Who Killed Myrkul, Lord of Bones? A Deep Dive into the Deaths of a Death God

The question of who killed Myrkul, the Lord of Bones and God of Death, isn’t as simple as it seems. He’s died multiple times! The answer depends entirely on which iteration and which specific event you’re referring to. The most commonly cited death, and perhaps the most significant, involves Mystra during the Time of Troubles. However, Myrkul’s story is riddled with resurrections, power struggles, and betrayals. Therefore, we will break down the incidents in which Myrkul suffered defeat.

Myrkul’s First “Death”: The Time of Troubles

During the tumultuous Time of Troubles in 1358 DR, when the gods were cast down to Toril, Myrkul met his apparent end. It’s crucial to understand the context: the gods were forced to walk the mortal realm, stripped of much of their divine power. In the skies over Waterdeep, Myrkul faced off against Mystra, the Goddess of Magic. In this duel, Mystra utterly destroyed Myrkul with a powerful spell. This disintegration of Myrkul’s avatar was a devastating blow, but it didn’t necessarily mean permanent oblivion. The magical energies released formed the Eye of Myrkul, a potent magical event.

Cyric’s Ascension and Kelemvor’s Death

After Myrkul’s “death” at Mystra’s hand, the mantle of the god of death was up for grabs. The mortal Cyric, wielding the sentient sword Godsbane (an avatar of Mask, the god of thieves), seized the opportunity. In a final confrontation on top of Blackstaff Tower, Cyric used Godsbane to kill Kelemvor. With Kelemvor’s death, Cyric ascended to godhood, taking over Myrkul’s former domain as the god of death, albeit briefly. Cyric’s reign was chaotic and short-lived, but it profoundly impacted the cosmology of death in Faerûn.

Myrkul’s Resurrections and BG3

This is where things get even more complex. Myrkul has been resurrected and reformed multiple times in the lore.

• The Second Sundering: During the Second Sundering, many previously dead deities were brought back, including Myrkul. However, he was not restored to his full, independent power.

• Service to Kelemvor: Myrkul was forced to serve Kelemvor, who had become the God of the Dead after Cyric’s fall from grace. This was a significant demotion for the Lord of Bones.

• Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3): In Baldur’s Gate 3, Myrkul plays a significant role through his Chosen, Ketheric Thorm. Ketheric, empowered by the Testament of Myrkul, attempts to unleash the Netherbrain upon Baldur’s Gate. While not directly appearing as a god, Myrkul’s influence is felt through Ketheric, the undead armies, and the aura of death and decay. The player characters, depending on their choices, have the opportunity to defeat Ketheric Thorm and ultimately end Myrkul’s scheme, banishing his influence, once again.

The True Death?

So, did anyone truly kill Myrkul? It is less about the method of killing and more about breaking his power and will over Faerûn, and returning the natural order of the Fugue Plane.

• The End of BG3 Campaign: In BG3, the players may decide to end his influence for now, however, the status of Myrkul at the end of Baldur’s Gate 3 is ambiguous. However, he does seem to be weakened, perhaps even “killed,” in a way that is perhaps more permanent than previous defeats, but the intricate and cyclical nature of the D&D cosmology means that even this might not be the end.

Conclusion

In short, the deity Myrkul has faced death multiple times, including at the hands of Mystra and (indirectly) the players in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each “death” serves as a plot point for the ongoing story that is D&D and the Forgotten Realms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Myrkul dead in D&D?

Not definitively. Myrkul has been “killed” multiple times, but his essence tends to linger, allowing him to be resurrected or exert influence through his followers. The most recent appearances suggest a weakened but not entirely absent presence.

2. Who is the chosen of Myrkul the god of death?

Ketheric Thorm is revealed to be Myrkul’s Chosen in Baldur’s Gate 3. He wields the Testament of Myrkul and commands undead forces in Myrkul’s name.

3. What is the Eye of Myrkul?

The Eye of Myrkul is a magical phenomenon created during Myrkul’s death at the hands of Mystra. It manifests as a celestial event and has the power to raise structures and amplify undead energies.

4. Who is the god of death now?

Kelemvor is currently the God of Death in the Forgotten Realms. He replaced Cyric, who had briefly taken over the role after killing Kelemvor (who was then mortal).

5. What are Myrkul’s domains?

Myrkul’s domains include death, decay, the dead, undeath, and secrets.

6. Who are the enemies of Myrkul?

Myrkul’s enemies are numerous, primarily those who oppose death and undeath. These include deities like Chauntea, Lathander, Mielikki, and, of course, Kelemvor.

7. What is the Testament of Myrkul?

The Testament of Myrkul is a powerful Netherese artifact that serves as a conduit for Myrkul’s power. It is wielded by his Chosen, Ketheric Thorm, in Baldur’s Gate 3.

8. How did Myrkul become a god?

Myrkul was originally a mortal who, along with Bane and Bhaal, competed for the divine portfolios left vacant by Jergal, who was weary of his duties. They divided the portfolios amongst themselves, with Myrkul becoming the God of Death.

9. Who killed Kelemvor?

Kelemvor was killed by the mortal Cyric wielding the sword Godsbane, before Cyric himself became the god of death.

10. Does Kelemvor hate undead?

Kelemvor has a strong aversion to undead, especially those created through choice, such as liches. He sees them as an abomination against the natural order.

11. Who is the god of necromancy?

Velsharoon is the Faerûnian demigod of necromancy, patron of liches, and those who explore undeath.

12. Was Myrkul a mortal?

Yes, Myrkul was originally a mortal. This sets him apart from many other deities in the D&D pantheon.

13. What happened to Myrkul during the Second Sundering?

During the Second Sundering, Myrkul was resurrected but forced to serve Kelemvor as Lord of the Dead, a significant decrease in status compared to his previous independent reign.

14. What is Godsbane?

Godsbane is a sentient sword, an avatar of the god Mask, used by Cyric to kill Kelemvor and ascend to godhood.

15. Where can I learn more about D&D lore and its impact on game design?

You can explore the Games Learning Society website, https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, for resources on game-based learning and the educational applications of games like Dungeons & Dragons. The work they do highlights the value of storytelling and collaborative problem-solving which are so prominent in the world of D&D.