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:
"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, 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, 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.
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.
Relationships
- Skarhald Clan – Legendary hero
- Xanphina – Spiritual connection, wielder of his flail
- Horned Devil – Bound for centuries, finally defeated
Current Status
Deceased - Died centuries ago sealing the infernal rift. Spirit released in Session 44 after the horned devil was permanently destroyed.
Appearances
- Session 42 - Legend shared by Orc Captain
- Session 43 - Empowered Xanphina
- Session 44 - Ghost appeared, spirit released
- Session 45 - The Mind Gobbler