Gruumsh

Orc Battle Leader by SirenD

Gruumsh (groomsh) is the unblinking god of destruction who unleashes the savage multitudes against outposts of civilization. He is worshiped by orcs and half-orcs and has come to dominate some of the other savage humanoids as well. Gruumsh is a brutal god who loathes Corellon Larethian but denies that he lost an eye to the First of the Seldarine.

Clergy and Temples

Faithful of Gruumsh are called Gruumans, and Gruuman shamans advise chiefs and warmongers to raid, kill, and conquer. Orc war priests wear a patch over one eye to symbolize their worship of the orc deity. They also dress in dark red vestments, armored with war helms and black plate mail. Gruumsh's sacred animal is the giant rat and he is worshiped in orcish lairs where blood is sacrificed to him monthly. The last day of Gaez, which Gruumans call Gharfek'taaz ("Feast of the Bloodied Stones"), commemorates Gruumsh's ascendancy as the master of Nishrek, his realm on the plane of Acheron. On this day, new shamans are ordained in a bloody orgy of torture and sacrifice.

Dogma

Gruumsh's instructions to his followers are simple:

• Gather and breed, and your numbers shall flourish.
• Rise up in hordes and seize that which is rightfully yours.
• Raid. Kill. Conquer.

Seek unceasing war against your enemies, and kill or enslave those who oppose you. Acquire territory and living space. Destroy elves, their homes, and their lands. Crush the dwarves and take their deep caves for your own. Be strong, and be prepared to show your strength at any moment. Showing weakness is the key to an early death. Those that are too weak to fight for your tribe should be put to the spear. The greatest gift that He Who Watches gave to the orcs was the ability to survive where the weaker races would die. Build your strength in these lands and use them to overrun your enemies.

— The Teachings of Gruumsh

History and Relationships

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 while claiming that Gruumsh always had one eye.

Randy the Elf God by Todd Lockwood

Gruumsh’s influence has flourished in recent decades with the growth of the orc population, and as other humanoids have come under his sway. His recent triumphs include putting the orc pantheon and other minor deities of the savage races under his thumb.

Gruumsh once had an alliance with the conniving drow goddess Araushnee to bring down the gods of the elves once and for all. His plan failed, despite a divine force brought against the elven gods consisting of the Seldarine's enemies in all the goblinoid and elf-hating pantheons and Araushnee was transformed into Lolth. The two deities have been great foes ever since.

Divine Classification

Greater Deity

Species

Orc

Honorary & Occupational Titles

• He Who Never Sleeps
• The One-Eyed God
• He Who Watches

Gender

Male

Symbol

Unwinking eye

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

Portfolio

Orcs, conquest, survival, strength, territory

Domains

Cavern, Chaos, Evil, Hatred, Orc, Strength, War

Home

Nishrek - Acheron

Favored Weapon

"The Bloodspear" (longspear or shortspear)

Cleric Alignments

CE, CN, NE

Worshipers

Fighters, orcs