Sett Sparkclaw

The Spark Warband was an elite Blood Legion Warband established in 1325 AE by Centurion Koda Whitespark, its base of operations stationed at the newly repurposed Fangfury Watch at the doorstep of Ebonhawke.Though intended to serve as a primarily diplomatic arm for Imperator Bangar Ruinbringer to demonstrate Blood's cooperation in the peace accords, it's influence grew far more external through the successes of Legionnaire Sett Sparkclaw, who in time became the first Pact Commander. Little did Sett realize his efforts in unifying the races would play right into the Bangar's ambitions, creating a political crisis that could set back progress in Charr diplomacy hundreds of years. Icon by @thekamki-gw2

[sett-sparkclaw]

1325

"I'm sorry...you want me to do what?"

"You heard me lieutenant. I want you to take these cubs under your wing for a few days. They could learn a thing or two from you." Kurr scoffed at the stern look on Sett's face. "Don't worry. They won't be as much of pawful as you were. They're among the best in the fahrar. Yvera here shot down 24 markers yesterday in rifle training."

"I'd like to see her do it without a sight!" The other cub protested.

"You were the one stupid enough not to use one Cartcus," Yvera rejected.

"Well had I used one I'd easily have shot 30!"

"Do me a favor and cry more about it."

"You'd know a thing or-"

"Cubs!" Kurr Sparbreaker's tired old eyes lit up with refilled primal youth, his stare locking them in place. The hair stood on the back of their necks and that old feeling of getting on Sparbreaker's bad side gently lifted Sett's as well. His next words rang in Sett's mind before he even spoke. "That is no way to present before your Primus!"

After a quick salute they just as quickly rehearsed their proper lines, "Yes Primus Kurr, we apologize."

"Now get out of my sight. Take your groveling elsewhere."

They knew they were off easy and bolted straight out of Kurr's sight, their arguments echoing down the halls.

"Not a pawful you say?"

"They know better. You've handled worse. Or so I've heard."

Kurr resigned to his chair, not at all caring that Sett stood near him in silence, observing him as eyed the paperwork on his desk and the mess the cubs had left the quarters in.

"Who rewarded you with that?"

"Oh, this?" Sett rolled his chainmail sleeve to reveal the remains of a deep cut that scaled the length of his left arm. "Just a missed parry. You'd tire too fighting awakened brutes hours on end."

The answer didn't satisfy Kurr. In fact, it all but enraged him.

"I ought to give Mallik a piece of my mind! Not even preparing you enough for human skirmishes and here we are talking the undead," he slammed his paw into the desk, burying his claws deep into the wood. "Who's tail was pinched to send you away like this?"

"With respect Primus," As Sett responded uneasily, "Zhaitan is dead, we... the Pact... killed him," he tripped over his words to extinguish his old mentor's ire, "it ought to worth losing an arm for that, right? ...it was Rytlock by the way," he finally surrendered.

"Hard to believe anyone trusts the runt after all these years." His anger subsided and he let his claws unburrow themselves from his desk as he relaxed.

"Still need me to see after the cubs?"

"Still a weasel too, trying to get out of this conversation." He glared at Sett partially annoyed. "Yes," he answered after a moment, "but there's something I've needed to tell you. I've never told this too anyone and..." he stopped himself before getting out of his chair walking over to Sett, meeting his towering gaze with his own subtle ferocity before he continued, pointing a claw for good measure, "if word gets out about this I will wear your hide. Understand me?"

He'd heard the threat before, and the rumors. So Sett nodded and allowed him trundle around his desk as he collected his thoughts. After a moment he spoke.

"The Priory. As annoying as the bastards are with their questions and their paperwork," he eyed the handsome pile on his desk with a dreaded look, "I found they have some use in their endeavors. Every single one of us that falls, they document it. Every single one. I couldn't help but be curious."

"I've never thought of you as the attachment type Primus."

"We all think about it Sett. Some are just better at hiding it."

"I hope you aren't implying anything."

"No!" He snapped. "Of course not. I taught you well enough. But believe me I know you feel it too, I recognize the look. That's why you need to know. You are..." He nearly choked on his words but composed himself. "You are the last one. The last of your fahrar."

Sett was disturbed by how little this news bothered him, at least in the moment. Rather than exposing any emotions, he simply observed his old primus, concerned as he struggled to string together any more thoughts. He thought to meet him and reassure him of... something, but Kurr signaled him to stop his advances. Not that he felt he had anything of value to add.

"I'm fine. I want you to sit with that though."

"I will."

"Bangar is right...you don't look right. You need a break. Take the cubs, then come back to me when you are ready to talk."

"And what do you suggest we do?"

"Try fishing. Clears the head a bit."

[sett-sparkclaw]

Khan-Ur Sett, 1364

[sett-sparkclaw]

1335

This time his annoyance fled in an instant, even as he sat with slober half covering his face. He couldn't be mad at Skarra. It wasn't her fault they were both so far from home.

[milkratz]

The Commander, who's skin is covered in rough scars, places where their fur barely covers the burns, or where their bark has deep graves in it. Young or old, their bones ache when it gets too cold, joints stiff from hard landings and missed blocks. Their skin tingles when they get too close to flames, and they avoid certain parts of the Desert like the Plague. They trace the scars and bruises on their skin till their finger tips go numb, and sometimes the feeling of nostalgia, of regret and guilt, is so strong that they wish for nothing more than to sink, deep, deep, deep into the snow, the sand, the mud, whatever returns them to the Earth the fast.

Sometimes, they forget their own name - too many titles have been laid upon their sore, bruised shoulders.

And yet, they continue. They explore and travel, they lend their aid, they do their best to make sure their friends don't suffer from their reputation, their boldness. Even when it would be so much, so much easier, to take control, to force their way through to get what they need done, and they don't.

They smile, even when they don't want to. They help, even when it would be easier not to. They leave dozens in their debt, and never calls upon it except to help the general good. They hide their intelligence and their strength, if only to make them more approachable. They respect the lands they travel to, and never has anyone seen them happier than standing tall above the ground, a map in hand, letting the breeze blow around them.

The Commander is more than a tragic story; The reason they keep going, keep fighting, is because they know their worth. Because they know the worth of the world around them, because they want others to be able to explore and experience the same things they have dedicated themself to saving.

Every win, every loss, does nothing but encourage them more, to ensure a future for everyone.

[sett-sparkclaw]

The Outlander

He scurries the streets by day, prowls the trenches by night. "Five-hundred xen for his coat!" the noblemen proclaim, posters lining the streets reiterating their ire, though gold only speaks to the wicked. They seek his name, for they know not where he came. An outlander, seeking no glory in our freedom, as mysterious to us as these time laced sands.

[sett-sparkclaw]

The dire bears, having nearly been driven to the brink of extinction by the Stone Summit, had become useful to the Norn of the southern shiver peaks in the years following the summit's disappearance. Through their taming, they become loyal companions and formidable beasts of war capable of even taking down giants when fighting on their hind legs.

Tikvar [teek-var] was a dire bear who lived from 1300 - 1364 AE. The newborn cub was presented as a gift to Sett's sire, Lemick Scorchsear, by the Norn who had recently heard of his son's birth, and wanted to reward him for his mastery of Raven's philosophy and magic.

Lemick fled south shortly upon learning of Gaheron's knowledge of The Insurgency, bringing Sett and Tikvar with him to live among the rumored Flame Legion faction that too, left many decades ago. There Tikvar grew and trained with Sett, becoming a very useful asset as hunter for the Olmakhan.

Upon Sett's capture in 1313, Elder Lemick took Tikvar north to Elona to find him, only reuniting in 1331 after the death of Balthazar led Lemick to Sett during his speech in Amnoon.

Tikvar remained at Sett's side for the rest of his life, dying in 1364 at the age of 65.

[sett-sparkclaw]

Dutro Sparkglass

Age: 35

Legion Affiliations: Blood Legion

Profession: Mesmer

Dutro was the most reserved charr in the warband. He particularly enjoyed meditating, writing, and composing music in between daily protocols and routines. Had a curious obsession with frogs.

[sett-sparkclaw]

The Founders

In the aftermath of Kralkatorrik's dragonrise in 1320, public opinion within Blood Legion towards Imperator Bangar Ruinbringer's stance against a potential ceasefire took a dramatic unfavorable turn. Among his most fervent critics was Centurion Koda, who from 1317-1325 managed the movements of over 200 Blood Legion warbands stationed around Ebonhawke. Hundreds of his soldiers were killed or worse in the wake of the dragonrise, convincing him that a potential ceasefire with Ebonhawk to defeat Kralkatorrik was in the best interest of Blood Legion.

It would take until 1324, under pressure of a potential alliance between Iron and Flame Legion on top of the retrieval of the famed Claw of the Khan-Ur expediting the Ebonhawke Treaty negotiations, for Bangar to concede his stance. Following this he drafted a few points of negotiation: the official recognition of Blood Legion territory by Ebonhawke, the immediate release of all charr prisoners of war held in Ebonhawke, and the establishment of neutral territory were among the many provisions he suggested. This neutral territory would be organizaed by both Vanguard and a charr warband, and would primarily serve as a diplomatic gesture for Bangar.

In 1325, Bangar gave the task of creating the warband to Koda, who in turn dubbed the bandname as "Spark". Two of his most trusted allies, the veterans Malakor and Fleck, joined in to assist. More curious was the acceptance of the much younger Sett, who had recently lost his entire warband, yet had quickly moved up to legionnaire after besting Urvan Steelbane in combat.

The town of Fangfury honors these four charr as its founding warband.

...

[sett-sparkclaw]

Quartermaster Fleck Sparkstorm

Birth/Death: 1276 - 1332

Affiliations: Blood Legion (1286-1332), The United Legions (1332)

Sire: Ajax Brokentooth

Dam: Unknown (likely a gladia as any record has been purposefully destroyed)

Secondary titles: Legionnaire of Spark, Master of Arms

Notable Achievements: Creator of Core, the charr martial art

"Fleck was the lone survivor of his first warband, who all perished in an ogre ambush long before I was born. Never forgave himself. Yet this trauma drove him to become one of the most revered masters the charr remember. Without his discipline, the Spark Warband would have never known success."

[sett-sparkclaw]

The Pawn

"I understand your desire for peace, Sett, as misguided of a passion it might be." Bangar remarked, continuing his focus on the legions' activities below, the stained orange glass that stretched from the iron floor of the office to the stone crested ceiling nearly concealing Sett's similarly orange fur entirely in its reflection, yet revealing enough such that Bangar could note of the expected disappointment in the Legionnaire's face. "I was once just as naive."

"With respect sir, I'm not the one who's misguided." Sett remarked.

Breaking his attention towards the valley, Bangar turned to face to approaching charr, "So much for that respect," he sneered.

"Look, I can only do what best for-"

"Who? Blood?!" Bangar slammed his desk in frustration, meeting Sett's bewildered eyes with his own furious gaze. A moment passed before he continued. "Really think about how you finish that sentence, Commander. Who's side are you on? Spare me the lie that you care about your own Legion, your four year hiatus burned that bridge for you. Who does that leave you with? The barely functioning Pact? Smodur? That damn dragon? Have you ever stopped to consider who you're even fighting for?"

"I'll fight for whoever is interested in keeping Tyria from destroying itself! It can be that simple Bangar."

"I'll take that as a no."

[thekamki-gw2]

Bust commission for @sett-sparkclaw of their super rad charr!! ✨

[sett-sparkclaw]

Happy Wintersday!

[sett-sparkclaw]

Khan-Ur Sett’s Tree of Sires - as compiled and verified through Durmand Priory Historical Fahrar Codes - with brief descriptors

Cowl Fiercetongue 1039? – 1091 || Primus Lieutenant of Pyre Fierceshot’s Fierce Warband. Died fighting Ascalonian Ghosts in the aftermath of The Foefire. Has 6 known cubs.

Kone Strikeheart 1077? – 1116 || Cub of Cowl Firecetongue, Legionnaire of the Blood Legion warband Strike. Died during an uprising he staged against the acting Blood Legion Imperator Attican the Cold-Blooded (Bloodblade), whom he accused of subverting Kalla Scorchrazor’s rebellion against the Flame Legion caste. Has 7 known cubs.

Orkar Spikesight 1106 – 1167 || Cub of Kone Strikeheart, Centurion of the Grothmar Company (a large collection of warbands that stay and commit to certain duties while in the Grothmar Homelands) and the Strike Warband. Died of hypothermia during the Endless Winter (1165 – 1169). Has 3 known cubs.

Ceyx Daggerhorn 1138 – 1169 || Cub of Orkar Spikesight, Legionnaire of the Blood Legion Warband Dagger. Notorious charr during the Ebonhawke Advancements (1165 – 1169) that would often finish off his enemies by impaling them with his horns. He was killed alongside his warband in a particularly sour skirmish in late 1169. As retribution for the dozens he killed, Ceyx’s corpse was dehorned and skinned by the Vanguard. His hide was worn by Captain Marshall, and his prized horns were hung in the Ebonhawke barracks among others for display. His horns were handed over to his great-great grandcub Khan-Ur Sett the Thunderous in 1362 as a show of goodwill and allegiance with New Ascalon.  Ceyx has 7 known cubs.

Ulrick Steelfire 1165 – 1215 || Cub of Ceyx Daggerhorn, Legionnaire of the Fire Warband. Though a particularly weak shaman, Ulrick used skills gathered from reverse engineering Iron Legion technology to channel amplify his abilities with creative devices. He was killed in an ambush by the shaman caste, as they viewed him as a threat to their traditional rituals and magics. All his devises were destroyed and never mentioned again. Ulrick had 2 known cubs.

Drogor Flamefist 1214 – 1272 || Cub of Ulrick Steelfire, Acting Imperator of Flame Legion (1265 – 1272). Quite the opposite of his sire, Drogor was an extremely powerful shaman. He used his power to stage a coup against Imperator Gaheron Baelfire in 1264 and successfully led his shaman loyalists to defeat Gaheron in 1265. He was the first known charr to be seen as a legitimate imperator of a high legion that was verifiably not a descendant of the first Khan-Ur. However, his leadership was short lived. Flame viewed his less hostile stance towards the other 3 legions as a sign of weakness that would eventually allow for the legions to take advantage of Flame. He was assassinated in 1272, giving way to Gaheron’s second rise to power. Drogor has 13 known cubs.

Elder Lemick Scorchsear 1260 – 1331 || Cub of Drogor Flamefist, First Shaman of Raven, Olmakhan Elder of Ways (title granted to tribe teachers). As legionnaire of the Scorch Warband, one of the militant Flame Legion warbands at the time, Lemick would participate in a series of campaigns against the Norn and Ogres, attempting to expand Flame Legion’s dwindling territory and acquire more stake in natural resources. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war under the Norn after a territorial dispute in 1280. There he was exposed to the Spirits of the Wild, particularly interested in Raven’s Philosophy. He was released on good terms with the Norn in 1284, returning to Flame as a gladium with no interest in following the footsteps of his sire. This changed in 1290 when he discovered his first cub Cora, had been brutally murdered by Flame Warband Shaman due to insubordination. He would then lead a second effort to rid of Gaheron, ultimately failing. Fearing the safety of his months old cub Iro (Sett), he fled to live among the Olmakhan for the foreseeable future. Lemick has 3 known cubs.

Sett Sparkclaw 1300 – 1380 || Cub of Lemick Scorchsear, Legionnaire of the Blood Legion Warband Spark, Primus of the Amnian Legion of Charr, Champion of Vlast, Imperator of The Dominion, Khan-Ur of the United Legions of New Ascalon.

 ____________________________

always been something I’ve wanted to try just to stretch my brain a bit with history. if you read the whole thing I applaud you.

[sett-sparkclaw]

'Civil War'

"My guild abandoned me. My warband disowned me. My Legion growled my name as a traitor. If you'd seen what I did you would not only agree with them, you would do the same."

Happy 30 followers :)

[sett-sparkclaw]

Captain Vitus the Resolute

Born/Death: 1327 - 1368 AE

Sire: Commander Sett Sparkclaw

Dam: Roa

Engagements: Magistrate Senora Inkpaw (1347 - 1350)

Cubs: Crea of Ironband (1347 - Present), Kurr of Northband (1350 - Present)

Organized Affiliations: Blood Legion (1331 - 1332), The Lion’s Arch Legion of Charr (1332 - 1342), The Lionguard (1332 - 1368), The United Legions (1342 - 1350), The Dominion (1350 - 1360), New Ascalon (1360 - 1368)

Following a series of crushing defeats that ultimately concluded the Battle of Drizzlewood Coast during the Charr Civil War of 1332, Centurion Koda Whitespark of Blood Legion lead a mutiny within The Dominion against its acting leaders Imperator Bangar Ruinbringer and Centurion Ryland Steelcatcher. This conflict ended with The Dominion splitting into two factions: Blood Legion led by Koda himself, and Bangar Dominion forces eventually turned to Frost Legion. 

Imperator Koda was unaware of the inner turmoil that had recently taken place within the United Legions, with his former Legionnaire, the then Pact Commander Sett Sparkclaw, failing a mutiny of his own against Smodur’s violent consolidation of power. Smodur threatened to take over Blood Legion’s remaining territory by force if they did not submit voluntarily, and Koda, with the consent of his Tribunes, adamantly refused the offer. War followed for months, Blood Legion losing on every front. Koda made the decision to abandon Blood Legion territory at the turn of the year, leading hundreds of charr in a mass migration to the Marin Province of Lion’s Arch.

Vitus was born just before the events of the Charr Civil War. He was split from his other siblings, Iro and Rohar, who had been sent to two seperate Blood Legion Fahrars themselves. Sent to the Fangfury Fahrar a year early after Roa left to assist Ash Legion in the war effort, Primus Kurr, the then Primus of Fangfury’s Fahrar, took special care of him for the following year. During the war against the United Legions, Smodur’s forces proved time and again that not even Fahrars would not be spared. Before the Battle of Fangfury, Kurr led the Fahrar to Ebonhawke to protect all the cubs under his care. They stayed until Koda launched his plans to flee to the Marin Province.

Tybalt Leftpaw, an old mentor to Sett, took in Vitus shortly after Blood Legion’s arrival in Marin, raising him as a son-figure. He vowed never to tell him who his father was for his safety.

[sett-sparkclaw]

Roa [Rō]

Born/Death: 1299 - 1332 AE

Sire: Aethin Skulltwister

Dam: Unknown (Flame Legion Priory records before the Treaty of Ebonhawke are spotty)

Engagements: Gurek Whitefire (1322), Commander Sett Sparkclaw (1329 - 1332)

Cubs: Rohar (1330 - 1332), Iro (1331 - 1332), Captain Vitus the Resolute (1331 - 1361)

Legion Affiliations: Flame Legion (1299 - 1324), Ash Legion (1324 - 1328, 1332), Blood Legion (1328 - 1332)

Though Roa was raised to conform to the traditional gender roles deeply rooted in Flame Legion’s culture, her sire, Aethin Skulltwister, inspired by the progressive vision of Lemick Skullsear, taught her virtues of independence and briefly trained her to use shaman magics in secret. Unaware of Aethin’s plan to coordinate with the High Legions to kill Gaheron, she believed he was killed in 1325 when in reality he had faked his death. The charr to blame for his death was rumored to be a gladium named Sett.

Seeking to avenge her sire’s death, she fled Flame in 1325 and faked her status as a gladia to join Ash Legion. There she learned of Malice’s long running suspicions of Smodur and Bangar, both who apparently sought to use the Pact as a ally for a future consolidation of power. She was personally tasked with spying on the Pact Commander in 1327 disguised as a Whispers agent, hoping learn of his potential role in such a plan, and ready to assassinate him if their ambitions ever began to materialize.  

if I say anymore it would spoil too much so I’ll leave the bio here

[sett-sparkclaw]

Nameless

Right, my mother once told stories of that outlander. A charr that twice fell tyrants that ravaged the lands of Elona, and thrice fell elder dragons that spelled doom for all of Tyria. The commander, they so called him.

Yes the crazy plan to unite the north was led by a charr. I believe my mother when she tells of these things. That's one thing.

It’s a completely different thing for me to suggest that the mute drunkard Iro here is that charr! An elaborate joke that is, Tyborr. He couldn't challenge a sand shark but by the gods, this guy fell the tyrants and dragons of past? You must have known I needed a laugh today...

...why is he looking at me like that?

be sure to follow my other blog as I only post final projects here.