Krathak was a common orc born to unknow tribe in Eriador. He rose through the ranks becoming a captain of a sqaud of ten stout lads. They had the misfortune to happen on, and attack Gallus during his wandering across Eriador. Of the orcs, only Krathak survived the encounter.
Captured by Gallus, who may not have been entirely stable, Krathak was subjected to extreme and unspeakable torture. Subjected to things even the foulest evil creatures cannot imagine, he was completely broken and became Gallus' retainer. At this time the mage gave over keeping of his collection of "trophies" tot he orc. Krathak still maintains the grissly museum of body parts taken from Gallus' foes, and victems. Eventually his orcish personality reasserted itself, but he lived in abject terror of the mage. Over time he got know Gallus', who had stabilized mentally, and they became friends after a fashion. Krathak becam Gallus right hand enforcing the Elf's will and carrying out his orders.
When Gallus began to accumulate a few more orcs Krathak was in command of them. He left no doubt in their minds as to who they served or why. Gallus also had a tendency to accumulate slaves, many of whom eventually earned their freedom and remianed willingly under the mages rule. None, whether orc or not ever question Krathaks orders. All know he speaks for the mage. All also know that in the dangerous woods and swamps of the Rast Vorn Krathaks orders mean the difference in life and death.
Over time Gallus had begun to notice that the orcs were gruff, and uncultured, but not inherently evil. During this period Gallus began to envision a place where orcs could live free of evil domination. A place where orcs could rule orcs, without servants of the enemy interferring with their "natural" developement.
Krathak, and his orcs became a small rag tag army loyal to Gallus, who was leading them southwest through Eriador. They had passed through Arthedain, and found themselves in Cardolan. There they became involved in Cennaigh's revolt. Gallus and Krathak slew the false Cennaigh during a foray into the rast vorn, and Galus became enamoured of the swamp. Here he thought was the place where his orcs could free of outside interferrence.
Through crushing Cennaigh they ran afoul of petty dwarves, and Corsairs from Umbar, and emerged with a stronhold in the Rast Vorn forest, a damaged warship, a riverside ruined keep, and an alliance with Beffraen tribes of the cape. Through all of this Krathak has grown stronger, and remained completely faithful to his master. Gallus has rewarded his service with money, items of power, and the Black Numenorean Captain Belewen as a concubine. Krathak appreciates the challenge.
When Gallus vanished Krathak became the sole force keeping the whole operation running. He has staved off attacks and consolidated his power in the name of his master. He insists that Gallus lives, and will return to his people one day. Dissenting voices are silenced quickly, and brutally. Krathak has worked closely with Sherl of the Beffraen strengthenning the alliance Gallus forged. Once he has dealt with the mewlip population he plans to eliminate the evil wose population on behalf of his Beffraen allies, and then repair the warship for coastal raiding. Several of his subordinates have already begun to train on the docked vessel.
Krathak is more skilled and powerful than any of his followers. During his time with Gallus Krathak has been exposed to some things that make him appear unusual for an orc. Although common, he stands as tall as a Uruk, and his skin is burned a leathery black from overexposure to magical flame from a powerful artifact. This left him immune to the effects of sunlight, and resistant to heat and fire.
Krathak reminds one of an old dril seargent, curses constantly, and has a derogatory nickname for everyone. He has developed a taste for pipeweed which he does not smoke through a pipe. Rather he rolls in in a leaf forming a short tube, which is almost always in his mouth (cigar).