Shal-kad Sahrotkoraav

Shal-kad Sahrotkoraav was a dragonborn military commander who waged war against the dwarven and orcish insurgents during the Era of Fracturing, most notably at the Defense of Yolgolzhof, the Fall of Galead, and the Fall of Vur’sha-uth.

### Early Life

Shal-kad was taught the skills of a military commander from a young age. Despite his family's wishes, he didn't want to lead safely from behind a desk, but wanted to fight on the front lines alongside his men. Thus, at his insistence, he was also trained as a warrior. He enlisted in the draconian military at age 15 and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his skills in leadership, strategy, and combat. At age 24, he was put in charge of the garrison of Yolgolzhof.

### Defense of Yolgolzhof

In 2940, dwarven forces from the Hollow Mountains attacked Yolgolzhof. The dwarves greatly outnumbered the dragonborn forces and were well-equipped for a siege, so they initially laid waste to the defenses. Under pressure, Shal-kad devised a plan to funnel the dwarven forces through the main gate and split them in half by closing it. He then rallied his troops against the divided invaders, defeating them after a long and bloody battle. Due to this unlikely victory, he became known as the Bulwark of the Lowlands.

### Fall of Galead

In 2948, Shal-kad was stationed in Galead alongside his daughter, the young knight Charis Sahrotkoraav. When the dwarves attacked, their forces were so overwhelming that Shal-kad's leadership could do little to stop them. After the attackers broke through the walls, Shal-kad and Charis fought together against a platoon of them. They killed several, until the dwarven soldier Thorim Strongbeard cut off Shal-kad's leg and wounded Charis with a blow to the head. Carrying his unconscious daughter, Shal-kad escaped the attackers by jumping into the water, where he nearly drowned before being saved by one of the evacuating ships. When he awoke, he found out that Charis had succumbed to her injuries. Now crippled, Shal-kad was honorably discharged from the draconian military.

### Retirement

Shal-kad's wife was traumatized by the death of Charis and never mentally recovered from this state. Shal-kad spent the following decades taking care of her until she passed away. He also offered counselling to other war veterans who had suffered similar experiences. The war raged on without him, until in 2983, elites from across the Draconic Empire were called to the defense of Vur’sha-uth. With nothing left to lose, he decided to fight for his nation one last time.

### Fall of Vur’sha-uth

At Vur’sha-uth, Shal-kad fought alongside Ar’shakh Ith’rakii, Felminthen Strunmahg, and Rhogar Okaazlev. He used his tactical insight and a number of spell scrolls to fight effectively despite his age and disability, slowing the enemy advance by killing several dwarven and orcish elites. When he was injured by an aberrant monster fighting alongside the orcs, the spirit of Charis unexpectedly came to his aid, wounding the monster so that his allies could kill it. When the unexpected dwarven forces descended from the Hollow Mountains and overran the dragonborn defenses, his unit was called as a desperate defense to buy time for evacuation. Shal-kad allowed Ar’shakh to withdraw from this hopeless battle, but decided to make his last stand alongside Felminthen, Rhogar, and the lingering spirit of Charis. The four of them held off the attacking elites long enough for Emperor Weridul Yovunbiisos to retreat. When the defenders were on their last legs, Shal-kad called down artillery fire on their position, killing himself and the few remaining defenders along with many nearby attackers.