General Spiker & Courage
(NPCs created by Amber McNett)

 

Spiker Kirk

[General of the Southwest Region]

Spiker was born 12 ST 54 ADT in Pallahade to Batch and Madowe Kirk.  His father was a guard in the Csar's Palace and his mother served in the kitchen as a cook.  He and his two younger brothers grew up among the other "palace rats", though it became apparent very quickly that the strapping, athletic young Spiker was destined for something more.  Cocksure, street smart, and robustly appealing, if not dashingly handsome, Spiker was a natural-born leader and was responsibly for organizing a new youth athletic league at his school when he was only twelve.  Although he had helped at the Palace since he was six years old---first as a dishwasher, then as a stableboy, and finally as a courier for a local diplomat--at age fourteen Spiker decided it was time for something different and announced to his parents that he had decided to enroll at the Academy.

Though confident in his abilities, Spiker was realistic about his chances of Bonding from the start.  He knew that the Academy offered the best education in Uen, even for students who did not eventually become Roug, and it was his ambition to enroll at the Royal Institute after the completion of his fifth year where he hoped perhaps to train as a Royal Guard like his father, or perhaps as an information operative for the Csar.  With this goal in mind, Spiker concentrated wholeheartedly on his studies, excelling especially in Weapons, Riding, Leadership, and Mathematics.

In the Spring of his fifth year, however, the Light chose him for the strong, stalwart young warrior-colt, Courage, whose brute strength in combat was match only by his stubborness-- his reputation for which, at the time, was legendary at the Academy.  The two made a mighty physical pair, and Spiker was quick to replace his previous ambition with a new one: to advance up the ranks and become the finest soldiers the Roug had ever seen.

His first assignment was in Derico, where he and Courage made lieutenant within their first two years on duty.  His strength, leadership, valor, and reliability made him a quick favorite with the current Station Commander, who chose for Spiker the most rewarding missions and, of course, chose him as his successor when he retired in 82 ADT, much to the dismay of many of the older officers! As Station Commander he was strict, straight-laced, and made sure to keep the Roug under his command happy, efficient, and well-disciplined.  The Derico station gained a reputation for both the skill of its fighters (Spiker & Courage established their own post-graduate physical conditioning program that soon caught on across Uen) and the swift, efficient manner in which they handled their duties.  Many ambitious Roug have cited a beginning post at Derico as a blessing and an inspiration on the road to success: Spiker's discipline, honesty, and gritty determination were nothing if not inspiring to his officers.

Shortly after his promotion, in 83 ADT, Spiker met and married the pretty and willow-figured Luisa Mayrue, the middle daughter of a local merchant, and she was more than happy to settle into a life as an officer's wife.  Together they have three daughters: Lansie (born in 84), Hyra (born in 86), and the youngest Kassie (born in 88).  Both Hyra and Kassie studied at the Academy, though only Kassie eventually Bonded, to Goldenmane in 105 ADT.  Kassie, being the youngest and also a fellow Roug, is understandably the apple of her daddy's eye.  Spiker is overly protective of his favorite and in any argument has and will take her side, often contradicting his wife and even ignoring practical stipulations.  He worries intensely about her epilepsy, and is in constant contact with her commanding officer in Derico, also an old buddy of his---just to "make sure she's okay".  Spiker also has two grandchildren through his eldest daughter, six year old Pike and four year old Maesa.  Both have already shown a precocious interest in unicorns.

In 91 ADT, Spiker was nominated to take the place of the retiring General of the Southwest Region.  Shortly thereafter, he moved his family back to his birthplace, Pallahade, where they now live in a grand townhouse in the neighborhood of the Csar's Palace.  His mother, Madowe, lives with his wife, eldest daughter, and grandchildren. He spends most of his time, however, at the Academy and in communication with his liasons through his "region".

Spiker is a natural leader, somewhat arrogant and a military-ish sort.  He is keenly intelligent and radiates charisma, but his sometimes barking tone and commanding air occasionally makes him enemies (though most people recognize fairly early that beneath these mannerisms is a kind and faithful heart).  In dire situations, Spiker prefers *action* over talk or long-term planning --- which is not to say he isn't a fine strategist, he simply believes that the best route to success is most often the most direct route.  He speaks frankly and openly about his opinions, and though he's gotten better about minding his tongue in an argument, he is also prone to raising his voice if he feels he's being opposed unfairly.  His intuition, however, is almost always "right on", and he is a valued member of the General Quintet. He is particularly close with General Pados, who he has known since the Academy, and has a special disliking for Criana.

In his youth, Spiker stood 6'3" with closely cropped blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a reddish face, roundish cheeks, a square jaw, and a largish, flat, but not wholly unattractive nose.  Now in his late fifties, his hair has already paled to a silvery grey with a very noticeable balding patch in front.  While still in fair physical shape, he has developed a little bit of a paunch, his jaw and chin have gotten considerably "jowly", and there are noticeable wrinkles around his mouth and eyes.  Still, there is something very jovial and like-able about his appearance.  Spiker is the kind of man anyone would feel comfortable sharing a drink with (and many do!).

Bonded: General Spiker Kirk

Graduating Class: Fortitude Class of 73 ADT
Sire:  Patriot
Dam: Sunbrush
Siblings: ???

mate: Bouquet
progeny: Medallion, Corsage, Azalea

birthdate:  1 SR 67 ADT
location: Academy
sex: male
height: 16h
color: chestnut with golden mane/tail
build: stocky and muscular

talent: The ability to instill in other creatures an increased sense of morale, fearlessness, and devotion to a cause.  He cannot instill the cause itself within a creature, but he can intensify that creature's passion for his or her cause tenfold, to the point where the cause becomes all-important, at least for the hour or two in which Courage's power is in affect.  Maximum radius: 1/2 mile.  Maximum duration: depends upon intensity and number of units affected, but at full intensity and directed at *twenty units*, maximum duration is 2 hours.

history & personality: Courage was born at the Academy in 69 ADT.  He is a close-coupled, muscular, strong-looking stallion with a broad forehead---his overall physical impression, even at his current age, is one of a finely-honed, athletic machine.  He is a quiet 'corn whose impressive, commanding presence (and power!) is usually enough to inspire other Roug to action.  A gruff, well-placed word from Courage, however, is *doubly* impressive, since he usually lets his Bonded do the talking.

Courage is disciplined, serious, and stubborn---when he's made up his mind, not even his Bonded can dissuade him, though it is rare that the two are ever at odds.  The stallion also believes in action over "idle talk", though he is more prone to consider long-term strategy than his Bond, and is also far less irritable and rash.  He is an expert fighter and a cold logician, though his logic is more of more the practical than the abstract sort. He is very protective of his Bonded, mate, and foals---though this need to protect extends in a less personal way to all of the Roug and also the entire Roug way of life.  He is a conservative and will fight to keep the things he has as they are.

In 85 ADT he chose Bouquet as his mate and they have three foals: Medallion (born 86 ADT), Corsage (born 87 ADT), and Azalea (born 106 ADT)--all Bonded.  In 85 ADT, Bouquet and her Bonded were posted in Derico, but the two re-posted to Pallahade in 91 ADT, the year Spiker & Courage were promoted to General.

first listed: xx/xx/2001