Shon'Kar

From The Great Machine

Shon'Kar (often misspelled Shankar) is a Narn blood oath sworn to avenge death or severe insult. To declare a Shon'Kar is to make the fulfillment of that oath one's life ambition. A Narn would gladly sacrifice her life to fulfill this goal. All family members are bound by Shon'Kar, and if the oath-taker is disabled or killed, the responsibility for Shon'Kar passes to the next capable family member, male or female. Sometimes, Shon'Kar may be delayed for years, or even generations, before it can be achieved.

Appearances

• In 2258, Ambassador G'Kar was attacked by a member of the Thenta Ma'kur Assassins Guild hired by Councillor D'Rog to avenge his family name (see book3 Blood Oath for details).

You are to know pain. [ZAP] You are to know fear. And then, you are to die at the required hour. -- (S1E08, The Parliament of Dreams)

• In 2258 Na'Toth was forced to delay (but not abandon) fulfilling her family's Shon'Kar against the Dilgar war-criminal known as Deathwalker.

I have many Shon'Kar myself. -- (S1E10, Deathwalker).

• In 2260 two Narn brothers were injured (one killed) when they attempted to carry out Shon'Kar against Vir Cotto and his fiancee Lyndisty for her part in massive ethnic cleansing.

Da'tsa Shon'Kar! -- (S3E12, Sic Transit Vir).

• It is assumed that countless Shon'Kar were declared against the Centauri during both occupations of the Narn homeworld.