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Grummok, Gargoyle Assassin (Updated 2/26/04) Epic Grummok 3.5
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<blockquote data-quote="BLACKDIRGE" data-source="post: 841503" data-attributes="member: 1953"><p>Ok, here it is the final installment of Grummok. I hope it doesn't dissapoint. Thanks to everyone who has read and responded to this thread. </p><p></p><p>Dirge</p><p></p><p>*************************************************</p><p></p><p><strong><u>Scourge of the Arch-Fiend. Part III</u></strong></p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar Everhate, guild master of assassins, stood naked to the waist his black skin glistening with sweat from the exertion of his intense training routine, which had just begun. The guildmaster’s body was trim and muscular and his dark skin was crisscrossed with dozens of raised scars, a testament to the harsh life he led. There were many training rooms in the assassin’s guildhall but the room that Jen Kedar now occupied was somewhat of a legend amongst the lower ranking members of the guild. Only Jen Kedar himself and a few other very powerful assassins trained here, including the gargoyle assassin Grummok when he was a member of the guild. The room was fairly simple, sixty feet square and floored with loose sand to provide traction and to soak up the results of bouts that went beyond simple training. The walls were lined with every conceivable weapon recreated in a variety of materials ranging from wood to a bizarre substance called vendarium, a creation of the duergar designed to be a “soft metal”. Vendarium simulated the feel and weight of real weapons but still retained the give and bluntness of other non-lethal materials. A few of these practice weapons were not practice weapons at all, but were the real thing cloaked in a magical illusion. Only Jen Kedar knew the location of all of these weapons and had on occasion used them to put down an overly ambitious training partner.</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar trained and honed his already fearsome capabilities in this room for two hours every single day. He began his routine with a series of exercises and calisthenics designed to increase strength and flexibility and from there he trained in simulated combat with two to three midlevel assassins specially chosen for their specific strengths and weaknesses. It was a great honor in the guild to be chosen as a training partner for the guildmaster and those that performed well against Jen Kedar were often gifted with choice assignments. The two that faced Jen Kedar now were hopeful of just such a boon and the eagerness on their faces was as obvious as they stood before their leader for judgment. Both were young drow, one from a noble family and the other a fugitive from a noble family. The two drow were completely different in their approach to the assassin way of life and it was evident in their combat styles.</p><p></p><p>Mendrethek Vae was the eldest child of the new Matron Mother Sereska Vae who had taken up the position of leadership in her family after killing her mother who had grown old and weak. Mendrethek was a tall and lanky drow who had inherited his mother’s startling speed and keen wit. His features were delicate almost feminine and their were rumors throughout the city the Matron Vae could expect no grandchildren from her oldest son. Mendrethek favored speed over brawn in combat and wore no armor, relying on his buckler, speed and the magical protection devices he owned for defense. He was skilled with the rapier and favored it above all other weapons, finding its light weight and subtle stylishness to his liking.</p><p></p><p>The other young drow was the complete opposite of his training partner in almost every way. Drevek Sedeska was a hulking specimen of a drow, standing nearly six feet in height. His body was thick with layers of chorded muscle and his features were coarse and brutish. Drevek had begun his career as a soldier in the elite guard of house Despana before he caught the eye of Matron Despana’s youngest daughter Evekera. The two began a passionate love affair but when Matron Despana found out that her daughter was cavorting with a lowly guard she was less than pleased. In order to save her lover’s life Evekera arranged for Drevek to begin an apprenticeship in the assassin guild where he would be protected by Jen Kedar’s influence and reputation. Drevek readily agreed and found that his formal martial service served him very well throughout his initial training. Drevek still held to his soldier’s arms and armament favoring longsword and shield and a full suit of drow chain mail. </p><p></p><p>Both drow were quite excited at the opportunity to test their skills against a master like Jen Kedar and with little fan fare the guild master beckoned for them to join him in the middle of the room. The guild master was not armed and wore no armor while his opponents held live steel weapons sharp and deadly. With a clap of his hands Jen Kedar signaled that the training bout was to begin. The two young drow glanced at each other and a silent message passed between them, Mendrethek nodded his head once and Drevek stepped forward to attack. Jen Kedar stood motionless waiting for Drevek to approach his hand at his sides, his face a blank slate. </p><p></p><p>Drevek approached cautiously from the front raising his shield to eye level while cocking his longsword behind his back to hide it from view and to give his foe no indication which direction a strike might come from. Drevek was a skilled warrior but he was simply not prepared for the grace and speed of his foe. The young drow took a step forward and launched an over hand strike at Jen Kedar’s head. The guild master responded with an almost casual grace, his right hand snaking up to catch the wrist of Drevek sword arm while he drove his left fist into the large muscle of Drevek’s leading leg. Drevek’s leg collapsed from the force of the blow sending the drow warrior to the ground with a muffled thud. The agony was plain on Drevek’s face as he clutched his wildly spasming quadricep desperately trying to quiet the battered muscle.</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar stepped away from Drevek and motioned to Mendrethek, “Now you.” The lean drow assassin wasted no time lunging forward with a thrust that almost caught Jen Kedar off guard. The guildmaster spun away from Mendrethek’s blade at the last instant a small smile on his face and tumbled a few paces away from the young assassin. “Very good, Mendrethek. You use your speed well, “ the guildmaster complimented his underling. Mendrethek showed no sign of recognizing the praise and pressed his perceived advantage launching a lightning barrage of thrusts at his opponent. From the ground Drevek, who was still trying to massage the feeling back into his leg, watched in awe as Jen Kedar parried each of Mendrethek’s thrusts with the flat of his palms, slapping the blade just a hairs breadth off target so that it missed by mere inches. The speed at which Jen Kedar performed these parries was simply unbelievable, his hands a blur of frenzied activity, he almost seemed to suddenly sprout an extra set of arms to aid him in his task. </p><p></p><p>Mendrethek too, was mystified that his blade had not even come close to striking the guildmaster and his split second hesitation as he pulled away from Jen Kedar was all the time the veteran assassin needed. Jen Kedar rushed forward and threw two open handed palm strikes at Mendrethek’s face, the young drow did exactly as Jen Kedar expected bringing his buckler and blade up to parry the strikes. This of course left his vulnerable abdomen exposed and Jen Kedar delivered a spinning back kick directly into Mendrethek’s stomach half a second after the drow noble had blocked Jen Kedar’s initial strikes. The force of the kick was enough to drive the wind from Mendrethek’s lungs and lift him off of his feet to land a few paces away on his back struggling to draw breath into his lungs. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar stepped away from his two opponents to let them rest and regain their feet. Drevek got up first, limping a little from his still sore leg. Mendrethek took considerably more time as his battered diaphragm struggled to release the strangle hold it had on his lungs. When he was finally able to breathe normally he climbed wearily to his feet dusting the sand from his leather leggings. Jen Kedar smiled thinly and motioned both assassins to approach. “Now both.” He commanded.</p><p></p><p>The two assassin were no more than an arm’s length apart as they approached the guild master and both were caught completely unaware by what happened next. Jen Kedar saw the air between the two young assassins' suddenly blur and then darken and before he could shout out a warning Grummok had already begun his attack. It was a picture perfect assassination, quick and completely unexpected. The gargoyle was armed with two daggers one of which glowed red with magical flame. Before either of the two assassins’ could react to the sudden appearance of this new foe, it was far too late. Grummok opened up Drevek’s throat with the a wide slash of the dagger he held in his left hand completing the motion by spinning around and driving the flaming dagger he held in his right hand up under Mendrethek’s chin, the enchanted blade shredding the flesh of the drow’s lower jaw and continuing through the roof of his mouth and finally into his brain. Both assassins went down immediately, Mendrethek was dead before he hit the ground while Drevek writhed around pitifully making horrid gagging noises as his life’s blood pooled around his dying body.</p><p></p><p>“Damn it! Grummok. Was the absolutely necessary!?” Jen Kedar scowled with irritation at the two corpses on the floor of his training room. “Those were two very promising students. What a waste.” The guildmaster finished with disgust. </p><p></p><p>Grummok stood some ten feet from Jen Kedar and regarded his former guildmaster coldly. “More likely I have saved them from any further treachery from you.” The gargoyle said, his vice a rage soaked whisper.</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar seemed not the least bit worried by the extremely dangerous assassin that had suddenly appeared in his inner sanctum. “How did you get in her Grummok, this is the single most guarded room in the entire city?” The guildmaster asked casually, ignoring Grummok’s initial response.</p><p></p><p>Grummok had made no aggressive move towards Jen Kedar, but the twin daggers he held in his taloned fists were a silent exclamation of his purpose. “I have my ways, Everhate, I have my ways.” Grummok answered his eyes glinting with some hidden secret. “I have come to repay you for the lies you have spread and for that which you have taken from me.”</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar smiled thinly, his amber eyes gleaming with malice. “Grummok, I had nothing to do with Hek’s death. If the reports I have heard are true, and I am sure they are, then it was your blade, not mine, that ended Hek’s life.” </p><p></p><p>“Lies!” Grummok boomed his voice echoing off the walls of the chamber. The gargoyle had taken a step towards Jen Kedar outrage flashing across his feral features in a rictus grin of grief and loneliness. “Lies! Your lies left me no choice!” Grummok howled. “There was nothing left of him but the poison you and your, master”, Grummok hissed the word as if it pained him to utter it, “had placed there.” </p><p></p><p>“That is pure drivel Grummok, and you know it.” Jen Kedar said his arms locked across his chest. “I did nothing but open the door, Hek stepped through of his own accord. Whatever hatred he harbored for you was not my doing.” The drow guildmaster regarded the enraged gargoyle before him a defiant sneer set on his thin lips.</p><p></p><p>“You did nothing, eh?” Grummok said mockingly. “Nothing but defy the edicts of the entire city by sponsoring the worship of your master. Nothing but led an excellent assassin and my…friend…” The word stuck in Grummok’s throat, he had never uttered it aloud and it pained him to hear it roll from his tongue. “You lead him to his death.” The gargoyle finished, his face pinched with grief.</p><p></p><p>“Very well. Supposing what you say is true what have you come here for? Revenge?” Jen Kedar shook his head in exasperation. “Let us cease this foolishness Grummok, come back to the guild, we have much need of your skills. I will forget your past transgressions and reinstate you as a full member.” The drow assassin offered his arms held wide, his tone brimming with generosity and forgiveness.</p><p></p><p>“Never.” Grummok replied simply. “I want no part of you and your guild, this shall be the last time I set foot in this accursed place.” The meaning behind the gargoyle’s words were unmistakable. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar sighed heavily. “Grummok you have already wasted the lives of two talented assassins, must we waste another?”</p><p></p><p>“Prepare yourself Everhate, for today you shall meet your master.” Grummok replied and assumed a fighting stance holding Hek’s flaming dagger before his face in a downward stabbing grip while his other blade was held low in a saber grip for slashing. The gargoyle planted his feet roughly shoulder width apart and flared his wings awaiting Jen Kedar’s response.</p><p></p><p>The guildmaster’s irritation had progressed to full-blown anger in a matter of seconds and with a curse he granted Grummok his wish. “Very well gargoyle, it this is what must be then it is so.” The drow assassin exploded into action flashing across the space that separated he and his foe with the speed of a striking snake. Jen Kedar’s fists were a blur as he struck at Grummok’s head and upper torso. Grummok, aware of his opponent’s capabilities and supernatural speed, leapt backwards and spread his wings, momentarily hovering to avoid Jen Kedar’s unerring strikes. From the air the gargoyle hurled the dagger he held in his left hand at his foe on the ground just before he settled gracefully to earth twenty paces from his opponent. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar watched the dagger arrow towards him and just before its barbed point touched his flesh he snatched it from the air with his right hand. The drow assassin then returned the missile whence it came with a powerful overhand throw. Grummok, surprised by this turnaround barely avoided his own dagger as it flashed by to clatter against the wall behind him. </p><p></p><p>Grummok had barely recovered from the narrow miss of Jen Kedar dagger throw when the drow was upon him again lashing out with kicks and punches that crashed into the gargoyles rock like skin with staggering force. Normally Grummok would be immune to such attacks, his stony integument proof against all but enchanted blades and magic. But Jen Kedar’s fists seemed to be made of solid stone and each one that breached Grummok’s defenses left the gargoyle no doubt that Jen Kedar could quite literally beat him to death. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar’s unique abilities were no surprise to Grummok for he knew something of Jen Kedar’s history that few did; the drow noble has studied with an enigmatic group of monks devoted to the drow god Vhaerun for many years before he joined the assassin’s guild. Jen Kedar had learned much from these monks, most importantly how to defend himself without the aid of weapons or armor. Jen Kedar had left the monks shortly before they were destroyed by the vengeful clerics of Lolth led by none other than Jen Kedar’s mother, Matron Everhate. Grummok assumed that Jen Kedar himself had been instrumental in the monk’s downfall as it befitted the treacherous nature of the drow assassin.</p><p></p><p>The gargoyle was no stranger to hand to hand fighting himself and soon noticed a pattern in Jen Kedar's fusillade of punches and kicks. Two palm strikes followed by a spinning back kick seemed to be a favorite of the drow assassin and as Grummok desperately fended off Jen Kedar’s attacks he waited for the subtle shift in the drow’s stance that would signal that combination. It came suddenly and without warning and there were very few in the entire city that would have been fast enough to react. Jen Kedar threw the left palm strike followed by the right, which Grummok deflected with his forearms, and then spun his body in a complete circle lashing out with the devastating back kick. But Grummok had been ready, and as Jen Kedar’s foot flashed towards him the gargoyle spun his body to the side letting Jen Kedar’s kick sail harmlessly by and snatched the drow’s foot in his taloned left hand. Before the drow could react Grummok drove his flaming dagger up and under Jen Kedar’s knee driving the enchanted blade deep in to the flesh and bone of the vulnerable joint. Jen Kedar howled in agony and tried to yank his foot from Grummok’s grasp but the gargoyle clung tenaciously and pulled the drow forward to be torn to shreds by his needle like fangs and remaining talon, but Jen Kedar was far from finished. As the drow assassin was drawn forward he called upon the teachings of the long dead Vhaerunian monks and charged his fist with power drawn from his own body. Grummok, intent on tearing the drow to pieces was unable to defend himself from Jen Kedar’s sudden attack and watched helplessly as his captured opponent slammed a heavy fist into the side of his head with bone jarring force.</p><p></p><p>The blow was staggering and Grummok released his grip on Jen Kedar and stumbled back, eyes glazed and ears ringing. Jen Kedar took advantage of the pause in combat to yank the dagger from his knee and toss it aside. The drow assassin was permanently crippled, the delicate tendons of his knee joint mangled beyond repair, but this was only a minor inconvenience for one of Jen Kedar power. The most experienced monks of Vhaerun were said to have the ability to heal their own bodies, repairing even the most grievous wounds and Jen Kedar had added this ability to his repertoire long ago. The drow assassin placed both hands on his savaged knee and closed his eyes in concentration, praying Grummok would not recover from his stunning blow too soon. The healing energy flowed from Jen Kedar’s hands into his wounded knee and in mere seconds the flesh had completely repaired itself, all traces of the dagger’s carnage erased, and none too soon. Grummok had regained his senses and was rushing headlong at the downed drow assassin talons spread and mouth agape. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar let the gargoyle come and as Grummok loomed over him he shot his now healed leg straight out at the charging gargoyle’s knee, connecting with a sharp crack. The blow was fierce and Grummok’s leg buckled beneath it sending the gargoyle crashing to the ground in a flurry of sand and flailing wings. Jen Kedar had rolled out of the falling gargoyles way and had regained his feet in one smooth motion. He now regarded his opponent with the cruel eye of a veteran assassin, he knew that Grummok was crippled and lacked the ability to heal his wounds. Grinning Jen Kedar decided that this would be a slow and casual execution and for once he would enjoy himself and revel in his own superiority.</p><p></p><p>Grummok was struggling to rise when Jen Kedar renewed his attack, darting in with a kick to the side of the gargoyle’s head as he climbed to his knees. Grummok’s head was rocked back by the teeth rattling force of the blow a number of his fangs flying from his mouth, broken off by the savage kick. The blow left the gargoyle incensed and with a hiss of pain and rage, Grummok surged to his feet surprising Jen Kedar who had thought the gargoyle permanently disabled. Grummok moved gingerly favoring his uninjured leg and used his wings in short flaps to steady himself and provide balance. The gargoyle circled his opponent looking for an opening in the formidable drow’s defenses.</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar had retreated a few paces away and was smiling smugly. “Well done Grummok, I thought you done for.” Jen Kedar was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, almost dancing in a show of blatant mockery.</p><p></p><p>Grummok wiped a trail of black blood from his lips with the back of one clawed hand and glared at the drow assassin. “It shall take more than that to rid you of me, Everhate. Come now, let us finish this.” The gargoyle spread his arms and bared his talons waiting for the drow assassin to advance, which he did in a flash of ebon skin. </p><p></p><p>Grummok threw a clumsy off balanced claw swipe at the advancing drow, trying to maintain his balance and keep his weight off his injured knee. Jen Kedar snaked a hand around Grummok’s wrist as he avoided the off balance strike and turned his body completely around so that his back faced the gargoyle he then positioned Grummok’s arm over his shoulder resting it on the vulnerable crux of the elbow joint. With a savage yank Jen Kedar pulled down on Grummok's arm while raising his shoulder simultaneously, the resulting force hyper extended the gargoyle’s elbow and with a resounding snap the joint gave way. Jen Kedar finished the maneuver by stepping back, placing his left leg between Grummok’s and hurling the gargoyle over his shoulder to land in a tangled heap in the sand a few paces away. </p><p></p><p>Grummok lay stunned in the sand, the pain in his right arm flowering into an explosion of exquisite agony. The gargoyle struggled to his knees using his left arm to prop himself up and was promptly slammed to the ground again by a heel kick to his lower back. What followed was a beating of epic proportions as Jen Kedar kicked the downed gargoyle again and again. The drow assassin was not trying to kill Grummok, not yet, just inflict as much pain and incapacitation as possible. As the minutes rolled by all that could be heard was the muffled thud of Jen Kedar’s foot or fist slamming into Grummok and the occasional crack of a breaking rib. Finally tiring of the exertion Jen Kedar left off with his pummeling and stepped back breathing hard. Grummok lived, but his body was a savaged mass of contusions and broken bones. The thick viscous blood of the gargoyle had darkned the sand around his inert form, transforming the fine particles into a morass of clumped gore. Grummok’s breath was shallow and slow; a broken rib had punctured one of his lungs and his chest felt as if was filled with hot coals. With a monumental effort the gargoyle rolled over onto his back to see his sweat slicked assailant smiling down at him grinning with perverse amusement. </p><p></p><p>“Well Grummok, that was a bit more exertion than I had planned on today, but I thank you for the effort you expended for my sake.” Jen Kedar said, his eyes brimming with cruel mirth.</p><p></p><p>Grummok opened his mouth to speak but his words were slurred, many of his teeth had been broken off and more than a few of them had shredded his tongue. The gargoyle finally managed a broken whisper. “Kill me…” he pleaded.</p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar smiled with mock sympathy and squatted down on his haunches as if he were going to speak to a child. “ Now Grummok, I can’t kill you yet.” The drow assassin cooed. “I have another purpose in mind for you, I wish to recoup some of the losses you have earned me, and to do that I need you alive for a bit longer.”</p><p></p><p>“Baalzebul…” Grummok croaked, his eyes filling with dread.</p><p></p><p>“Yes that’s right, my master will be well pleased by such an offering. I must admit I am disappointed that things have worked out the way they have.” The smile on Jen Kedar’s face wavered for a moment and his tone became distant with what Grummok assumed was regret. “The loss of both you and Hek is a staggering blow to the guild as well as a vast disappointment to my master. He had hoped to bring you into the fold and show you the path to true power, as he has done for me, but…” The drow sighed and shrugged his shoulders.</p><p></p><p>Suddenly a feral gleam appeared in Grummok’s eyes and he struggled to a sitting position causing a fit of blood tinged coughing. When the fit had passed the gargoyle used his good arm to prop his body up while he attempted to gather his uninjured leg under his battered body. Jen Kedar watched the pitiful sight with obvious amusement but made no move to stop the gargoyle. Grummok made it to his feet with a staggering lurch, swaying like a drunkard his battered face pinched with agony. </p><p></p><p>“Come, come Grummok, save yourself <em>some</em> dignity.” Jen Kedar chided.</p><p></p><p>Grummok did not reply to the assassin’s barb but instead focused his gaze on a point over Jen Kedar’s shoulder and with much effort forced his unwilling body to speak. “Have you heard enough, Matron Mother?” the gargoyle said into the empty air. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar’s eyes widened in horror and he whirled around to see the shadowy outline of Matron Kezekia Tormtor gain substance and finally coalesce into the armored figure of the drow matron herself. Behind Kezekia another drow female materialized along with a contingent of six Tormtor house guard. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar was speechless but his eyes brimmed with fury especially when he recognized the second the other female as Ganevra Everhate, his mother. “What is the meaning of this?!” Jen Kedar demanded trying to force down his fear with a show of outraged bravado.</p><p></p><p>“Silence fool!” Kezekia boomed her voice filling the training room and immediately quieting the drow assassin. “You have been allowed much leeway in your activities Jen Kedar, due in part to the respect I hold for your mother and for the services you have rendered to us in the past. But now you have presumed too much. The blasphemy you have committed cannot be overlooked.”</p><p></p><p>All pretenses of confidence and superiority had fled Jen Kedar leaving only a man confronted with the inevitability of his own death. The drow assassin made one desperate plea. “Mother…please.” He whispered.</p><p></p><p>Ganevra Everhate would not look at her son, the shame he had brought on their house was more than she was willing to forgive. With her eyes on the ground at her feet she pronounced the sentence Jen Kedar feared was coming. “You have violated the edicts of Lolth, you must be punished. There is naught that I could do even if I wished it. Your life belongs to the spider queen now.” The words carried the weight of truth and finality; there would be no merciful stays of execution here.</p><p></p><p>Kezekia Tormtor was grinning from ear to ear as Jen Kedar’s mother revealed the grim fate that awaited her son and for the first time she acknowledged the battered gargoyle standing in their midst. “Are you well Grummok? You look terrible” The Matron mother jested with a small chuckle that momentarily softened her stern features. Ignoring the stunned form of Jen Kedar, Kezekia strode up to Grummok and laid a hand on his stony brow. She mumbled a quick incantation and a soft blue light suddenly filled the room. Grummok felt the energy of life flow into him and experienced the bizarre sensation of his body repairing itself at supernatural speed. Within seconds he was whole and hale again, all traces of his grievous injuries washed away by the powerful healing magic. </p><p></p><p>Jen Kedar watched the architect of his destruction brought back from the brink of death and it filled him with rage. The drow assassin uttered a feral growl and charged across the short distance between himself and Grummok, determined to deliver the same disaster the gargoyle had brought to him. He made it exactly three steps before a single word, charged with arcane might, triggered a burst of magical energy from Madame Kezekia. Her spell, bolstered by her formidable magical prowess was all but irresistible and Jen Kedar found his charge suddenly neutralized by a complete bodily paralysis. </p><p></p><p>“Take him!” Matron Kezekia barked to the house guards that had accompanied her and they moved forward to comply with her wishes.</p><p></p><p>“Wait.” Grummok said and laid a hand on the drow matron’s forearm. Kezekia looked up at the gargoyle quizzically but held up her hand to stop her guard’s advance. Grummok walked slowly over to the inert from of Jen Kedar, knowing full well that his paralysis did not impair the drow’s sight or hearing. The assassin was frozen in mid-step and Grummok saw that his eyes were huge with terror. The gargoyle moved up close to Jen Kedar placing his stony lips inches from the drow’s left ear and whispered. “Farewell, guildmaster. Remember me in the short time that remains to you and may every scream that passes your lips bear the name of Hekendel Oakheart and reach his ears wherever he may be.” Grummok lingered a moment to let his words sink in, before pulling away and motioning to the Tormtor guards. “He is yours, take him.” The guards placed mithral manacles around Jen Kedar’s legs and wrists, each one inscribed with magical runes of weakening and carried the doomed assassin bodily from the training room. </p><p></p><p>“You have done well Grummok, house Tormtor shall not forget.” Matron Kezekia said as her guards carted her prize out of the room. Grummok wondered just how pleased matron Everhate was that her son would end his life screaming under the sacrificial knife. Would she seek restitution?</p><p></p><p>“I am happy to serve in whatever capacity the matron deems necessary.” Grummok said with a bow. </p><p></p><p>“Hah!” Matron Kezekia snorted in derision. “You have gained much here, but do not make the same mistake your predecessor has. The servants of Lolth have many eyes and a long reach.” The matron warned. </p><p></p><p>“Of course, matron Mother. Only a fool would follow a fool’s path.” Grummok said gracefully.</p><p></p><p>“Very well, then we shall take our leave…<em>guildmaster</em>.” Kezekia treated Grummok to one of her rare smiles as she uttered that final word. It was true, the deal Grummok had struck with the drow matron, should he succeed, included the leadership of the assassin’s guild. </p><p></p><p>Grummok watched the drow matron leave and suddenly he was alone, in <em>his</em> training room, in <em>his</em> guild house. The gargoyle trudged across the sand that coated the training room floor to the center of the sandpit where Jen Kedar had flung the flaming dagger Grummok had stabbed him with. Grummok picked up the blade gingerly, the steel was cool, and the magical flames that normally shrouded it were mysteriously absent. The dagger had once belonged to Hek and it had been a prized possession of the human assassin. The gargoyle smiled down at the dagger in his hand, his mind filling with visions of his human friend. “You are avenged my friend, may you finally find the peace you deserve.” Grummok whispered into the silence. As Grummok slid Hek’s dagger into his belt he hoped that he too might find a peace of his own amid the turbulent chaos of Erelhei-Cinlu. Victorious the gargoyle strode from the training room and out into the guildhall proper to take possession of his guild and his destiny.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="BLACKDIRGE, post: 841503, member: 1953"] Ok, here it is the final installment of Grummok. I hope it doesn't dissapoint. Thanks to everyone who has read and responded to this thread. Dirge ************************************************* [b][u]Scourge of the Arch-Fiend. Part III[/u][/b][u][/u] Jen Kedar Everhate, guild master of assassins, stood naked to the waist his black skin glistening with sweat from the exertion of his intense training routine, which had just begun. The guildmaster’s body was trim and muscular and his dark skin was crisscrossed with dozens of raised scars, a testament to the harsh life he led. There were many training rooms in the assassin’s guildhall but the room that Jen Kedar now occupied was somewhat of a legend amongst the lower ranking members of the guild. Only Jen Kedar himself and a few other very powerful assassins trained here, including the gargoyle assassin Grummok when he was a member of the guild. The room was fairly simple, sixty feet square and floored with loose sand to provide traction and to soak up the results of bouts that went beyond simple training. The walls were lined with every conceivable weapon recreated in a variety of materials ranging from wood to a bizarre substance called vendarium, a creation of the duergar designed to be a “soft metal”. Vendarium simulated the feel and weight of real weapons but still retained the give and bluntness of other non-lethal materials. A few of these practice weapons were not practice weapons at all, but were the real thing cloaked in a magical illusion. Only Jen Kedar knew the location of all of these weapons and had on occasion used them to put down an overly ambitious training partner. Jen Kedar trained and honed his already fearsome capabilities in this room for two hours every single day. He began his routine with a series of exercises and calisthenics designed to increase strength and flexibility and from there he trained in simulated combat with two to three midlevel assassins specially chosen for their specific strengths and weaknesses. It was a great honor in the guild to be chosen as a training partner for the guildmaster and those that performed well against Jen Kedar were often gifted with choice assignments. The two that faced Jen Kedar now were hopeful of just such a boon and the eagerness on their faces was as obvious as they stood before their leader for judgment. Both were young drow, one from a noble family and the other a fugitive from a noble family. The two drow were completely different in their approach to the assassin way of life and it was evident in their combat styles. Mendrethek Vae was the eldest child of the new Matron Mother Sereska Vae who had taken up the position of leadership in her family after killing her mother who had grown old and weak. Mendrethek was a tall and lanky drow who had inherited his mother’s startling speed and keen wit. His features were delicate almost feminine and their were rumors throughout the city the Matron Vae could expect no grandchildren from her oldest son. Mendrethek favored speed over brawn in combat and wore no armor, relying on his buckler, speed and the magical protection devices he owned for defense. He was skilled with the rapier and favored it above all other weapons, finding its light weight and subtle stylishness to his liking. The other young drow was the complete opposite of his training partner in almost every way. Drevek Sedeska was a hulking specimen of a drow, standing nearly six feet in height. His body was thick with layers of chorded muscle and his features were coarse and brutish. Drevek had begun his career as a soldier in the elite guard of house Despana before he caught the eye of Matron Despana’s youngest daughter Evekera. The two began a passionate love affair but when Matron Despana found out that her daughter was cavorting with a lowly guard she was less than pleased. In order to save her lover’s life Evekera arranged for Drevek to begin an apprenticeship in the assassin guild where he would be protected by Jen Kedar’s influence and reputation. Drevek readily agreed and found that his formal martial service served him very well throughout his initial training. Drevek still held to his soldier’s arms and armament favoring longsword and shield and a full suit of drow chain mail. Both drow were quite excited at the opportunity to test their skills against a master like Jen Kedar and with little fan fare the guild master beckoned for them to join him in the middle of the room. The guild master was not armed and wore no armor while his opponents held live steel weapons sharp and deadly. With a clap of his hands Jen Kedar signaled that the training bout was to begin. The two young drow glanced at each other and a silent message passed between them, Mendrethek nodded his head once and Drevek stepped forward to attack. Jen Kedar stood motionless waiting for Drevek to approach his hand at his sides, his face a blank slate. Drevek approached cautiously from the front raising his shield to eye level while cocking his longsword behind his back to hide it from view and to give his foe no indication which direction a strike might come from. Drevek was a skilled warrior but he was simply not prepared for the grace and speed of his foe. The young drow took a step forward and launched an over hand strike at Jen Kedar’s head. The guild master responded with an almost casual grace, his right hand snaking up to catch the wrist of Drevek sword arm while he drove his left fist into the large muscle of Drevek’s leading leg. Drevek’s leg collapsed from the force of the blow sending the drow warrior to the ground with a muffled thud. The agony was plain on Drevek’s face as he clutched his wildly spasming quadricep desperately trying to quiet the battered muscle. Jen Kedar stepped away from Drevek and motioned to Mendrethek, “Now you.” The lean drow assassin wasted no time lunging forward with a thrust that almost caught Jen Kedar off guard. The guildmaster spun away from Mendrethek’s blade at the last instant a small smile on his face and tumbled a few paces away from the young assassin. “Very good, Mendrethek. You use your speed well, “ the guildmaster complimented his underling. Mendrethek showed no sign of recognizing the praise and pressed his perceived advantage launching a lightning barrage of thrusts at his opponent. From the ground Drevek, who was still trying to massage the feeling back into his leg, watched in awe as Jen Kedar parried each of Mendrethek’s thrusts with the flat of his palms, slapping the blade just a hairs breadth off target so that it missed by mere inches. The speed at which Jen Kedar performed these parries was simply unbelievable, his hands a blur of frenzied activity, he almost seemed to suddenly sprout an extra set of arms to aid him in his task. Mendrethek too, was mystified that his blade had not even come close to striking the guildmaster and his split second hesitation as he pulled away from Jen Kedar was all the time the veteran assassin needed. Jen Kedar rushed forward and threw two open handed palm strikes at Mendrethek’s face, the young drow did exactly as Jen Kedar expected bringing his buckler and blade up to parry the strikes. This of course left his vulnerable abdomen exposed and Jen Kedar delivered a spinning back kick directly into Mendrethek’s stomach half a second after the drow noble had blocked Jen Kedar’s initial strikes. The force of the kick was enough to drive the wind from Mendrethek’s lungs and lift him off of his feet to land a few paces away on his back struggling to draw breath into his lungs. Jen Kedar stepped away from his two opponents to let them rest and regain their feet. Drevek got up first, limping a little from his still sore leg. Mendrethek took considerably more time as his battered diaphragm struggled to release the strangle hold it had on his lungs. When he was finally able to breathe normally he climbed wearily to his feet dusting the sand from his leather leggings. Jen Kedar smiled thinly and motioned both assassins to approach. “Now both.” He commanded. The two assassin were no more than an arm’s length apart as they approached the guild master and both were caught completely unaware by what happened next. Jen Kedar saw the air between the two young assassins' suddenly blur and then darken and before he could shout out a warning Grummok had already begun his attack. It was a picture perfect assassination, quick and completely unexpected. The gargoyle was armed with two daggers one of which glowed red with magical flame. Before either of the two assassins’ could react to the sudden appearance of this new foe, it was far too late. Grummok opened up Drevek’s throat with the a wide slash of the dagger he held in his left hand completing the motion by spinning around and driving the flaming dagger he held in his right hand up under Mendrethek’s chin, the enchanted blade shredding the flesh of the drow’s lower jaw and continuing through the roof of his mouth and finally into his brain. Both assassins went down immediately, Mendrethek was dead before he hit the ground while Drevek writhed around pitifully making horrid gagging noises as his life’s blood pooled around his dying body. “Damn it! Grummok. Was the absolutely necessary!?” Jen Kedar scowled with irritation at the two corpses on the floor of his training room. “Those were two very promising students. What a waste.” The guildmaster finished with disgust. Grummok stood some ten feet from Jen Kedar and regarded his former guildmaster coldly. “More likely I have saved them from any further treachery from you.” The gargoyle said, his vice a rage soaked whisper. Jen Kedar seemed not the least bit worried by the extremely dangerous assassin that had suddenly appeared in his inner sanctum. “How did you get in her Grummok, this is the single most guarded room in the entire city?” The guildmaster asked casually, ignoring Grummok’s initial response. Grummok had made no aggressive move towards Jen Kedar, but the twin daggers he held in his taloned fists were a silent exclamation of his purpose. “I have my ways, Everhate, I have my ways.” Grummok answered his eyes glinting with some hidden secret. “I have come to repay you for the lies you have spread and for that which you have taken from me.” Jen Kedar smiled thinly, his amber eyes gleaming with malice. “Grummok, I had nothing to do with Hek’s death. If the reports I have heard are true, and I am sure they are, then it was your blade, not mine, that ended Hek’s life.” “Lies!” Grummok boomed his voice echoing off the walls of the chamber. The gargoyle had taken a step towards Jen Kedar outrage flashing across his feral features in a rictus grin of grief and loneliness. “Lies! Your lies left me no choice!” Grummok howled. “There was nothing left of him but the poison you and your, master”, Grummok hissed the word as if it pained him to utter it, “had placed there.” “That is pure drivel Grummok, and you know it.” Jen Kedar said his arms locked across his chest. “I did nothing but open the door, Hek stepped through of his own accord. Whatever hatred he harbored for you was not my doing.” The drow guildmaster regarded the enraged gargoyle before him a defiant sneer set on his thin lips. “You did nothing, eh?” Grummok said mockingly. “Nothing but defy the edicts of the entire city by sponsoring the worship of your master. Nothing but led an excellent assassin and my…friend…” The word stuck in Grummok’s throat, he had never uttered it aloud and it pained him to hear it roll from his tongue. “You lead him to his death.” The gargoyle finished, his face pinched with grief. “Very well. Supposing what you say is true what have you come here for? Revenge?” Jen Kedar shook his head in exasperation. “Let us cease this foolishness Grummok, come back to the guild, we have much need of your skills. I will forget your past transgressions and reinstate you as a full member.” The drow assassin offered his arms held wide, his tone brimming with generosity and forgiveness. “Never.” Grummok replied simply. “I want no part of you and your guild, this shall be the last time I set foot in this accursed place.” The meaning behind the gargoyle’s words were unmistakable. Jen Kedar sighed heavily. “Grummok you have already wasted the lives of two talented assassins, must we waste another?” “Prepare yourself Everhate, for today you shall meet your master.” Grummok replied and assumed a fighting stance holding Hek’s flaming dagger before his face in a downward stabbing grip while his other blade was held low in a saber grip for slashing. The gargoyle planted his feet roughly shoulder width apart and flared his wings awaiting Jen Kedar’s response. The guildmaster’s irritation had progressed to full-blown anger in a matter of seconds and with a curse he granted Grummok his wish. “Very well gargoyle, it this is what must be then it is so.” The drow assassin exploded into action flashing across the space that separated he and his foe with the speed of a striking snake. Jen Kedar’s fists were a blur as he struck at Grummok’s head and upper torso. Grummok, aware of his opponent’s capabilities and supernatural speed, leapt backwards and spread his wings, momentarily hovering to avoid Jen Kedar’s unerring strikes. From the air the gargoyle hurled the dagger he held in his left hand at his foe on the ground just before he settled gracefully to earth twenty paces from his opponent. Jen Kedar watched the dagger arrow towards him and just before its barbed point touched his flesh he snatched it from the air with his right hand. The drow assassin then returned the missile whence it came with a powerful overhand throw. Grummok, surprised by this turnaround barely avoided his own dagger as it flashed by to clatter against the wall behind him. Grummok had barely recovered from the narrow miss of Jen Kedar dagger throw when the drow was upon him again lashing out with kicks and punches that crashed into the gargoyles rock like skin with staggering force. Normally Grummok would be immune to such attacks, his stony integument proof against all but enchanted blades and magic. But Jen Kedar’s fists seemed to be made of solid stone and each one that breached Grummok’s defenses left the gargoyle no doubt that Jen Kedar could quite literally beat him to death. Jen Kedar’s unique abilities were no surprise to Grummok for he knew something of Jen Kedar’s history that few did; the drow noble has studied with an enigmatic group of monks devoted to the drow god Vhaerun for many years before he joined the assassin’s guild. Jen Kedar had learned much from these monks, most importantly how to defend himself without the aid of weapons or armor. Jen Kedar had left the monks shortly before they were destroyed by the vengeful clerics of Lolth led by none other than Jen Kedar’s mother, Matron Everhate. Grummok assumed that Jen Kedar himself had been instrumental in the monk’s downfall as it befitted the treacherous nature of the drow assassin. The gargoyle was no stranger to hand to hand fighting himself and soon noticed a pattern in Jen Kedar's fusillade of punches and kicks. Two palm strikes followed by a spinning back kick seemed to be a favorite of the drow assassin and as Grummok desperately fended off Jen Kedar’s attacks he waited for the subtle shift in the drow’s stance that would signal that combination. It came suddenly and without warning and there were very few in the entire city that would have been fast enough to react. Jen Kedar threw the left palm strike followed by the right, which Grummok deflected with his forearms, and then spun his body in a complete circle lashing out with the devastating back kick. But Grummok had been ready, and as Jen Kedar’s foot flashed towards him the gargoyle spun his body to the side letting Jen Kedar’s kick sail harmlessly by and snatched the drow’s foot in his taloned left hand. Before the drow could react Grummok drove his flaming dagger up and under Jen Kedar’s knee driving the enchanted blade deep in to the flesh and bone of the vulnerable joint. Jen Kedar howled in agony and tried to yank his foot from Grummok’s grasp but the gargoyle clung tenaciously and pulled the drow forward to be torn to shreds by his needle like fangs and remaining talon, but Jen Kedar was far from finished. As the drow assassin was drawn forward he called upon the teachings of the long dead Vhaerunian monks and charged his fist with power drawn from his own body. Grummok, intent on tearing the drow to pieces was unable to defend himself from Jen Kedar’s sudden attack and watched helplessly as his captured opponent slammed a heavy fist into the side of his head with bone jarring force. The blow was staggering and Grummok released his grip on Jen Kedar and stumbled back, eyes glazed and ears ringing. Jen Kedar took advantage of the pause in combat to yank the dagger from his knee and toss it aside. The drow assassin was permanently crippled, the delicate tendons of his knee joint mangled beyond repair, but this was only a minor inconvenience for one of Jen Kedar power. The most experienced monks of Vhaerun were said to have the ability to heal their own bodies, repairing even the most grievous wounds and Jen Kedar had added this ability to his repertoire long ago. The drow assassin placed both hands on his savaged knee and closed his eyes in concentration, praying Grummok would not recover from his stunning blow too soon. The healing energy flowed from Jen Kedar’s hands into his wounded knee and in mere seconds the flesh had completely repaired itself, all traces of the dagger’s carnage erased, and none too soon. Grummok had regained his senses and was rushing headlong at the downed drow assassin talons spread and mouth agape. Jen Kedar let the gargoyle come and as Grummok loomed over him he shot his now healed leg straight out at the charging gargoyle’s knee, connecting with a sharp crack. The blow was fierce and Grummok’s leg buckled beneath it sending the gargoyle crashing to the ground in a flurry of sand and flailing wings. Jen Kedar had rolled out of the falling gargoyles way and had regained his feet in one smooth motion. He now regarded his opponent with the cruel eye of a veteran assassin, he knew that Grummok was crippled and lacked the ability to heal his wounds. Grinning Jen Kedar decided that this would be a slow and casual execution and for once he would enjoy himself and revel in his own superiority. Grummok was struggling to rise when Jen Kedar renewed his attack, darting in with a kick to the side of the gargoyle’s head as he climbed to his knees. Grummok’s head was rocked back by the teeth rattling force of the blow a number of his fangs flying from his mouth, broken off by the savage kick. The blow left the gargoyle incensed and with a hiss of pain and rage, Grummok surged to his feet surprising Jen Kedar who had thought the gargoyle permanently disabled. Grummok moved gingerly favoring his uninjured leg and used his wings in short flaps to steady himself and provide balance. The gargoyle circled his opponent looking for an opening in the formidable drow’s defenses. Jen Kedar had retreated a few paces away and was smiling smugly. “Well done Grummok, I thought you done for.” Jen Kedar was shifting his weight from one foot to the other, almost dancing in a show of blatant mockery. Grummok wiped a trail of black blood from his lips with the back of one clawed hand and glared at the drow assassin. “It shall take more than that to rid you of me, Everhate. Come now, let us finish this.” The gargoyle spread his arms and bared his talons waiting for the drow assassin to advance, which he did in a flash of ebon skin. Grummok threw a clumsy off balanced claw swipe at the advancing drow, trying to maintain his balance and keep his weight off his injured knee. Jen Kedar snaked a hand around Grummok’s wrist as he avoided the off balance strike and turned his body completely around so that his back faced the gargoyle he then positioned Grummok’s arm over his shoulder resting it on the vulnerable crux of the elbow joint. With a savage yank Jen Kedar pulled down on Grummok's arm while raising his shoulder simultaneously, the resulting force hyper extended the gargoyle’s elbow and with a resounding snap the joint gave way. Jen Kedar finished the maneuver by stepping back, placing his left leg between Grummok’s and hurling the gargoyle over his shoulder to land in a tangled heap in the sand a few paces away. Grummok lay stunned in the sand, the pain in his right arm flowering into an explosion of exquisite agony. The gargoyle struggled to his knees using his left arm to prop himself up and was promptly slammed to the ground again by a heel kick to his lower back. What followed was a beating of epic proportions as Jen Kedar kicked the downed gargoyle again and again. The drow assassin was not trying to kill Grummok, not yet, just inflict as much pain and incapacitation as possible. As the minutes rolled by all that could be heard was the muffled thud of Jen Kedar’s foot or fist slamming into Grummok and the occasional crack of a breaking rib. Finally tiring of the exertion Jen Kedar left off with his pummeling and stepped back breathing hard. Grummok lived, but his body was a savaged mass of contusions and broken bones. The thick viscous blood of the gargoyle had darkned the sand around his inert form, transforming the fine particles into a morass of clumped gore. Grummok’s breath was shallow and slow; a broken rib had punctured one of his lungs and his chest felt as if was filled with hot coals. With a monumental effort the gargoyle rolled over onto his back to see his sweat slicked assailant smiling down at him grinning with perverse amusement. “Well Grummok, that was a bit more exertion than I had planned on today, but I thank you for the effort you expended for my sake.” Jen Kedar said, his eyes brimming with cruel mirth. Grummok opened his mouth to speak but his words were slurred, many of his teeth had been broken off and more than a few of them had shredded his tongue. The gargoyle finally managed a broken whisper. “Kill me…” he pleaded. Jen Kedar smiled with mock sympathy and squatted down on his haunches as if he were going to speak to a child. “ Now Grummok, I can’t kill you yet.” The drow assassin cooed. “I have another purpose in mind for you, I wish to recoup some of the losses you have earned me, and to do that I need you alive for a bit longer.” “Baalzebul…” Grummok croaked, his eyes filling with dread. “Yes that’s right, my master will be well pleased by such an offering. I must admit I am disappointed that things have worked out the way they have.” The smile on Jen Kedar’s face wavered for a moment and his tone became distant with what Grummok assumed was regret. “The loss of both you and Hek is a staggering blow to the guild as well as a vast disappointment to my master. He had hoped to bring you into the fold and show you the path to true power, as he has done for me, but…” The drow sighed and shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly a feral gleam appeared in Grummok’s eyes and he struggled to a sitting position causing a fit of blood tinged coughing. When the fit had passed the gargoyle used his good arm to prop his body up while he attempted to gather his uninjured leg under his battered body. Jen Kedar watched the pitiful sight with obvious amusement but made no move to stop the gargoyle. Grummok made it to his feet with a staggering lurch, swaying like a drunkard his battered face pinched with agony. “Come, come Grummok, save yourself [i]some[/i] dignity.” Jen Kedar chided. Grummok did not reply to the assassin’s barb but instead focused his gaze on a point over Jen Kedar’s shoulder and with much effort forced his unwilling body to speak. “Have you heard enough, Matron Mother?” the gargoyle said into the empty air. Jen Kedar’s eyes widened in horror and he whirled around to see the shadowy outline of Matron Kezekia Tormtor gain substance and finally coalesce into the armored figure of the drow matron herself. Behind Kezekia another drow female materialized along with a contingent of six Tormtor house guard. Jen Kedar was speechless but his eyes brimmed with fury especially when he recognized the second the other female as Ganevra Everhate, his mother. “What is the meaning of this?!” Jen Kedar demanded trying to force down his fear with a show of outraged bravado. “Silence fool!” Kezekia boomed her voice filling the training room and immediately quieting the drow assassin. “You have been allowed much leeway in your activities Jen Kedar, due in part to the respect I hold for your mother and for the services you have rendered to us in the past. But now you have presumed too much. The blasphemy you have committed cannot be overlooked.” All pretenses of confidence and superiority had fled Jen Kedar leaving only a man confronted with the inevitability of his own death. The drow assassin made one desperate plea. “Mother…please.” He whispered. Ganevra Everhate would not look at her son, the shame he had brought on their house was more than she was willing to forgive. With her eyes on the ground at her feet she pronounced the sentence Jen Kedar feared was coming. “You have violated the edicts of Lolth, you must be punished. There is naught that I could do even if I wished it. Your life belongs to the spider queen now.” The words carried the weight of truth and finality; there would be no merciful stays of execution here. Kezekia Tormtor was grinning from ear to ear as Jen Kedar’s mother revealed the grim fate that awaited her son and for the first time she acknowledged the battered gargoyle standing in their midst. “Are you well Grummok? You look terrible” The Matron mother jested with a small chuckle that momentarily softened her stern features. Ignoring the stunned form of Jen Kedar, Kezekia strode up to Grummok and laid a hand on his stony brow. She mumbled a quick incantation and a soft blue light suddenly filled the room. Grummok felt the energy of life flow into him and experienced the bizarre sensation of his body repairing itself at supernatural speed. Within seconds he was whole and hale again, all traces of his grievous injuries washed away by the powerful healing magic. Jen Kedar watched the architect of his destruction brought back from the brink of death and it filled him with rage. The drow assassin uttered a feral growl and charged across the short distance between himself and Grummok, determined to deliver the same disaster the gargoyle had brought to him. He made it exactly three steps before a single word, charged with arcane might, triggered a burst of magical energy from Madame Kezekia. Her spell, bolstered by her formidable magical prowess was all but irresistible and Jen Kedar found his charge suddenly neutralized by a complete bodily paralysis. “Take him!” Matron Kezekia barked to the house guards that had accompanied her and they moved forward to comply with her wishes. “Wait.” Grummok said and laid a hand on the drow matron’s forearm. Kezekia looked up at the gargoyle quizzically but held up her hand to stop her guard’s advance. Grummok walked slowly over to the inert from of Jen Kedar, knowing full well that his paralysis did not impair the drow’s sight or hearing. The assassin was frozen in mid-step and Grummok saw that his eyes were huge with terror. The gargoyle moved up close to Jen Kedar placing his stony lips inches from the drow’s left ear and whispered. “Farewell, guildmaster. Remember me in the short time that remains to you and may every scream that passes your lips bear the name of Hekendel Oakheart and reach his ears wherever he may be.” Grummok lingered a moment to let his words sink in, before pulling away and motioning to the Tormtor guards. “He is yours, take him.” The guards placed mithral manacles around Jen Kedar’s legs and wrists, each one inscribed with magical runes of weakening and carried the doomed assassin bodily from the training room. “You have done well Grummok, house Tormtor shall not forget.” Matron Kezekia said as her guards carted her prize out of the room. Grummok wondered just how pleased matron Everhate was that her son would end his life screaming under the sacrificial knife. Would she seek restitution? “I am happy to serve in whatever capacity the matron deems necessary.” Grummok said with a bow. “Hah!” Matron Kezekia snorted in derision. “You have gained much here, but do not make the same mistake your predecessor has. The servants of Lolth have many eyes and a long reach.” The matron warned. “Of course, matron Mother. Only a fool would follow a fool’s path.” Grummok said gracefully. “Very well, then we shall take our leave…[I]guildmaster[/I].” Kezekia treated Grummok to one of her rare smiles as she uttered that final word. It was true, the deal Grummok had struck with the drow matron, should he succeed, included the leadership of the assassin’s guild. Grummok watched the drow matron leave and suddenly he was alone, in [I]his[/I] training room, in [I]his[/I] guild house. The gargoyle trudged across the sand that coated the training room floor to the center of the sandpit where Jen Kedar had flung the flaming dagger Grummok had stabbed him with. Grummok picked up the blade gingerly, the steel was cool, and the magical flames that normally shrouded it were mysteriously absent. The dagger had once belonged to Hek and it had been a prized possession of the human assassin. The gargoyle smiled down at the dagger in his hand, his mind filling with visions of his human friend. “You are avenged my friend, may you finally find the peace you deserve.” Grummok whispered into the silence. As Grummok slid Hek’s dagger into his belt he hoped that he too might find a peace of his own amid the turbulent chaos of Erelhei-Cinlu. Victorious the gargoyle strode from the training room and out into the guildhall proper to take possession of his guild and his destiny. [/QUOTE]
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Grummok, Gargoyle Assassin (Updated 2/26/04) Epic Grummok 3.5
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