The large  man before you, possibly 7 1/2 feet, stretches the border of normality and just barely misses having the giant mutation.  Not to be outdone by his height, his sheer mass and volume make him a block or wall of muscle, although some have kiddingly called him chubby or whishpered behind his back about his weight issues.  He is obviously a chosen of Pasiap with granite grey eyes in a wide face, chisseled grey-brown skin, and dark black peat hair that flows in a mane down the back of his head.  His muscles constantly test the seems of his specially ordered extra extra large officer's uniform with their humongous width and the piercing gaze of his eyes is unwavering, as is the crushing grasp of his handshake.  His stiff marching gate, as if his boots are filled with bricks, screams "House of Bells" to other Dragon-Blooded.  His uniform is that of the Strategos of the 23rd Legion of the Realm with an additional Greyfalls insignia.  His family regalia, which he doesn't always take into battle depending on the situation, is jade armor mounted with a freedom stone and a jade goremaul or grand goremaul.

     He's currently studying the tactics of Grand Master Cathak Zuriel and his own cousin Strategos Mnemon Karashi for equipment and tactics ideas...limited of course to the 23rd's current arsenal; although there is room to argue for the items still returning home to his family and being redistributed after the losses of the Tepet Legions.  He was training at the Logos Academy of Sorcery a couple years ago...but quit, citing unsanitary and dangerous working conditions (at least that is what official documents say) which he has since changed to needing to follow the traditions of his House after the academy passed the last inspection.  Although it was a necessary decision in terms of family tradition, he hopes to make it up to Headmaster Kyrie, as she has been a very insightful teacher.  He has studied in an apprenticeship with Tsure when not working for the 23rd Legion or the Satrapy of Greyfalls, which amounts to very little time due to his responsibilities and constant training in combat, evolving to a goremaul and thunderbolt shield combination for flexibility.

     The Strategos is a rigid and formal person to the point where it often takes the use of a social charm or a direct order to get him to open up...though even such measures may fail if he is focussed on some duty he must complete.   He is a scion of House Mnemon with a will of stone and can sometimes be very dense in some issues or just plan stubborn in a respectful way.  Although he has not served in the legions as long as some of his Dragonlord compatriots, and his appointment to the position is a surprise, it wouldn't be fair to call Koal a green commander.  After his performance in the battles during the Trakar invasion, the Deled crises, and the Fae invasion, his competency and dedication is no longer in question.  For the moment, being a Strategos is more than enough, although it is obvious to those that know him that Koal may one day have an itch to build things like buildings, roads, and bridges, and even retiring as an architecht should he live that long.

Tropes:

     Eye of the Storm:

          House Mnemon has some of the most insidious messing with the lives of its youths as any House.  Mnemon herself gets personally involved on a routine basis, and has interfered often in Koal’s life, effectively choosing where he would serve, what business investments he should make, where he would go to get sorcery training if he wanted it, and even who Koal would marry.  Mnemon Karashi, who runs Calhar, often acts as a go between, explaining to Koal how he can serve his family the best.  Koal is considered unreliable as a Mnemon asset since the Realm Civil War began, often acting as a go between with the various warring factions in opposition to Mnemon’s preferences.  For the moment, a temporary house arrest in Calhar appears to be the greatest repercussion, although House Mnemon is purposefully keeping Koal out of the loop of high level intel to avoid him becoming a leak.

Secular Immaculate, dangerous acts:

          Although Koal has not taken the oaths of the Immaculate faith, he is trusted by the Brothers, Sisters, and the Vartabed herself, spending many hours each week in the Temple.  He often traveled with Reverend Cynis Hrath to turn back the forces of darkness and tried to act as a moderator to get the people of Greyfalls to follow a moderate version of the Immaculate faith, only giving small appropriate offerings to ancestors and local spirits instead of overwhelming excess.  His efforts are tolerated without reprisal because they are seen by such entities as a compromise during the times when Anathema seeking death squads pass through Greyfalls on their way to the surrounding areas.  Koal himself believes that he experiences dream visions sent to him by Pasiap and they seem far more alien and earthy than anything from the Immaculate texts.  Although it is not public knowledge, Koal aided Anathema who requested his aide in removing a Fae threat, and later actually led a Celestial, DB, and God team in defeating a reincarnation of Juggernaut.  Should knowledge of his actions ever become public, he could face an interrogation squad from the Immaculate Order.  However, none of the Anathema have seen fit to visit an Immaculate temple to give testimony against him…for obvious reasons.

     Hiding in Formality:

          Koal is a very introverted person privately, and uses the formality of titles to avoid unnecessary and trivial relations and politics.  He tries to maintain a formal military appearance at all times.  However, Koal is a staunch leader and supporter of those under his command.  For those whose spirits he cherishes, his poetic prose can be down right inspirational.

Hidden Poet:

          Koal favors linguistics to the point where he was able to sweep a Queen off her feet with words and sincerity alone and not even realize it.

Lovelife (he /is/ a DB):

     Koal had an ongoing affair with Tsure which she loved  causing him embarrassment over and later married V’neef Pasyra for one of the shortest DB marriages on record that didn’t end in assassination.  The marriage was annulled by V’neef Pasyra, although the V’neef household is still confused about Koal’s relationship to the House since he technically qualified as a V’neef for a time under standard House policy.

Family:

     Mnemon Koal is the direct Great Grandchild of Mnemon herself.  His father was Tepet Gyoro who died fighting the Bull of the North and Mnemon Shauraze who is very much still alive but joined the Immaculate Order and secluded herself away shortly after Gyoro's death.  She refuses to acknowledge any contact with Koal, or anyone else for that matter, having left his upbringing to his Grandparents Peleps Bui Lee a lecturer at the House of Bells and Mnemon Cho a sorceress at the Heptagram.  Mnemon never bothered to reveal who Mnemon Cho's father was.../obviously/ it wasn't important.  Shauraze's older Brother Mnemon (the Rockbiter) Ganji is the father of Koal's sometimes idol and mentor, his cousin Mnemon (Crusher) Karashi, the Strategos of Calhar.  Ganji was serving an extended prison sentence handed out by the Empress for unmentioned crimes when she dissappeared.  He is now a free man, though his family responsibilities are still ambiguous while he reintegrates into normal life.  Ozmund, the wandering finance minister, is related to Koal somehow, but for the life of him, Koal has no idea how.  The Dragonlord Mnemon Ice Hand is related to Koal, but comes from one of the other sides of the family with a navy background.  A little known fact is that she had her name legally changed to Ice Hand after an embarrassing childhood incident, though what that might be, Koal has no idea.

Childhood:

     Koal had a difficult childhood, though such can be said for many of the blooded, as expectations run high.  Koal was both not very bright and somewhat socially inept.  This led to the gentle giant receiving a lot of bullying for which he did not retaliate.  His family considered the situation serious enough that they gave him a hearthstone of valor soon after exaltation to stir the fires in his heart…to random violence if necessary, along with a freedom stone as other children would tend to gang up on him, fearful of his might.  It was a brilliant maneuver that helped him survive the House of Bells (he failed admissions to the Heptagram, timed written tests are his bane), although even there he struggled in classes and failed to initiate even into battle sorcery…a big disappointment to everyone in the Mnemon household because his social failings wouldn’t be an issue if he were considered…one of them, a sorcerer.  As an update, Koal believes that he will be offered the chance at some point to retake the entrance exams to the Heptagram, if he is truly devoted to seeking that power.  On the bright side, Koal proved very adept at building defensive battlefield positions and castrums…although such skills are not used in many battles, he had a couple moments to shine at the defeat of the Trakar.

Exaltation: 

     Koal's exaltation occurred at a family estate near the Pilgrimage Path to the Peak of the Imperial Mountain, when he fell down an old mine shaft.

The Trakar War:

     Koal fought in many battles of the Trakar War and was immortalized in artwork for his contributions and sacrifices.  He is no less respected among the enemy, for his honorable actions in resolving disputes with dignity.  He even spared the life of Trakar's son Ragnar after defeating Ragnar's horde and the man himself in personal combat.  He later prevented a surprise assault from Trakar's forces and led the center charge against the Lunar, having his entire Dragon defeated, yet maintaining the lines so that the overall battle could be won.  His glory scene is him standy firm but half dead, surrounded by thousands of retreating bears and Trakar himself.  Even while wounded, Koal helped design a defensive castrum network to repel three simultaneous armies from overrunning the 23rd Legion out on open ground.  That was the Last Battle of the War where Trakar himself fell.

The Deled Crises:

     Koal had taken leave for soul searching and meditation, but the "Deled Crises" forced Zuriel to call him back to active duty to maintain the peace in Greyfalls after the bombing of the Palace of Healing.  Koal's 3rd Infantry Dragon was forced to transform itself into a police force operating between the civilian satrapy and the military, with Koal becoming a very public figure as the citizens could see him on the streets every day.  Unfortunately, while he guarded key battlements, innocents were murdered in their sleep.  His dedicated public investigation into this case, spending the majority of his personal funds, and chastisement by the Immaculate Order for the length with which he has gone to solve the case, have only served to win him a place in the hearts of the people.  His long spiritual retreat has given Koal's soul a chance to grow stronger and he no longer relies on the Hearthstone of Valor to fuel the fires of his heart.  Instead, the peace of Pasiap has settled over him and his capability for poetry and metaphor has become manifest as the young hero tries to smother the flames of violence brewing in the aftermath of Deled's presence in GreyFalls.  The events there have prevented him from taking his scout group to investigate the strange occurrences in rural villages in the Greyfalls satrapy.  Koal walks an ambiguous line with religious philosophy, not because he isn’t devout in emulating Pasiap, but because he actually prays to Pasiap during meditation and feels that there is a real presence there responding to his prayers...Whether it’s true or not, it makes him a heretic in a sense.  He is also sometimes guilty of the Ostentatious Peasant mentality, as much wealth in the hundred kingdoms is generated though slavery, war, and bureaucratic manipulation…rather than simple hard work.  It doesn’t help that he actually can’t remember much in the Immaculate texts except for simple analogies.  As an update, with the Greyfalls murders solved and justice having been dealt, Koal has joined missions throughout Greyfalls against the Fae threat massing in the region.

Days at the Academy of Logos:

     Due to his efforts in the Greyfalls investigation, Koal has submitted a series of recommendations to be looked over by the satrap, the stratego, Ledaal Solace, Ledaal Kyrie, Ragara Ayesha, and surprisingly Mnemon Lok (now a house servant after being ravished by the Fae and undergoing psychological treatment).  Koal's Recommendations  These recommendations have been sent back from the various people with opinions and editing, new version coming soon taking things into consideration.  The update for recommendations may be delayed as Koal has experienced a crises of faith in recent days and is trying to find a balance in his life to make up for the veil that has been pulled from his eyes.  As long as he is serving in his chosen roll and surrounded by friends to bolster, he spirit is as unbreachable as the adamant walls of Yu-shan.  However, when he is alone, not working, memories not his own bubble to the surface to leave doubt.

Silent Hills adventures:

     Koal and Hrath scouted the Silent Hills to put down gangs of undead that were reaching all the way to Greyfalls.  The plague mysteriously ended after a time.

The Fae invasion: 

     Koal participated in cleansing Stonefort, north of Calhar, which was totally demolished from the combination of a former immaculate turned anathema and the Fae known as the Heartless Stone.  Next, while investigation strange disturbances in the night, his party faced the Ice Queen and formed and alliance while Koal traded oaths with the mysterious Smith of Midnight.  When a Fae peace delegation came to Greyfalls, Koal maintained security for both sides , preventing wanton violence from erupting.  Unfortunately, later, Koal and Hrath failed to seize Pillar of Mercy who had been warped by the Fae and tried to ambush them, before casting himself into a wyld-spawned pit.  After the fall of Duke Chanis, Koal saved a mysterious figure from a Fae monster only to discover that the woman-looking knight was in fact a diplomat from the Amber Court that wanted to side with Greyfalls and didn't follow the Church of Balor.  Negotiations are ongoing.  Last, Koal was at the battle to buy Zuriel time to close the breach from the Wyld into Greyfalls, facing two monks from the Church of Balor using the Quicksilver Janissary Style.  Their success paved the way for a temporary peace.

Fall from Grace:

     Koal covered for his /distant/ cousin Ozmund who made a disgrace of himself publicly at the Immaculate Temple before heading off to become a slum lord.  Koal is privately disgusted by Ozmund, but House Mnemon refuses to censor the errant financial accountant, claiming that he recorded record profits.

     Pillar of Mercy fell to the Wyld and almost took Koal and Hrath with him.  Koal searched long and hard before discovering the broken Reverend several seasons later, faith forsaken.  Pillar headed south to cleanse his sins in fire.

Conflict with Vir Sidus:

     When Brother Chu called for aide, Koal tried to lead a team to assist him, but was turned back from Vir Sidus territory by the Emperor, who later tried to smooth things over with a little bit of success.  Koal then tried to lead a team to pull Chu out, but his associates snuck ahead to join Chu in confronting the Anathema, Fudou the Mountain.  Cynis Hrath and Cynis Chu were both slain.  Emperor Darius  arrived and promised to build a memorial, easing tensions between the two, though Koal still does not understand the Emperor's politics.  Koal returned to Greyfalls, his home of two years, with the belongings of two fallen brothers.  He is tending to Khan and her foal as Hrath would have wanted and thinks much less of the once wise Fudou, whose monstrous nature was made apparent.  Surprisingly, during Calibration, Strategos Zuriel and the Deliberative sent Koal the order to take the position of Strategos in Zuriel's stead, even as knowledge that the Emperor of Vir Sidus had been assasinated trickled across the border.

The Brotherhood Begins

     Disgusted by the politics of civil war, and stressed by continuing threats from Vir Sidus and the Anathema, Koal decides that the leaders of Greyfalls need to form a brotherhood to sustain them through these turbulent times.  What it may eventually turn into is uncertain, but the Greyfalls brotherhood has begun, uniting the leaders and representatives of the various Houses and other interests in the region.  Current membership includes Mnemon Koal, Sesus Ormi, Ledaal Solace, Ragara Ayesha,....with other possible additions later.

The Liberation of Greyfalls and flight to Saltwater Vale

     On the advice of his close companions, Koal took the 23rd Legion and many refugees from Greyfalls and brought them to Saltwater Vale to escape the clutches of Ledaal Kilandros and his mighty armada that chose to /liberate/ Greyfalls from the Mnemon controlled Legion.  However, the food situation became critical as the Legion and refugees outnumber the native residents of the Vale around 4 to 1, although this was mitigated by trading salt to Chronopolis for food.  In return, the 23rd has sworn to defend the Saltwater Vale, though it looks like the greatest threat may come, once again, from Ledaal Kilandros as he uses the presence of the 23rd Legion to assault and seize the rich resources of the Vale.  To top it off, Kilandros imprisoned V'neef Pasyra and Koal's secret agent in Greyfalls, Wages of Sin.  Koal and Ormi rescued Wages of Sin from Kilandros's clutches before he was executed only to have him race back to Greyfalls to assasinate Kilandros, and have an imposter take Kilandros's place.  The other members of the Brotherhood of Greyfalls arranged a government change, in a Night of Long Fangs, which officially ended the Kilandros regime as he was revealed to be a demon imposter by Sister Cloudhands.  The 23rd has been reintegrated into the forces of Greyfalls.

Gaian Visions

     Koal recieved a vision of Gaia chastizing the Chosen of the Dragons for not honoring their oaths of old and defending creation.  Within it she choose two women for a special purpose in stopping the Deathlords and the Neverborn from doing something (Azami and Clan Clan).  Although he doesn't know what that is or who the women are, Koal seeks to aide them in Gaia's name.

Cathak Adan Wepat

     Considered unofficially to be Koal's mortal sidekick, Wepat is a master mortal spearfighter who Koal gifted with his Hearthstone of Valor, for her dedicated service and honesty, and so that his own heart would be more open to the visions of Psasiap.  Although seemingly insane, Wepat's loyalty to following her commander's orders is absolute, even if she complains grumpily about it.  This finally changed however, when Koal's fraternizing with the Pearlies became too much for Wepat's family loyalty.  She asked to be allowed to leave the 23rd and travelled to Calhar where she ratted Koal out to Mnemon Karashi.

Greyfalls Reconstruction Project

     Mnemon Koal set out on an ambitious campaign to build trust among the legions through building buildings themselves.  The tactic appeared to be working nicely until a building accidentally fell on him.  No body has been recovered though, so the situation is suspicious.

Quality Time

     Koal was caught off guard and captured by his mentor Karashi, who holds him under an effective House Arrest while Karashi tries to ascertain what to do with his wayward student.  Koal has used Wind Carried Words to alert his friends of his whereabouts and that they shouldn't interfere in this personal matter, though he regrets his absence from Greyfalls and Saltwater Vale.

Reemergence

     After much training with his mentor, Koal has worked dilligently to try to form some sort of accord that would prevent the hostilities in the East from erupting between Dragon-Blooded Dynasts as well as forging connections with Lookshy.  He continues many of the projects that were previously interrupted.  As a side note, Koal and Ormi were forced to reveal themselves and join forces with a ragtag band of Celestials and a spirit in order to banish the latest incarnation of Juggernaut to the Underworld, where Walker in Darkness took a rest to ...fix him (delay time, one IC year).

The Road to Peace

     Koal will aide his Brotherhood in finding a place for the Greyfalls and the Dragon-Blooded of the former Realm in the emerging peace that seems to be sweeping the 100K.  He also acts as a diplomat to Lookshy when they distrust the honeyed words of Solace or Ayesha, as he has proven himself by directly aiding their cause in the name of Dragon-Blooded comraderie.  Although not considered the brightest man other than in team tactics, he is attributed with being a person of honor and integrity in a trying world.

Solid Foundations

     Following the destruction of Chronopolis, Koal began taking as many steps as possible to improve security for Greyfalls and minimize the effect should a similar tactics be used against Greyfalls.  Considering that the manpower present exceeds any that was on hand before due to the overflow of Legions and Dragon-Bloods living in truce in the province, ironically, even though the province is still healing from the scars of the Civil War, the province is at its most stable in recent history.  While some believe that this stability is due to the sheer number of the Blooded that continue to pour in, it might also be true that the province is no longer a concern of the other powers in the region as it has turned inward on improving itself in the face of political turmoil on the Isle, instead of being the long military arm of the Empire.

The Veil of Diplomacy

     Koal considers acting as the diplomatic liason between the Eastern Greyfalls alliance and Cathak Zuriel's southern empire after Zuriel promises discreetly to allow all of the Blooded who wish it to seek refuge in the vast lands over which he holds influence.