| Category | Higher Powers |
| Power | Minor |
| World | Avernus |
| Race | Kobold |
| Gender | male |
| Alignment | lawful evil |
| Symbol | |
| Domain | Evil, Luck, Trickery |
| Enemies | Garl Glittergold |
| Born | 28 Hollow 1425 DE |
| Godhood |
The Creation War (1486 DE - 8777 DE) saw Kurtulmak's tactics deeply disturb Garl Glittergold, prompting them to wage war against each other repeatedly. This personal rivalry persisted through the Demon Spawn War and continues to this day, with kobolds and gnomes often embroiled in bitter enmity across the mortal realms.
The most revered kobold legend recounts the origin and ascension of Kurtulmak. Though the specifics of the tale differ across tribes, a widely circulated account is detailed below.
When Bruh Kreniik imparted the secret of creation to the true dragons, the initial dragon to exercise that ritual was Caesinsjach, a green dragon. The inaugural kobold to materialize from her blood was Kurtulmak.
From the outset, Kurtulmak greatly surpassed his kin in size. Consequently, Caesinsjach invariably directed her kobolds through Kurtulmak. This circumstance enabled the imposing kobold to seamlessly assume a role of authority.
When Caesinsjach commanded the kobolds to extract precious metals, Kurtulmak invented a pick-axe. Upon Caesinsjach's order for the kobolds to tile her lair with gold, Kurtulmak minted the inaugural draconic coin. Thereafter, when Caesinsjach instructed the kobolds to mine precious stones, Kurtulmak acquired sorcerous abilities and mastered the divination of mineral deposits.
When Caesinsjach's lair was finally constructed, replete with platinum, brimming with gold, and shimmering with gemstones, she had attained the status of the wealthiest true dragon in existence. With no further need for mortal attendants, she liberated the kobolds from their obligations, empowering them to embrace their own fate.
In emulation of his former mistress, Kurtulmak promptly commenced excavating a lair of his own. While he never requested any assistance in this undertaking, he nonetheless received it, aided by every kobold with whom he had toiled alongside for the preceding several decades.
Kurtulmak located a site in the earth where a nearly limitless supply of metal ore and precious stones awaited excavation. Once properly unearthed, a discovery of this magnitude could sustain the kobolds for millennia and serve as the bedrock of their civilization. With Kurtulmak overseeing the operation, it swiftly became the most structurally sound and resourcefully designed mine the world had ever witnessed. Kurtulmak christened it Darastrixhurthi, a fortress fit for dragons. Nothing could rival its splendor. Yet Garl Glittergold was displeased. He gazed upon Darastrixhurthi and beheld the marvel Kurtulmak and his followers had created, surpassing any achievement his own people had mastered during the same period.
While the gnomes were engaged in frivolous pastimes, the kobolds had been diligently toiling and were now poised to rise as one of the preeminent races in the world. And so, with a casual flick of his wrist, Garl caused Kurtulmak's mine to crumble, entombing all the kobolds within.
The gods were aghast and demanded an explanation from Garl, who could only stammer that his actions were intended as a jest, as if that could somehow justify the merciless slaughter he had perpetrated. Garl had acted out of malice and, even more humiliating for the gnome deity, envy over mortal achievement. And yet, despite all the reprimands Garl received from his peers, not a single divinity stepped forward to undo the harm inflicted, leaving the offense unaddressed.
Then Bruh Kreniik acted on behalf of Kurtulmak. Upon realizing that no deity would champion the kobolds, he searched through the souls of those who had perished that day until he found Kurtulmak's broken form, still clinging to life. Even buried beneath the weight of so much rubble, Kurtulmak refused to give up on his people, unwilling to relinquish his mortal existence until he could muster the strength to dig them all out. Bruh Kreniik presented Kurtulmak with a choice: he could either empower the kobold with the vigor to rebuild the mine, or he could make the mighty creature a champion of his people for all eternity. In the latter case, the loss of Darastrixhurthi would remain, but the memory of the events would endure in the minds of kobolds forevermore, ensuring that such atrocities would never again be overlooked.
Kurtulmak reached his conclusion, and owing to that choice, this narrative can still be recounted at present[1]
In the Demon Spawn War, Kurtulmak aligned himself with Orcus and Tiamat. Forced to choose between the two, he selected Orcus. This decision sparked a conflict that culminated in the annihilation of one of his armies in the northern hills of Krein Jusk. These hills are now known as Hergu'loon, named in commemoration of Kurtulmak's decimated kobold forces.
Kurtulmak resides on the charred realm Avernus. This domain also serves as the abode of his longstanding adversary, Tiamat. The two collaborate when compelled to do so by Asmodeus, yet otherwise engage in an unrelenting conflict. If demons are present, they will eliminate them before turning their attention to each other. The rigid hierarchy of the Hells dictates that a single leader govern each realm. Currently, Tiamat holds the position of Overlord of Avernus, though Kurtulmak has claimed dominion over this domain on multiple occasions in the past. Kurtulmak reigns over the Draukari continent.
| Core Worship | Proselytizers |
|---|---|
| Ashmerthoon | Tinvaakin Kurtulmak |
| Yastorogg |
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