Role
Beginning and End and Beginning
Added Mon Feb 26 13:25:56 2018 at level 12:
Kiadana-Rah is not a forgiving place, nor is its lord and lady. It is not
exceptionally nefarious or underhanded, as might be the twin cities of the
underdark, populated by the dark elves and the duergars. No, the fire giants
are no less evil, but it is a more straightforward, ruthless sort; a belief
in ultimate rule by the fire giants who are stronger, and thus better, than
all. There are no second chances in Kiadana-Rah. If you fall, you fall, there
is no getting back up, no pats on the back and smiles for trying. They are not
blind to this, indeed they embrace it knowingly, as part of their long history.
It may have many bases but the chiefest is the volcano. Ancestors learned with
their lives that if you make a mistake while living next to lava, it almost
surely will be your last, even with their hides seared against heat better than
most. It is always in the forefront of their minds. Hard not to be when you
live on an active volcano. And so generation after generation rises and falls
with one of the greatest powers of the earth under them, above them, all around
them, and that life spent inside the volcano is now in their blood, their genes.
Comes Grord. Promising as a child, biggest and strongest often, but rarely the
actual #1 when it came to a task or skill. Distantly related to the current
Lady of the Mount, and thus by marriage to the Lord of the Volcano, he grew up
without fear of hunger or want, but without addiction to finery or frippery. Not
that there is much frippery even among the rulers - again, the Mount is not a
tolerant place. As a youth he excelled at deep diving, which is what the giants
there call roaming the lava tubes and lower chambers of the volcano. It is a
great danger, but it is permitted, to be a test and challenge for any who would
dare. Most do, but few go as deep as Grord. And, often, his only genuine
friend, Vorgid. Luck put them together in the first training as small children,
and conspired to keep them together for many years, through schooling, arms
training, and magic training. They became, for all accounts, brothers.
Beginning and End and Beginning Part II
Added Mon Feb 26 13:28:23 2018 at level 12:
Grord was better at arms, particularly swords, but Vorgid was better at spells,
particularly the ice magic, calling balls of it bigger, wider, and stronger than
anyone could remember. Together they would explore and train and grow. One day,
after a recent minor eruption, Vorgid suggested they go track the new tubes.
Grord agreed, of course, and together they set off. Vorgid's magic, carefully
controlled, would tame the heat when it became too much even for fire giants.
Even so, Grord had always had a connection to the volcano, the earth itself, and
he could often tell when they were about to go too far. After two days of
deep diving, they came to a junction and Grord, pulling up, motioned that they
had reached the end of their travels. He felt the ground itself, the rock
and stone around him, changing, sending - to him at least - a clear message that
it was time to return, that going further would be folly. Always before Vorgid
had listened and they had stayed safe and alive, not pressing beyond Grord's
sense of alarm. But not this time. This time, Vorgid explained he had just
learned new magic that enhanced his ice magic, and that his magic would keep
them safe. Grord warred within: the mount seemed to be telling him to turn
back, to be working with him to keep him safe. But his best friend, his brother
in arms, assured that this new magic made it safe, and that he had mastered it.
He could not openly doubt his brother. He would not insult him. And despite
the inner voice telling him to turn back, he agreed to continue on. But, he
did wrest a promise from Vorgid, that when the time came that Grord said they
would have to turn back, they would turn back. Vorgid agreed, of course, though
amost dismissively. He was very confident in the power of his magic to protect
them.
They continued forward. With each step Grord's internal sense grew worse and
worse. After two hours it almost was a screaming, shrieking alarm in his
chest, in his head, in his eyes and ears. Vorgid spoke several times saying
just a bit farther, this is as far as anyone's ever gone, as he continued to
cast his spells, keeping the tubes cool enough and hard enough to traverse.
An hour or so later they carefully walk-slid down a slope of obsidian, smooth
as glass - volcanic glass. They are used to such, but even so it requires great
care. As they neared a ledge at the bottom, a rush of magma spout up, rising
like a sheet of wet fire. Grord shouted, telling Vorgid to turn around, but
Vorgid, consumed with his love of his magic, slid to the bottom and, tossing
a quick smile to Grord, cast his ice. That was his last smile. His last
anything, really. The magic failed. Utterly and completely. Grord, who had
begun climbing back up, was scarred, but not terribly. Vorgid was not so lucky.
Beginning and End and Beginning Part III
Added Mon Feb 26 13:31:14 2018 at level 12:
It almost seemed as if the lava were alive, cackling with glee, popping with
voracious hunger, as it consumed Vorgid, leaving not even a shred of him behind.
The volcano had warned Grord, but Vorgid's magic had seduced them into thinking
it was stronger than the earth. It cost Vorgid his life.
Grord made it home. The way of his people is to mourn the loss, but not to
feel great sadness. In their minds, Vorgid was weak. His death was good.
Anyone who couldn't survive was not worthy of living. But for Grord, he could
not move on. For him, it became an obsession, as he blamed himself. For him,
the question wasn't of Vorgid's strength, but of Grord's, he should have been
strong enough to convince Vorgid to stay back. Grord failed. And why? It was
because of the magic. The magic that made them think they were stronger than
they were. Without the magic, they would have relied upon themselves and ONLY
themselves, and known with greater wisdom the time to return. Courage is not
the same as stupidity, and needless death is a waste. You don't waste things
when you live on an active volcano. And so as time passed, Grord became more
and more disaffected by live on the volcano, ruled by mages who, he now saw,
corrupted the entire race. They had corrupted the One Law, twisting it to be
strength, but only if you have magic. That should not be. Instead, it was and
should be their strength derived from the long and close association with the
earth, with the natural fires. They are great dangers, and thus great teachers,
and they have given the giants great natural gifts. Gifts they should hone and
cultivate within themselves, each one, rather than seek outside for the glamour
and seductive illusion of power that comes from magic. They debase themselves
and the earth along with it. He learned these lessons and his survival proves
to him that he was right. In time he simply could not stay, and he left,
ending the first chapter of his life to begin the new one.
Some General Insights into Grord
Added Mon Feb 26 13:38:56 2018 at level 12:
Grord is slow to speak. But when he gets on a roll, he does not stop. He is
always afraid that if he does not speak up when it's important, another brother
will die.
Grord's hatred for magic is consuming, but not irrational. He genuinely believes
that magic is slowly but surely ruining his race. And like most fire giants, he
(perhaps jingoistically) thinks his race is best. So, in a way, he thinks of himself
as a "good" person. Of course, he couldn't care a whit for the means he uses,
or how anything he does might affect anyone not a fire giant, so he's clearly evil.
He is suspicious of all leadership, having seen how the fire giant race has for
most of history been ruled by mages who corrupted the original fire giant race.
Doesn't mean he will be insubordinate or is incapable of being part of a group,
but more that he is always looking to make sure people aren't taking steps
toward corruption.
He has some mixed feelings for outlanders. He thinks their concept of
the world is wrong, and they embrace magic, so he could never be one of them
or want to be, but, he does share the affinity for the world, and in particular
the earth itself. It probably won't impact him or his behavior much, but worth
noting.
Finally, his experience has caused him to question, somewhat, the traditional
"no mistake" policy of his people. Failure can be a good teacher, and mortals
are not divine. Even so, he will take failures very, very, hard. Watch for
some short but explosive reactions. He's pretty even tempered but there may be
a very short time (less than even the full ghost status, probably) where he
becomes very animated. Like, you know, a volcano erupting! :)
An Adult in Thera
Added Sat Mar 10 13:39:17 2018 at level 27:
Grord is now a mature fire giant, 176 years old and in the prime of his
life. Early adversity, mostly in difficulty obtaining a hut of his own
in the Battlerager village, began the process of forming him into what he one
day hopes will be a hard-as-rock visage of Earth. It is a never ending process
and he continues to yearn to meet with his chosen deity, Ysaloerye, or the Biddy,
but while he waits he behaves as he thinks would be best, and is in line with
his inner self. Magma!
But magma channeled through the lava tube. He prizes chaos, but is not
lazy or weak. He hones himself, trains harder than anyone else, to
perfect himself and his craft. It is time consuming and not always
exciting, but it is important. It is through that work that he will accomplish
what he wants, which is for his rage in battle to bring victory against the mages.
He has tasted both success and failure (thankfully more the former than the later,
so far!) but he knows there are greater engagements in his future. He may fail
then - almost surely will fall plenty - but it will not be for lack of training
or mastery of his abilities.
On personal notes, he is somewhat disappointed in the other villagers.
Not about their fighting prowess, he doesn't see them fight enough to judge and
assumes they are competent. No, rather he is disappointed about how they
are as people. He's a fire giant, he doesn't crave love-fests. But he is
used to a community that while ruthless, is tight. Strong, and communal.
Most of those around him have been civil but distant. There are exceptions,
and most are very good about being helpful, be it gathering armors or
making bandages. But beyond that, it is somewhat ... sterile. As he grows,
he will keep his eyes open to see if this feeling is merely from not having
enough interaction, or is really genuine.
He has also gained a healthy dislike of the Tribunals. He already thought
poorly of them and their belief that they can impose laws on the earth and its
denizens. But now, after a few run ins, he definitely does not like them
and will be quite happy to take any excuse to kill them. He is not going
to be hunting them, of course, but if opportunities arise...
Finally he is learning the limitations of his chosen weapon, swords.
With them, any fool who uses magic can simply quaff a potion or something
and be immune to his titanic bashes or awkward trips, leaving him with
nothing to begin combat, or hold in combat, other than sheer will, which he admits
doesn't work well. This will play a key role in what he chooses as a second
weapon when the time comes.
PK Wins
Feb 26, 2018|Lv 15|South Dairein Settlement|Einard vs 1: [15] Grord (100%, cleave)
Feb 26, 2018|Lv 15|The Ancient Road to the Wastes|Schgalg vs 1: [15] Grord (100%, cleave)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 18|Galadon|Vaakko vs 1: [18] Grord (100%, pound)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 18|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Hunampi vs 1: [18] Grord (100%, crushing force)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 18|Galadon|Vaakko vs 1: [18] Grord (100%, cleave)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 18|The Imperial Lands|Jenjin vs 1: [18] Grord (100%, wrath)
Mar 2, 2018 |Lv 18|The Imperial Lands|Lincolna vs 1: [18] Grord (100%, wrath)
Mar 4, 2018 |Lv 21|The Galadon Sewers|Kalamaria vs 1: [21] Grord (100%, cleave)
Mar 7, 2018 |Lv 25|Galadon|Nodeka vs 1: [25] Grord (100%, slash)
Mar 7, 2018 |Lv 25|Voralian City|Wistari vs 1: [25] Grord (100%, thrust)
Mar 7, 2018 |Lv 25|Galadon|Exirus vs 1: [25] Grord (100%, slash)
Mar 7, 2018 |Lv 25|The Eastern Road|Exirus vs 1: [25] Grord (100%, cleave)
Mar 8, 2018 |Lv 26|Voralian City|Exirus vs 1: [26] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 8, 2018 |Lv 26|Galadon|Exirus vs 1: [26] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 9, 2018 |Lv 27|The Lumberyard|Nodeka vs 1: [27] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 10, 2018|Lv 28|Voralian City|Ruskin vs 1: [28] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 12, 2018|Lv 29|The Ashes of NoWhere|Nodeka vs 1: [29] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 12, 2018|Lv 29|Darsylon|Yileer vs 1: [29] Grord (100%, parting blow)
Mar 16, 2018|Lv 31|BattleRager Village|Kruo vs 2: [40] Kyllothan (25%, surprise attack), [31] Grord (74%)
Mar 16, 2018|Lv 31|Galadon|Kruo vs 1: [31] Grord (100%, parting blow)
Mar 18, 2018|Lv 32|Galadon|Yileer vs 2: [32] Grord (52%, thrust), [39] Durnot (47%)
Mar 19, 2018|Lv 33|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Castigan vs 1: [33] Grord (100%, slice)
Mar 21, 2018|Lv 35|BattleRager Village|Cerafex vs 1: [35] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Mar 21, 2018|Lv 35|The Aryth Ocean|Ophelio vs 1: [35] Grord (100%, flurry)
Mar 22, 2018|Lv 37|The Citadel of Ostalagiah|Amdromica vs 1: [37] Grord (100%, thrust)
Mar 22, 2018|Lv 38|BattleRager Village|Omnifeeri vs 1: [38] Grord (100%, slice)
Mar 22, 2018|Lv 38|The Eastern Road|Amdromica vs 1: [38] Grord (100%, slice)
Mar 25, 2018|Lv 39|The Eastern Road|Raez vs 2: [39] Grord (33%), [30] Yathemar (66%, quick strike)
Mar 25, 2018|Lv 39|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Raez vs 1: [39] Grord (100%, flurry)
Mar 25, 2018|Lv 40|The Frigid Wasteland|Tintalle vs 1: [40] Grord (100%, flurry)
Mar 25, 2018|Lv 40|The Frigid Wasteland|Nodeka vs 1: [40] Grord (100%, slash)
Mar 30, 2018|Lv 40|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Nodeka vs 1: [40] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 4, 2018 |Lv 41|The North Road|Allaluvial vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 4, 2018 |Lv 41|Northern Foothills|Kipple vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 4, 2018 |Lv 41|Khardrath's Planar Sanctum|Nodeka vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 6, 2018 |Lv 41|BattleRager Village|Amdromica vs 2: [41] Grord (100%, thrust), [51] Durnot (0%)
Apr 6, 2018 |Lv 41|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Amdromica vs 2: [51] Zah (52%, divine power), [41] Grord (47%)
Apr 7, 2018 |Lv 41|The Dragon Sea|Dresory vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, punch)
Apr 7, 2018 |Lv 41|Ruins of Maethien|Viyen vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 7, 2018 |Lv 41|Ruins of Maethien|Nodeka vs 3: [51] Ziv (25%), [41] Grord (74%, parting blow), [48] Borlan (0%)
Apr 7, 2018 |Lv 41|Ruins of Maethien|Borlan vs 3: [51] Ziv (10%), [41] Grord (83%, parting blow), [50] Nodeka (5%)
Apr 7, 2018 |Lv 41|Mount Kiadana-Rah|Florian vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 8, 2018 |Lv 41|The Imperial Lands|Amdromica vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, thrust)
Apr 8, 2018 |Lv 41|Khardrath's Planar Sanctum|Kersik vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 8, 2018 |Lv 41|The Aryth Ocean|Amdromica vs 2: [41] Grord (41%, slash), [51] Dresory (58%)
Apr 9, 2018 |Lv 41|The Tower of the Masters|Raez vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Apr 9, 2018 |Lv 41|BattleRager Village|Raez vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 9, 2018 |Lv 41|The Eastern Road|Raez vs 1: [41] Grord (100%, freezing cut)
Apr 16, 2018|Lv 44|The Eastern Road|Wistari vs 2: [44] Grord (91%, flurry), [51] Amdromica (8%)
Apr 16, 2018|Lv 47|Galadon|Aetheyl vs 1: [47] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 16, 2018|Lv 48|Fortress of Light|Viyen vs 3: [51] Durnot (30%), [51] Ziv (54%, gouge), [48] Grord (14%)
Apr 16, 2018|Lv 48|Fortress of Light|Drogun vs 2: [51] Durnot (4%), [48] Grord (95%, slash)
Apr 16, 2018|Lv 48|Fortress of Light|Aurew vs 4: [51] Durnot (15%), [51] Aehwic (0%), [48] Grord (50%, KB), [51] Ziv (33%)
Apr 17, 2018|Lv 48|The Eastern Road|Viyen vs 1: [48] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 18, 2018|Lv 48|BattleRager Village|Hanraldis vs 3: [48] Grord (3%), [49] Aranuuki (51%, beating), [51] Kooxmow (44%)
Apr 21, 2018|Lv 51|East Sumner's Road|Kasic vs 2: [51] Grord (3%), [51] Ziv (96%, hunger)
Apr 22, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Borlan vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 22, 2018|Lv 51|Underdark|Amdromica vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, divine power)
Apr 22, 2018|Lv 51|Galadon|Tuhhk vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 23, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Enhal vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, punch)
Apr 24, 2018|Lv 51|Underdark|Leodos vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, wrath)
Apr 24, 2018|Lv 51|The Imperial Palace|Jhelruk vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 25, 2018|Lv 51|The North Road|Thoglin vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
Apr 25, 2018|Lv 51|Galadon|Nodeka vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
Apr 26, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Aehwic vs 3: [51] Tolhzur (37%), [51] Zah (4%), [51] Grord (58%, parting blow)
Apr 26, 2018|Lv 51|Galadon|Knaor vs 3: [51] Tolhzur (2%), [51] Zah (43%, punch), [51] Grord (54%)
Apr 26, 2018|Lv 51|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Drogun vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, hit)
Apr 26, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Drogun vs 3: [51] Zah (27%, punch), [51] Grord (23%), [51] Tolhzur (48%)
Apr 26, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Zah vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, defilement)
Apr 28, 2018|Lv 51|Seantryn Modan|Kosten vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 1, 2018 |Lv 51|Hamsah Mu'tazz|Lergassyl vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, wrath)
May 1, 2018 |Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Gilversplitz vs 2: [51] Zah (84%, pummeling blow), [51] Grord (15%)
May 3, 2018 |Lv 51|The Spire of the Blood Tribunal|Arkanthaleon vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 3, 2018 |Lv 51|Feanwyyn Weald|Ishtalen vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, wrath)
May 5, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Vaemar vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 5, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Bronkirk vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 5, 2018 |Lv 51|The Inn of the Eternal Star|Bhaebzikh vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 6, 2018 |Lv 51|Temple of the Scarab|Vri vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, parting blow)
May 6, 2018 |Lv 51|Galadon|Kulwi vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 6, 2018 |Lv 51|Ruins of Maethien|Vardin vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, pound)
May 6, 2018 |Lv 51|Ruins of Maethien|Jacarat vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, pound)
May 6, 2018 |Lv 51|The Shadow Grove|Kelophasus vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 7, 2018 |Lv 51|The Ruins of Ostalagiah|Alzendir vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 9, 2018 |Lv 51|Shepherd's Row|Drogun vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, defilement)
May 9, 2018 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Viyen vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 9, 2018 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Viyen vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 9, 2018 |Lv 51|The Redhorn Mountains|Sildas vs 2: [51] Grord (62%, slash), [51] Luciaquos (37%)
May 11, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Rhiwe vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, slash)
May 21, 2018|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Alzendir vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, chaotic blast)
May 21, 2018|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Drissa vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, parting blow)
May 21, 2018|Lv 51|The Eastern Road|Alzendir vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, flurry)
May 22, 2018|Lv 51|Udgaard|Kelophasus vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, pound)
May 25, 2018|Lv 51|BattleRager Village|Pyapansudo vs 1: [51] Grord (100%, wrath)