Alarak

"I declare for Ma'lash"

- Alarak betrays Nuroka

Alarak is the First Ascendant in the Chain of Ascension among the Tal'darim. Through cunning and manipulation, Alarak has risen through the ranks and seeks to undermine Highlord Ma'lash and defy the will of Amon.

Climbing the Chain
"I know what you arranged four years ago. When you were made an ascendant." "I do not know what you're talking about." "Nor did I. Not until last night. Amon knows exactly what you did. He found it amusing. An entire wing of our best leaders dead. Our fleet in disarray for months. Amon's own plans delayed. He didn't care. Neither did you. You flew up the Chain that day. That is why you are the one to answer my question. The Tal'darim see the sacred Chain as a holy purpose. You see it as a game."

- Alarak and Nuroka discussing the former's manipulations

Alerak resided on Slayn, and like his kindred, was devoted to Amon. Unlike many of his kin however, he did not carve Amon's words into his body, even as a votary. In his mind, there were other ways of demonstrating zeal for Amon's teachings. Nonetheless, he remembered Amon's creed.

Alerak quickly rose through the ranks of the Tal'darim by convincing many ascendants who were higher in the Chain of Ascension to enter Rak'Shir, only to realize too late that he had set them up for a fall. Those with similar skills in manipulation, he made sure came an unfortunate event.

In one Rak'Shir, Alerak organized a battle in which 800 Tal'darim died. He kept his involvement hidden, and rapidly ascended the chain, becoming an ascendant.

Words of Heretics
Within four years after becoming an ascendant, Alerak had reached the position of Fourth Ascendant. As Amon's plans neared completion, Alerak was approached by First Ascendant Ji'nara, informing him that Master Nuroka wished to speak with him. That he had challenged Highlord Ma'lash to Rak'Shir. Alerak was puzzled&mdash;as Amon's plans were close to fruition, few saw the need to violently ascend the ranks at this point in time. Both Tal'darim kept their true intentions close to themselves, but Alerak could tell that Ji'nara would not join in the duel, and as such, no-one below her would either. He was satisfied that he had given her the impression he would participate, and that she would tell other Tal'darim of this, when in fact, he was unsure himself.

He reached Nuroka's quarters, finding his superior recovering from what he thought to be an assassination attempt. Yet Nuroka was unfazed, and questioned him as to Guraj and Zenish&mdash;the Second and Third Ascendants respectively. He realized that the wounds were self-inflicted, and wondered if Nuroka had gone insane. Regardless, Nuroka declared that he would defeat Ma'lash in the Rak'Shir, and gain leadership over the Tal'darim. And after that, Alerak would help him kill Amon.

On instinct, Alerak activated his psi-blades and attacked Nuroka, only for his superior to telekinetically send him hurtling. By attacking a superior outside of Rak'Shir, Alerak knew that he had doomed himself. Yet on the other hand, he was facing a heretic, and declared Nuroka to be mad. Nuroka nevertheless asked how Amon could be killed, to which Alerak maintained was a question that had no answer, because there was no means to do so.

Nuroka pressed on, claiming that through exposure to the Breath of Creation, he had gleaned insight into Amon's plans. That in truth, he mocked the Tal'darim. That in his eyes, those who lost their lives in Rak'Shir were the ones who "ascended." Alerak claimed that Amon was unknowable, and that Nuroka must have misinterpreted His will. Nevertheless, Nuroka pressed on. Alerak conceded that to kill Amon, one would have to enter the Void, but that in itself was a suicidal task, given that it was Amon's blessing that allowed travel in the first place.

Nuroka got to the point. He would challenge Ma'lash. Alerak would aid and take the place of First Ascendant. He would likewise sway Guraj or Zenish to join their cause. He left the conversation with the threat that if Alerak abstained from combat, he would meet a slow and painful death at the hands of the new highlord. Alerak thus departed.

Rak'Shir
As dawn came, Rak'Shir loomed. Ma'lash, Nuroka, Guraj, Zenish, and Alerak entered the Pits of Ascension as thousands of Tal'darim watched on. He did not declare his allegiance to either of the main combatants, much to the puzzlement of those around him (or, in Nuroka's case, fury). Alerak snidely remarked that he had not betrayed Nuroka. He had made no promises, and he had not spoken with either of them. He watched as Guraj declared for Nuroka, while Zenish declared for Ma'lash. Alerak remained in place as the fight began.

Personality and Traits
Alerak is one of the most powerful members of the Tal'darim. He is known for his skills in manipulation, and sees the Chain of Ascension as a game rather than something holy. He has a low opinion of the Khalai in regards to their "vain" style of architecture (not to mention their status as "heretics"), and is unable to understand how they could bear the Khala.