Lourem Werthan

General

Lourem Werthan ['ɬu:ʁəm vɛɐ̯θan] is a half-Dragon and protagonist in the Iron Gate Saga. He is the son of Ceñua and thus one of the last Magotho. His only sibling is his twin brother Len.

Appareance

Unlike his brother Len, Lourem has a Dragon physique. His scale coloration is light green, not black like many Magotho's. His eyes are also green. Being a half-Dragon has caused him to have a growth disorder. At the age of 24 he is about the size of a Steller's sea eagle. His size gives him certain advantages, for example during flight manoeuvres.

Personality

His small size burdens Lourem. Since Dragons also settle social conflicts and tensions through fights, he had to learn early on to avoid such situations or to solve them differently. Occasionally, Lourem compensates for his size with his cheeky and often sarcastic manner. Underneath this, however, he is an extremely empathetic and gentle person.

Unlike his brother Len, Lourem had more contact with his mother and uncle. Therefore, with their ideas for restoring the Old Empire, they had a greater influence on him and instilled this idea into him. However, that all took a backseat to Lourem when he found out he has a twin brother. But it was above all he who then convinced Len to travel to Draco to intervene in the war there.

Lourem is closely linked to his brother. Len often calls him "Lou" [lu:] for short.

Life

Lourem was born in 8988 A.I.D. on the Thorntoll, along with his twin brother Len.

Lourem is separated from his twin brother Len by his mother Ceñua. While Len is sent to Thôsco, Ceñua and her brother Raecar keep Lourem with them and raise him. Lourem spends the first twenty years of his life unaware that he has a brother — or a cousin, Mero.

Lourem participates in the fostering of the Magotho network in the Rift and the Stormlands, but Raecar and Ceñua primarily assign him to ambassadorial duties within their network. Raecar and Ceñua eventually tell him about the existence of his brother and send him to Thôsco, with the mission for both of them to head north toward Dracoš to intervene in the conflict there.

At first, Lourem enthusiastically follows this directive, builds a relationship with his brother, and convinces him to heed their family's call. The journey of Lourem and his twin brother Len, accompanied by the Dragon Maxumir, initially brings the twins closer together. However, the stark realities of the conflict between Dragons and Humans on the Mahr prove to be a profound challenge for both. Upon arrival, it becomes evident to Lourem that he lacks the experience to actually lead a war campaign or find alternative solutions. The outcome of the war, culminating in the destruction of Steynmaar, deeply affects both twins, leading Len to abandon his idealism and question whether he should have left Thôsco. This personal crisis sparks a conflict between the brothers, with Len struggling with his doubts, while Lourem, though equally affected by the events, chooses to push forward in an effort to establish an order that would prevent such brutality in the future.

Lourem encourages Len to make contact with the Human survivors of the war, a task made possible by Len’s Human appearance. Although initially hesitant, Lourem eventually convinces his brother, believing to has found a viable way to prove himself worthy of his creed. Meanwhile, Lourem’s own plans for grand change were influenced by Len, who persuaded him to shift his focus from ambitious designs to improving the everyday lives of those around them, shaped by their experiences in Thôsco and their growing understanding of practical efforts.

When Luyieverian armies advance into the leaderless Mahr, Lourem and Len succeeded in uniting the Humans — unwilling to return to the collapsed feudal system of the Mahr — and the Dragons. This union laid the foundation for the Dracoš-Luyieverian alliance, soon amplified by the need to counter Lung's marauding forces.

After the war, Len is captured by Humans and sold into slavery in Aerznia, enduring nearly two years of captivity before his cousin Mero is able to locate and free him. Lourem manages to maneuver himself into a position of considerable power in Luyieveria, attempting to consolidate the territory in a fashion he believes is appropriate for his family's goals. However, he eventually abandons this approach, going on to search for his brother together with Maxumir.

Lourem manages to reunite with his brother almost a year later, and the two find themselves drawn into the political turmoil of Aerznia through Mero. Although Mero initially seeks to inform Raecar and Ceñua of their whereabouts, Len and Lourem convince him to keep their presence hidden for a while longer, worn out by the turmoil they had faced.

In 7018 A.I.D., the Akrehdei invaded Aerznia, placing both Len and Lourem in danger. However, they are ultimately rescued by Akrehdei forces and brought before Raecar and Ceñua, who revealed a grand conspiracy to restore the Old Empire with Akrehdei aid. Disturbed by their mother and uncle’s manipulative schemes, Len persuaded Mero and Lourem to turn away from them. The three, aided by their allies, devised a plan to overthrow Raecar and Ceñua. This required initial support for the declaration of the Imperii Draconi before they could strike against their parents.

Although the siblings succeeded in deposing Raecar and Ceñua, the Terraforming Crisis soon began, introducing yet another crisis amidst their turbulent journey.

Trivia

The "O" in Lourem's name is a devoiced vowel. The emphasis is on the "U".