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 w