The Temple of Gruumsh

[Arbitrayal]

In all the major cities within the region, Baldur's Gate, Candlekeep and Beregost, a fairly short orcish man can be seen traveling to every inn and gate, a stack of parchment in hand. On the doors he hammers one of the papers, grunting and muttering prayers to Gruumsh, all in orcish. If one were to pass these pieces of paper, they would see depicted on each a crude, yet effective drawing showing a giant orc with only one eye, his left hand pointing to the viewer and a spear in his right. Below this is a map, showing the way to the Temple of Bhaal. Beneath this, in crudely written common, says...


"Followers of Gruumsh! Behold, a temple of cowards who worship a weak God! Come with me, kin, and let us claim this Temple in the name of the One Eyed God, in the name of Gruumsh! Let us spread His will to all and forge a path to Glory!"


Below this is the symbol of Gruumsh, a tri-pointed stone plate with a bone sticking out each side, then the signature "Praol Groll, most loyal of Gruumsh."

[Broham2]

*A young Elf approaches one of these signs posted in Baldur's Gate. Reading it, his face contorts as he pulls his black leather gloves tighter, fidgets with his jewelry, and spits on the ground*

Beasts. All of them... disgusting fools.

*He rips down the sign, folds it, and stuffs it into his belt and mutters to himself*

There will be no temple of the one-eyed fool so near our city.. not so long as I draw breath..

*He saunters away with a sly smile on his face, seeking his brother and other contacts*

[Sir_Carnifex]

Ishnak Ungduh spots another one of the posters and peers at it while curling his tongue around his massive tusks to lick his lips. He scratches his head with his dinner plate-sized hand and mutters something in Orcish.

Hmm. Gruumsh okay, but Patrol follow Bahgtru!

He nods solemnly and then thunderously stomps his way out of the city to seek the rest of the Patrol.

[DjnTech]

A dirty scrap of hin sits on a hill overlooking the dark temple. A wolf lays at her side. The hin sniffs the air as she scratches the wolf behind the ear.

" still smell like dog face. Rumor say pigs seek war with dog"

"not happen yet maybe when do we is hunt"

" KaHai and Adolo maybe is find prize for blue bear"

She grabs her spear from theground and trots off over the hills into the wood. the wolf close on her heel.

[ragnarok1983]

---Paws aka "Bharg" reads the note while going to the tavern.---
Wait... Bharg confused. Gruumsh already have temple. Bharg knows cuz Bharg protect it! Bharg already kill intruder since Bharg is MIGHTY!

Hmm. Bharg not opposed to making more room for Gruumsh in nasty gnoll temple though. Maybe go and see what Gruumsh's will is.

---On the note he finds, he scribbles out Praol Groll's name and writes the following---
BHARG is most loyal of Gruumsh! Praol Groll is maybe *second* most loyal!

[ragnarok1983]

---Dundurrt sees the notes---

Oooo... this luuk tasty. Dundurrt gonna eat dem.
*looks at the notes left everywhere*
Dey is like breadcrumbs! Dundurrt follow till find more cow.

///it's important to note, that there's no way Dunudrrt would know how to read.///

[mute83]

a cloaked figure sees one of these notes. he reads it, then takes it and runs off

[mute83]

an armored figure notices the note. he reads it, then say's "this should be interresting... and fun" then then walks off with an evil smirk

[SeveN]

says to himself after picking up a note

Hmm. Appears that the orcs'll be leavin, egh? Well, I'll jus' go ahead an' guard their belongings in their absence. Looks like ole' SeveN's gettin a bonus! Paydirt! Wonder who else is leavin fer battle...

[Broham2]

Valenthel walks about Baldur's Gate with confidence. Whistling a merry tune, he twirls the grimy holy symbol of Grummsh around for all to see.. for any that ask, he gladly tells them something along the lines of:

"Oh this? Tis nothing but an unholy trinket.. the trinket worn by the same fool that threatened my people and preached of Gruumsh. I tried to warn him of the error of his ways, but alas the beast was too dull to fully grasp my words."

"Oh no, I didn't kill him.. though when he awoke from the beating I am sure he may have wished I had. Hopefully taking this here *holds up the amulet* will teach him a valuable lesson about threatening my people"

"The next time will be much less informative, and much more decisive"

Etc, etc.

[ragnarok1983]

Paws aka "Bharg" finds Praol in the gnoll area. He leads him and two associates to the true shrine of Gruumsh so they can worship properly amongst thier brethren.

Proal did not believe Bharg was a champion of Gruumsh, as is understandable. He does have the appearance of a Halfling after all. Nevertheless, Praol accepted the challenge laid before him. He must go through the Wood of Sharp Teeth to the Orc Liar. On his way he will be tested by his brothers to see if he is mighty enough to serve Gruumsh. After defeating no less than twelve orcs by himself, Praol succombed to his wounds by the alter of Gruumsh, much to the surprise of his associates. The lethal blow was surely not meant by his heavy-handed brothers. Despite that, One-Eye admired Praol's daring and his use of strength.

Bharg sought out Gruumsh's blessing on behalf of Praol, to keep the worthy Orc from demise. His prayer was granted. Praol rose up from what should certainly have been death. After coming to his senses once more, Praol stood, walked to the alter, and rendered proper praise and sacrifice to One-Eye. Offering his spear, and drawing out his own blood, he swore endless allegiance to his god.

After a lengthy prayer session, the group headed back out, so they may train and become stronger to please the Mighty One-Eye.

/// This was a player-run event of sorts. Praol Groll, [edit] Varla Kourn and Oawa _____ participated. Was a pleasure, glad you guys had fun. ///

[Arbitrayal]

For now, the preachings of Praol have dwindled and his notes lay mostly discarded or vandalized. Though he has been beaten by an elf and his holy symbol taken, he trains harder even now to gain the power to annihilate all of Gruumsh's foes. After all, one holy trinket is hardly the source of such a priest's powers!


//The other two, Ragnarok, were Varla Kourn and Oawa something er other. >.> Also, the Temple thing has been unofficially silenced for the moment, as I received only one response to it in-game, and that was from Bharg.

[Diogenes of Sinope]

Passing through Beregost, Earindil spies one of the broadsheets.

He laughs. "Is it not enough that we tolerate them?"

From a distance, he brings his thumb over Gruumsh's good eye, and lining up the shot remarks, "Ah, but we'll have them both."