Mokmurian

Early Life and Exile

  Mokmurian was born into a powerful stone giant tribe, notable for his small stature and the crystalline growths on his skin—traits that typically marked a giant as possessing sorcerous potential. However, unlike others of his kind, he possessed no natural magical abilities. This realization filled him with fear, knowing that if his tribe discovered his lack of talent, he would be shamed and possibly exiled. To compensate, Mokmurian studied in secret, stealing texts from adventurers and unearthing forbidden Thassilonian knowledge. Over time, he became a formidable wizard, disguising his need for study to maintain the illusion of being a sorcerer.   His deception lasted nearly three decades until his wife, upon discovering his hidden spellbooks, exposed him. Enraged, Mokmurian killed her, but before he could cover his crime, the elders of his tribe uncovered the truth. As punishment, they burned his books and exiled him into the wilderness.  

The Vale of the Black Tower and Alliance with Valthyros

  Banished and alone, Mokmurian wandered the Storval Plateau, hunted by his own kin. Seeking refuge, he entered the **Vale of the Black Tower**, an ancient and haunted Thassilonian ruin that most giants feared. Within its depths, he found an ancient library filled with forgotten knowledge.   It was here that Mokmurian encountered **Valthyros the Eternal**, a vampire lord ruling over the vale. Valthyros saw potential in Mokmurian, subtly manipulating the exiled giant’s hatred for his former tribe and feeding his hunger for power. While Mokmurian never fully trusted the vampire, he saw him as a source of knowledge and a means to grow stronger. Over time, Mokmurian used the vale’s library to further his studies in wizardry while keeping a close eye on Valthyros and his undead warriors, the **Black Swords**.  

Betrayal and Rise to Power

  Mokmurian’s fate changed when he was contacted by **Karzoug, the Runelord of Greed**, an ancient tyrant of Thassilon who had been trapped in a magical slumber for over ten thousand years. Using his scrying artifacts, Karzoug saw potential in Mokmurian and promised him vast power in exchange for servitude. Mokmurian, ever ambitious, agreed.   Karzoug’s first command was to establish contact with **Lord Blackmoor**, a human warlord who had discovered an old Thassilonian laboratory in the valley. Mokmurian approached Blackmoor under Karzoug’s guidance, claiming that his memories had led him to a powerful weapons cache known as **Deathwing**. Blackmoor, lured by the promise of greater power, retrieved Deathwing and used its arsenal to slay Valthyros and take control of the vale.   Mokmurian, relieved to be free of the vampire’s influence, allied with Blackmoor while keeping his true loyalty to Karzoug. Over the years, he continued his mission to harvest souls for Karzoug, using Blackmoor’s conquests to further his master’s return.  

The Creation of Jorgenfist

  Mokmurian eventually returned to the **Valley of the Black Tower** and founded **Jorgenfist**, a massive fortress built atop Thassilonian ruins. With Karzoug’s guidance, he united several stone giant tribes under his banner, convincing them to reclaim their lost heritage and overthrow the “insect-like” humans of Varisia. Young, ambitious giants rallied to his call, while the older, more traditional elders were too slow to stop him. Mokmurian’s army swelled with not only giants, but also ogres, trolls, and ettins.   To further his master’s plans, he branded his followers with the **Sihedron Rune**, ensuring that even in death, their souls would fuel Karzoug’s return. He also maintained an uneasy alliance with Blackmoor, who had grown increasingly obsessed with **theyrium**, a corrupting magical substance. Though suspicious of its effects, Mokmurian saw it as a tool to manipulate Blackmoor.   During this time, he also orchestrated the corruption of **Dilay, Princess of Laterre**, after Blackmoor nearly killed her. Mokmurian secretly saved her, outfitting her with theyrium-infused artifacts to turn her into a weapon against Blackmoor. Whether she succeeded or failed, her soul would be another offering to Karzoug.  

Defeat at Jorgenfist

  Mokmurian’s reign came to an end when the Saviors of Sandpoint, a band of legendary adventurers, infiltrated Jorgenfist. Though expecting their arrival, Mokmurian’s arrogance proved his downfall. He engaged the heroes in battle, using powerful magic while attempting to break their defenses. However, he was systematically countered.   In the final moments, Mokmurian attempted to petrify Quilith, using the Sihedron Shard of Greed to amplify the spell. However, Quilith resisted and retaliated with a Cone of Cold, severely wounding the giant. Refusing to let himself be slain by a smallfolk, Mokmurian activated a magical failsafe, partially obliterating his own head.   As he lay dying, Karzoug took control of his body, speaking directly to the heroes through his fallen servant. The Runelord mocked their efforts, declaring that if they were the best opposition after ten thousand years, his return would be unchallenged. Before vanishing, Karzoug erased the Sihedron Shard from Mokmurian’s bracer, as though it had never been there. With that, Mokmurian’s body fell lifeless to the ground.  

Legacy

  Mokmurian’s death marked the beginning of Karzoug’s final attempts to fully return to the world. His fortress, Jorgenfist, was left abandoned, and his army of giants fractured without his leadership. Though his dreams of conquest were never realized, his actions set into motion events that would change the fate of Varisia forever.   His name remains infamous among giants and scholars alike—an outcast who sought power beyond his station, only to become a pawn in the grander schemes of a true tyrant.