Krug are primitive humanoids native to the lands of Ehb and the Utraean Peninsula. Although they have been around for as long as anyone can remember, they don't seem to possess the intelligence to develop on their own, often resorting to theft in order to get their hands on tools and weapons created by more intelligent races. The Krug are extinct, with only one individual who is mistaken for a Krug appearing in Dungeon Siege III.
This is the description of the Krug according to the Microsoft Games Website[1]
- "For as long as anyone can remember, there have been Krug. They peer from the darkness gaping at our mastery of fire, terrified by our magic - their minds too dim to grasp what is common sense to a child. If not for the forbearance and mercy of other races, the Krug might long ago have become extinct. Although not inherently evil, the Krug all too often are used as tools of darkness in exchange for power they cannot acquire on their own."
- ―Narrator
History[]
No one in Ehb seems to remember a time when there wasn't some kind of krug presence in their lands. It is a miracle that the krug have survived for so long, and it is probably the mercy of more intelligent races that has seen them through to the modern era, as they seemingly need to be shown how to use even the crudest of tools and most basic of spells by others.
Although not evil by nature, the krug have a long history of being used by nefarious plotters as easily disposable mercenary troops, bribing them with knowledge that they are too stupid to acquire on their own. This is exactly what happened during the events of Dungeon Siege, when Commander Gresh persuaded the krug to raid the farmlands around Stonebridge and the Glitterdelve.
Tribal Hierarchy[]
Dungeon Siege I Krug Concept Art
Even though they are such shockingly primitive creatures, the krug do have what could be called a caste system, mostly divided between the soldiers, shamans, and warlords.
The lowest of the low are the scavengers, primitives who are sent into battle with next to nothing, fighting with anything they can find laying around; this could be due to their inexperience in the field. A little higher on the totem pole are the scouts, who are much the same as scavengers in terms of equipment. Scouts seem to make up the majority of krug forces, usually using speed and superior numbers to overwhelm foes, thus making up for their complete lack of adequate gear.
What could be called the 'standard soldiers' of the krug would consist of the grunts and the chuckers. Grunts are tougher than most krug, and their armor and weaponry speak to that. Meanwhile, chuckers are the artillery of the krug army, although the term means little more than that these krug throw stones at their enemies. Nonetheless, even small stones can be deadly when tossed in great enough numbers.
Krug raiders and guards can be seen as the veteran and elite soldiers of the krug army, with the Commanders being the only members of the warrior caste higher than them. These heavily-armored and cutter-wielding krug have proven themselves many times in battle, as they are far more powerful than any other, taking the best loot for themselves.
The shamans and their apprentices hold a different role in krug society from the warrior caste. Quite possibly revered by the lower members of their tribes, these krug often wear more intricate pieces of clothing, and wield magic, including the black art of necromancy. While Commanders are probably wartime commanders, shamans will lead small krug bands in their day-to-day affairs.
The krug also seem to have domesticated animals to some degree, as they are often accompanied by nasty creatures known as 'Krug Dogs'. They are also known to capture and keep phrak.
Types of Krug[]
Notable Krug[]
Dungeon Siege III[]
The Magical Guardian from the Gunderic Manor mentions that the Krug are now extinct.
There is an ugly human NPC in the jail in Stonebridge who resembles and is mistaken for a Krug.
In the name of the King[]
In the movie In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale, the Krug appear to be larger and more cannibalistic than their game counterparts. They cause serious havoc for the Farmer during the movie.
This version apparently was heavily influenced by Orcs from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, displaying prowess in tool-making and under guidance/leadership of the main villain with tremendous magical power where in this case, a dark sorcerer named Gallian. That seemed to be a recent development, as reports of such development left officials of The Kingdom of Ehb puzzled and Duke Fallow ridiculed them, though it's revealed he had a hand in it as much as Gallian himself.
Trivia[]
- Krug is German for "pitcher."
Gallery[]
