Difference between revisions of "Jackstom Harms"

'''LordJackstom Harms''' is the head of [[House Harms]] and a member of the [[Elendel]] nobility on [[Scadrial]].{{book ref|mb4|2}}

Lord Harms is a rather fat man, who haswith long mustaches that hang down to his neck.{{book ref|mb4|2}} He wears very expensive suits and often carries a mahogany cane that is a Harms family heirloom. Lord Harms is in the habit of daubing at his face with a handkerchief when in high stress situations.{{book ref|mb4|5}}{{book ref|mb4|6}}

AtOn the surface, Lord Harms is the very portrait of propriety. The man is dutiful,{{book ref|mb4|4}} punctual to a fault, well-dressed, and lord of a wealthy, if less-influential, house.{{book ref|mb4|2}} However, beneath the surface he is quite different. Lord Harms can be rude on occasion, heand is willing to force his way into rooms if he is left waiting too long.{{book ref|mb4|2}} He also has a somewhat off-color sense of humor, and oncewill in a while willsometimes needle his daughter [[Steris]] until she is enraged.{{book ref|mb4|4}} Lord Harms also at one point had an affair, which resulted in the birth of [[Marasi]].{{book ref|mb4|9}} Despite his indiscretions, Lord Harms often acts superior and condescending towards others, particularly towards [[Waxillium Ladrian]], who he feels needs a strong hand to keep him on the right path.{{book ref|mb4|2}} When a situation becomes dire however, this arrogant facade cracks and all his bravado vanishes, leaving him desperate and helpless.{{book ref|mb4|6}}

It seems though, that despite his apparent flaws, Lord Harms is a competent lord to his house.{{book ref|mb4|2}} House Harms is in an excellent situation financially. However, they lack truly high-level social connections and as Lord Harms has not fathered a son, the house will soon be extinct in the male lineheir.

Very little is known about Lord Harms' early life. At some point during his youth, he was married to a woman with a rather harsh and cold personality, -- likely a political marriage.{{book ref|mb4|4}} His wife became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter, [[Steris Harms]]. At some point during Lord Harms' marriage, he beganhad an affair with another woman.{{book ref|mb4|9}} That woman ultimately became pregnant and gave birth to [[Marasi]], Lord Harms' second daughter. Embarrassed to have an illegitimate daughter,{{book ref|mb4|14}} he had her sent to a cousin house, where she was raised as Marasi Colms.{{book ref|mb4|4}} Although not raised by Lord Harms, she was fully aware that he was her father{{book ref|mb4|9}} and spent much time with him, as well as her half-sister, Steris.{{book ref|mb4|2}}

When it became apparent that Marasi was a [[Pulser]], Lord Harms insisted that she keep the ability quiet.{{book ref|mb4|11}}{{book ref|mb4|14}} He claimed that being an [[Allomancer]] was unseemly, but in truth he did not want Marasi seemingto likeappear as a better marriage prospect than Steris. Despite his generally poor treatment of Marasi, Lord Harms still paid for her education at the [[Elendel universityUniversity]] and allowed her to stay in his home while she studied{{book ref|mb4|9}} He claimed to be doing it out of charity, for her parents could not afford the cost.{{book ref|mb4|4}} At an unknown point, Lord Harms' wife passed away.

Several months after his return from the [[Roughs]], High Lord [[Waxillium Ladrian]] approached Lord Harms about the possibility of marriage to his daughter Steris.{{book ref|mb4|2}} AsSince three other attempts to marry Steris off had been unsuccessful,{{book ref|mb4|20}} Lord Harms jumped at the opportunity to join his house to such a prestigious house as [[House Ladrian]].{{book ref|mb4|2}} After a few months and several letters and conversations, Lord Harms felt prepared to allow Wax to begin courting Steris. He and Steris met Wax, as well as [[Wayne]] in the guise of Wax's fictional uncle Maksil, at Ladrian Mansion to discuss the potential betrothal. He also brought Steris with himMarasi, and Marasi who had insisted thaton Lordaccompanying Harmsthem to let her accompanyin himorder to meet her hero, Wax.{{book ref|mb4|10}} Despite some misgivings about Wax's past as a lawman, the conversation proved fruitful and Lord Harms agreed that Wax and Steris should start courting with the eventual intention of marriage.{{book ref|mb4|2}} The two decided that they would begin their courtship at the [[Yomen-Ostlin wedding dinner]].

While attending the wedding dinner, Lord Harms sat at a table with Wax, Steris, and Marasi.{{book ref|mb4|4}} They conversed onabout Wax's time as a lawman and Marasi's studies at the university, although Lord Harms attempted to keep Marasi quiet. Eventually, the conversation grew too inappropriate and angered Steris, who left. Lord Harms blamed Marasi and Wax, although he admitted that he too was often tempted to annoy Steris. He sighted his friend, Lord [[Alernath]], at the bar and left the table to join him. When the Vanishers entered the room, Lord Harms was still seated at the bar and was too far away to do anything when Marasi and Steris werewas grabbed by the Vanisherskidnapped.{{book ref|mb4|5}}

After the firefight in which Wax and Wayne managed to rescue Marasi but not Steris, Lord Harms seemed stunned by Steris' kidnapping.{{book ref|mb4|6}} He was terrified for her and begged Wax to find her, totally abandoning his previously condescending attitude towards Wax. He then left the party to sit in his carriage until Marasi wanted to leave, so he could have some time to think for himself. The next day, Lord Harms agreed to finance Wax's efforts to find her, including the cost of the equipment Wax had purchased to analyze the [[aluminum]] alloy in the Vanishers' equipment, as House Ladrian was lacking in liquid assets.{{book ref|mb4|7}}

Lord Harms has a rather interesting relationship with his daughters. Steris is very similar in temperament to Lord Harms' late wife, who it is implied herhe never truly loved,.{{book ref|mb4|4}} This often tempts Lord Harms to bother her more than he should, although he usually regrets it later, as Steris has him quite firmly under her control. However, he truly loves Steris,{{book ref|mb4|6}} despite being baffled by her idiosyncrasies and bluntness.{{book ref|mb4|2}} When she is captured by the [[Vanishers]], Lord Harms is prepared to do whatever he can to see her safe.{{book ref|mb4|6}} He has also impacted Steris' view of marriage,; she considers extramarital affairs to be typical.{{book ref|mb4|9}}