Garmok the Chainbearer

Garmok the Chainbearer

Garmok the Chainbearer was a legendary orc hero of the Skarhald Clan who sacrificed himself centuries ago to seal an infernal rift beneath the Mere of Dead Men. His spirit lingered in the mine, bound by spectral chains to a horned devil until Deez Nuts and the Bronze Blades freed him.

Background

Garmok was a champion of the Skarhald Clan, known for wielding a powerful flail and bearing chains. According to orc legend shared by an Orc Captain in Session 42 - Bagpipes, Blood, and the Bronze Blades:

"He walked the mire with links unbound, Where fen breathes rot without a sound. He freed the scaled, but devils lied— A door to hell, and he inside."

Garmok ventured deep into the fen (the Mere of Dead Men), past whispering trees and still ponds, seeking to free prisoners. He found a mine that "wasn't a mine—a wound in the world." The prisoners were half-drakes and hybrids chained by magic and driven mad.

When Garmok shattered their shackles, an infernal rift tore open—"a hole with red sky beneath." To seal it, Garmok threw his flail into the maw of the rift. The flail pulled him in, chains and all, but succeeded in sealing the breach.

For centuries after, people reported hearing "the clang of steel deep beneath the muck" on still nights, as the fen remembered Garmok's sacrifice.

Role in Campaign

In Session 43 - The Council of Waterdeep, Xanphina awakened with the power of Garmok empowering her as she drew closer to discovering his resting place. The dragon cultists learned of her quest and tortured an orc captain to learn that Xanphina was seeking the Mine of Garmok.

In Session 44 - Garmok's Mine, Deez Nuts and the Bronze Blades discovered the infernal rift chamber deep in the mine. There, Garmok's ghost appeared, wielding his spectral flail and binding a horned devil with spectral chains. The devil attempted to bargain, but Garmok cut him off, shouting for help: "Push him back into the rift, he's almost free!"

On the other side of the room, another devil and a hell hound worked to free the bearded devil. With Garmok restraining the main devil, the combined parties made quick work of the infernal creatures.

Gootcha landed the final blow on the Horned Devil with her crossbow, sending it directly to the Raven Queen rather than allowing it to reform in Hell.

When the devil was killed, Garmok's spirit faded away, his duty finally complete after centuries. His flail materialized near his ancient corpse. Xanphina picked up Garmok's Flail and used it to attack Voaraghamanthar the black dragon in the subsequent battle.

Garmok's Final Message

As the last chains of spectral iron dissolved, the ghostly form of Garmok Chainbear straightened. His eyes—pale green embers—fixed on Xanphina, and the air rippled with the scent of cold stone and old blood. The faint echo of war drums could be heard.

He moved to Xan and placed his hand on her shoulder.

His voice was gravel and memory:

"Child of my blood… you carry the weight of the Gauntlet, yet your path walks beside the spirits of our clan. Hear me."

Garmok looked back at the open rift.

"The rift you have uncovered… it is a wound carved not by steel, but by hungers older than breath. Its edges bleed into the world because no mortal hand sealed it… and mine could not."

The spirit flickered, shifting between the shape of a warrior and the faint outline of a chained wolf.

"To mend a wound of the Weave, you must seek the one who still listens."

"Find the Ash-Tongue, last shaman of the old clans. Find the one who speaks the words that burn the throat. Find the one exiled from the Firepeaks for seeing too much."

He raised a spectral hand, tracing a glowing line in the air—an outline of mountains, a single winding river, and a crooked tree.

"She dwells where the bones of the mountain drink the river… where the ash falls though nothing burns. There she keeps the last ember of the Rite of Sundering."

His voice lowered, almost lost in the fading pulse of drumming:

"Tell her… that Garmok Chainbear failed his vigil. Tell her the chains are broken. Tell her the rift remains open."

A final flicker—his form fading into drifting motes of jade light.

"Go with strength. The spirits watch… but some watch hungrily."

And with that, Garmok was gone, though Xanphina could still feel the weight of his hand on her shoulder.

Legacy

Garmok's sacrifice sealed an infernal rift and prevented devils from invading the Material Plane. His flail, imbued with his heroic spirit, now serves Xanphina, connecting her to her orcish ancestry and the Skarhald Clan's champions.

The Orc Captain mentioned that a clan near Silverymoon might hold more stories of Garmok and other orc champions.

His final message revealed that the rift remains open and requires the help of the Ash-Tongue, last shaman of the old clans, to properly seal using the Rite of Sundering.

The Ash-Tongue

According to Garmok's message, the Ash-Tongue is:

• The last shaman of the old clans
• One who speaks words that "burn the throat"
• Exiled from the Firepeaks for "seeing too much"
• Dwelling where "the bones of the mountain drink the river… where the ash falls though nothing burns"
• Keeper of the last ember of the Rite of Sundering

Relationships

• Skarhald Clan – Legendary hero
• Xanphina – Spiritual connection, wielder of his flail, recipient of his final message
• Horned Devil – Bound for centuries, finally defeated
• The Ash-Tongue – Shaman who may be able to seal the rift

Current Status

Deceased – Died centuries ago sealing the infernal rift. Spirit released in Session 44 - Garmok's Mine after the horned devil was permanently destroyed.

Appearances

• Session 42 - Bagpipes, Blood, and the Bronze Blades – Legend shared by Orc Captain
• Session 43 - The Council of Waterdeep – Empowered Xanphina
• Session 44 - Garmok's Mine – Ghost appeared, spirit released, delivered final message
• Session 45 - The Mind Gobbler