Exarch Maar was a legendary figure of The Earth Realm, revered not only for his immense strength and mastery of Molten-Rifting, but also for his unwavering duty to the preservation of his people. A Gem Genasi born in the alpine reaches of the Northern Greypeak Mountains, his charred skin and obsidian-coated frame became symbols of sacrifice, endurance, and the resilience of the ancestral Njordir bloodline. His legacy echoes through the halls of Umber and across the forge-halls of the Earth Realm, where future generations of Earth-Rifting sages speak his name in reverence.
Origins & History
Born in the remote mountain village of Gemladur, Maar was descended from an ancient lineage of elemental Njordir—gem-encrusted beings said to be carved from the mountains themselves. His early life was marked by high expectations; as a child, he displayed unparalleled control over earthen and crystalline structures and was quickly marked to join the Gemblades, the elite protectors of his people.
His fate changed as he came of age, when a long-dormant volcano near Gemladur violently erupted, threatening to annihilate the village and the valley beyond. As lava cascaded down the slopes, Maar stood alone before the molten tidal wave as his kin were incinerated by the rolling landslide of lava. With no other choice, he poured every ounce of strength into halting its advance. The effort seared his flesh, forming plates of blackened obsidian across his body, but miraculously, he bent the molten tide to his will—solidifying the flood and saving his kin.
This unprecedented feat of molten-rifting drew the attention of Avatar Rok, who took Maar under his protection and trained him as one of the Exarchs of the Earth. Maar’s training culminated with the Trial of Bjorn in the Grimhold Vault, where he overcame the ancient Archon’s test of endurance and fire. But upon his return to Umberhold, Rok and the elder Runewrights had vanished. All that remained was a single obsidian monolith before the gates—a silent monument that Maar alone understood as Rok’s final sacrifice.
Life & Teachings
Following Rok’s disappearance, Maar set out across the Earth Realm to prepare the world for the next Avatar. Over the decades, he discovered and mentored three promising earth-rifters—Exarch Kaolin, Exarch Gea, and Exarch Hunk—and raised them to become fellow Exarchs through the same grueling Trial of Bjorn.
As the elder Exarch of Umber, Maar was a revered master of lava manipulation, often seen wielding molten chains and obsidian spears forged from solidified magma. Despite his immense size—standing nearly seven feet tall—he carried himself with solemnity. His scarred gemlike skin glimmered with deep crimson light, and his voice echoed like shifting stone through the Champions Hall.
Legacy
When Terra was discovered and named Avatar, Maar pledged his full allegiance and served as both mentor and war-warden in the Avatar’s court. His leadership helped reunify the fractured cities of Umber and Avalon after the disappearance of Rok, and his presence brought balance to an Earth Realm struggling with doubt.
Maar’s final act of service came during the Battle of the Black Sun, when he answered the call of Talyen and stood alongside The Sunsations against Malekith and the Fallen Mythar Angels. Wielding magma and stone against the horrors of the dying Tomb World, he fought beside his fellow Exarchs and the Avatars—but during the battle, a radiant spear of energy launched by Malekith tore through his chest, mortally wounding him. He died with honor amidst the fractured pillars of the dying world.
To this day, a statue of obsidian and ruby stands at the gates of Umberhold, sculpted by Exarch Kaolin, honoring the life of the man who held back a volcano with his bare hands—and passed into legend.