![[Gruumsh.png|500]] Greater Deity Alignment: Chaotic Evil ### Overview Gruumsh, known as One-Eye, He-Who-Never-Sleeps, He-Who-Watches, and The One-Eyed God, is the greater deity of orcs, warfare, conquest, strength, territory, and survival. As the supreme ruler of the orcish pantheon, he embodies the belief that strength establishes authority and that territory must be claimed and defended through force. He is revered as the creator and ancestral patron of the orcish peoples, having bestowed upon them the endurance, determination, and resilience necessary to survive in a dangerous world. Gruumsh is a fierce, domineering, and relentlessly aggressive deity who demands strength, obedience, and martial accomplishment from his followers. His teachings encourage conquest, vengeance, and the defeat of enemies, particularly those who stand between his worshippers and the territories they believe are rightfully theirs. He regards weakness with contempt and teaches that leadership must be maintained through the ability to command, protect, and overcome opposition. Gruumsh is traditionally depicted as an enormous, heavily muscled orc clad in black plate armour and carrying a great iron spear known as the Bloodspear. His most distinguishing feature is his single, unblinking eye. According to elven traditions, he once possessed two eyes but lost his left eye during an ancient battle against Corellon Larethian, the supreme deity of the elves. Many orcish religious traditions reject this account, maintaining that Gruumsh was born with only one eye or that Corellon stole it through treachery. His hatred of the elven and dwarven pantheons forms a central part of his mythology. Gruumsh believes that the other gods denied his people their rightful place in the world, forcing the orcs to seize territory through strength. This belief has shaped the teachings of his clergy and contributed to generations of conflict between his most devoted worshippers and neighbouring peoples. Although Gruumsh is the traditional creator and principal god of orcs, not all orcs worship him or follow his demands for conquest. Some communities honour other deities or pursue lives independent of his religious teachings. Nevertheless, Gruumsh's influence remains deeply connected to orcish history, particularly through the endurance and physical gifts he is believed to have bestowed upon his people. ### Domain and Influence Gruumsh's divine authority encompasses warfare, conquest, physical strength, survival, and territorial domination. His teachings proclaim that strength determines the right to possess territory and that those unable to defend their holdings cannot expect to retain them. Warfare is consequently regarded by his most devoted followers as both a means of survival and a sacred expression of their deity's will. Gruumsh's influence is particularly strong among orcish warbands, conquering chieftains, and communities organised around martial achievement. His priests encourage military expansion, advise tribal leaders, and interpret divine signs concerning warfare. Although he favours conquest, Gruumsh does not reject the establishment of permanent settlements when doing so advances orcish power. His principal concern is that his followers remain strong, increase their numbers, and possess the ability to defend or expand their territories. Gruumsh rules the orcish pantheon through overwhelming authority. His consort is Luthic, the Cave Mother, goddess of fertility, healing, and the protection of orcish families. Their son, Bahgtru, embodies extraordinary physical strength and unrestrained combat. Ilneval, the War Maker, serves as Gruumsh's lieutenant and represents military leadership, strategy, and organised warfare. Other important members of the pantheon include Shargaas, god of darkness, stealth, and assassination, and Yurtrus, god of death and disease. These deities possess their own followers and responsibilities but remain subordinate to Gruumsh's greater authority. His most enduring enemy is Corellon Larethian, whose legendary conflict with Gruumsh established a lasting hostility between their respective religions. Gruumsh also despises Moradin, the chief deity of the dwarves, and resents the claims of the dwarven gods over mountains and underground territories. His hostility extends to other divine powers whose ambitions challenge those of the orcish pantheon, including Maglubiyet, the goblinoid god of conquest. Gruumsh's divine realm is Nishrek, a realm of perpetual warfare traditionally associated with Acheron, the Infernal Battlefield. Its centre of power is the Iron Fortress, Gruumsh's immense stronghold, where Bahgtru and Ilneval have also dwelt. Nishrek is dominated by armed camps, fortifications, battlefields, and armies of the dead, many of whom continue fighting after death in an effort to prove their worth to their deity. The location and nature of Nishrek have changed in different planar accounts. Ancient descriptions place it among the enormous iron cubes of Acheron, while other traditions describe it as an independent divine dominion. During the upheavals that reshaped the planes, Nishrek was cast into the Astral Sea. Gruumsh subsequently attempted to destroy Bane's dominion of Chernoggar by hurling Nishrek against it. The two dominions became joined, trapping the opposing armies in an enduring war between Gruumsh and Bane. Gruumsh's influence also extends to the inherent gifts of the orcish peoples. He is credited with granting his children exceptional endurance, determination, and the ability to see in darkness. These gifts are considered part of their ancestral inheritance and remain with them even when individual orcs reject his worship. ### Symbols and Icons  Gruumsh's principal holy symbol is a single, unblinking eye, representing his unceasing vigilance, authority, and attention to the deeds of his followers. Another established representation depicts an empty eye socket, recalling the eye he is said to have lost during his battle with Corellon. Both symbols are recognised within his religious traditions and commonly appear upon banners, shields, armour, ceremonial objects, and tribal markings. The eye is associated with Gruumsh's expectation that his followers remain watchful, prepared for conflict, and determined to defeat their enemies. Some priests cover one eye with a patch to imitate their deity, while others voluntarily sacrifice an eye during religious initiation. The spear is another important symbol of Gruumsh's authority. His favoured weapon is the spear, particularly the longspear, reflecting his legendary Bloodspear. Ceremonial spears are used during religious observances and to mark territory claimed in his name. Dark red and black are prominent colours within his faith. Priests traditionally wear dark red vestments, war helmets, and black armour, reflecting their deity's association with warfare and bloodshed. The giant rat is also recognised as a sacred animal of Gruumsh, although the unblinking eye and spear remain his most important religious emblems. ### Worship and Tributes Gruumsh's worship centres upon strength, conquest, vengeance, and demonstrations of martial ability. His followers believe that devotion must be proven through action rather than prayer alone. Victory in battle, the defeat of powerful enemies, and the successful acquisition or defence of territory are regarded as significant expressions of faith. His religious ceremonies frequently involve war chants, blood sacrifices, contests of strength, and the recounting of important victories. Priests perform rites before military campaigns, interpret omens, and dedicate conquered territory to their deity. Prayers traditionally begin with Kharg-hark, the Orcish word for revenge, regardless of the prayer's particular purpose. Established religious practices include: - Blood Sacrifices: Traditional Gruuman worship involves monthly offerings of blood, often taken from captured enemies. Elves are particularly significant victims because of Gruumsh's ancient hatred of Corellon. The scale and nature of these sacrifices vary between tribes. - The Ritual of the Poles: Following a victorious battle, worshippers mark the boundaries of conquered territory by driving longspears into the earth, their points facing upward. The severed heads of fallen enemies are placed upon the spears, proclaiming both the conquest and the tribe's devotion to Gruumsh. - The New Moon: The new moon is a sacred occasion for Gruumsh's clergy. Priests perform religious ceremonies, offer sacrifices, and seek divine guidance. Clerics traditionally pray for their spells during the darkness of night. - Commemoration of Victories: Anniversaries of significant victories against elves, dwarves, or rival orcish tribes are observed as religious occasions. These ceremonies reinforce tribal history and the belief that military success demonstrates divine favour. - The Feast of the Bloodied Stones: Known as Gharfek'taaz, this holy day is celebrated on the final day of Marpenoth. It commemorates Gruumsh's ascendance as master of Nishrek. Traditional ceremonies involve blood sacrifices, violent contests, and the ordination of new shamans. - Trials of Strength: In certain religious traditions, those seeking priestly advancement must defeat rivals in combat. Some shamans are required to overcome another claimant before undertaking a further ceremonial battle against a worthy opponent. - Sacrifice of an Eye: Particularly zealous followers may voluntarily surrender an eye as an expression of devotion. Different religious traditions disagree over which eye should be removed. Ordinary shamans often sacrifice the left eye to imitate Gruumsh, while the specialised warriors known as the Eyes of Gruumsh sacrifice the right eye. Gruumsh's religious traditions are not entirely uniform. Different orcish communities maintain their own interpretations of his commands, and shamans frequently disagree concerning the correct performance of certain rituals. Nevertheless, martial strength, vengeance, the acquisition of territory, and obedience to Gruumsh remain central to his established faith. ### Clergy and Temples The clergy of Gruumsh, commonly known as Gruumans, consists of shamans, clerics, war priests, and spiritual advisers who maintain his religious authority within orcish communities. Their responsibilities include conducting sacrifices, interpreting divine omens, advising chieftains, and encouraging warfare against the enemies of the faith. Priests frequently accompany warbands into battle, providing magical assistance and proclaiming that military victories demonstrate Gruumsh's favour. Religious authority is closely associated with martial accomplishment. Priests who demonstrate strength and courage command considerable respect, while those regarded as weak may be challenged or replaced. Gruumsh's clerics often seek to become tribal leaders themselves or occupy influential positions as advisers to established chieftains. They also enforce his teachings concerning strength, obedience, and the rejection of weakness. Clerical training frequently takes place during military campaigns. An experienced priest may select a promising warrior as an apprentice and provide instruction while travelling with a warband. The apprentice's training traditionally concludes during an important battle, when the successful use of divine magic demonstrates readiness to serve as a cleric. Gruumsh's temples are commonly established within fortified settlements, military encampments, and orcish strongholds. They serve as places of worship, centres of military authority, and gathering places for warriors. Larger temples may contain arenas where combatants compete for prestige and wealth. Altars, ceremonial spears, and holding areas for sacrificial captives are common features of his more established religious sites. One of the most important martial traditions associated with Gruumsh is that of the Eyes of Gruumsh. These devotees are not exclusively priests but include barbarians, fighters, and other warriors who dedicate themselves to their deity through extraordinary acts of sacrifice. To enter this order, an orc or half-orc must demonstrate mastery of the orc double axe and voluntarily destroy their right eye during a special ceremony. The initiate must endure the ordeal without making a sound. Those who succeed become highly respected warriors, possessing unusual abilities associated with rage, battlefield leadership, and fighting without normal sight. The distinction between the Eyes of Gruumsh and ordinary shamans is important. While many shamans remove their left eye to imitate their deity, the Eyes of Gruumsh sacrifice the right eye so that their remaining vision symbolically complements his own. This difference reflects separate religious traditions rather than a contradiction concerning the requirements of the warrior order. ### Powers and Abilities Gruumsh possesses immense divine power associated with warfare, physical strength, destruction, and the domination of enemies. As a greater deity and ruler of the orcish pantheon, he is an exceptionally formidable combatant whose supernatural abilities reflect his relentless pursuit of conquest and vengeance. His principal abilities include: - Divine Strength and Martial Prowess: Gruumsh possesses extraordinary physical strength, endurance, and combat ability. He is capable of confronting powerful divine beings directly and is particularly dangerous when wielding his legendary spear. - The Bloodspear: Gruumsh wields an immense, bloodstained iron spear capable of changing its length. The weapon possesses powerful enchantments, including the ability to paralyse creatures it strikes. It is among the most recognisable manifestations of his divine authority. - Divine Fury: Gruumsh can impart supernatural rage and determination to selected followers, granting them exceptional ferocity in battle. Some warriors who undergo sacred initiation are able to channel a portion of his destructive fury. - Destructive Magic: Gruumsh possesses supernatural abilities associated with destruction, chaos, and warfare. His manifestations have been described as capable of producing clouds of acrid black smoke that poison or weaken nearby enemies. - The Eternal Torch: Gruumsh has been depicted carrying a supernatural torch whose flames cannot be extinguished. Its undying fire is associated with the destructive power reflected in his remaining eye. - Divine Vigilance: His unblinking eye represents his constant watchfulness. He is particularly attentive to important acts of warfare, conquest, vengeance, and religious devotion undertaken in his name. - Command of Divine Servants: Gruumsh may dispatch powerful supernatural warriors to assist his followers, including fiendish orc barbarians and certain demonic creatures. His divine allies have included hezrous, mariliths, and flamebrother salamanders. - Authority Over Nishrek: Gruumsh commands the supernatural armies and fortifications of his divine realm. Countless souls continue to fight within its battlefields, competing for his recognition and favour. Several sacred weapons and magical relics are closely associated with his faith. The Spear of Retribution is an enchanted weapon associated with Gruumsh's anger and the principle of vengeance. According to its religious tradition, Gruumsh occasionally hurls a spear at a cleric who has displeased him. If the cleric subsequently atones and preserves the weapon, it may become a Spear of Retribution. Such spears return when thrown and become especially effective against enemies who have recently wounded their wielders. The Shield of the Severed Hand is a sacred shield decorated with bloody markings. The original relic is said to have been created when an orc warrior severed the hand of an elven king and mounted it upon his shield. After the warrior's death, the shield survived his funeral pyre, retaining the bloody handprint. Its divine properties enable faithful wielders to forcefully repel attackers. Guurgal is a powerful spear associated with the ancient orcish ruler Bruug of Orghar. Its religious history includes a vision in which Gruumsh removed a shaman's left eye using the weapon. Those seeking to awaken its full power must undergo demanding rituals involving bloodshed, devotion, and a confrontation with the shade of its former wielder. These objects represent Gruumsh's association with vengeance, bloodshed, martial authority, and religious sacrifice. Not every enchanted spear dedicated to him is a personal possession of the deity, but such weapons hold considerable importance within his faith. ### Treatment of the Chosen and Faithful Gruumsh judges his followers primarily through their strength, determination, obedience, and willingness to overcome opposition. He favours those who demonstrate courage in battle and possess the resolve to endure hardship. His religious teachings condemn cowardice and weakness, while military success is frequently interpreted by his clergy as evidence of divine approval. Although Gruumsh demands obedience, his relationship with particularly powerful followers is not limited to punishment. He can grant supernatural strength, inspire religious visions, and elevate exceptional warriors to positions of considerable authority. His treatment of devoted followers is reflected in several established traditions: - The Eyes of Gruumsh: Warriors who successfully undergo the sacrifice of their right eye may receive supernatural abilities associated with rage, enhanced awareness, and battlefield command. Their position carries considerable prestige among traditional Gruuman communities. - Divine Visions and Commands: Gruumsh occasionally communicates through dreams, omens, and supernatural manifestations. Such experiences may encourage followers to undertake military campaigns, challenge existing leaders, or perform significant acts of devotion. - Rewards for Martial Achievement: Warriors and chieftains who achieve extraordinary victories may receive religious recognition or supernatural assistance. Their accomplishments can strengthen their influence within orcish society. - Punishment for Failure: Gruumsh is known to respond harshly to followers who displease him. Certain traditions describe him physically attacking negligent clerics or withdrawing divine favour until they atone for their failures. - Divine Champions: Exceptionally powerful warriors may become instruments of Gruumsh's will, receiving supernatural blessings that distinguish them from ordinary followers. - The Fate of the Faithful: Souls devoted to Gruumsh may enter Nishrek after death, where they continue fighting in the armies of their deity. In many descriptions of the realm, fallen warriors are restored to fight again, allowing the struggle for divine favour to continue indefinitely. One of Gruumsh's most significant mortal champions was Obould Many-Arrows, the orcish king who established the Kingdom of Many-Arrows in northern Faerûn. Obould possessed extraordinary strength and received blessings that led many orcs to regard him as a living manifestation of Gruumsh's power. He became known as Obould-Who-Is-Gruumsh. Despite his reputation as a formidable conqueror, Obould eventually accepted peace with neighbouring dwarven communities and established a lasting kingdom. His reign demonstrated that orcish military strength could support the foundation and defence of a permanent nation rather than continual expansion. Obould died in 1409 DR, having reached old age. Following his death, Gruumsh elevated him to the position of exarch, granting him a place within the divine hierarchy of Nishrek. His ascension remains one of the clearest examples of Gruumsh rewarding an exceptional mortal ruler with supernatural status. ### Myths and Legends Gruumsh's mythology is closely connected to the creation of the orcs, his conflict with the elven gods, the struggle for territory, and the belief that his people were denied their rightful inheritance. His religious traditions contain both mythological accounts of the distant past and historical events in which divine powers directly influenced the mortal world. - The Creation of the Orcs: Gruumsh is revered as the creator and ancestral patron of the orcish peoples. His religious traditions describe him fashioning the orcs to reflect his strength and determination. He granted them the endurance, resilience, and ability to endure hostile environments that would allow them to survive across the world. His followers believe that these gifts establish their special relationship with the One-Eyed God. - The Division of the World: According to an ancient orcish myth, the gods gathered to divide the lands of the world among their respective peoples. The elves received the forests, the dwarves the mountains, the gnomes the hills, and the halflings the fields and meadows, while humanity received the freedom to dwell in many environments. When Gruumsh demanded land for the orcs, the other gods declared that nothing remained. Enraged, Gruumsh drove his spear into the world, tearing apart mountains, forests, and fertile landscapes. He proclaimed that his children would inhabit the broken lands and eventually seize the territories they had been denied. - The Battle with Corellon: One of the most significant divine conflicts concerns Gruumsh's ancient battle against Corellon Larethian. Elven traditions maintain that Gruumsh attempted to defeat Corellon using his enchanted spear but ultimately lost his left eye during the fighting. Some accounts credit Corellon's sword with the injury, while others describe an arrow striking the orcish deity. Orcish traditions reject the claim that Gruumsh was fairly defeated, maintaining that he was born with one eye or that Corellon used deception to steal it. These competing accounts remain fundamental to the hostility between their respective religions. - The Betrayal of Araushnee: Certain elven histories describe Araushnee, who later became Lolth, secretly assisting Gruumsh during his conflict with Corellon. She attempted to interfere with Corellon's weapon so that Gruumsh could defeat him. Her schemes were disrupted, and she later organised additional opposition to the Seldarine. Although Gruumsh and Araushnee shared hostility toward Corellon, their alliance did not endure, and Gruumsh eventually became an enemy of Lolth. - The Conquest of Nishrek: Gruumsh established his authority over Nishrek and made the Iron Fortress a centre of his divine power. Orcish religious tradition commemorates his ascendancy during the Feast of the Bloodied Stones. The realm became an endless battlefield where followers of the orcish gods continue fighting for supremacy and recognition. - The Orcgate Wars: In −1076 DR, vast armies of orcs entered eastern Faerûn through a magical portal previously opened by the rebel wizard Thayd. The invading forces fought against the nations of Mulhorand and Unther, whose rulers and divine manifestations attempted to repel them. Orcish shamans summoned manifestations of their own gods, transforming the war into a conflict involving entire pantheons. In −1071 DR, during the Battle of the Gods, Gruumsh slew Re, the supreme deity of the Mulhorandi pantheon. Several Untheric gods were also killed during the conflict, although the orcish gods suffered considerable losses. The surviving Mulhorandi and Untheric forces eventually defeated the invaders, driving them from the region in −1069 DR. The death of Re remains one of the most significant recorded acts of divine warfare in Faerûn's history. - The War Against Bane: Gruumsh's rivalry with Bane, the god of tyranny and conquest, developed into a struggle for supremacy over warfare itself. During the great planar upheavals, Gruumsh hurled his dominion of Nishrek against Bane's realm of Chernoggar. The resulting collision joined the two dominions and forced their inhabitants into an enduring conflict. Neither deity achieved a decisive victory, and the opposing armies continued fighting across the transformed landscape. - The Ascension of Obould Many-Arrows: Obould was an exceptionally powerful orcish king whose military accomplishments established the Kingdom of Many-Arrows. His reign was marked by both conquest and an eventual peace with neighbouring kingdoms. After his death in 1409 DR, Gruumsh raised him to the position of exarch. Obould's ascension demonstrated that divine favour could be granted to a mortal whose achievements extended beyond warfare to the establishment of a powerful and enduring orcish realm. The traditions surrounding Gruumsh do not always agree, particularly regarding the loss of his eye and the circumstances of the orcs' creation. Such differences reflect the competing religious histories preserved by orcs, elves, and other peoples. The Orcgate Wars and the reign of Obould Many-Arrows, by contrast, belong to the recorded history of Faerûn. ### Encounters with Gruumsh's Influence Gruumsh's influence is most frequently encountered through religious warbands, powerful tribal leaders, sacred objects, and communities whose traditions emphasise martial strength and territorial conquest. His presence may also be recognised through divine visions, supernatural champions, and locations associated with the worship of the One-Eyed God. - Orcish Warbands: Followers of Gruumsh may undertake military campaigns against neighbouring settlements, rival tribes, or traditional enemies. Their forces frequently include shamans who interpret divine commands and provide magical assistance. - Temples and War Shrines: Fortified religious sites contain ceremonial spears, sacred banners, altars, and arenas used for contests of strength. These locations serve as centres of worship and military authority. - The Eyes of Gruumsh: Particularly powerful orcish warriors may belong to the order of the Eyes of Gruumsh. Their missing right eyes and extraordinary martial abilities identify them as dedicated servants of the One-Eyed God. - Religious Conflicts: Followers of Gruumsh may clash with worshippers of Corellon, Moradin, or other deities opposed to his ambitions. Such hostilities are frequently connected to ancient religious grievances and territorial disputes. - Sacred Relics: Weapons and shields associated with Gruumsh may be recovered from ancient battlefields, religious strongholds, or the possessions of powerful orcish warriors. - Divine Omens: Gruumsh may communicate through visions, dreams, and supernatural manifestations. These experiences can influence the decisions of chieftains, inspire military campaigns, or lead individuals to pursue religious initiation. - The Legacy of the Orcgate Wars: Ancient battlefields and historical accounts concerning the death of Re preserve evidence of Gruumsh's direct involvement in the affairs of Faerûn. The consequences of these conflicts remain significant to the histories of the orcs and the eastern kingdoms. - Nishrek and the Iron Fortress: Planar travellers entering Gruumsh's divine realm may encounter immense armies, fortified strongholds, and petitioners engaged in perpetual warfare. The Iron Fortress remains the principal seat of his divine authority. ### Conclusion Gruumsh is the greater deity of orcs, warfare, conquest, strength, territory, and survival, and the supreme ruler of the orcish pantheon. His teachings emphasise martial power, determination, and the right to claim and defend territory through force. To his most devoted followers, conquest is both a practical means of survival and a sacred expression of divine purpose. His ancient conflict with Corellon Larethian remains central to his mythology, while his relationships with Luthic, Bahgtru, Ilneval, and the other orcish gods establish his authority over their pantheon. Through Nishrek and the Iron Fortress, he maintains a divine realm shaped by continual warfare and competition for supremacy. Gruumsh's involvement in the Orcgate Wars, particularly his slaying of Re in −1071 DR, demonstrates that his influence extends beyond the religious traditions of the orcs into the recorded history of Faerûn. His elevation of Obould Many-Arrows likewise establishes his willingness to reward exceptional mortal achievement with divine status. Although Gruumsh is revered as the creator and ancestral patron of the orcs, devotion to him is not universal among their peoples. His influence nevertheless remains deeply connected to their origins and the supernatural gifts he bestowed upon them. Gruumsh embodies strength, vengeance, conquest, and endurance. His enduring purpose is the advancement of orcish power and the eventual triumph of his people over those he believes deprived them of their rightful inheritance.