Kurtulmak

Kurtulmak was the patron deity of the kobolds; they believed he gave them life and taught them how to survive by stealing, looting, and pillaging. Kobolds often had to compete with gnomes for living space, which fueled an eternal conflict between the races. Kurtulmak was always enraged that the more militarily organized and competent gnomes won most of these clashes over territory. Kobolds that contribute to the survival of their tribe were said to be reincarnated by their deity into one of the eggs in the tribe's hatchery. "By the point of Kurtulmak's spear and the tip of his poisonous tail, I will see every member of your family perish."

- A kobold prayer.

Relationships
Kurtulmak was the sworn enemy of Garl Glittergold and the other gnome gods. He was also a sworn enemy of the urd god Kuraulyek, and he was elevated to divinity by the dragon god Asgorath.

History
Kurtulmak is mentioned in the Treatise Historical of the Dragon Tyrants, where he is called the first kobold & first of the dragonspawn. According to the document, around, Kurtulmak was leader of the kobold nation Darastrixhurthi, a vassal-state in service to his creator, the green dragon Caesinsjach. When the kobolds began enslaving the newly created gnomes & stealing the gemstones that contained their unborn souls, Garl Glittergold intervened by collapsing the mountain Darastrixhurthi was built in (this collapsed mountain eventually became known as the Shadow Sea in Netheril).

Most of the kobolds died, including Kurtulmak, & most of the survivors were killed by Caesinsjach herself, who had been driven mad by the first Rage of Dragons. The dragonwrought kobold Kuraulyek had been ordered to watch for the returning Caesinsjach so that he could warn his people, but instead he escaped with his urds, settling in what would become known as the Thunder Peaks.

The dragon god Asgorath tried making amends for the destruction his children created by raising Kurtulmak to divinity. The newly reborn kobold deity saw Kuraulyek as a traitor & vowed revenge but Asgorath deified him as well so that the remaining survivors of both dragonspawn races, the kobolds & the urds, would have protectors to guide them.

This tale may be somewhat apocryphal, however, since other sources place the First Rage of Dragons five hundred years prior to the creation of the urds.

Ascension of Kurtulmak
Kurtulmak's rise to divinity is the most venerated legend in kobold society, though each tribe might differ slightly in telling it. It seems to confirm some of what was written in the Treatise Historical of the Dragon Tyrants, however, it is rather biased in favor of the kobolds & their deity, while making a caricature of their gnome enemies.

The legend says Kurtulmak was the first kobold, the largest of his race, & their leader. He obediently served his creator, the dragon Caesinsjach, & when she commanded her kobolds to mine the mountains & gather wealth for her, Kurtulmak invented the pickaxe, taught himself sorcery & minted gold coins in the image of his mistress.

Caesinsjach became the wealthiest dragon of all & in reward for his excellent service, she freed Kurtulmak & the rest of her kobold servants. They followed their heroic leader as he founded his own lair, dug the most advanced mine yet seen to uncover vast riches, & created a 'fortress fit for dragons' called Darastrixhurthi. Apparently the gnome deity Garl Glittergold was envious of the achievements the kobolds had made, which dwarfed those of his own people. Out of spite, he cruelly collapsed the kobold fortress, massacring them all.

The gods were furious but took no action against Garl, the trickster, who claimed it was all just a joke. Only the Ninefold Dragon, Asgorath took pity on the kobolds & sought restitution on their behalf. He saw that even buried by rubble, Kurtulmak still clung to life, the heroic kobold's soul still fought to free his people. So Asgorath gave Kurtulmak a choice, he could either return to life with the strength to rebuild his fortress, or he could step into divinity & become his peoples' hero for all time.


 * According to another legend, Garl Glittergold stole something from Tiamat's hoard, & Tiamat sent Kurtulmak to retrieve it. Unfortunately for the kobold, the trickster god lured Kurtulmak into a system of caves, which Garl escaped from & collapsed, leaving Kurtulmak trapped for eternity.
 * Another myth says Kurtulmak stole the gift of sorcery from a dragon deity to give to his people.

Appearances

 * Video games


 * Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn