Nurus, often called Nurus the Loving, was a demigod adventurer and traveling musician who lived at an unspecified time in the early centuries of the Third Age. He was the son of Vessia and an unknown Human man, and therefore granted divine powers and grace. Nurus is most famous for his game of dragonchess against Karad-Dun, the God of Death, for the ability to resurrect his dead love. His victory led to the creation of the five Coisari, the only items capable of resurrecting the dead. His soul was bound to his love following her resurrection, and the two passed into the Halls of Karad-Dun together, where they continue to dwell together in post-death bliss.
Not much is known about Nisse, Nurus' lover, but the ancient texts describe her as the Demigod daughter of Bewaar and a Human woman, imbued with violet eyes, and as a bookish scholar, fascinated by the stars and magic.
Story of Nurus & Origin of the Coisari
Following the untimely death of his beloved Nisse to sickness, the adventurer and Demigod Nurus rebuked Karad-Dun for the institution of death and he demanded the return of his one true love. He was assisted by his mother Vessia, who also wished to preserve his love and suggested he challenge Karad-Dun due to the God of Death's strong sense of honor. Karad-Dun announced that He would hear Nurus' demand should he take a dangerous and perilous path to reach him. Nurus set out and made the journey in five days at great physical cost, arriving at the hill where Karad-Dun awaited him covered in gashes, cuts, bruises, and other wounds. As he struggled, Vessia was unable to bear the suffering of Her son and attempted to intervene, but was stopped by Nurus, who announced that he must struggle alone for his love to demonstrate his devotion to his beloved. The gravely injured Nurus challenged the God of Death to a game, offering his soul should he lose and demanding the means to resurrect his wife should he win. In a game of dragonchess which lasted four whole days, Nurus emerged victorious. Karad-Dun, true to His word, sought the help of Elgarion to craft an artifact which could reverse death. In honor of Nurus' struggle across the dangerous fields and true devotion to his beloved, Karad-Dun ordered the creation of five stones, one for each day of Nurus' trial, and declared that they would forever inhabit the World to assist mortals. Nurus received his coisar and was able to resurrect his lover, living happily with her until the end of their days. Since then, the five coisari have traveled around the World and become recurring items across history. The use of a coisar is also the signing of a pact of soul binding. To resurrect someone with a coisar means to link your life to theirs, and upon the death of one the other will die.