Godherja Encyclopedia

Oulnir Gurdurbok (concept)

Oulnir Gurdurbok was a warlord in northern Mikros Kalathipsomi (now normally referred to as Gurdurbok for the vast empire he built) who reigned from 1227 IS to 1247 IS, just before the Sjalvolki Migrations through the Grey Gates.

While claiming Aversarian ancestry, Gurdurbok never produced evidence of this and held more common blood with the Sarridian mountain clans native to the Black Mountains, and his administration bore little similarities to the Aversarian one he overturned. Initially an Aversarian legionary, Gurdurbok would take the north after deserting with fellow clansmen from his Legion (Legio XVII 'Pathos'), and would control the north under the command of Demetros Iron-Spike.

When Iron-Spike was killed in the Vilnian Assault, Gurdurbok formally cut ties with Aversaria (in a very well written letter to Oraispol), and soon after began a war in the mountains with rebel Governor Methiad Dethlycan for control of the north. Gurdurbok was known for using freed slaves to do battle, and showed great cruelty to Aversarian settlers who resisted him. Despite this, and propaganda written by his rival Methiad showing him as a true barbarian, Gurdurbok was known for his great interest in literature, foreign theology, and the arts, and would often impress visiting emissaries by extensively debating these topics with them.

Gurdurbok met his end in 1247 IS with the arrival of Governor Legon Nicanoneus 'the Black Sun', child of the governor of Katraddia. Entering the region with his refugee army, Nicanoneus was routed around the eastern mountains after his defeat by Cenware 'Witch-Breaker' in the Mountain Gate War.

Nicanoneus would be courted by both sides in the Black Mountain War and would use forces from both Gurdurbok and his rival to score a victory against the Witch-Breaker in the Battle of Bergkoga, but would soon after be forced back north. Followed hotly by the Sjalvolki, Nicanoneus would blame his 'allies' for the defeat and deemed both too much of a liability for his cause. He would surprise and kill Gurdurbok in an assault on his estates, and then execute Governor Methiad and assume control of the north, ending the north's period of civil conflict.

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