Kaga d'Tharashk

**Kaga d'Tharashk** is  an Orcish nomad, former military leader and folk character. Born the heir to House Tharashk and bearing the Mark of Finding, he eschewed his titles in order to serve in the Brelish armies during the Last War. Considered a war hero in his home nation and a war criminal throughout the rest of Khorvaire, his reputation — as well as the mysteries surrounding his disappearance — have made him a popular and infamous figure in folk history.

## Early Life and Military Service

Kaga was born in 956 YK to Baron Kragus d'Tharashk, the leader of the Southern Branch of House Tharashk. Though groomed from birth to take over the family and his father's office, he chose to enlist in the Brelish army in 978 YK, shortly following the death of his eldest brother, Kraiik, in an attack by Zil militants. As the Dragonmarked Houses abided by a strict code of neutrality in the war, Kaga was stripped of his titles and privileges as a Tharashki, leaving the Baronship to his sister, Kana.

Kaga quickly climbed the military ladder, gaining the rank of Colonel in 983 YK. He led the Assault on Gorgonhorn — known as the Massacre at Gorgonhorn in Zil and Thrane — in 984 YK. Sources differ in the details, with Brelish historians taking a neutral stance on his actions, though Zil, Thranish and Cyran sources all claimed that Kaga led a military force through what was a largely civilian town and decimated it, leaving few alive. Kaga continued his service until taking a spear to the calf in 985 YK, ending his military career. Taken prisoner in Zil, he stood on war crimes charges but was exonerated due to, what some consider, outside pressure from House Tharashk.

## Disappearance

Kaga disappeared from his family country home in the Eldeen Reaches on Therendor 2, 990 YK. A Magewright working for the family claimed that they had seen Kaga enter the woods with a large pack and travelling supplies. He is said to have left a letter to his father and sister proclaiming guilt for his actions in Zil, implying his disappearance was not an accident. Some scrutiny has arisen surrounding the letter and its legitimacy, primarily from House Tharashk itself, though independent scholars have separately proclaimed its validity.

## Possible Sightings

Since his disappearance, many travellers in the Eldeen Reaches have claimed to have met a noble-looking person of Orcish descent, who they claimed stopped to visit them during the night. The figure would generally ask to join the traveller's fire and share stories; in the morning, a small token of appreciation would be left behind, often money or trinkets of some sort. Those who refused the figure would be left unbothered.

Folk singers and storytellers have created much material based on these sightings, developing a narrative that Kaga was a man who sought the peace and freedom of nature after decades of war fighting. The popular Mover, *A Man Amidst the Trees*, is based on this interpretation of Kaga, portraying him as a kind man running from his past who nevertheless tries to help others. Zil authorites have denied this interpretation, referring to it as Brelish propaganda.

## Recent Developments

On Olarune 23, 998 YK, the body of a person of Orcish descent washed up on the shores of Lake Galifar. The figure bore the Mark of Finding, like Kaga, and was similar in stature, though the face was unrecognizable due to decomposition. Autopsies showed that the man had died in late-spring of either 990 YK; likely only a few weeks after Kaga had initially disappeared. The figure also bore a large scare on the calf, consistent with the wound that ended Kaga's military career. House Tharashk reportedly received the body but has not confirmed the identity; they have even rejected attempts by Soveriegn Clerics to perform a soulfinding that would determine the identity once and for all.

If this body is actually Kaga, it would mean that the entirety of his nomadic appearances to travellers had been post-mortem; as such, many of the tales surrounding his disappearance have shifted into ghost stories.

## Notes

1. ↑ While Kaga is still officially considered alive and missing, recent developments have led many authorities and scholars to conclude that he has been dead since 990 YK.