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"My queen, I have destroyed the castle of Galladoorn"
Kael to Bavmorda.[1]

General Kael was the commander of the Nockmaar army and the secondary antagonist of Willow. He was sent by Queen Bavmorda to find the baby of the prophecy, Elora Danan.

Biography[]

Early career[]

Kael was one of many slaves in Galladoorn. The slaves made a pact with Bavmorda, who helped them overthrow their masters in exchange for their loyalty. As a result these slaves, later known as Bone Reavers, joined the Army of Nockmaar.[2]

Kael tricked the high commander of the Nockmaar army, Harkenwell, into taking responsibility for a military blunder. Bavmorda sent Harkenwell to the Northern Waste, and Kael took his place as the leader of the Army of Nockmaar.[5]

He had fifteen children, including daughters Scorpia and Jade.[2]

Campaign against Galladoorn[]

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Kael commanding from atop his horse.

Newly promoted, General Kael led the Nockmaar army in the Battle at Land's End against the Knights of Galladoorn led by Airk Thaughbaer and Madmartigan. Madmartigan led a company of knights to flank the Nockmaar troops, but was discovered and his formation smashed, which led to his desertion. The Nockmaar army then flanked the knights and defeated the outnumbered army, with the survivor's only making it out due to Airk's capable leadership.[3]

Two days after their victory at Land's End,[3] Kael and his troops arrived in Galladoorn and attacked the castle, destroying it[1] and leaving only 1,000 Knights of Galladoorn alive.[3]

Hunt for Elora Danan[]

Kael returned to Nockmaar Castle and reported his victory at Galladoorn to Bavmorda, who gave him the task of helping Sorsha to capture a baby. Sorsha tried to turn down his help, but was forced to accept it, to which Kael only grinned.[1]

Shortly after encountering Madmartigan at the Daikini crossroads,[1] Airk led his army in an attack on Bavmorda's forces at River Troon.[6] Kael fought in the battle against Airk and his knights,[7] in which the Nockmaar forces emerged victorious.[1]

Following Willow and Madmartigan's escape from Sorsha's forces at a roadside inn, Kael reports back to Bavmorda at Nockmaar Castle, telling her the search for Elora goes on, and that it will not be long. Striking Kael across the face, Bavmorda warns him that time is running out and orders him to hurry.[1]

Kael Converses With Madmartigan

Kael briefly converses with a captive Madmartigan.

After Sorsha captured Madmartigan, Willow and Elora Danan, they were brought to Kael's camp. While behind bars, Madmartigan had a brief conversation with General Kael, who begins to recognize him. Madmartigan claims that he is somebody else, and that he killed Madmartigan. Kael responds that he is glad Madmartigan is dead, since he stole his woman. Madmartigan, in an attempt to free himself, gives Kael the same line he gave Airk earlier that he will win the war for him, only for Kael to tell him the war is already won.[4]

After Willow and his allies escape, the Nockmaar forces pursue them to the Tir Asleen Castle. Kael and Sorsha's forces outnumber the rebels and begin their assault on the castle. During the fighting, Sorsha realizes she loves Madmartigan and defects to his side. When Airk and his forces arrive to aid Willow, the Nockmaar army flees. Despite heavy losses and Sorsha betraying them, Kael still manages to kidnap Elora Danan in the chaos of the fighting and bring her back to Nockmaar Castle.[1]

Battle of Nockmaar[]

Airk leads the Galladoorn army to Nockmaar Castle where Queen Bavmorda transforms the entire army into pigs. Fin Raziel transforms them all back to their original forms in secret and Willow forms a plan for them to use subterfuge to mount a suprise attack on the castle. During the ensuing battle, Kael fatally wounds Airk in a duel.[1]

Battle of Nockmaar

Kael cutting down a rebel soldier during the battle.

After mortally wounding Airk, Kael goes back to the fight against the rebels, killing two of them before Madmartigan reaches him to avenge Airk. Kael, noticing the advancing Madmartigan, motions for him to come over and fight him. Shortly after exchanging their first blows, Kael breaks Madmartigan's blade and forces him onto his back. Madmartigan rushes away to grab another sword before rejoining the duel, immediately managing to break a piece of Kael's skull mask and knocking him over.[1] Madmartigan's blow to his mask shocks Kael, who realizes he is only human, not superhuman, and this is enough to distract Kael.[5]

Madmartigan then hears a scream ring out from the conjuring room of Nockmaar Castle, and rushes up the steps to help his friends. Though hurt and distracted, Kael pursues him up the stairs and attacks once more, placing himself in front of Madmartigan and blocking his path. Kael bashes Madmartigan into the wall and throws him to the floor while laughing.

KaelNockmaarbattle

Kael during the battle of Nockmaar.

Madmartigan rises and feints an attack with one sword before impaling Kael through the belly with his broken blade, which causes Kael to drop his own sword. Despite the wound, Kael conjures the strength to punch Madmartigan hard enough to disarm him before attempting to strangle him. Madmartigan pushes the blade still impaled in Kael's belly further in, which loosens Kael's grip. He then props Kael's sword up on the ground with his foot and pulls the man down on top of it, impaling him once more in the belly before pushing him off the stairway bridge onto the ground below.[5] Kael's final thought, as his sword pierces him, is to laugh inside, realizing how tired he is, and how relieved he is that the killing is finally over.[5]

Personality and traits[]

Kael is a veteran soldier motivated by his loyalty to Queen Bavmorda and pride in his own martial skills, but who is nonetheless weary of the constant killing his duty requires him to perform.[5]

Skills and abilities[]

Kael is a powerful warrior and an incredibly skilled swordsman able to defeat the likes of Airk Thaughbaer and hold his own against Madmartigan, who himself is able to cut down swathes of Kael's own soldiers.[1] In addition to his mastery of swordfighting, Kael is also a capable horseman.[3] Despite focusing on swordfighting and horseriding, Kael is also proficient in the use of a bow or crossbow, though he prefers hand-to-hand combat.[3]

Behind the scenes[]

Kael was portrayed by wrestler and actor Pat Roach, who portrayed several characters in the Indiana Jones franchise, another Lucasfilm production, such as the Giant Sherpa, the muscular German Mechanic, the huge Thuggee Chief Guard, and the black coated Gestapo Agent.

In Willow, Kael was protrayed by Mark Slaughter in the episode The Whispers of Nockmaar, while his voice was provided by Sam Witwer[8].

According to IMDB, Kael is possibly named after film critic Pauline Kael.

Continuity[]

In the novelization, Kael is portrayed slightly more sympathetically than he is in the film.

In the film, Kael's eyes are depicted as being bright blue.[1] In the comic adaptation, however, Kael's eyes are light brown,[4] which contradicts his appearance in the original film. This article assumes the film is correct and that his eyes are blue, and that the comic adaptation is mistaken.

Appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

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