Creator Magician of Muründor

• Birth: bef. 3/4028 ER
• Death: Unknown
• First Appearance: NA

Most of what is known about Ergur of Muründor has been gathered from two sources. The first source, and the only source available until recently, were the court papers that were composed to prosecute the magician. The second source includes three scrolls that were probably written by an unknown hand shortly following his death. This latest source was uncovered in a grave near present-day Vullìnshrið. Scholars believe that the otherwise empty grave probably belonged to one of Ergur’s followers. The biography contained on these scrolls are believed to have been composed to portray the magician in a positive, if not transcendental light. Despite whatever motivations the writer may have had when writing these, there are believed to be fragments of truth scattered throughout them.

Origin

Ergur of Muründor first appeared in 3/4028 ER. His appearance caused something of a stir in the Kingdom of Glor Dün, because the Dwürden Nar were largely unknown. The pale and white-haired Dwürden had found his way up through a deep fissure and connecting tunnel that had been recently extended. He was welcomed into the Kingdom and allowed to practice his crafts in an abandoned complex named Muründor, deep within the Tor’n Evalshat. For some years, Ergur was a favorite of the Court and was invited to tell stories about the Underearth and the political, military, and social workings of the Lower Realms. The king did not have the same aversion to magic that was common among his people and often asked Ergur to perform Arcane feats.

When King Lumgrū the Second died in 3/4096 ER and his son Jormun the Third was crowned King of Glor Dün, Ergur’s life took a downturn. King Jormun had no tolerance for magic in his kingdom, and demanded that the magician make no more appearances before the Court. Furthermore, the new king began sending spies into Muründor to uncover what “evil” rituals the Dwürden Nar might be conducting. There were rumors circulating at the time, that Ergur’s magics were eating away at the mountain’s core, and that soon the peaks would collapse. The king’s spies did not discover grand dark rituals, but did return with findings almost as disturbing. Two cages draped in blankets were brought before King Jormun. The first cage revealed held a dog with a scaled tail and large fins where its legs should be. The beast flapped helplessly about on the floor of the cage. The second cage revealed contained a Yrūn child with feathers growing from its back and arms. The face of the poor creature had its eyes sewn shut and a third one, inset into its forehead, that stared widely, blinking into the darkness. King Jormun proclaimed that these were foul magics and that Ergur of Muründor would be tried for crimes against Dwürden law. Soldiers were dispatched to Muründor and the magician was imprisoned.

Exile

The magician Ergur was left in prison for three years while King Jormun decided what should be done. After much deliberation with his advisers, the king called the prisoner forth and asked that he address his crimes. Ergur could not explain himself to the satisfaction of the assembly. He claimed that magicians among the Dwürden Nar routinely altered nature’s beasts in the search for new and improved guardians and work-beasts. In the Lower Realms, he had never encountered Yrūn or dogs, and thought they showed much potential for improvement. The king was disgusted by this and proclaimed that Ergur of Muründor be banished from the lands of Glor Dün. Ergur was given the choice of returning whence he came, or exiting the Dwürden realms altogether. Despite his fear of sunlight, the Dwürden Nar chose the latter, hoping to discover new beasts in the Upper World.

Within the next few months, Ergur and a small band of students, followers, and servants left the halls of Glor Dün and turned toward the Iron Coast. From this point forward, the details of his remaining years are sketchy. The third scroll was found opened and much of its contents crumbled when first examined. What little has been recovered is as follows.

Ergur lived the rest of his life with bandages wrapped around his eyes to keep the sunlight from blinding him. He gave careful instruction to his followers who acted as his eyes and hands for all things. The group settled near a failed mine, probably near Fal Vullin, where they created a small village. In the mine beneath this village, Ergur continued his work using rabbits, deer, bears, and the infamous giant vultures of the Iron Coast. Different scholars attribute one or more of the region’s Created populations to Ergur’s workshop. In truth however, if he is responsible for any of them, it is likely to be the Craw and perhaps the Owlers. The Shūli aesthetic is more than likely the result of Eylfāe creation.

Epilogue

The Dwürden Mor followers of Ergur were not able to continue his work. It is thought that they either died off, or intermarried with the Dwürden Fal to the North. Ergur himself is believed to have been interred within his cave, surrounded by his great works, but his tomb has never been found. The Craw and Owlers of the Iron Coast continue to thrive over three thousand years later.