Rabadash

Template:Characterbox Rabadash was the eldest son of the Tisroc of Calormen during the Golden Age of Narnia. Though he can appear gentle and well mannered, in reality he is a cruel man who thinks of nothing but his own pleasure. Part of this is due to his upbringing in the decadent, wicked court of his father. Childishly, Rabadash delights in tormenting others, often making horrifying faces to terrify his inferiors. Because of his self-centered focus, Rabadash is unable to look at the big picture, to make wise decisions when he is denied what he wants. Instead, he mulishly continues to fight for his own way. But all his tantrums avail nothing when he faces Aslan and the Narnian and Archenlande kings. Rabadash's impotent rage and lack of self control render him a laughing-stock, and his later title, "the Ridiculous," is a succinct summation of his personality.

History

During the Golden Age, the Monarchs of Narnia attempted to establish diplomatic relations with Calormen. When he saw her, Prince Rabadash wanted to marry Queen Susan of Narnia, and courted her heavily during his time at Cair Paravel, and her and King Edmund's visit to Tashbaan. However, when she began to have doubts, he hinted that he might hold the Narnian delegation prisoners until Susan consented, or even outright force her to marry him. The Narnians were able to escape Tashbaan by night aboard their ship.

Furious, Rabadash demanded his father invade Narnia, but the Tisroc, who feared the Pevensies because he believed they wielded powerful magic due to the White Witch being slain, refused. Unwilling to give up, Rabadash conceived a plan to lead a raid to conquer Archenland using 200 horses, then use it as a staging post to conquer Narnia and capture Susan. During a secret meeting in the palace, he proposed this plan to his father, who consented. This meeting was accidently overheard by two Tarkheena, one of whom, Aravis, told her traveling partner Shasta. These travellers crossed the desert just ahead of Rabadash's raiding force and warned King Lune of Archenland.

When Rabadash arrived at Anvard, an army of Narnians and Archenlanders were prepared for him. In the Battle of Anvard, the Calormenes were defeated in a rather humiliating way. Rabadash challenged King Edmund to a swordfight, but before he could even start, he had to jump off a wall to reach him, and the back of his hauberk (shirt of chainmail) got caught on a hook in the wall, leaving him to dangle there pathetically. King Lune then refused to let Edmund fight, saying that because of attacking Archenland in a time of peace, Rabadash had proven himself no knight, but a traitor, one rather to be whipped by the hangman than to be suffered to cross swords with any person of honour. Radash was then taken prisoner alongside the surviving Calormenes.

After the battle, Rabadash was brought to trial before the monarchs of Narnia and Archenland. During this time, Aslan confronted him about his aggression, but he was unrepentant and continued to bluster. As punishment, Aslan turned Rabadash into a donkey, which could be undone once he entered Tash's temple during his country's Great Autumn Feast. Aslan warned him that if he ever went more than ten miles from the temple, he would resume the donkey form for the rest of his life. Rabadash succeeded his father as the Tisroc, and stayed in the city because of the curse, which meant he was unable to lead military campaigns. Thus his reign was one of the most peaceful in Calormen's history, earning him the official title "Rabadash the Peacemaker". Behind his back and after his death, however, due to his crushing defeat and transformation, he was referred to as "Rabadash the Ridiculous." His reputation became very unpopular throughout Calormene empire that even if a student did unusually stupid and senseless deeds in most, if not any, Calormene schools (or likely in colleges, universities and academies as well, if such institutions exist), he or she is mocked as "The Second Rabadash".