Muranog

Muranog, the sable Master of Signs, was an eight foot tall Olog possessed of a commanding literacy. He read and created symbols and runes, and served as the Balrog's high scribe. His creations guarded the walls throughout the mighty Demon's inner sanctum. Adept at politics and enamored of all forms of intrigue and deceit, he wielded more power than any of the other court favorites. Muranog wore a rigid, Mumak-hide breastplate and carried a great black-steel flail, which he called "Orcreaper." A bag of thirty coarsely-rounded iron balls, each weighing about eighteen pounds, hung from his belt. He casted the balls as missiles, juggling them before battle as a display of disdain for his enemies.

Muranog was probably one of the cleverest Trolls ever to shun the sun. Over the years, he had taught himself to read, a rare deed among the Tereg. Of course, his reasons for educating himself were entirely self-serving. Muranog was the Balrog's most trusted servant, and when the Valarauko was destroyed by Gandalf, the Troll was temporarily at a loss. He considered seizing Moria for himself. When he saw the vast, chaotic forces arrayed against him, he decided instead to team up with someone he thought a likely candidate for the lordship of Khazad-dum. As it turned out, that creature was Ufgamog. Although Muranog had endured much abuse at Ufgamog's hands, the sly Troll-lord successfully placed his dimwitted master on the old Balrog's throne. When the Umagaur the Troll-king arrived, Muranog was plotting to slay Ufgamog and take the reins of power himself. With the arrival of his new master, though, he prudently decided to bide his time until he could fully explore the ramifications of the Umagaur's claim. Still, Muranog had no doubt that he would someday control all of Moria. It was just a matter of time before Ufgamog erred badly enough to draw the full fury of the Troll-king's wrath down on his head. When he did so, Muranog would be present, ready to step into his place.

References[]

MERP:Lords of Middle-earth Vol III: Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls
MERP:Moria (Citadel)
MERP:Moria - The Dwarven City