As with all the Eternal Champions, Corum is sworn to uphold Law and fight against Chaos, a lofty goal that at times seems to bring more pain and harm that it's worth. The version of Corum presented here is drawn primarily from the book "The Knight of Swords". This is Corum with the Hand of Kynn and the Eye of Rhynn, as well as his extradimensional powers intact.

Corum is the last of an ancient race called the Vadhagh. His people originally shared the Earth with an equally old race called the Nhadragh. Being virtually immortal (the average Vadhagh can expect to live 1000 years or so), the Vadhagh were highly advanced in the realms of the arts, philosophy, and certain sciences. The Nhadragh were equally advanced, and the two races battle for many years (off an on) over the possession of certain stretches of territory.

The two races were in a virtual statement, with both slowly declining in power as they lost interest in the outside world. This isolation was to prove their undoing, as the race of Man, called Mabden appeared, enslaving the Nhadragh and destroying the Vadhagh. Only Corum escaped the destruction, losing his left eye and hand in the process, before eventually finding refuge in the castle of Modiel's Mount. There he met Rhalina, Margravine of Allomglyl, a Mabden, and contrary to the ways of his people, fell in love.

Looking for a way to replace his missing hand and eye, as well the means to get his revenge on Earl Glandyth-a-Krae, the Mabden warrior who destroyed his family, Corum struck a bargain with the alien sorcerer Shool. In exchange for the Hand of Kynn and the Eye of Rhynn, Corum was to find the Heart of Arioch. Corum did so, but the Hand of Kynn crushed the Heart, killing Arioch and banishing him from this plane.

Upon returning to Shool, Corum found him dying, so he then went back to Modiel's Mount and Rhalina. Now, he bids his time, preparing himself for the final confrontation with Earl Glandyth-a-Krae.

Note: Naturally, these matters (such as the fate of Earl Glandyth-a-Krae) are resolved over the course of next two books in the Corum series.

Description:
Corum is tall, slim and well proportioned in build. Moorcock describes the Vadhagh as follows: "... narrow, long skulls; ears that were almost without lobes and tapered flat along the side of the head; fine hair ... (Corum's is silvery-white); large almond eyes with yellow centers and purple surrounds; wide, full-lipped mouths; and skin that was a strange, gold-flecked rose-pink."

Corum typically dresses in what ever clothing is suitable. When expecting combat he is dressed as follows:

Blue samite shirt, with breeks (trousers) and boots of leather.
A mail byrnie made up of an outer layer of silver links and an inner layer of brass links
A long red robe with full sleeves and hood
A long sword, virtually a hand-and-half sword in size

Powers Notes:
Corum has been trained in the arts of war, but isn't a warrior (at least, at the start). The books don't really give much on his background, so assigning skills are difficult. He is a musician of sorts, can sing and play certain instruments. He is also knowledgeable of the history of his people, as well as the inhabitants of the "Five Planes", extradimensional regions adjacent to his own world. Other skills the GM should assign as he sees fit.

As a member of the race of the Vadhagh, Corum possesses certain innate powers. This include heightened senses, an extremely long lifespan and the ability to see and move among the Five Planes. Normally, this latter ability could be preformed at will, but with the coming of the Mabden and Arioch, this power has become unreliable. Eventually, Corum will virtually lose this ability.

Corum's most impressive abilities are those granted to him by the the Hand of Kynn and the Eye of Rhynn. The exact powers specific to each aren't clearly defined. Supposedly, the Eye can see into other planes, and the Hand can summon help from those realms. I've decided to present a simplified version of these powers, concentrating only upon those powers actually demonstrated in the books.

The Hand has a number of powers, including: great physically strength, the Hand chokes an attacker to death; physical power, the Hand punches a hole in a heavy door; and with the fingers extended, the Hand can function almost as a dagger. Note: the Hand's powers are very fickle and not wholly subject to Corum's desires. At times, it will function contrary to Corum's wishes, or won't function at all. Usually, the Hand's actions are in Corum's best interests, although this may not be apparent at the time. The Hand and Eye are capable of detecting dangers that Corum cannot sense and will act to protect him from these dangers.

The Hand and Eye's greatest power is the ability to summon aid from another world. This world appears as a bleak wilderness over which hangs a black sun. The inhabitants of this world are very strange indeed. They are the corpses of the last creatures to inhabit the cave. Using the Eye, Corum can looking into this world. Extending the hand, and offering the creatures "prizes", Corum can bring forth what ever is there to fight for him. What ever the current crop of summoned creatures kills will then go to the other world, to then be brought forth by Corum when needed. This power is bought as Summon. It can be any combination of creatures totaling up to 500 points. All creatures summoned should be considered 'undead' and bought as automations. This means that summoned creatures are effectively mindless, and can't be used for much other than fighting.

Disadvantages Notes:
Corum's disads are pretty easy to understand. A few notes:

Distinctive Features: As a Vadhagh, Corum is fear and/or worshiped as one of the "Elder Races", or a Shefanhow (ie: Demon). The Eye looks like a great jewel, much larger than an ordinary eye. Corum usually covers it with a patch. The Hand is six fingered and has skin that appears to be jewel covered. Corum usually wears a glove over this hand.

DNPC: Rhalina, the Margravine of Allomglyl, is a competent normal and a capable warrior, accompanying Corum on several trips in the first three books. She is quite attractive and has a strong will (ie: high Ego).

Hunted: Earl Glandyth-a-Krae is a large, powerful, and for the Mabden, intelligent warrior. He is very strong (STR 18 to 20), wears heavy armor of mail and plate, and usually fights with a large war axe. He delights in torture and is dedicated to the cause of Chaos. In addition, Corum is hunted (indirectly) by other agents of Chaos. These include the Pony Tribes (groups of nomadic warriors) and similar peoples.

Rep: After killing Arioch, Corum gained a measure of unwanted notoriety among followers and Chaos and other people. This often leads to a negative reaction among such people, making it difficult for Corum to travel in safety.