Ur-tag is the current elected head of the cave goblins. Unlike most societies in Gielinor, no single figure rules over all the Dorgeshuun, and Ur-tag is merely the head of the elected Dorgeshuun Council. He can be found in northern Dorgesh-Kaan, in the upstairs section. He is one of the cave goblins that can give the player the permission to sell food to Gourmets in the Dorgesh-Kaan market trading minigame.
As headman of the Dorgeshuun Ur-tag features in the Cave Goblin quest series. The Lost Tribe sees Ur-tag meet with Duke Horacio to sign the Lumbridge-Dorgeshuun peace treaty after the cave goblins make contact with the surface world. In Death to the Dorgeshuun he and the other council members instruct Zanik and the player to investigate the Humans Against Monsters cult and explore Lumbridge. Following Zanik's report that the surface world is safe and that H.A.M.'s plot against the Dorgeshuun has been defeated, the council votes to allow humans of Lumbridge to enter Dorgesh-Kaan. Ur-tag believes that this will improve relations between the cave goblins and other races, and bring trade to the city.[1]
In Another Slice of H.A.M. the Dorgeshuun and the dwarves of Keldagrim have agreed to build the Dorgesh-Kaan–Keldagrim train system. Ur-tag argues for the delay of the project when important archaeological artefacts are discovered during excavations. After the train system has been completed Ur-tag is shown giving a speech at the grand opening of the railway. He also presents the player with the ancient mace and thanks them for foiling another H.A.M. attack on the cave goblins.
In The Chosen Commander Ur-tag and the other council members argue against the execution of a H.A.M. agent who poisoned the Dorgeshuun children, instead wanting to hand the agent over to the Lumbridge authorities as per the two city's peace treaty. When Zanik kills the agent the council decide that she must be banished from Dorgesh-Kaan.
However when the Bandos avatar threatens the Dorgeshuun Ur-tag and the others rescind Zanik's banishment. During the emergency Ur-tag ruminates on the decision to open up the city to outsiders, which was made when he cast the deciding vote in the council's vote on the matter, worrying that it led to the current situation.[2] He reveals that other opportunities to make contact with the surface world had occurred in the past, but that it had always been decided to remain hidden.[3] After the Bandos avatar is defeated Ur-tag holds a gathering in which he unveiled a statue of Zanik and the adventurer.
During The Mighty Fall the Dorgeshuun come under attack from the followers of Bandos. Ur-tag asks for the player's help in stopping the invasion, and recommends that the council directs Dorgesh-Kaan be evacuated. In the end, the adventurer manages to prevent the invasion by orchestrating a Kyzaj Tournament. During the tournament the player may either kill Zanik or spare her, however she will die either way. If the player kills Zanik, Ur-tag becomes upset with their decision; while he still thanks them for saving the city, he finds it hard to believe they would kill Zanik and promptly tells them to leave. If spared, Ur-tag thanks them nonetheless, but is upset that he will not be able to see Zanik anymore. Regardless, he is unaware of Zanik's return later on due to the restrictions imposed on her by Icthlarin.
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Ur-tag's status on the council is reminiscent of the real-life political concept of primus inter pares, or "first among equals", where one member of a council may be of greater importance but is nevertheless equal to the other members in other ways.
^Ur-tag, "Another Slice of H.A.M.", RuneScape. "For trade, and for fostering goodwill between races! I am sure it will benefit both our races."
^Ur-tag, "The Chosen Commander", RuneScape. "The council had meeting after meeting about it. We couldn't reach a consensus, so we had to vote, and the council was evenly split. I had the deciding vote... It was the hardest decision of my life. In the end, I think I was like Zanik - I was curious. I wanted to meet the surface-dwellers who would visit the city."
^Ur-tag, "The Chosen Commander", RuneScape. "This wasn't the first time we had contact with the surface. Did you know that? Passages had opened before - earthquakes, mining accidents - but we always sealed them again."
