Lord of Odokh, Head of Clan Harfit
Akrum Beg rules from stone older than the Khanate and beneath peaks older than memory. He is not loud, not flamboyant, and not eager to ride for spectacle. His authority comes from roots rather than thunder.
Clan Harfit was the spearpoint that took Odokh during Urkhun’s campaigns. But instead of replacing the mountain peoples, they bound themselves to them. Akrum’s blood carries both steppe and Devseg ancestry. That dual heritage defines him.
Akrum is broad-shouldered but not towering. His build reflects mountain labor more than open-field riding. His face carries sharper lines than most steppe nobles — high cheekbones, darker complexion from mixed lineage, and steady eyes that linger a little too long.
He favors heavier lamellar reinforced with leather suited for cold mountain wind. When mounted, he rides a compact, sure-footed highland horse rather than a pure steppe racer.
He speaks softly. Others lean in to hear.
Calculating (Calculating 1) – Every alliance in Odokh is layered.
Cautious (Valor -1) – Does not waste riders on glory campaigns.
Merciful (Mercy 1) – Prefers absorption to annihilation.
Devious (Honor -1) – Knows when to bend law quietly for survival.
He is not cruel. But he is not naive. He understands that secrets are currency.
Akrum governs through integration.
He allows mountain rites. He attends some of them. He permits old Devseg shrines to stand, not as weakness but as reinforcement of loyalty. The mountain peoples trust him more than they would an outsider.
Within the Khanate, this makes him slightly suspect.
Some steppe nobles whisper that the Harfit are “too comfortable in shadow.”
Akrum ignores them. He knows Odokh’s stability depends on cultural blending.
He keeps:
Mountain scouts in high passes
Steppe riders ready in lower plains
Loyal marriage alliances carefully maintained
He rules quietly but firmly.
Akrum commands a smaller but specialized force:
300–500 steppe cavalry
200 mountain scouts and skirmishers
150 heavy defenders trained for narrow passes
Mixed militia from Devseg villages
His forces excel in:
Ambush in mountain terrain
Defensive warfare
Controlled retreat and trap tactics
He does not favor large open-steppe engagements. In open plains, he defers to larger clans. In mountains, he is unmatched.
Akrum is loyal — but at a distance.
He pays tribute. He answers musters when necessary. But he does not linger long at Makeb.
He understands that power at the capital can shift quickly. His strength lies in Odokh’s remoteness and cohesion.
If the Khanate fractures, Akrum would likely secure the mountains first before choosing a side.
Among mountain peoples:
Trusted.
Considered one of their own.
Among Khuzait nobles:
Quiet.
Hard to read.
Possibly dangerous.
Among merchants:
Fair in toll.
Unforgiving if cheated.
Among Karakhergit:
Respected for toughness.
Mocked for living near “cursed stone.”
Some say Akrum consults spirit-speakers more often than other Begs.
Others say he keeps records of old Devseg rites hidden in sealed chambers beneath Odokh.
A few whisper that he knows more about the legends of King Ahhak than he admits.
Whether true or not, the rumors strengthen his position.
Fear of the unknown can be useful.
Akrum is not storm.
He is shadow at sunrise.
Hard to see clearly. Harder to remove.