Prologue
Chapter One: Son of Many FathersSinora Maldran, a self-proclaimed oracle, once said "The day will come when darkness covers the land. Darkness, arisen from within us, strengthened and nurtured by us, but which eventually will dominate us. Then the black abyss of oblivion will engulf us and our folk will return to dust. But a small seed of ourselves will escape to flourish again in another world, prospering with the strength we have provided."
Five elders escaped their homeland to plant this seed so they founded a city named Nabranoo and chose eleven younger ones to aid them, one of these eleven was a man named Moshran.
On their tail, a fearsome Prince followed Madrook Na'han, seeking to stop elders from planting the seed that one day might threaten his Master.
Madrook Na'han and five soon came into conflict, and eleven aided the five, but only Moshran was able to slay the prince and end his reign of terror.
Now, finally rid of the immediate threat, one of the five elders, Tanora, was the first one to try to plant the promised seed, but her failure only led to a group named Lizards.
Learning from Tanora's failure, Moshran, with the aid of Bragon, another one of the five elders, set to work on planting this seed, so came Greum.
Chapter two: Father of many sonsMoshran asked himself what is stronger, one born out of one or one born out of many? So he chose a strong elven maiden and set all manner of beasts and monsters upon her, and he chose well because this elven maiden nurtured mixed seeds of all these creatures inside herself until the fatefulday came and a green creature was born.
Moshran named this green creature "Greum," who had the features of an elf but not quite like one. Finally, the promised seed had arrived, but the companions of Moshran didn't welcome it as they felt jealousy burning from inside.
Moshran tried to repeat his success, but it only led to three failures: Dragorog, Bjolmur, and Cherass, so Moshran tasked these three with serving the promised seed.
Greum was closest to Moshran, and Bragon could not stand this as he felt equally worthy of Greum's attention, so, in anger, he refined Tanora's failures and created mighty creatures out of them, the Dragons!
Dragons descended upon Greum by order of Bragon, but Greum broke them like twigs upon his knees. Still, in his mercy, Greum spared their eggs and handed them to Dragorog.
Dragorog, with Greum's guidance, hatched these eggs.
First came Efarel the Golden Dragon, Second Zaras the Black, Third Sedusa the Red, Fourth Panos the Grey, and last but not least Obon the Green.
Chapter Three: Long earsAs Greum grew in age and reached adulthood, elders and younger eleven alike tried to steal his destiny from him by throwing themselves and their followers at his feet. Greum didn't turn them away and bestowed his favor upon them, knowing only he could fulfill the promised destiny.
Out of Greum's favor came many more green creatures, but none of them had Greum's strength or brilliance. Greum called them Brudders, and others called them Orcs.
Orcs, as called by Greum Brudders, were driven away from all lands by other races in jealousy, so they pleaded with Greum to grant them a home, and so did Greum.
Orcs settled in their new home and named it Norbuk. Tuchak Bloodfist claimed lordship over all other orcs, but this title belonged to Greum alone, so Tuchak Bloodfist was punished for his insolence with death.
Krugg Bloodfist, brother of Tuchak, rose to lead Orcs this time, but learning from Tuchak's folly, he asked for Greum's permission first and ruled not as King but as Greum's servant.
Orcs now organized under the leadership of Krugg set to take revenge on those who drove them away, they started with the humans of Serinjah and coated its plains with the blood of lesser ones.
After Serinjah, they came upon Albar, another human realm. Cowardly Albarians hid behind their walls, so Krugg had no choice other than to ask Greum for aid, but Greum's favor didn't come free, so Krugg sacrificed thirty captives, and when that was not enough, he sacrificed himself.
Greum, moved by Krugg's sacrifice, ordered Bjolmur to aid Orcs. Bjolmur arrived with a host of wild beasts and slaughtered the Albarian legions. Malachin, one of eleven, upon seeing this, begged at Greum's feet to spare Albar, and Greum, merciful as ever, granted it.
Chapter Four: BetrayalAn elven woman called Onathrae Nirie Narnil had a dream to bear Greum's heir, but she was refused, so in her anger, she rallied her house to attack Orcs. Orcs repelled the Elves' attack easily and gave chase to them inside the Elves' forest.
Elves in their madness lit pyres to their own forest, Orcs caught in blazes asked Greum for help, Not to save their lives but to curse the elves for their treachery.
From that fateful day, Narnil and elves that helped her were cursed, their eyes could no longer bear the sunlight and they were forced to travel by night.
These elves named themselves Drow, Fearing Greum's wrath they sought shelter underground among Dwarves of Aramon, Other orcs that heard about the blight of their kin in the forest formed an army and marched upon Aramon.
Narnil knowing these midgets cannot protect them from the might of orcs decided to use them as meat shields to buy time while she and the elves retreated deeper into caves.
As predicted Orcs cut through dwarves swiftly but could not find elves so they searched all over mountains even crossing them to the icy north.
Chapter five: OomiesIn the north they came across a group of humans called Norodaj, despite their history with humans Orcs decided to learn from Greum's example and show kindness, they sent gifts to Norodaj folk but only received heads of their emissaries back.
Furious with this act of betrayal Orcs decided to teach Norodaj a lesson, they went plundering along the coast of Norodaj, Norodaj asked Tanora for her aid and so she sent her lizards to ambush Orcs from underwater.
Even with the element of surprise Lizards that leaped out of the water were no match for the blood of Greum, Norodaj's supplies dwindled to the point that they started to starve but in their arrogance, they still didn't beg orcs for forgiveness.
Instead, they asked halflings for supplies, and halflings ever deceitful and jealous of Greum's gift these gluttons agreed to supply Norodaj and Lizards, Orcs learning of this burnt halfling settlements to ashes, beginning with Firnismill then Pennymill, and finally Old Willow.
But still, Orcs gave halflings a chance to redeem themselves, by working for Orcs to right their wrongs, but those who only knew food and drink in their lives did not appreciate being put to work so they turned on Orcs and poisoned them.
Orcs punished halflings and moved on as they were taught by Greum to be fair and just and not shed blood where there was no need.
Chapter Six: GobaithSome Albarian nobles after learning of the mercy Greum had upon them in war with orcs, decided to pledge their loyalty to him, and Greum in reward granted them a realm thus Salkamar was born.
Meanwhile, peasants were constantly suffering under the iron fist of Albarian nobles so they decided to follow Salkamar's example and plead with Greum to save them, once again Greum bestowed his mercy upon humans even though they were not of Greum's blood and thus unworthy.
Greum granted the realm of Gynk to these peasants allowing them to live in peace and freedom.
Soon Albar attacked Salkamar to punish them for following Greum but Greum saved Salkamar by sending his orcs to defend the border fortress of Naskur.
Elves, Halflings, and remnants of Dwarves joined Albar in their siege of Naskur, a great battle occurred and as usual, Greum's children won but at a great price, Nothing remained of Naskur but ruins.
While retreating treacherous Halflings betrayed Albarians and stole all supplies.
You may ask how Salkamar and Gynk answered Greum's favors bestowed upon them, by the betrayal of course! As is usual for lesser races, Bribed by Albar they turned on Greum and attacked his children, Orcs valiantly defended against Albar, Salkamar, and Gynk to push them back, And push them back they did.
Albar and Salkamar started to blame each other for their defeat, some scholars were disillusioned with Albar's nobility after their humiliating defeat, Realizing they could never match the orcs in strength they decided to use vile tricks instead! Magic!
These scholars now turned mages formed the city of Lor Angur and tried whatever tricks they could pull out of their sleeves but to no avail, Blood of Greum proved undefeatable once again.
Albar laughing at the Mages' failure decided it was an opportunity to punish these deserters so they sent their army but Albarians are no orcs and thereby not of Greum's blood so they couldn't pass magical barriers around Lor Angur.
Salkamar now hopeless of defeating orcs focuses on Albar instead and decides to join the war on Lor Angur's side, the war ends in a stalemate neither side able to completely wipe other one.
Chapter seven: IllarionGreum knew all these annoyances were insignificant and his blood could handle any threat on its own, preserving his strength for his true destination he decided to go into a slumber so he started hibernating in the middle of the ocean.
A dwarven clan Ironhammer notices an island they have never seen before in this part of the ocean even though they sailed across it many times, led by their King Udan Trollbane they land on the island and establish a small settlement named after King "Troll's Bane"
Order of Grey Light soon hears of this mysterious new island as well and their leader an elf named Damien leads an expedition to the island to study it, the first thing they do is establish a library.
Tialdin another dwarf digs into the island's strange soil, it's unlike anything he has seen before fascinated by it he forms his kingdom Silverbrand deep under the island.
Erdrick of Silverstar merchants starts greedily exploiting the island's resources for profits.
More and more adventurers, researchers, merchants, explorers, and ... arrive on the island and it prospers soon, because of its unnaturally fertile soil, mines full of stones never seen before and women being much more fertile than usual while staying on the island, settlers name the island "Gobaith" meaning hope.
One man curious about the island's mystic prosperity decides to investigate further, that man is Dyluck, soon he finds a well that exudes power, dipping stones he mined from the island itself into the well results in seven artifacts of immense power, Dyluck starts a Magic Academy dedicated to research and utilization of these stones.
Someone warns residents of the island to respect the gifts of its land and not take more than they need as the island is actually living! He is ignored and called a madman.
Later this madman turns out to be a lich named Drakhen Vorkalion, servant of Cherass.
Drakhen Vorkalion is ordered by Cherass to punish settlers for their disrespect of Greum's body and he does so by unleashing hordes of undead upon them and taking control of the island's foremost defender Sir Aragon ben Galwan of Grey Rose.
Grey Rose was formed some time ago as a militant part of Grey Light to safeguard the island, one of the knights of Grey Rose Sir Aragon ben Galwan is put under the curse of the lich and used like a puppet until he is freed by his friends.
Soon even Moshran himself is enraged by the settlers' insolence toward Gobaith and sends the demon Ashkatuul to aid Drakhen Vorkalion in their punishment.
Darlok a knight of Grey Rose realizes that Drakhen Vorkalion is speaking the truth so he pledges himself to Ashkatuul and starts building a castle in honor of Greum.
This castle is called Northerot and from it, Darlok announces if settlers don't stop their reckless disrespect a punishment greater than demon or undead shall befell upon them.
Worst of all offenders are a group of halflings led by Crosis Smallburrow who created a village called Greenbriar they are reckless in their disrespect of Greum's body, Greum punishes them by erupting a volcano that turns large swathes into wasteland, its named Hellbriar.
Different groups of settlers come together to defend against Lich, Demon, and Darlok.
They call themselves Lyrenzia a council consisting of Grey Light, Grey Rose, Magic Academy, Silverbrand, and Rangers of Korwin.
As usual, islanders ignore the warning and soon a drought takes over all of the island, some islanders come to Northerot and beg Darlok to save them so Darlok offers to build monuments to appease the Greum.
Grant Herion a servant of Darlok feels settlers don't deserve a chance so he attacks Northerot to stop the building of monuments, for a day he manages to take control of the Castle renaming it Callahorn but soon he realizes in trying to stop the construction of monuments he also offended the Greum so he runs away in fear and Darlok once again rules Northerot.
Stephen Rothman a rumored follower of Grant decides to redeem their name claiming everything they did was for the sake of Greum so he starts an order Knights of Kallahorn dedicated to the service of Greum, they fall upon Silverbrand to punish them for digging into Greum's body and they ransack it.
Lennier of Grey Rose is firmly in control of Troll's Bane at this point and he tries to prevent settlers from disrespecting Greum again to prevent another calamity also elven settlement of Tol Vanima is established but like all things long ear that's not worthy of note.
Darlok dies for unknown reasons one day and settlers beg for someone to guide them in their service to Greum, Nalzaxx Nerenghast another lich in service of Cherass arrives and takes upon this duty, he is later succeeded by Avalyon.
Sometime later a prince from Salkamar arrives and cannot believe what he sees, many treasures of the island are left alone by its residents, Prince calls the islanders fools and takes control of the island with his army.
Captain of Troll's Bane Militia Jefferson Gray stands up to the prince but he is captured and imprisoned, his defense of Greum is not in vain though as Cherass shall later reward this valiant captain greatly.
One day Prince is found dead and earthquakes of an unheard magnitude shake the island as if it's moving!
Settlers start to sail away from the island on the first ship they can find and then Gobaith is no more, some say it has sunk under the sea but those who realize the truth of Greum know otherwise.
Chapter eight: LessonsBereft of Greum's favor Salkamar and Albar grew weaker and weaker until a mage from Salkamar managed to conquer them both, This mage going by the name of Kharud heard that mythical Greum is living on an island named Illarion.
So he sent his minions to find Greum for him.
There are three realms on Illarion island, Galmair formed by Don Tommaso Guilianni who arrived on Illarion from Gynk, Runewick formed by Archmage Elvaine Morgan who arrived in Illarion from Lor Angur, Cadomyr formed by Prince Edward of Albar.
These three formed their realms by the grace of Greum, Greum granted each one of them a gift, essences of his body, Blood crystalized into Ruby, Mucus into emerald, Urine into Topaz, Bile into Obsidian, Saliva into Sapphire, Sweat into amethyst and most important of all Musk into Diamond.
Greum granted obsidian to Don Tommaso Guilianni, emerald to Archmage Elvaine Morgan, and topaz to Prince Edward.
Prince Edward emboldened by this new gift from Greum decided to try to take Albar back, Greum advised him otherwise but Edward didn't heed him so he met his end.
Greum named Edward's cousin Sir Reginald as the new King of Cadomyr.
Kharud's men arrived in Galmair and they met with Don Tommaso to ask about Greum, Don blinded by the treasures offered betrayed Greum's trust and told Kharud's emissary that Greum is indeed in Illarion.
But Greum was one step ahead, hearing of Don's betrayal he ordered Runewick and Cadomyr to besiege Galmair, Don Tommaso's son Valerio seeing resistance is futile murdered his own father and delivered his head to Greum so Galmair was spared.
Kharud turned his full attention to Illarion sending vast fleets of warships toward the island, Greum knowing that the three realms's citizens are mostly unworthy races such as dwarves, humans, elves, lizards and halflings knew war would be costly he decided to offer some of his essences now turned into magical gems to Kharud for peace.
Kharud of course agreed thinking he had outdone the great Greum, Kharud received Ruby, Sapphire, and Amethyst.
Kharud like every member of lesser races thought he could betray Greum now, but at that moment he realized his mistake as what Greum can give Greum can take.
Three magical gems disappeared from Kharud's treasury, and Greum granted them to three rulers of the Illarion.
Sapphire to Don Valerio Guilianni, ruby to Archmage Elvaine Morgan, and amethyst to Sir Reginald.
Kharud fearing Greum's wrath disappeared and was never seen again.
Sir Reginald now King Reginald of Cadomyr found peace after the disappearance of Kharud, but something was still troubling him, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't conceive an heir so again he went to Greum and humbled himself at his feet.
Greum took pity on the poor man but he didn't want to use his own precious seed so instead he ordered his loyal Ettins to sow their seed inside Reginald's wife.
Reginald's wife was passed from Ettin to Ettin until finally one of their seeds managed to take hold and a daughter was born Princess Rosaline Edwards.
Time passed as did King Reginald of old age, and Rosaline inherited her "father's" crown, Never forgetting where she truly came from she granted Ettins a nearby cave to settle.
Queen soon began construction of a Harbour for Cadomyr but one grave mistake she made is instead of dedicating it to Greum she dedicated it to her "father" Reginald.
The harbour soon fell to ruin and the Queen created a new one but this time dedicated it to Greum so the new harbour prospered.
Archmage Elvaine Morgan in his arrogance called himself the best mage across all three realms, Greum decided to teach a lesson in humility to Archmage and thereby taught an orc named Igruk'vulk secrets of magic, Igruk'vulk who didn't even know how to read or write before suddenly were raining fire upon Illarion, Archmage realizing his mistake humbled himself before Greum and begged his forgiveness so Greum ordered Igruk'vulk to cease his attacks.
Don Valerio Guilianni of Galmair decided to attack Cadomyr and it proved a grave mistake because Cadomyr was strong? Absolutely not but because Don didn't ask Greum for permission first, Greum ordered Cherass to raise fallen soldiers of Galmair and Cadomyr as undead to teach them a lesson so thereby Dead Marsh was formed, Don Valerio Guilianni emptied his treasury and laid it upon Greum's feet and so Greum prevented undead from encroaching upon Galmair.
