Greymaul Rebellion

Description

Among the stories of the Longbeards is that of the Greymaul Rebellion. In the First Age, Durin the Deathless left his halls to seek a safer home for his people than Gundabad, which was under continual threat from the servants of Morgoth. Durin would find what he sought far to the south, in what became Khazad-dûm. In his absence, he named Mótsog, his closest friend and a great warrior, Lord of Gundabad. Mótsog then led a revolt against Durin as leader of the Greymauls, building his own stronghold in Sundergrót. The Greymauls ruled Durin's holdings until Durin returned and put Mótsog to death in a battle in the heights of High Sundergrót.

The story now is a cautionary tale among the Longbeards, a warning that even one's closest friends might be tempted to treachery. A mosaic of the death of Mótsog can be found in Nabgûn-mazaru, in Erebor. ^{[14.0N, 136.3W]}

Gallery

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  Durin I bid Mótsog take care of Gundabad in his absence.
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  Using mithril, Mótsog forged seven grey mauls for himself and his closest advisors, and they became the Greymauls.
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  In Biriz-zahar, Mótsog joined with Orcs and trolls in opposition to his former friend Durin.
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  After ten years of war, Durin was captured and held hostage by the Greymauls.
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  Durin's wife Ragna the Fierce invaded Biriz-zahar through secret ways.
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  In the golden city, dwarf fought against dwarf, and against Orc.
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  Freed by his wife, Durin faced Mótsog on the terrace of Biriz-zahar, and the Greymaul Rebellion was ended.
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  Afterwards, Durin mourned the loss of life as he stood among the slain Greymauls.