Gurbah Klaah
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Gurbah Klaah is the Captain of the Vornavis Guard and in charge of protecting Baron Dunrith Malwind and his family. He is a half-ogre half-bull centaur. He is said to have sometimes frequented the Tentacled Tavern. He speaks directly, placing more weight on deeds over mere words.
While Gurbah's origins are a mystery, he was first encountered working as a guard in the dungeons of Jantalar in 5096. Those same dungeons infamously belonged to Baron Lerep Hochstib and were employed heavily during his wars of aggression. A group from Wehnimer's Landing had infiltrated the dungeons to rescue Korm, a dwarven ally of the Order of the Silver Gryphon who had been kidnapped and imprisoned by the Jantalarians. After being challenged by and defeating Waldo2, Cemb, and Welan in combat, only to be healed afterward by Allwra, Gurbah was so impressed by the honor displayed by all that he decided to leave the Baron's employ and accompany the group back to Wehnimer's Landing. He eventually found himself in the service of Baron Dunrith Malwind, whom he has served since at least 5098.
Since then, Gurbah has become a regular, if intimidating, presence in Vornavis. He sometimes assists with court sessions, ensuring that peace is kept within the Keep and relaying petitions to the Baron to be announced by the chamberlain. He ensures the safety of the Baron and his family when travelling outside of Vornavis, whether by serving as a personal bodyguard or arranging for members of the Vornavian Guard to accompany his charges.
As Captain of the Guard, Gurbah has spent a number of years training Salnim Malwind in combat, and he has also trained alongside or sparred with other prominent figures that have passed through Vornavis, including Malvernus and Duncarr Chandrennin. He holds a fond regard for the entire Malwind family, serving as their steadfast protector in spite of his stern demeanor.
During the court session of Koaratos 5103, Baron Dunrith mentioned that Gurbah was among the very few who had seen the original plans for Vornavis to destroy the Mandis crystal in Mestanir as Vornavis and its allies moved against Jantalar during Baron Lerep's wars of aggression.
In the years following the death of Empress Mynal'lyanna Anodheles, who had been assassinated in 5103 in Vornavis while touring the Empire, Gurbah played a key role in ensuring that justice prevailed as Emperor Aurmont Anodheles ordered an Inquisition of Baron Dunrith and whether or not the Baron had been complicit in the Empress' demise. A staged riot broke out in Solhaven on Ivastaen 7, 5107, during which Vornavis Keep was set on fire. During the chaos, Gurbah saved Salnim from the flames as well as a parcel of documents that revealed the identity of the individual behind not only the arson but also the assassination. Gurbah kept Salnim safe and hidden until the young heir to Vornavis was able to travel to Tamzyrr to deliver testimony about what had happened, along with crucial evidence in the documents saved. This testimony restored Dunrith to his role as Baron and ensured that the true mastermind was charged for his many crimes.
When Prelate Chaston Griffin of the Church of Koar rose to prominence, spreading his influence across the Empire in an attempt to purge any he deemed a "heretic", he targeted Baron Dunrith. The Baron refuted Prelate Chaston's demand that he strictly enforce Chaston's Edict in Vornavis. The Prelate sent Blameless to Vornavis, which Gurbah assisted in repelling. Gurbah then saw his Baron struck ill by the contagious disease that the Prelate had engineered and spread, targeting half-elves. In the days that followed, when Earl Eddric Jovery was kidnapped by Prelate Chaston in Eoantos 5116, imprisoned and forced to work in the mines of Talador, Gurbah led the Vornavian forces as they protected the Imperial Army's flank against attack by the Blameless. This ensured that those spearheading rescue of the Earl were successful in that effort and in striking down the Prelate, though they were not able to stop the destruction of Talador or the formation of the Bleaklands.
Gurbah aided with security measures for supply caravans sent to the Taladoran refugees as part of the relief effort led by Kasendra Chandrennin of Aldora. Bandits had increased in frequency, ambushing caravans, during the winter of early 5117, and Gurbah was relied upon to identify who they were. When Captain Martock of Kasendra's guard arrived with grave news to court of Kasendra's capture by those bandits, Gurbah arranged a rescue mission, set to depart the following day. Salnim was present among the rescue party and foolishly offered to trade himself for all of the hostages without ensuring their release beforehand. As a result, Gurbah coordinated a plan with those remaining to breach the bandit's defenses, ultimately rescuing Salnim, Kasendra, and the other hostages, and also capturing the bandit's leader.
Gurbah continued to play a minor supporting role in Solhaven and Vornavis events. When Captain Duncarr Chandrennin, a Captain of the Southern Imperial Legion and Kasendra's younger brother, traveled to Vornavis in Olaesta 5119 to visit her and take measure of Salnim, who had been courting her, Gurbah "welcomed" him by sparring with him and Salnim at the same time. In Ivastaen of the same year, as the gnomish construct known as the Manticore began terrorizing different regions of Elanith, Gurbah coordinated with the local chivalric order, the Order of the Azure Sun, on alternate uses of the siege towers to counter the threat.
After Kasendra and Salnim wed in 5122, Gurbah's role of ensuring the safety of the Malwind family grew more complicated. Kasendra traveled east to serve in a diplomatic role in Ta'Illistim, and Salnim frequently traveled between Vornavis and the City-State. After Kasendra was killed in Fashanos 5123 while still in Ta'Illistim, Gurbah accompanied Salnim east to witness the progress of the Illistim's Inquisition, ensuring that no further harm would come to any of the Malwinds. Closer to home and following Lady Sayilla Javilerre's death while being transported by ship between Voranvis and Tamzyrr, Gurbah led the interrogation of a pirate captured in the attack immediately after Sayilla had been thrown overboard into the frigid ocean waters.
Appearance
- During Korm's rescue in 5096
You see Lord Gurbah Khaa, the Half-ogre Half-bull Centaur. His age is impossible to determine. His long, white hair flows back into his mane, he has black eyes, and dark skin. His lower body is covered with fine grey hair, and his hooves appear to be shod with mithril shoes. He is holding a heavy iron khopesh in his right hand and a massive ironbound shield in his left hand. He is wearing some leather gauntlets, some gleaming steel half plate, a huge burlap sack.
- On 8/13/16, during a Vornavis court session
You see Gurbah Klaah, the half-ogre half-bull centaur. His age is impossible to determine. His long, white hair flows back into his mane, he has black eyes, and dark skin. His lower body is covered with fine grey hair, and his hooves appear to be shod with mithril shoes. He is wearing a dark green tabard and barding emblazoned on the chest and both flanks with a white swan rising, a heavy leather harness, some gleaming steel half plate, and some leather gauntlets.
- On 12/13/22, during a Vornavis court session
You see Gurbah Klaah, the half-ogre half-bull centaur. His age is impossible to determine. His long, white hair flows back into his mane, he has black eyes, and dark skin. His lower body is covered with fine grey hair, and his hooves appear to be shod with mithril shoes. He is wearing a dark green tabard and barding emblazoned on the chest and both flanks with a white swan rising, a heavy leather harness, some gleaming steel platemail, and some heavy leather gauntlets.
Behind the Scenes
Gurbah has been played by a variety of GMs. While his first appearance in the Jantalar dungeons showed his family name as "Khaa", it was portrayed as "Klaah" in the years since with no explanation given for the change. He once shared that he is married, and his wife is a half-elf half-cheetah. Much like his own unique appearance, there was no explanation (or name) offered for his wife. It is unknown if they have any children.