# Urg — Short Fiction character guide

> Urg in Short Fiction by Andre Norton.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the Black Ones Urg, the Black Ones, Black Ones

**First appearance:** 0003-iii-garin-hears-of-the-black-ones

## Snapshot

A guide of the Folk who leads Garin through the Caverns' hidden galleries, revealing the sleeping dead and the grim history of Thran's sacrifice.

## Who they are

Urg serves Trar and the Folk, walking Garin up steep ramps to the crystal balcony above the Room of Pleasant Death and explaining the vapor that holds the Ancient Ones in a thousand-year sleep. He is the keeper of hard truths, the one who names what the beautiful sleepers really are and why Thran closed the doors. When Trar arms Garin with the rusting rod, Urg steps forward to beg permission to accompany the outlander into the Caves of Darkness.

## Relationships

### [Captain Garin Featherstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/captain_garin_featherstone)

_professional_

A commander-and-subordinate relationship where Urg follows Garin’s orders with fierce loyalty.

### [Ancient Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/ancient_ones)

_psychological_

The Ancient Ones manipulate Urg through visions and ancient pacts, binding his will.

### [Ancient Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/ancient_ones)

_psychological_

The Ancient Ones manipulate Urg through visions and ancient pacts, binding his will.

### [Ancient Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/ancient_ones)

_psychological_

The Ancient Ones manipulate Urg through visions and ancient pacts, binding his will.

### [Captain Garin Featherstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/captain_garin_featherstone)

_professional_

A commander-and-subordinate relationship where Urg follows Garin’s orders with fierce loyalty.

### [Captain Garin Featherstone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/captain_garin_featherstone)

_professional_

A commander-and-subordinate relationship where Urg follows Garin’s orders with fierce loyalty.

## In the story

### [II: The Folk of Tav](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/ii-the-folk-of-tav)

The chieftain who first discovered Garin and is tasked with instructing him.

### [III: Garin Hears of the Black Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/iii-garin-hears-of-the-black-ones)

Urg teaches Garin the Folk's language, explains the Ancient Ones' legacy, and brings him to the Hall of Women.

### [IV: The Defeat of the Ancient Ones](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/iv-the-defeat-of-the-ancient-ones)

Urg guides Garin to the gallery above the Room of Pleasant Death and explains the fate of the Ancient Ones.

### [Into the Caves of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/v-into-the-caves-of-darkness)

Guides Garin through the Place of Ancestors and to the southern portal, then bids him farewell.

### [Days of Preparation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/chapters/ix-days-of-preparation)

Points out the Cavern mouth as the Mists close in, helps seal the entrance, and later assists in deploying defenses.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters/urg
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_3_se/characters