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Realms: Oloth: Dramatis Personae

Rokhan of Neu Bayern, Speaker for Stormhaven (Rokhan)

Rokhan was part of a litter of wulfkinder, or "wolf-children" born on the corporate colony world of Neu Bayern, or New Bavaria. Wulfkinder on this predominantly human world served in police, security, military, or forestry duties. They were marked as "different" by a uniform they could not remove, and as such they were seen as always on-duty. Never as numerous as the humans they guarded and served, they still were enough of a presence to keep things orderly. Rokhan's early years were spent in official state institutions which instructed him in the basics of the three "R's," along with a heavy dose of conditioning so as to fit in his future role in society. Conformity was stressed (and Rokhan was a model student), but the administrators still noticed Rokhan's above-average intelligence.

As a consequence his secondary education was spent at the Erwin RommelErziehungsanstalten (the "Erwin Rommel Education Institute") as an officer candidate, and because of his math aptitude he was guided towards a career in ground- and orbital-artillery. His training lasted several years, until such time as he was posted as an ActiverOffizier Nachwuchs ("Potential Active Officer Candidate") to the Bayersche Sternwaffe, or the "Bavarian Star Forces."

After 20 months of training in the Sternwaffe, Rokhan was posted to an artillery regiment. Compared to the high degree of activity and field exercises he had participated in during his training up to that point, the posting to a peacetime garrison became somewhat tedious. Sternwaffe active units only occasionally saw action, mostly against commerce raiders or in intimidating troop movements. Also, in active service Rokhan became aware of a subtle degree of separation from his human colleagues. Nothing was ever overt, but either due to race or class, Rokhan felt something of a second class citizen. This sort of marginalization of the wulfkinder was technically illegal, but in reality the humans tended to quietly draw apart from their synthetic genetic creations.

As a result Rokhan schooled himself thoroughly in good manners and etiquette, trying to overcome with personal polish some of the resistance to his social inclusion. This did impress his superiors, and as a result he was often "shown off" as a model officer. Unfortunately the few other wulfkinder officers resented his show, believing he was putting on airs. Feeling the pressure, Rokhan looked for a way out -- perhaps in active combat he could find a less class-dominated military. He saved his money, spending only what maintenance required, and eventually bought out his contract with the Sternwaffe.

Looking for action, Rokhan applied to a mercenary unit on Neu Bayern that was being organized by an Auslander ("outlander" or "foreigner") named Charles Edward Danforth. Originally much of the cadre was human, but there were soon a number of aliens and synthetics added to the ranks. This was new to Rokhan, as it was not common in the Sternwaffe, which tended to be primarily human but with high-risk specialist units comprised mainly of the (unofficially) more expendable wulfkinder.

Trained according to Reibert's Rules (as was the custom on Neu Bayern), Rokhan's new mercenary unit was nonetheless eclectic in its personnel and tactics. As the unit was funded originally from the pocket of Colonel Danforth, it was rather lightly equipped. However, assaults could be successfully carried out due to the presence of some members of larger species that had also joined. As a consequence the unit became known as Danforth's Sturminfanterie Leichte, or "Danforth's Light Assault Infantry." They were three weeks from completion of training when the Lesser Galactic War started. During the war, Colonel Danforth's unit distinguished itself by being a master of unconventional warfare, succeeding in tasks that larger, more conventional units were unable or unwilling to succeed in, and usually taking only minimal casualties. As a consequence the unit was in high demand, and became quite busy.

Unfortunately it began to look as if the side which had hired Danforth's unit might lose, which would mean no payment. In reaction, Danforth initiated several extremely controversial operations. These involved improvised orbital bombardment of inhabited, non-military cities and star-ports, which so successfully weakened the Resistance that they were unable to resist a follow-up invasion by conventional forces. It was after this particular mercenary action that the unit acquired their "nom du guerre," Danforth's Demons, through condemnation by mainstream press. Over time the unit's infamous and bloodthirsty reputation spread and grew.

Rokhan thrived in the unit, gaining rank and respect as he participated in the action he craved. His unique skills and talents were not only recognized, but also appreciated and encouraged. He eventually became one of the top four officers of the Demons, in charge of planning, operations, training, and negotiations. However, the increasingly wild gossip about the Demons' reputation started to take deleterious effect... and so at the cessation of hostilities on the planet Dos Estrellas ("Two Stars"), the unit was disbanded. Well, truth be told, the unit was disbanded a scant seven hours before official indictments upon them were to be issued. With hurried good-byes, the unit hastily and prudently scattered to the four corners of space.

Rokhan then spent six months as a security supervisor for a backwater starport. He bided his time, improving operational efficiency at the port and adding to his considerable savings. However, it was a chance meeting with Lord Grey, Alpha of Stormhaven Pack and one of the partners of Stormhaven-Hyzenthlay Industries, that most dramatically changed his career. Impressed with his manners and polish, Lord Grey offered Rokhan a post as a diplomat and speaking representative of Stormhaven to a local political body known as the Furry Space Council. Rokhan accepted.

The council's mandate was originally to promote and regulate trade amongst its members and to suppress the slave trade, but it evolved into a more political body, assuming some defense and military duties. Stormhaven's reputation in the Council was not the best, though Rokhan worked hard to improve it during his tenure as "Speaker" for Stormhaven. In this highly emotionally charged environment, he displayed a talent for politics and negotiation, using those talents to maintain peace and promote the interests of his faction. His principles became trusted amongst some of the other members. Indeed, at one point when an invasion from outside seemed imminent, the council elected him to plan and lead the defense of Known Space. Rokhan's plan worked -- the invaders were thrown back and disrupted, never to threaten the local sectors again.

Eventually a series of arguments and scandals crippled the Council, and Stormhaven withdrew in protest. Rokhan spent a year or so as a corporate manager in the weapons and armaments division of SHI before the lack of action (and a couple of arguments with Lord Grey) convinced him he needed a little time off. He decided to return home to Neu Bayern to settle some personal affairs. Unfortunately, while he was there hostilities broke out in a short, sharp little war. Rokhan's commission was reactivated, and he posted to a Special Services detail. He conducted operations with great skill and bravery, and his experience and reputation shielded him greatly from the old pressures of the Bayersche ("Bavarian") class system.

Five months before the cessation of hostilities Rokhan and his unit were conducting a boarding action of an enemy vessel, when the reactors detonated. Rokhan's unit suffered heavy casualties, including Rokhan himself. He spent several months in radiation and cloning therapy to re-grow most of his legs, his left arm, and his eyes. As of the time of penning this autobiography, his recovery is not yet complete.

Upon the cessation of hostilities Rokhan was awarded Neu Bayern's third highest honor, which came with a hefty stipend. Rokhan used that stipend to purchase a surplus staff transport ship: the G. F. Bayerlein, named for General Fritz Bayerlein, Rommel's second in command of the Old Terran Afrika Korps.

Having been gone longer from Known Space than he had expected, Rokhan hurried back towards Stormhaven. As the Interdimensional Rift was on his way, Rokhan made a side stop at Arcana City to pay his respects to Governor Gala'maDred, Lady Sylune, and Admiral Rennyn Aelorothi. He missed meeting up with some of them due to their having recently departed for a war of their own, so decided to wait a few days so as to see Lord Gala'maDred at the governor's convenience. However, it was at this time that the Rift closed, trapping Rokhan in the Oloth Sphere.

Currently Rokhan is still recovering from his wounds and presents a tall, if somewhat stiff and frail -- almost elderly -- appearance. He is reserved and cautious, tending to associate mostly with the other expatriates from Known Space. He conducts himself with politeness and a heavy gloss of strict Prussian discipline, which frays only slightly when his injuries trouble him more than usual.




Last modified: 2002-Mar-23 20:30:41

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