Dune Herald Zaharis

When the Second Great War broke out, the Arbiter knew the people of Teleria would need to unify. With her backing, a charismatic warrior-chief named Greggor rose to become Dune Lord, the leader of a combined force of Krokhan Nomad Clans. The first chieftain to join Greggor’s cause, which provided the momentum his coalition needed to grow, was Zaharis, leader of the Circling Hawks Clan. He became Greggor‘s personal herald, known far and wide as the ‘Voice of the Dune Lord’. Zaharis and Greggor shared a belief that the Nomad Clans could achieve lasting greatness and world prominence if only they set aside their long-running grudges and rivalries. When Greggor approached the Circling Hawks with an offer of alliance, he and Zaharis spoke late into the night, but they did not argue — they elaborated on their shared vision with such enthusiasm that the hours flew by. The next day, Zaharis announced their alliance. Inspired by his clan’s totem animal, he often used the metaphor of the keen-eye falcon in his rhetoric: the hawk that soars above the sands sees all from a higher perspective, and knows no borders or division, only the vast expanse of the desert and all within it as one. The large and powerful Circling Hawks Clan agreeing to fight at Greggor’s side was a potent indicator of the seriousness of the times, and many smaller clans were inspired to join the coalition by this example. Though he was famous as Greggor’s ally, Zaharis was a great leader in his own right. He was known for remaining calm under pressure, simple and clear-headed wisdom, and powerful oratory skills. His voice was deep and arresting; he effortlessly projected his words to be heard by crowds of thousands. Unlike Greggor, he was not a sociable soul, and could be rather gruff. But when he spoke, everyone listened. Even before winning glory in Greggor’s horde, Zaharis had many proud victories under his belt: he crushed and successfully integrated the fearsome clan of the Lurking Scorpions, doubling his numbers, and led a force to defeat the notorious Fellwolf of the Dune-Wastes, a monstrous predator responsible for numerous deaths. Though a competent bladesman and fighter, Zaharis’ true greatness lay in his ability to strategize, motivate, and inspire. His mighty voice carried far across the battlefield, and his impassioned words rallied his people to fight long and hard and bravely. In recognition of Zaharis’ friendship and loyalty, Greggor adopted the chieftain’s banner as one of his own personal symbols alongside his own distinctive sand bear iconography. In many a desperate struggle during the Second Great War, that banner remained raised high, as Zaharis’ booming voice echoed across the sands. It was Zaharis who wisely advised Greggor to seize the high ground at the Battle of Bloody Ridge, forcing the invading Demonspawn to climb the shifting, treacherous dunes. On another occasion, a fierce battle was interrupted by a howling sandstorm, scattering the Nomad warriors, isolating them, and fomenting panic. Zaharis bellowed over the deafening winds and waved his banner high, exhorting any totem bearer who heard or saw him to do the same. In a chain, the Nomads alerted and located each other and gathered together. The Demonspawn, unused to these conditions as well as being naturally inclined to selfishness, were defeated piecemeal. Greggor’s mighty army of unified Nomads was not destined to last. Despite Zaharis’ strenuous efforts to maintain unity among the many component clans, in the aftermath of the Great War, internal divisions and external meddling gradually tore the coalition apart at the seams. Zaharis and the Circling Hawks stood by Greggor to the bitter end, until finally the Dune Lord himself declared that Zaharis’ service to him was fulfilled and he should lead his people to a new destiny. With that, the nascent nation-state of the Krokhan Nomads perished once and for all. The Circling Hawks were one of the few Nomad Clans to survive the ravages of the war mostly intact, in large part thanks to Zaharis’ leadership. But Zaharis could not rule with a clear conscience. He saw the collapse of the Nomad coalition as his personal failure, and believed that despite his many accomplishments he had proven himself unworthy to lead. In time, he abdicated his position to one of his loyal subjects. He departed to wander the Krokhan Desert alone, wishing to reunite with Greggor one last time. After long weeks of fruitless searching he despaired, but in his moment of sorrow the Arbiter came to him. She explained that Greggor, too, had struggled to find purpose in the wake of the War, and that she had offered him a place at her side. She extended the same offer to Zaharis, and the Voice of the Dune Lord gratefully accepted.