Grimvug
-
A loud bustle can be heard in the halls of Peltarch castle, as a large Half-orc follows a hurried castle clerk walking down a hallway. As they enter a room filled with parchments of paper stacked on a desk, the clerk turns and says "Have a seat here and well get you started Mr...?"
"I am Grimvug," he says plopping his big frame into the chair looking unenthusiastic.
"Ah, Grim Vug, may I call you Mr. Vug?"
"No..."
"Ahem, yes then... well, we just need to sort out your citizenship papers and get you on your way. We'll try to make this quick and painless so not to trouble you!"
Grimvug gives an intimidating look (rolls nat 20, baybee!) "I only come because guards tell me to get papers or spend time with the gaelor! I do nothing wrong but sit by fountain for days!"
"Uhmm, yes.." the clerk says nervously, quickly looking back to the parchment to avoid eye-contact "the guards told me to sort this out. Believe me sir! They only want your situation cared for so no misconceptions occur to a... a..." he studders "an intimidat.... uh impressive person as yourself! If you are staying in Peltarch for sometime, it would be helpful for you if the guards knew of your good standing with the city and not mistake you for some common hunter from the plains."
Grimvug's steely stare lessens somewhat over these words and he gives the smallest/slightest nod "Hmmm. I only stay because I wait for Gem-eyes... and my gold."
The clerk half-listens while beginning to fill out paperwork "Mmhmm, and what is your country of origin? Where did you travel from to find yourself here?"
Grimvug begins to stare out the window as he begins to recount his trip and the scene fades out and back in time to Thesk, far south of Narfell
On a forested road, Grimvug was travelling between villages as he came upon a caravan stopped on the road. A small human man, with the grandest of moustaches Grimvug had ever seen, was standing on the lead wagon screaming and beckoning his hired help to fix a broken axel on one of the wagons. The men grumbling, find stones to stack to take the weight off the broken axel. Some yell back at the small man, "You best be good on the coin you promise when we finally get to this pikin' village!" The man sneers back at them "The only way you'll get your coin is fixing that axel so we can make it to the village!"
As Grimvug closes in on the broken down caravan, some of the oxen begin to stir and bellow. The sounds of some leaves rustling and twigs breaking on either side of the road, then a bright flash! Some of the men are dazed by the flash, covering their eyes and moaning. A small party of goblins leap out from the bushes and begin to beset up on the caravan. The small man shrieks! He grabs a crossbow and calls the men to arms and defend the goods. "Save me and defend the lead wagons!"
Initially surprised, Grimvug pauses to take in the scene as he was not noticed by the caravan nor goblins. Watching the goblins surround the caravan and scanning which wagon to pillage first; watching the caravan guard stumble to defensive positions still rubbing their eyes, and a panicked puny human screaming and firing errant crossbow bolts. The goblins set in and begin to pick off some of the straggling guards still blinded by the flash. "No! Fight back! EARN/YOUR/PAY!" The small man, beside himself, begins throwing shiny baubles out of his cart to distract the attacking goblins.
Seeing the caravan guard begin to struggle with the goblin attack, Grimvug walked up and punted a goblin archer he first came across. Grabbed another and smashed its head into the side of a wagon. Hearing the rear attack, the goblins turned and focused on the unarmed Grimvug. Near one of the slain guardsman, Grimvug picks up a dropped axe and begins slashing at the goblins. He catches one and almost splits the creature in half. One jumps on his back and begins to stab Grimvug in the back. He reaches back and pulls the goblin off throws it to the ground with a swing of the axe in quick succession. The man and the caravan guard all stop and watch what just occurred. A few of the guard regain their senses and rally to chase off the remaining goblin pack.
The caravan master hops down and walks over to Grimvug. "My, my! Job well done! Your quite a capable fellow." Standing no taller than half of Grimvug's size, the man pushes on Grimvug as if to test his sturdiness. Grimvug did not budge. "Hmmm, yes. I was impressed on how you dispatches those foul goblins and protecting my caravan!" Twirling on his moustache, the man looks at several of his slain guards and back to Grimvug. "Charles Jemeires, I am. Some may know me by 'Gem-eyes,' caravanner of finer goods and gems. Perhaps you've heard of me and my caravan! 'Gem-eyes trading?'"
"Um, No..." a deadpanned Grimvug answered.
"Yes, well no matter. Tell you what you look like someone who would be worth three of those saps in my guard. Thanks to those goblins a few spots opened up. Come work for me and you'll earn some steady pay."
Grimvug was only travelling between towns searching for taverns and inns to serve as a bouncer, but he was running out of innkeepers and barkeeps that he had not punched or threatened over pay. So he agreed. Seemed a good deal for steady coin and travel. Months passed by, with Grimvug making journeys with Gem-eyes' caravan, guarding against highwaymen, goblin raids and troublesome fey. Even on an occasion or two intimidating merchants to pay "slightly" above market prices for Gem-eye's goods. He eventually became the captain of the caravan guard. Charles Jemeires and his caravan were in high demand and the travel was non-stop.
Unbeknownst to Grimvug, a contact had reached out to Charles asking to bring a "special" shipment to Peltarch for the Black Sails organization. "Grimvug, I want to assemble the guard and add twenty more! I've just secured our most lucrative trade route yet!" Charles said intently. "Secure this shipment and I'll pay you in gold bars instead of gold coins!" Grimvug's eyes lit up at the sound of gold bars. A half-orc with this much wealth would buy him many things in Thesk! What the shipment was and whom it was to be delivered to... was on a need to know basis and Grimvug, as the muscle, didn't need to know. He rarely asked questions to Charles about the shipments, nor did he care as long as the coins were coming in.
The plans and provisions were made and the caravan set off from Thesk on its way north to Narfell and Peltarch. Most of the journey was typical, encountering goblin ambushes and highwaymen holdups every other forest or so. Grimvug had seen them plenty of times and fended them off with minor casualties to his guard. As they came closer to the Narfell border, they began to encounter heartier orcish scouting parties. This was much different than what they ever encountered in Thesk... more wounded men, more stops to repair damaged wagons. The orcs wore down the caravan as they limped into Peltarch. Much rest was needed but the bulk of the goods were delivered. Charles was pleased. He was more obsessive over plans for this trip than any other. Always wanted the heaviest of guards around the two wagons carrying the "special orders," as Charles called it.
"Here's an advance!" Charles throws a bag of coins on the table, in front of Grimvug. "Get yourself a nice room here at the Mermaid Inn. Relax. I've got my meeting to drop the 'special orders' off. They want no others present, expect old Gem-Eyes here! I'll get our payment and meet you here in the morning for the payoff." Grimvug nodded, a bag full of coin and a night off! He got himself a room and spent the rest of his coin on 'entertainment' and drink at The Regal Maid.
The next morning, a note was waiting for Grimvug from Charles:
"To Grimvug,
It is very important for you to wait here in Peltarch. Payment for delivery proved to be difficult. Stay here and wait for my return and your gold.
- Charles"
He checked outside... no signs of the caravan or what was left of its retinue. Grimvug was left behind and far from home. All he has is Charles' note and to wait in wonder if Charles is true to his word or if he had been cut out of the pay.
4th August 2024 - Reviewed XP Pending (DM_Durandal)
