a white banner.

Jorg is searched for weapons before being permitted to approach, and comes forward without either arms or a plan. The Count of Renar's son asks who he is, as only a nobleman can call a truce. Jorg throws in a bit of cunning, slips a stiletto from his horse's saddle, and knifes him in the eye. He rode off with Marclos on the man's stallion to the outskirts of Norwood, then threw him off and made back to the brothers waiting in ambush. They broke through Renar's men easily, and soon few were left - only enough to take back the message: Jorg was a prince who would never retreat - who could beat a hundred men with thirty.

They had a prisoner, Sir Renton. He and Jorg had a nice long chat on niceties, and damnation; revenge, and threats of torture; at last, the knight told him all he wanted to know. Then, he was given to the peasants rescued from the men of Renar to be burned.

## Character

### Appearance

Jorg is tall and lean with dark hair -- a notably typical look for his lineage. His encounter with Ferrakind left him with burn scars on the left side of his face, while his body, and particularly his back, is severely scarred from the thorns he was caught in during Renar's ambush, though is still considered to be attractive. He is described as strong and corded with muscle.

### Personality

The troubled upbringing of Jorg has left him amoral and ill-tempered. He is rather quick to anger, although usually maintains a collected facade. He sometimes makes on-the-spot decisions that could be deemed impulsive, but somehow work out in the end. He can be cruel, never fighting fair, and believes that honour results in death. However, Jorg is redeemed slightly by his charisma and wit, and respect for some people. Stubborn and resolute, he is never afraid and refuses to be held back by fear. He is cunning, well-versed in strategy and tactics, such as taught by Sun Tzu, and always finds a way to get what he wants and succeed, often where others have failed. As well as being able to scheme and plan far ahead, he can improvise very well.

Jorg is willing to learn, courtesy of the strong foundational education offered to him by Lundist, who educated him on ancient languages, mathematics, biology, and many more. This knowledge allows him to find things he can use to his advantage, even when odds are heaving against him. He is also a strong-minded leader, whose charm, abilities and his way with words make people want to follow him, despite his young age.

### Skills

* Sword fighting
* Knot-tying
* Lock-picking
* Archery
* Necromancy
* Fire-magic

## Notes

* "Jorg" is pronounced "j-OR-g"
* Mark Lawrence said that Jorg was partially inspired by Alex DeLarge in Anthony Burgess's *A Clockwork Orange*.

## Quotes

"*Tell me, tutor. Is revenge a science, or an art?*"
 —Jorg to Lundist

"*Some tell it that "sorry" is the hardest word, but for me it has always been "help."*"
 —Jorg's thoughts

"*Memories are dangerous things. You turn them over and over, until you know every touch and corner, but still you'll find an edge to cut you.*"
 —Jorg's thoughts

## References

1. ↑ Mark Lawrence on Goodreads
2. ↑ Mark Lawrence Reddit AMA