Brakkan

> *"Anybody who thinks they cannot be bought, probably also doesn't know that they can be sold for more than they'll ever be worth. People place too much value on the life of a man. They are disposable and easily replaced. An important resource of course, but shouldn't such an abundant resource be held at lesser value? Even a King is mostly worthless, because who wouldn't want to be King!? That's what the average foolish person would think anyway. If I had to replace one of my Kings a few times a week it would be barely more than a slight inconvenience. There would be countless buffoons clawing their way to that throne before supper. Nonetheless, it makes my job easier. With a few of their secrets in my book, pretty much any of them could be an obedient dog. I suppose if I wasn't here then maybe being King would mean something. But why be ONE King when you could be EVERY King?" - Brakkan*
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## Biography

Most history recording the life of Brakkan was destroyed in the Mallus. The only remaining account is found in the libraries of House Brakka. This lone record is biased due to being written by fellow members of House Brakka. What follows is believed to be accurate and free of this bias.

Brakkan was an orphan abandoned by his parents. He wandered the streets of his home city as an urchin. He was able to survive by stealing and being quick. He learned sleight of hand and successfully swindled those of weaker mind than him, even as a child. He would always listen in on people whenever possible and record any dirty pieces of information that he could get his hands on. Brakkan knew that more valuable than coin was always information. The elf of the shadows loved getting his way through blackmail.

Brakkan was always able to lie, cheat, and steal his way to a better position than before. He used deceit after deceit until he finally found himself the Hand to the King. Brakkan waited for his chance slowly until he finally saw his opportunity. He had enough influence and information such that he could lead a strong coup against the King. With his own hands, Brakkan was able to cut the throat of the ruler and throw his body from the castle balcony where it was eaten by the dogs.

Brakkan had no desire to be King himself, however. The elf seized the treasury for his own and put in a puppet that he could easily manipulate. He knew that there was no reason for him to want to be King. Brakkan could still do everything that a King was able to, but without sticking his neck out to be chopped off. Any person who bears the title of King puts a giant target on their head, and Brakkan was content letting somebody else do the dress-up game of "being king".

Brakkan rarely showed his face in public, but had countless more influence than any ruler or politician. He took pleasure in amassing wealth, rigging elections, and plotting assassinations. Anything to make himself better off was fair game in his mind.

Legend has it that two rival rulers waged war against one another. The two sides fought for many years, with thousands of casualties on both sides. Once the dust finally settled, there was no winner. Countless families lost their homes or were wiped out. The land was torn by war and many means of obtaining resource were destroyed. The soil was no longer fertile and would not be able to be farmed for decades. As it turned out, the Kings that originally waged war on one another were *both* puppets of Brakkan. The Elf of Shadows had his own puppets declare war on one another so that he could broker the sales of weapons on both sides in order to make great profit. He did not care who won, and the longer the war ran the better it was for him.

Brakkan used his fortune to construct a great palace to headquarter his "business". He taught those in his family how to engage in the games of political intrigue. His techniques were passed down from generation to generation, keeping greed at paramount importance. This dynasty was effectively forged as House Brakka, a name that is maintained today in remembrance of Brakkan.