Zurgo
Zurgo is a vicious Mardu orc from Tarkir. Description Zurgo appears to be left-handed.
Zurgo is a vicious Mardu orc from Tarkir.
Description
Zurgo appears to be left-handed.
History
Original timeline
As Khan Zurgo Helmsmasher, he had a vendetta against Sarkhan Vol who, as a Mardu general, sacrificed all his men when he ascended as a planeswalker. When he learned that the former had returned to Tarkir and had been seen in Temur lands, Zurgo mobilized the horde to hunt Sarkhan down. When he pushed into the hostile territory and the Temur used their superior knowledge of the area to give the Mardu heavy losses, more and more of his warriors came to doubt him and his leadership qualities. Zurgo was able to kill the first challenger to his rank, but the rest of the horde deserted him afterward under the command of his former second, Varuk. Left alone, Zurgo realized that he would only find reacceptance in the clan when he killed Sarkhan. He reached Ugin's Nexus and killed Narset, but Sarkhan was able to flee into the past.
Alternate timeline
In the new timeline, he rings the bell signaling the other dragons, and has no memory of Sarkhan Vol ever existing. He is also reduced to being frequently threatened and harassed by the dragons, much to the shock of even planeswalkers such as Sarkhan.
Phyrexian Invasion
Though he had been harassed and beset by dragons throughout his life, Zurgo was the first to understand that dragons and non-dragons would not be able to survive without each other's help and would have to work together if they were to save Tarkir. Swallowing all his bitterness and pride, he approached the one dragonlord he thought would be the most likely to listen to reason: Ojutai. With the dragons' numbers decimated by the invaders, Ojutai agreed. Together, the partnership of dragonlord and despised outcast set an example that others soon followed, leading to unprecedented cooperation between dragons and their scions.
Rebellion
Formerly Zurgo Bellstriker, the orc warrior accepted his lot and position within Kolaghan's brood, where he struck the bell that would signal attacks. From his position, he was able to watch as other brood members lived and died for little more than satisfying Kolaghan's fury. When the Phyrexians came, Kolaghan's brood was a reckless and disorganized swarm that threw themselves at the invading force. A chance encounter with Dragonlord Ojutai led to a relucent and temporary alliance, the two agreeing to work together to drive out the Phyrexians.
From Ojutai, Zurgo observed the value of coordinated effort and, in turn, directed the disconnected Kolaghan warriors into a unified army and enabled them to survive the attack. The massive losses of dragons and non-dragons alike ignited the flames of rebellion within Zurgo as he sought meaning beyond perpetual battles and craved another way for the people of the brood to thrive. After the fall of Kolaghan, Zurgo Stormrender now leads the Mardu as khan, commanding the most fearsome and organized army on Tarkir. Tempered from his battles and his losses, his primary objective is to solidify a future for the Mardu. Anything that seems harmful to the Mardu or the tenuous peace they have is met with force—swift and violent. However, he is willing to consider new ideas and collaborate with dragons and clans they might not have otherwise to ensure the longevity and prosperity of the clan.