Moriok

Moriok. Art by Wayne England and Puddnhead.

The Moriok are a human ethnic group who live in the Mephidross swamps of Mirrodin. Most Moriok dwell in Ish Sah, but some live as scavengers in the muck of the Dross in search of the treasures hidden in its midst. The evil magic of the Necrogen mists affects their brains, exacerbating their natural human tendencies toward hate, aggression, and greed. The Moriok revere the black moon of Mirrodin, calling it the Whisperer, and believe that it grants power to those who can listen.

Description

Moriok tend to have pale, unhealthy-looking complexions due to the hostile environment of the Dross, and some even have patches of skin and flesh missing, giving them a cadaverous appearance. Their hair is dark and stringy. Like all lifeforms on Mirrodin, pieces of metal (presumably lead) poke through their skin in many places, though not as much as the Vulshok or Auriok. The most alarming feature of the Moriok is the black metal plate that grows across their eyes, making them blind. Moriok dress is usually dark and somber.

After the Vanishing, the Moriok found themselves targeted by Nim aggression. The Nim Onslaught decimated the Moriok so that they became an easy target for the new Phyrexians. Once Mirrodin became New Phyrexia, the Moriok were the first human race to become nearly-extinct, most of the only individuals remaining being the compleated ones, which were rendered slaves, without eyes or free will. A tiny minority have joined the Mirran Resistance.

Tribes of the Moriok

To survive in the treacherous mephidross, the moriok have banded together to form small clans.

• The Disciples of Geth, the most influential, centered around Ish Sah
• The Ghost Maw Clan, servants to a coven of vampires referred to as the Bleak Coven
• The Black Blood Clan, who eat the sludge of the Glistening Duns in order to stave off the effects of Necrogen, becoming mad with hunger
• The Gray Ladies Clan, a matriarchal clan that trades away its sons to undead and similar flesh-eaters for more power
• The Veiled Eye Clan, who blind themselves to gain a "greater vision"

Notable Moriok

• Geth, lord of Ish Sah.
• Mayvar, minion of Geth.