"Though good will triumph over evil, there is always a price to pay."
- Gorath Shambrath's epitaph
Overview
Governor Gorath Shambrath was the absolute ruler of Greatspace, and ruled the sphere from his palace, known as Castle Skyview, on the planet Thesalys.
Personality
Gorath was a strong-spirited, powerful, and kindly man.
Relationships
Family
Gorath was married to Talina Shambrath, who had died some ten years earlier, and together they had a son named Bruin Shambrath, and a daughter.
Gorath also had some distant relatives, including some uncles and cousins.
Advisors
Gorath was served by an ancient sage named Keriacus for many years before changing sentiment forced him to retire to Cumberland in Herospace. Gorath's current chief advisor was a half-elf bard named T'Laan, whose influence slowly but steadily became stronger and stronger, until Gorath became a mere figurehead and a pawn in his plans.
History
For many decades, the inhabitants of Greatspace had lived peaceful, ordered lives under the disciplined yet benevolent rule of House Shambrath based on the planet Thesalys. Prosperity and intellectual superiority were the hallmarks of those who willingly followed the established government; exile and shame were in store for those who did not. Poverty and despair were unknown among Greatspace’s inhabitants under Gorath Shambrath's long rule.
All things come to an end, however, and although many believed that Gorath's eldest son, Bruin Shambrath, would make an excellent ruler, Gorath himself had serious reservations about his son's suitability, especially considering his lack of military discipline and strong desire for personal freedom. At this time a half elven bard by the name of T’Laan came to Thesalys and immediately gained great popularity at court - no doubt due to his ability to charm those around him. He soon became more than an entertainer, however, and was installed as an adviser to Gorath Shambrath himself. Slowly but steadily, T’Laan’s influence became stronger and stronger, until Gorath was little more than a figurehead. Unfortunately, due to the very rigid nature of House Shambrath’s rule, none of Gorath’s ministers dared challenge T'Laan's orders.
However, Bruin Shambrath became suspicious of the bards intentions, and launched his own clandestine investigation into the half elf's activities. Unfortunately T'Laan found out what he was up to and had him arrested by the palace guard. By order of T’Laan (who had become de facto commander of the armies of Thesalys) Bruin was imprisoned in the palace pending trial for high treason. Fortunately, Bruin still had people loyal to him, and managed to escape the palace. Realising that he was in grave danger, Bruin left Thesalys onboard the Hummingbird, a court ship capable of space travel, in search of help outside the system.
When T'Laan found out Bruin had escaped his clutches, he realised that the time had come for him to make his move. T'Laan killed Gorath Shambrath, and usurped the throne of Thesalys and rulership of Greatspace. He claimed that Bruin Shambrath was the leader of a rebel group, and that he was responsible for the "assassination" of Gorath and branded him a traitor and a wanted criminal.