| Other Names | The Mad Warrior, The Mad One |
| Status | Demigod |
| Area Of Control | Battle rage and bloodlust. |
| Ethos | Fight every battle as if it is your last. Only in battle is all life laid plain. Only in battle do you stand at the threshold of the next world, the door open. |
| Pantheon | Ogre |
| Worshipers | Warriors |
| Appearance | A large, male ogre foaming at the mouth and bleeding from the eyes. |
| Symbol | The Green Moon (Night's Jewel) |
Grundel is the patron deity of warriors, but specializes in berzerking battle styles. Grundel is the source of ogrish bravery and battle fury. It is said the ogres feel the "fire in their bellies" when they rush into battle. It is not fear, but anticipation of slaughtering their enemies. Grundel teaches that only in battle can an ogre free his soul and truly experience life. This experience is known as the Maddening. It is similar to and has been compared to saurian battle dancing.
Grundel is one of the three lieutenants of Kael. Grundel is the wild one of the these, always causing trouble. Kael has difficulty controlling him. Tales of Grundel's escapades are well known.
Overview of the Church
Those who choose to worship Grundel are seen as dangerous
extremists, even by other ogres. In war, they are an asset and their presence
inspires other soldiers, but in civilized society, "Grundelers" as they are
known, are watched with a wary eye. Temples to Grundel are seen by many as a
blight on the world. In ogrish society, the priests of Grundel are seen as
touched. The common follwers are often soldiers and mercenaries looking to tap
into the berzerker frenzy of battle.
These warriors believe that to die in battle, especially against superior forces, is the most glorious death and to die such a death is to be rewarded by Grundel in the afterlife and given to Muthara who will carry the warrior's soul to the honored dead. Worshippers of Grundel must follow certain rules in combat:
 | They cannot engage in sneak attacks or ambushes. They may only launch frontal assaults and fight openly. They don’t always fight fairly, but they never avoid combat by ambushing. |
| Worshipers must show bravery at all times and never flee a battle. To do so is risk one’s immortal soul. |
Geographic Placement
The worship of Grundel is most common in the south and east of
Ithria, particularly in the Coalition, the War Vale, Ormek and Duthelm.
Temples, Churches and Holy Sites
Grundel temples are usually small, little more than shrines.
Sometimes, very simple shrines are hastily built before major battles, near the
battle field. Each such shrine is tended to by a single Grundel priest. But when
battle begins,
Ceremonies
Before a battle, Grundeliers will paint their
faces and bodies to make themselves look more fearsome. Wounds are sometimes
painted on their skin. Red flowing down from the eyes and white flowing from the
mouth is a common design (this represents foaming of the mouth and bleeding from
the eyes).
A worshiper must ritually mutilate all slain enemies. This involves beheading and dismembering the body. This is usually done after a battle when all opponents are dead (But not always).
Holy Days
The holy days observed by the priests of Grundel occur on every
night when Night's Jewel is full in the sky. This occurs once each week (every
nine days). On these nights, the worshipers of Grundel will gather.
Philosophy
One is only truly alive in the chaos of battle.
Only at the height of a berserker rage is the soul free. Everything about the
moment, including the pain of wounds, is carthatic for the berserkers of Grundel.
Scriptures and Prayer
Grundeliers have many oaths, battle cries and
chants. Most of these are sung in battle to heighten the fury of their berserker
rage. Great drums and horns are also carried into battle to strike terror into
their enemies.
Symbols
Night's Jewel, the third and smallest moon, notable for its green color, is an
important celestial body for the faithful of the Grundel and the full moon,
shining like a great round emerald disk, is often woven into religious artwork.
Artifacts
Ethales is an important herb in this
religion and most worshippers eat the battle spice whenever they can get it.
Many followers of this religion are addicts of the herb.
Tithes
The ritual mutilation of the bodies of the vanquished are
sacrifices made to Grundel. The faithful will often cut out the hearts of
enemies and burn them while praising Grundel and thanking him for victory. The
most valuable treasure taken from any slain enemy is given to the nearest
Grundel temple, shrine or priest as a tithe.
Allied and Opposed Faiths
The church of Grundel is on generally good terms with the other
ogrish deities of the pantheon.
Grundel is diametrically opposed to the church of Mareth and Imarus. This often leads ogres and humans to be in conflict.
Rank Structure
There is no great hierarchy of lesser and greater priests in the
Church of Grundel. There is only the faithful and the priests.
Abilities and Spells
Those who chose to serve Grundel, the priests of the faith, are
granted battle spells, rapid healing, various immunities and the ability to
enter a berzerker rage that turns the warrior priest into a veritable engine of
destruction.
Dress and Equipment
A Grundel priest is never without his weapons and armor. They
tend to wear light armor that does not restrict movement because such weight
hampers the berzerker rage.
Rules of Conduct
In addition to frontal assaults and bravery, the priests of
Grundel will tolerate no insult. any slight is answered with steel and any
confrontation is escalated. Battle is always seen as the most desirable
resolution to any problem.
This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.