Post by LOKI on Jul 18, 2022 16:26:02 GMT
“I told you once already gnome, it’s a skull. Touch it again and you’ll lose your hand… yes, that’s why its chained to me? To stop nosy gubuk like you from trying to steal it!’ Now you say you know a smith who can work this into a helmet or not?”
“Fine , fine I’ll give you the tale first - but you buy the ale….no the barrel - yes, that’s what I said, the whole barrel…..”
Grumm eased back onto the inn's rough wall, the giant insect-like skull chained to the half-orc's waistband, like some undead guardian, never far from his watchful gaze.
"Our journey started in Fort Ettin where there are always good bounties to be had, especially since their recent dragon problem. Why these city dwellers build their dwellings on making claims on lands they cannot hold - makes no sense to my brain.
Like typical beardless men , they weep for their fallen instead of rejoicing at their glorious death in battle! They dishonour the dead by doing so in this way - do they not know sadness will not return them? Avenge their death is the only way!
My companions were a strange bunch - Digs and Vith, two kobold thieves, Starkfury, a dwarf mage; and Prowler, a tabaxi tracker - so there I was surrounded by dogmen, catmen and half-men. Hardly worthy battle companions- or so it seemed - but when you are hungry you eat with pigs and chickens if you must - as the old men in my village often say.
We tracked the beast to a nearby farm and set about to ken it’s nature and how we were to slay the creature. The others spent their time arguing over complicated plans to capture the beast that made my head hurt to listen - so I helped the farmers repair their farm - not work for warriors but fair repayment for our room and board. Grumm does not owe debts - no matter how small.
That night while the others were arguing over their elaborate trap made up of two trees, a tripwire and some mangy cow they were using as bait, I decided to take a more direct approach…
I left the rest of the band at the homestead and jumped the small fence and headed into the forest. I picked a spot to lie and waited for my prey.
A few hours later my patience was rewarded as I heard a strange skittering and a saw what had been eating the farmer’s cows.. a huge beast - half insect, half giant ape emerged from the ground not a few feet from my position. It seems as the gods were laughin on all our plans - as we the hunters, quickly became the hunted.
Viciously the creature struck at me with its mandibles, pinning one of my arms, though with my free hand I swung my hand axe - but barely a nick to it’s insect like armour.
With faster reflexes than a mountain cat, it mandibles crushed down on my body and piercing into my chest. But this time I managed to free both arms and launched into it with my beauty here" Grumm patted his hefty war axe war axe in a familiar manner, "carving, out a chunk of its plated hide.
As the battle lust was on me I bellowed again and I smashed my axe into the beasts back, ripping out two of its plates it’s purple blood fountaining out of the wound!
My warcry and the monster’s cries alerted my companions and an arrow flew past me and into beast, followed by a second but neither with much effect. Again I cut the beast - which suddenly which screamed in agony blue flame erupted between its plates as the spellcaster in our group - decided to earn his pay, causing the creature to further writhe in pain and break off its attack on me - charging instead toward my companions.
This gave me the moment I needed and as the creature turned away I brought my axe down with all my strength one more time - between its head and massive shoulders severing its neck.
The beast collapsed , tried to rise then lay motionless. A good fight - and a good victory! I fully severed the head of the beast - which the wizard told us was a Umbrella Hulk - yes, that’s what I said gnome - Umber Hulk - anyway no matter what name or how strong this creature - it could not best Grumm - not on this day!
So now my tale is done gnome, as is this barrel by the looks. So you know a useful smith in these parts of not as keen to wear my trophy so that many may see Grumm is worthy to be call one of the Iron Blood!
What’s that you say? The closest is in Port Ffirst ? Damn! I just came from there….."