The Wise Man of Vorg

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Extra episode of The Trigan Empire

The Wise Man of Vorg

Written by author(s) unknown
Illustrated by Ernest Ratcliff

The Wise Man of Vorg was originally published in the 1967 Ranger Book.

It is reprinted in Volume 4 of The Rise and Fall of the Trigan Empire (Rebellion).

Plot summary

In the early days of the Trigan Empire, the people of Trigan live peacefully in a prosperous city sustained by trade. However, their stability is constantly threatened by the aggressive Lokans, a warlike nation ruled by the tyrant king Zorth. The Lokans repeatedly attack merchant caravans and civilian aircraft, provoking growing outrage.

Driven by anger, Trigo proposes war, but his council warns that Trigan lacks the strength to defeat Loka. Rejecting their advice—and refusing the humiliating suggestion of paying tribute—Trigo seeks guidance from the Wise Man of Vorg. The sage offers a vision of war and victory, but subtly implies that the decision lies within Trigo himself.

Interpreting this as encouragement, Trigo launches an attack. The campaign is a catastrophe: Trigan’s air fleet is destroyed before reaching its target, and its cavalry is annihilated. Only Trigo’s brother Brag survives—to condemn him. Soon after, the Lokans invade and conquer Trigan. During the assault, Trigo is injured and left for dead, but is secretly rescued and taken into hiding.

While recovering in the mountains, Trigo learns the full consequence of his failure: the Lokans are constructing a massive dam that will flood the plains and permanently destroy Trigan. Overcome with guilt, he returns to the Wise Man, who cryptically tells him that he alone must save his people—and that “the waters will close over your enemies.”

Realising the meaning, Trigo devises a desperate plan. He infiltrates the Lokan camp, steals a powerful bomb, and commandeers a fast aquacraft. Under heavy fire, he crashes the explosive-laden craft into the dam, destroying it. The resulting flood sweeps through the region and devastates Loka itself, forcing the Lokans to abandon their conquest.

With the enemy defeated, Trigo returns to a battered but liberated Trigan. Humbled by his earlier arrogance, he admits his mistakes to the council and vows to heed their wisdom in the future. The story ends with hope, as he calls on his people to rebuild their great city.