Grumash: A Conversation

[Dalan]

For Grumash, there is blackness.  Nothingness.  There is no thought, no instinct, no consciousness, no dreams.  Nothing.

And then there is something.

Grumash is surrounded by emptiness, and darkness as far as the eye can see.  He is in a void, a seeming vacuum, but just as suddenly as he had regained conscious thought, he feels a powerful presence.  Thoughts come to him, and he sees a vision of a huge armored Orc.

The Orc hails Grumash, and tells him "I am Sembral, Grumash.  It was decided that I should be the one to come to you."

[Grumash Bloodfang]

Floating in the void aimlessly for an unknown amount of time, the spark of consciousness ignites suddenly within him as something approaches. Looking about at his surroundings, he tries to fathom where he is and what he is doing here, having no idea where 'here' is or how long he's been here.
Searching his mind for what happened, that last thing he remembers is thrashing about in a blind rage in search of Robillard when he was hit by something heavy and darkness engulfed him.

...o.O.(Am I dead? Is this the afterlife? This nothingness? Somehow I thought it would be different.)

Feeling the presence approach, he looks towards it wondering who it could be. Hailing the mighty orc in return, all thoughts of suspicion fly from his head. He instinctively knows that the orc is who he says he is. Unsure how he knows the orc is really the god Sembral, he finds that he just knows that it is an absolute truth that is beyond reproach.

Never having thought he’d meet a god, his mind tells him that he should be groveling or offering gifts or paying other such homage. Yet this thoughts, become word without his will, almost as if something was sucking his questions from him.

“This is death then? What do you want from me and why was it decided that you are here before me?”

[Dalan]

You get the feeling of Sembral crossing his arms and betraying no emotion, though when he speaks you get the feeling that he is addressing you as a fellow warrior.  "I was simply chosen because it was deemed I am most similiar to what you believe, as you obviously have no wish to worship any gods overtly."

"You are not dead.  None of your friends are dead.  The gods have granted you this repast, as well as a divine favor, for doing work in our service, knowingly or not.  I wish nothing from you, except for a desire or wish you might have, with certain limitations of course."

[Grumash Bloodfang]

Grumash looks confused and suspicious, wondering why the gods would help him after what he has done.

"I don't understand's. If I am not's dead, then's where am I's? What work's have I done's for you? You said yourself's that I do not worship's any of you. So why would's you help's me? There must's be some sort's of catch?"

[Dalan]

"Mortals often worship Gods without meaning to.  Mortals who gamble worship Elanar in a way.  Mortals who sing or play musical instruments worship Aranthis and yes, mortals who enter into battle worship me.  You may not mean to, or even wish to, but most mortal actions can be considered a form of worship to the Gods.  It must be stressed that the decision to reward you and your friends was not mine.  Understanding the reason for the reward is not vital, but I will answer anyway.  It would suffice to say you and your friends destroyed somethings that could have unbalanced or even destroyed Kyranath.  Few or none of you realized it at the time.  The Gods are grateful nonetheless, and that is why we shall reward you.

"There is no catch, but there are limitations to what you may recieve.

"You are in a Plane far from Kyranath.  You will be returned home immediately after you have requested what you desire.  You do not have to accept this boon.  You may refuse such a boon if you wish."

[Grumash Bloodfang]

Grumash scratches his head as he thinks about what the god is offering him, as hundreds of possibilites for his boon race through his head, ranging from greed to revenge.

Looking to the king of warriors in front of him he asks.

"You mentioned's my friends are not's dead. What about's my enemies that's accompanied me or those that's went through the portal's?

What's are the limitations then's?"

[Dalan]

"I cannot offer you anything that effects the free will of others.  Nor can I give you anything outright that would effect the balance of the world.  I cannot give you some sacred artifact that makes you invincible, but I may be able to help you find a powerful weapon that you desire.  I cannot help you beyond giving you the location, however.

Those who entered the Citadel to defeat the Empress survived.  Take from that what you will."

[Grumash Bloodfang]

Grumash frowns at the god's words as many of his ideas for his reward are shot down...o.O.(Bah, that doesn't leave much behind then does it... What to choose then? A weapon like he suggests? No, that is not what I lack.)

Looking at Sembral, he states.
"A weapon's is not's what I need's, but something to protect's my weakness. Something to shield's me from's those acursed magics! I realize now's that they are's not pitiful's tricks, but are indeed's dangerous. Merely a weapon's used by weaklings and cowards to stab's you in the back's! Give's me something's to protect's me from their evil's tool."

[Nyrhtlyk the Dark]

**Bump for Dalan**

[Dalan]

(Ack, thanks!)

Sembral nods in understanding.  "That I can give you, Grumash.  You return shortly to Kyranath.  Farewell mortal."

There again is the darkness you felt earlier.  You are unsure how much time passes, until quite suddenly you see a bright light, and a splash as you fall into very cold water.

[Grumash Bloodfang]

Feeling the rush of cold water embrace him, the surprised orc thrashes madly for a moment as he is dragged down. Recognizing what is happening to him, he ceases struggling and tries to conserve what air he has left in his lungs, while he tries to figure out where he is. Constantly pulled down by his equipment, weapons and armor, he looks downwards to see where the bottom lies and how deep it is and if it will be neccesary to rid himself of his weighty possessions. Meanwhile wondering the whole time if this is some cruel joke of the gods.

[Nyrhtlyk the Dark]

**Bump for Dalan**

[Dalan]

(Sorry, the thread is closed.  From here Grumash was rescued and went on to wherever his feet took him.)