Sat Aug 04, 2012 11:33 pm  
Grimbak the Defiler

I mentioned previously western oerik has got a thing for ogres. Not unlike a certain ullite we know. Grimbak was a mercenary from the Free states that had found his way into the various armies of western Oerik from time to time. It is said, he served all the factions at least once in his career. Though a cleric from Thalos nearly killed him with a searing light spell. While Grimbak recovered, he would receive images of Stratis, scences of warfare and death, and a recurring vision of a bloodstained club. Even after his wounds had healed Grimbak could not remove the images from his mind. He left his axe aside and began wandering the free states, babbling about what he has seen.
Most paid him no mind, though none pushed the issue, as he was quite an imposing visage. One day a half-elven bard named Melle, came across Grimbak on the road. She became fascinated with his maniacal theatrics. Melle followed Grimbak and recorded his rantings. From time to time she penned choice bits of the ogre’s visions and posted them up at wayfarers’ inns and other public places. Copied over and carried on the roads of the Sunderd Empire, the sayings of Grimbak became known from Thalos to Ravilla in just a few months.
Most folk dismissed Grimbak’s visions out of hand. Who would speak through the mouth of a deluded ogre, after all? The most powerful captains and commanders ignored Melle’s parchments, but a few paid them heed. Young, aggressive, and hungry leaders from every faction seized upon the ogre’s words and looked for deeper meaning. There were clues to be had, they reasoned, even if only one word in twenty was true. By spring of the year ADW 1010, interpreting Melle’s parchments became something of a cottage industry. Sages and soothsayers pored over the documents and gave learned opinions on their meaning. There was near unanimity in identifying the club as Bonebreak. There agreement ended.
Six warlords made the vital connection, by their own wits, luck, or hired help. Focused on a locale that loomed largely in Grimbak’s visions. They surmised only one local had the requisite ties to Stratis and his followers. That place was the Ghostwind Plateau.

So what other visions might this ogre have? Is he tied to Stratis directly? What made the god of war choose an ogre as his seer? I surmise the searing light contained or was pulled from one pockets of Stratis's mists of blood which haunt much of the Sundered Empire. What are your thoughts?

Later

Argon