Kurtulmak, The Horned Sorcerer

> "*No one likes Kurtulmak*"
> ― Hruggek
>
>

**Kurtulmak** **Stingtail** **Gnomesmasher**, **The Horned Sorcerer**, is the God of Kobolds. He also holds the domains of mining and cunning, and stole the domain of sorcery from a Dragon-God during the Draco Holy Wars. Much like his people, Kurtulmak is evil and vindictive, despising most others for the way they supposedly look down upon him. In turn there are few who like Kurtulmak, aside his own kobold followers, who exalt their god for his like-mindedness to their plight. He seeks nothing else but the supremacy of kobolds, not caring for what means or consequences might arise from this goal. He serves both Gruumsh and Tiamat, making himself appear weak and servile while plotting his own rise to power. While there are seldom gods in good standing with Kurtulmak, his arch-nemesis is Garl Glittergold, who Kurtulmak (rightly) blames for the failure of the kobolds' plan to decisively win the Dawn War in their favor. The defeat of the kobolds by the gnomes has led to Kurtulmak's lifelong hatred for their race, a sentiment universally shared by his followers.

### The Psion's Night

As a member of the Warbands of Gruumsh, Kurtulmak participated in the invasion of Bane's Hand when the War God was betrayed by Maglubiyet, aided by the Sovereignty of Amoth. When the Sovereignty and Gruumsh himself turned their eyes to the Feywild, Kurtulmak remained in Chernoggar to consolidate their control over the newly conquered territory. On a more personal level, the Horned Sorcerer wished to plunder Bane's secrets for his own gain while the others were distracted.

Kurtulmak stationed his army in the occupied Citadel of Woe, commanded by Gaknulak, The Trapmaster. He is still there, investigating the Citadel for the Black-Chosen's armaments', at the time The Afterparty arrived. Kurtulmak seems unconcerned with The Afterparty's false alarm indicating that The Black General approached with an army. He merely dispatched Gaknulak with his forces, more keen on capturing the General to interrogate than anything else.

Kurtulmak quickly noticed the Afterparty's presence (due to a mechanical misshap by Raz) and moved to attack them. Delighted by their apparent misunderstanding of the severity of their situation, Kurtulmak toyed with his prey before moving in for the kill. However, in this time Kin Diety and Aisu Kurimu succeeded in waylaying the attack by promising Kurtulmak information on the weakness of his hated enemy Garl Glittergold.

Although under orders from I'Llazar to kill the Afterparty, Kurtulmak could not pass up the opportunity and teleported the group into the Citadel's Warden Chamber. Plans already changing, he foresaw using the individuals that the Prophet so feared for his own aims. Yet as Aisu began to relay the secrets to Garl's defeat through fey machination, he secretly sent out a plea for help through his pact with Great Gark. Thus before the information could be completely transferred, Hruugek, Guardian of Nahkter and God of Bugbears, intervened. As the lord of ambush, Hruugek caught Kurtulmak off guard and launched the kobold god into the side of Mount Dolor. As The Hunter gave chase, the two began a GODFIGHT in earnest.

During the battle, Kurtulmak channeled his arcane sorceries to conjure the body of a massive green draconic serpent, blasting the mountainside with chromatic energy. Despite this, Hruugek was able to match the Horned Sorcerer and distract him long enough for the Afterparty to escape the Citadel before slipping away himself.