Zurgo
| Zurgo | |
|---|---|
|
Zurgo Helmsmasher (Original Timeline) Zurgo Bellstriker Zurgo Stormrender | |
 | |
| Information | |
| Colors |
   |
| Species | Orc |
| Job | Warrior |
| Birth, Life & Death | |
| Birthplace | Tarkir |
| Lifetime | Mending Era |
| Family | |
| Relatives | Tersa (cousin) |
| Scryfall Statistics | |
Zurgo is a vicious orc from Tarkir who is the current Khan of the Mardu Horde and bound to the spirit dragon Neriv.
Description
Zurgo appears to be left-handed.[1]
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.[2][3] 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.[4] He reached the Tomb of the Spirit Dragon and killed Narset, but Sarkhan was able to flee through the Nexus of Fate into the past.[5]
Current timeline
At the start of the current timeline, he was known as Zurgo Bellstriker, a subject to the brood of the dragonlord Kolaghan. He struck the bell that would signal attacks from other dragons, and had no memory of Sarkhan Vol ever existing.[6] He was also reduced to being frequently threatened and harassed by the dragons. He watched as other brood members lived and died for little more than satisfying Kolaghan's fury.[7]
Phyrexian Invasion
When the Phyrexians came, Kolaghan's brood was a reckless and disorganized swarm that threw themselves at the invading force. 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.[7] Together, the partnership of dragonlord and despised outcast set an example that others soon followed, leading to unprecedented cooperation between dragons and their scions.[8]
Khan once more
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.[7] 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 by 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.[9]
During the Stormnexus Ritual, Zurgo called the spirit dragon Neriv into being, shaping their essence with his own beliefs.[10]
Gallery
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Zurgo in the original timeline. -
Zurgo under Kolaghan. -
Zurgo in the Tarkir: Dragonstorm trailer. -
Zurgo with Neriv. Magic: The Gathering Arena avatar.
Story appearances
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
- Quoted or referred to:
References
- ↑ Jay Annelli (February 5, 2024). "Left-only sword grip". Twitter.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast Twitter (@wizards_magic) (July 26, 2014). "The Mardu's Khan is Zorgo Helmsmasher"
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke-Wilkes (August 27, 2014). "The Madness of Sarkhan". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12.
- ↑ Tom LaPille (November 26, 2014). "Victory". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2014-11-28.
- ↑ Jennifer Clarke-Wilkes (December 10, 2014). "Journey to the Nexus". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2017-11-22.
- ↑ Kimberly J. Kreines (February 25, 2015). "A Tarkir of Dragons". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25.
- ↑ a b c Lauren Bond, DK Billins (April 2, 2025). "The Legends of Tarkir: Dragonstorm". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Emily Teng (April 13, 2023). "The Legendary Team-Ups of March of the Machine". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Wizards of the Coast (February 21, 2025). "The Preview Panel - MagicCon: Chicago 2025 (Video)". Magic: The Gathering. YouTube.
- ↑ Cassandra Khaw (March 3, 2025). "Tarkir: Dragonstorm - Episode 1: Stories and Their Bones". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
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