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Horacht Sighted at Rekkenmark Graduation
KORTH -- Breyse Horacht, the Karrnathi general lauded for his daring and condemned for his brutality during the Last War, was sighted on Wir attending a Rekkenmark Academy graduation for naval helmsmen. Academy officials could not confirm Horacht's attendance at the ceremony, which was open to the public.
Horacht faces multiple war crimes charges in Thrane and has already been convicted in absentia by magistrates appointed by Oargev ir'Wynarn, last prince of Cyre. Horacht's whereabouts haven't been publicly known since his retirement from active duty in 995.
"He looked gaunt and walked with a limp, but you don't forget that goatee," said Sigor Lassinus, who briefly served under Horacht as an oarsman in the early 990s. Lassinus, one of the graduates honored that day, said Horacht departed shortly before the ceremony's conclusion and didn't speak with anyone while inside the Academy's Hall of Waves.
Horacht reached prominence in the late 950s after attaining the rank of general. He commanded a combined force of Karnnathi naval vessels and ground troops that raided Cyran, Aundairian, and Thrane coastal cities. In his most daring raid, Horacht took his troops from Cyre across the Brey River and marched them north to capture the Thrane city of Shadukar in a surprise attack.
In 961, Horacht ordered Shadukar put to the torch by Karrnathi troops when a Thrane army attempted to liberate it. The ensuing conflagration killed an estimated 7,000 Thrane civilians. Thrane reprisals during the subsequent "Red Sails for Revenge" campaign included a naval bombardment of Korth.
During the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Thronehold, Thrane demanded that Horacht be turned over for trial. The general went into seclusion shortly thereafter, and the final treaty included no extradition mechanisms for those accused of war crimes.
In the wake of Horacht's reappearance, Thrane is expected to renew calls for his arrest. In the past, Thrane's leaders have variously accused the Karnnathi military, the Security ministry, and the Karnnathi crown itself of harboring Horacht.
About the Author
David Noonan is a designer/developer for Wizards of the Coast. Before coming to Wizards, he was a daily newspaper reporter in Washington state. Apparently the city hall beat is good practice for an Eberron campaign.
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