Zôkhad ir-Zôrik was an outlawed Corsair of Umbar who became a companion and advisor of the pirate Gedron Moonstone.
Detailed description[]
During an autumn storm, a ship was wrecked below the section of the Red Cliffs on which the Moonstone Fortress stood. As is natural, all the folk of the fortress (yes, all nine of them — nine, from a fortress that could shelter scores!) hurried down the steep paths to the beach north of the castle to see what they could salvage. There was little of use to be found, and only one survivor: a Black Númenorean prisoner, who was not drowned because he held onto the piece of timber that had anchored the chains to his leg irons. This was Zôkhad, a cruel but intelligent man. Yet even a Dwarf would be slow to recover from battle wounds, a flogging, and then near-drowning. Gedron, fascinated by his guest, spent many of the weeks of Zokhad's convalescence listening to the former commander's tales. In the history that Zokhad told his young host, the commander was a wronged hero, and the Lords of Umbar were ungrateful wretches or witless fools. In turn, Gedron described his penniless plight. Zokhad began to consider the possibilities of this mighty castle, owned by an unworldly young man who seemed easily influenced. At first, he thought in terms of a land-based band of robbers, or perhaps a protection racket. Later on, however, he was able to tour the Moonstone Fortress and observe its other great feature: a secret haven in a cavern below the cliffs and the castle, a hidden harbor capable of holding two or three ships, if their masts were stepped.
Zokhad promptly changed his plans. Indeed, he and his young
protégé had to take to robbery afoot or on horseback at first, but
when enough funds were obtained, they might buy a ship. Thus
they managed to buy a small sailing ship of the type used for
coastal trading, which Gedron optimistically named the Bay Eaglet. Zokhad knew, however, that a larger ship was needed to
intimidate other vessels. Thus, on a foggy day in early spring the
next year, a small warship of Umbar came upon a coastal trader in
trouble. She seemed to be listing badly, and her captain (who
sounded very young) shouted that they had been attacked by
pirates! The Umbarite hauled alongside and grappled to, taking
the survivors aboard. The grateful victims brought along the
paltry remains of their cargo: several small casks of strong wine,
which they insisted that their rescuers accept. The Umbar crew,
not at all reluctant once the ship was safely anchored in a small
cove, accepted.
The apparently sinking ship was, of course, the Bay Eaglet.
with her ballast drastically rearranged by Zokhad, who knew well
just how much such a ship could stand. He also knew that the
captains of Umbar were always instructed to rescue traders and
passengers who might have useful information about pirates or
Gondor. The young captain was Gedron, his crew were the best
Moonstone cutthroats, and the wine — was poisoned. Soon the
Umbarites were dead or dying, and the ship, which had been
followed at a distance by the Bay Eaglet, was Gedron's
62 years old, but the long lifespan of a
Black Númenorean was his, so he appeared no more than 40. Even
taller than Gedron, and more muscular, the ex-commander cut an
impressive figure as he stalked the deck of the Master Seawolf
(which he considered to be actually his, no matter what he told
Gedron). His eyes were a cold, clear grey, very startling in his
deeply tanned face, and his hair, worn plaited into many braids,
was a dull black and never curls. He had little patience with others,
except for Gedron. His forbearance toward his protege would seem
to be a redeeming weakness, but in actuality, Zokhad felt that he
had only to wait for the reckless Gedron to be killed in a raid,
leaving Zokhad in charge of the two ships and the Moonstone
Fortress. Meanwhile, he bid his time and enjoyed the slaughter
from afar, as he dared not risk news of his continued existence
arriving in Umbar until his new fleet was strong enough to
withstand a raid from his old enemies. To this end, he hoped to
capture other warships soon, or even buy a new ship.
Zokhad favored black clothing and armor: a recent acquisition was
a breastplate of black dragonskin, which protected him as if it
were steel plate, although it weighed no more than rigid leather. A
mithril headband adorned his head and protected him as if it were a
helmet. His handaxe was Dwarfwork from the north. Around
his neck on a mithril chain was a priceless artifact: an Amulet of Sea-mastery from Númenor. This large aquamarine, set in silver
and engraved with runes, allowed its owner to predict the weather
for 24 hours ahead with 99% accuracy, to always know true north,
and to detect obstacles beneath the water to a depth of 100 feet.
It operated continually, serving its wearer as an extra set of
senses. Only 15 of these amulets were ever made, and the
locations only six of these were known (Círdan the Elven
Shipwright had one).
References[]
- MERP: Pirates of Pelargir