A speculated version of Myrmidon history:
Back in the day, before the War, Myrmidons were a great warrior race who lived in the north. They thought pretty highly of themselves. Not only did they think they were the greatest looking people in mythworld, but they thought they were the greatest warriors of mythworld too. Unfortunately, the effects of aging eventually took hold and they grew ugly and less honed in battle.
But then there were the Heron Guard. These warriors of renown were known throughout the mythworld inhabitants (except the Myrmidons) as the greatest warriors of their time. This made the Myrmidons jealous. But the Heron Guard were also immortal, so, until death in battle, their battle skills and their physical appearance would never fade. This is what the Myrmidons really detested. They wanted immortality.
So when Balor showed up, he decided to exploit this. He offered them a chance to fight against the Heron Guard. Then he offered the Myrmidons what they really desired, and they took the bait. He made them immortal. . . sort of. Their bodies would never die, just deteriorate. As time progressed, they realised that they had been tricked. Their bodies were growing more hideous with every passing day, and they were serving an evil cause, from which they could not flee.
Ironic, isn't it, that those who once consedered themselves the most beautiful people in mythworld were then the most hideous still-living creatures in mythworld?
