Atrus

Born to Gehn and Keta (Leira), Atrus (D'ni: Aytrus/[Étrus]) was only 1/4 D'ni, the other 3/4 Human. (It is unknown what impact this had on his aging rate; it's speculated that he retained some degree of D'ni longevity.) He grew up with his grandmother Anna after his father had abandoned him at birth; his mother died in childbirth. Under Anna's guidance, Atrus grew into an inquisitive person, having deep respect for life and moral values. Anna also taught him the D'ni language and many stories from the empire, which he initially considered tales.

Atrus was named after his grandfather Aitrus (their names are spelt and pronounced the same in D'ni). He is seen as one of the greatest Writers of Ages.

When Gehn returned to claim his son, Atrus came with him to the ruins of D'ni, where his father taught him the Art of writing books that link to other worlds. This is where Atrus first not only realized how real D'ni actually was, but also that he was one of the last survivors of the fallen Empire. Unlike his father, however, Atrus did not believe the fact he could write made him God-like, and he rebelled against his father. As punishment he was trapped on the island of K'veer in D'ni, with only a Link to Riven as a way out.

On Riven he met Katran, whom he named Catherine. Catherine was a student of Gehn, and Gehn intended to marry her against her will. Secretly, Catherine, together with Anna who had, without him knowing, followed her grandson, wrote the Age of Myst, and planned to trap Gehn on Riven.

After trapping Gehn, Atrus moved to Myst with Catherine and his grandmother. On Myst his two sons Sirrus and Achernar were born. Atrus was much later trapped on K'veer in D'ni, while Catherine was lost in Riven.

In the Myst series, the player acts the role of a stranger who gets to know Atrus near the end of the game Myst, after having read his journals and notes throughout the game. In the game Riven, the Stranger again meets Atrus, who now enlists his aid to free Catherine and again trap Gehn. Succeeding that, Atrus and Catherine explored the remnants of D'ni, attempting to rebuild the D'ni civilization: a project which ended after Atrus realized that this would lead the D'ni to repeat their old mistakes. Instead, he wrote a new Age for the D'ni, called Releeshahn. In Myst 3, the Player again meets Atrus and Catherine, who now have a daughter Yeesha. The events of Myst 4 also surround his life, especially after his sons escape while the Stranger is housekeeping for Atrus.

In the D'ni canon, Atrus died some time after the Myst games, but before Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, which takes place in the present day. Much of the gameplay of Uru revolves around explorers from 'the Surface' (Earth) continuing Atrus' work.

Sources

• Myst novels
• Myst games
• D'ni Restoration Council