Orcus
Orcus, the Demon Prince of Undeath, is a powerful demonic entity whose influence threatens Mechanus and places Jaruul at the centre of a conflict stretching far beyond the material plane.
The Fall of Primus
Orcus defeated Primus, the supreme authority of Mechanus, the plane of absolute law and order. The assault shattered Primus’s essence, fragmenting it into shards that scattered across the planes. In a final act of preservation, Primus sent these shards outward to find capable bodies — individuals who might serve as vessels to restore order.
Connection to Jaruul
Jaruul carries both a shard of Primus and a fragment of the Wand of Orcus — a stone found in the Beholder’s lair beneath Nicodranas. Theros identified the stone as a piece of the Wand of Orcus, noting it affects the weak-willed.
High Priest Dorn Velmor recognized this dangerous duality within Jaruul, identifying the influence of both Orcus and Primus.
The Dark Vision
Jaruul experienced a vision of himself becoming the destroyer of Mechanus, twisted under Orcus’s influence:
“As it was written. The hollow one fills the void.”
The vision suggests that the shard of Primus meant to restore order could, if corrupted, be turned into a weapon against the very plane it was meant to save.
Servants of Orcus
- A defeated enemy warned Jaruul: “Orcus and his servants will get you”
- A woman and her mule — encountered on the road — turned out to be Bodaks and a Shoosuva, servants of Orcus searching for the stone fragment Jaruul carries
Current Status
The tension between Primus’s purpose and Orcus’s designs places Jaruul at the centre of a planar conflict. Orcus’s agents have already sought out the stone fragment, and Jaruul’s vision suggests the corruption is an active and growing threat.
Connections
- Mechanus and Primus — Orcus defeated Primus and shattered his essence
- Jaruul — Carries both a shard of Primus and a piece of the Wand of Orcus
- High Priest Dorn Velmor — Identified the dual influence within Jaruul
- Theros — Identified the Wand of Orcus shard
- Nicodranas — The stone fragment was found in the Beholder’s lair beneath the city
- Chalice of Souls — Jaruul attuned to this item, which may relate to his dual burden