Beltron
King of the Shades, ruling from Frostcrypt.
Overview
Drawn from The First Shades of Zek Vol. I — in-game book.EQ1Primary · official · best available source
The First Shades of Zek Vol. I
As the war on the Plane of Earth ended, King Beltron Wulfnor began to lose his grip on life, foregoing the comforts of his palatial fineries in Valdeholm, he spent his last hours in Krithgor. He wanted to spend his last moments near his giants and all the Rallosians who served in the war. He had lived a full life and seen much and was ready to give his flesh and spirit to Rallos Zek and pass the throne down to his son, Odeen.
After spending many hours behind closed doors with his son, the loreseekers were brought to prepare Beltron for his final breath and to secure safe passage into the afterlife. The giants believed that upon death, they would live once again as warriors at their maker's side. They never feared death because of the honor it would bring them -- to stand next to their warlord, Rallos Zek, was something many giants looked forward to.
Finally, Beltron's last breath escaped. Odeen removed the crown and placed it on his head as the loreseekers blessed him with all the strength and courage of his father. Then the body was prepared for the procession into the House Wulfnor chamber of the Frostcrypt.
Thousands of giants made the march from Krithgor to Valdeholm, the great giant city to the north. Their heads held high, proud that their king would be standing with his god, they marched for hours chanting a war prayer created by the first king of the giants, King Harfange the Black, who was said to have been given it by Rallos Zek himself.
Svard dor istadd Alska kerdu vargadrum Ayx! Ayx!
And so the giants marched, shaking the hillsides with their booming voices until they reached the frozen Flateye Lake. From here, only the loreseekers and nobles were allowed to continue into the barrow chiseled beneath the icy lake. From the walls of Valdeholm above, the giants all watched as the loreseekers flawlessly rearranged themselves in a formation to march single file into the crypt. [See Volume II for more]
Official Lore
6Collected official lore pieces, from in-game and out.
The First Shades of Zek
The First Shades of Zek Vol. II The procession carried the body of King Beltron into the crypt and disappeared from view. The burial rites were well progressing as they normally did when a king died. Many words and blessings, incantations and prayers. Then it happened. Only one survivor, Loreseeker Yrgar (it was his quill that was found in the Serpent Spine M…
Read the full sourceLetter to Odeen Wulnor, King of the Krithgor
Letter to Odeen Wulnor, King of the Krithgor As translated by Librarian Hemfar: Dear Odeen, My son. My heir. The hour of my passage into the void grows ever nearer. I have high hopes for the afterlife. Never fret or weep for me, but do learn something from my years as King Beltron Wulfnor of Krithgor.
Read the full sourceTSSArtifactBook21
The Founding of the Wraithguard The Krithgor giants hold the greatest regard for their ancestors and heroes, a fact which made Rallos Zek's curse upon them so painful. In the blink of an eye, the majority of the Krithgor heroes were slain and turned to Shades of Zek when King Beltron Wulfnor rose from death to became the first Shade.
Read the full sourceWar for Earth: The Passing of an Empire Vol. IV
War for Earth: The Passing of an Empire Vol. IV Diary of High Lorekeeper Baeldon --The Aftermath-- After the war was lost the curse of the gods was revealed. We watched as those of our kin that had heeded the call of our god turned to simple beasts.
Read the full sourceLineage of Krithgor Vol. IV
Lineage of Krithgor Vol. IV Lineage of Kings House of Harfange the Black - six generations* i. Harfange Gorod * Pet - Woijuh, Harfange's wolf companion during battle ii. Edmuund iii. Aelfgir, the Cruel iv. Thurkill - died at a young age, Egbert the Lighthand, took the throne v. Holfdan vi. Haruld, the Young *Died in his early years.
Read the full sourceSuspicion of a Krithgor Noble
Suspicion of a Krithgor Noble Librarian Hemfar's Notations of the Wulfnor Gem: As I read the crown gem, it became evident that an enchantment exists upon it that might obscure my vision of its past. That said the core of it does not appear to be betraying me. The visions are clear. It is worth remarking this artifact for cultural significance.
Read the full sourceFurther sources
1Lore that mentions this in passing.
Community articles
1Fan-written encyclopedia entries — useful overviews, lower authority than the primary sources above.