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Kruk-Ma-Kali joined Lork-Bran-Dron’s army as a common soldier but he would not stay that way for long. As his psionic power was honed in the Shacklack School for Psions, so too did Kruk-Ma-Kali’s body grow alongside his mind. By the time he completed Lork-Bran-Dron’s boot camp in Trung Town, Kruk-Ma-Kali was a towering seven foot tall wall of muscle. Even without his telepathic abilities, Kruk-Ma-Kali attracted attention. His mind powers provided the extra nudge and Lork-Bran-Dron placed him in command of a small squad of soldiers.

Lork-Bran-Dron ordered a military campaign against the city-state of Tomak’nax. The army approached the dual city, fighting in a series of skirmishes along the way. In every skirmish the Tomak’nax soldiers slew Kruk-Ma-Kali’s superior officer and then he stepped in to lead the troops to victory. Each of these incidents earned Kruk-Ma-Kali a battlefield promotion from Lork-Bran-Dron. No one knew that Kruk-Ma-Kali had psionically called the opposing forces to target his commanders. No one knew that Kruk-Ma-Kali used telepathic nudges to place himself as the best replacement in the minds of the other soldiers of Trung Town. All they saw was a talented hobgoblin stepping in and leading them to victory.

At the siege of Tomak’nax, Kruk-Ma-Kali coated himself in psionic energy. This clouded the minds of others in close proximity to him, so that they never looked at him. With this magic of practical invisibility, Kruk-Ma-Kali reconnoitered the city. While surveying their defenses from inside something caught his eye. In the dirt beside one of the hastly erected wooden walls was a jet black longsword. Kruk-Ma-Kali picked up the sword and it drank in the sunlight, remaining matte black from every angle.

The sword spoke to Kruk-Ma-Kali and promised him power through conquest. It called itself Kharad-khor, Bloodthirster. Kruk-Ma-Kali listened and saw his path to glory. First, he would have to replace Lork-Bran-Dron as king of the assembled forces. He had arleady swiftly risen in esteem during the campaign and was now a trusted adviser to the king. One more step and the final prize could be his. Kruk-Ma-Kali completed his scouting mission and exited Tomak’nax with his black prize.

Next: The Days of Kruk-Ma-Kali Part 5