Pantheon: Orc
Core Worshippers: Orcs
Uncommon Worshippers: Others
Gender: Male
Rank: Greater deity
Areas of Concern/Portfolio: Orcs, War, Territory
Title: One-Eye, He-Who-Never-Sleeps, He-Who-Watches
Holy Symbol: Empty eye socket
Favored Weapon(s): Spear
Domains: Chaos, Destruction, Domination, Evil, Mysticism, Strength, Tyranny, War
Gruumsh (groomsh) appears as a
hulking orc in black full plate armor. He has one unblinking eye. He harbors
a special hatred for Corellon Larethian (who took his other eye), Moradin,
and their followers. Gruumsh is the husband of Luthic and father of Bahgtru.
Ilneval is his most capable lieutenant. Gruumsh's divine realm is the
Iron Fortress in Nishrek, a part of Acheron.
In a past time, Gruumsh had two eyes but he lost one in a fight with the
chief elven god Corellon Larethian. Gruumsh meant to paralyze Corellon
with his magical spear; this attack failed and initiated an epic battle.
During the course of this battle Gruumsh injured Corellon and, according
to legend, from the blood shed the elven people were created. Corellon
ended the fight by putting out Gruumsh's left eye, which is how Gruumsh
earned his moniker "One-Eye." Some orcish clerics deny this
tale, dismissing it as elven propaganda, and claim that Gruumsh always
had one eye.
Most orc warbands have a cleric of Gruumsh attached to them. Followers
of Gruumsh feel they have a duty to direct and organize the natural proclivity
of orcs for warfare. They'll hunt down elves in their forest homes, encourage
tribal chieftains to sack human cities, and act as emissaries to the goblinoid
tribes that often join their great hordes.
Every single known prayer to Gruumsh begins with "Kharg-hark,"
the Orcish word for "revenge," even if the prayer is not related
to vengeance. Gruumsh’s temples are essentially military camps with as
many fighters and barbarians as clerics. The largest temples feature gladiatorial
arenas where wagering is common and the best gladiators can earn great
treasure. The most famous rite in Gruumsh-worship is the Ritual of the
Poles. After a battle, orcs mark their new territory by pounding longspears
into the ground at the boundary, point up. Placed on each spear-point
is the head of a fallen foe.
Gruumsh demands that his followers be strong, that they cull the weak
from their numbers, and that they take all the territory that Gruumsh
thinks is rightfully theirs (which is almost everything). He tolerates
no sign of friendliness from his people. Unceasing warfare is his creed,
though Gruumsh does not object to simple colonization if that can be arranged.
Gruumsh dislikes everything that is not an orc or of orcish make, and
he is particular spiteful to elves and dwarves. Gruumsh's clerics usually
wear fighting gear.