According to Abner, in [ a story intended to deter] [[Chronology - Volume #|✣ ]] Krosp from inquiring more deeply into Moxana's nature (in fact, she is a Muse), Kurtz was a dwarf who used to operate the clank until he was killed by some bad clams ([ with axes] [[Chronology - Volume #|✣ ]]). In fact, telling this story was an example of Abner's , as Krosp obviously offered to take Kurtz' place. It would have been an excellent job for the logical, competitive, but [ hard to make use of] [[Chronology - Volume #|✣ ]] Krosp. Most likely Kurtz is entirely metafictional.