Belz the Reckoner

The Demonspawn Perkas Childeater is one of Sir Nicholas and his allies’ greatest enemies. This horned and hoofed monster dwells in the southern Winterlands, preying on the inhabitants as well as those whose ships run aground. What makes him more dangerous is that he does not work alone. A number of wretched beings serve Perkas, delighting in the misery and pain they cause or hoping for some reward from the Shadow God. Belz the Reckoner was once one of them, an Orc who kidnapped innocents, stole family heirlooms, destroyed property, and killed precious livestock. He was a thorn in the side of Firrol the Barkhorn and the Jinglehunters, taunting and evading them for years. He even battled Sir Nicholas on a handful of occasions, which he always remembered, because the great father of Yuletide confused him. When Belz outwitted him each time, the Firstborn looked sad and disappointed. ‘Your kind were created for better than this’ were words that ever followed Belz. Nonetheless, Belz carried on performing whatever devilish mischief he or Perkas wished. He put out the great watch fire at Blackcrag Point and laughed the next morning when he saw the wreck of the great Aravian trading vessel Bounteous Swan broken up on the shore. It was surrounded by dead and dying sailors with their ruined cargo of wines, silks, and glassware. The Orc stole Snowpiercer, the precious war-stallion owned by the Norr chieftain, Kurr Stonsson. He slit the throats of all eight sentries guarding it, and led the majestic beast into the hunting territory of a whitewolves pack. A crime of his which drew the ire of Firrol the Barkhorn more than any other was his destruction of the town of Mountshadow. It was nestled at the very base of a short, snow-covered mountain. For days Belz dwelt on its slopes, stomping his feet, hacking at the ice with his ax. Finally, on Yuletide itself he raised his weapon one more time and slammed it into the packed snow, causing a huge avalanche. Mountshadow was buried within minutes. No one survived. The Orc was notorious throughout the Winterlands. People prayed to Lumaya, begging her to strike Belz down, the long-tongued beast with the cyclopean sack and skull-topped ax. He thought this would have pleased Perkas and earned him some respect. But to his frustration and disappointment, it did not. The Demonspawn always demanded more. He insulted Belz’s intelligence and ranted about the weakness and failures of Orc-kind. He struck the Orc countless times and accused him of cowardice for running away even when hopelessly outnumbered, even after a successful theft, kill, or act of sabotage. No single act of cruelty turned Belz against Perkas, just the gradual wearing down of his pride. Sir Nicholas’ words rang in his head, and he sought the Great Gift-giver out. Belz knew he could not do so empty handed. Sir Nicholas would likely kill him if he could not prove his change of heart – or Firrol would. There was another agent of Perkas who had long frustrated Sir Nicholas with many deaths to his name. A Dark Elf called Olfin Darktongue. Belz arranged to meet him in a familiar bolt hole for Perkas’ servants. The Orc knocked him senseless, then cut out his tongue and shoved it and him into his sack. Belz brought both before Sir Nicholas, on his knees. Sir Nicholas showed him mercy. Forgiveness was at the heart of Yuletide, he said. Ever since, Belz has punished dozens of evil-doers and has captured many of Perkas’ mischief-makers. He has shoved them all in his magical, chained sack, which serves as their prison. As further part of his penance, he gives gifts to the good people and children of the Winterlands under the watchful eyes of Sir Nicholas, Lady Noelle, or Firrol the Barkhorn. The latter continues to be suspicious of him, claiming the Orc ‘still has the reek of Perkas upon him’. Belz cannot blame him. All he can do is continue to make things right. Even the slightest nod of acknowledgement from Sir Nicholas is infinitely more care than he received from his former master, and reward enough. It is at Yuletide when Belz is most active. Where he goes outside of that time is unknown even to Sir Nicholas and Lady Noelle. This does not please Firrol but no word has ever come to him that the Orc is up to his old tricks. All he knows is that Belz returns each year seemingly more committed than ever to do the good work of Sir Nicholas. The Firstborn has a theory as to what his turncoat servant is doing. He believes that Belz travels to visit Orc clans around the world, encouraging them to embrace their strength, to be what they were created to be.