Moloch, the One-Eyed (Moe-lock or Moe-loch)
(a.k.a. Gruumsh)
Envisioned with one eye by all who named him a Lord of Ruin and a deity mainly worshiped by orcs, orogs, half-orcs, cyclops, and ostracized and spurned. He is also known as the keeper of the Sworn Oath, and the Bloody Curse. Moloch was created when Kelemvor slew an unnamed giantish god of old. From that god's blood was created Moloch, the One-Eyed and all the other cyclops in the world. Some disagree with this, claiming that the old giantish god still exists and Moloch is a separate entity. Moloch is not recognized as a Lord of Ruin by his peers, which fits his plane perfectly. Moloch spurns physical weakness, hence the above-average strength of the creatures associated with him.
Another myth found in the Maneser legends, speaks of a prank that the young Maneser played a prank on the giantish gods, resulting in a war between the giants and ogres. During this war the giantish god was slain. Before dying the young Memnor offered to save the deities' existence. The giantish god didn't accept, and instead offered his own life for a more focused sight of his followers. Maneser accepted, and the resulting death of the giantish god resulted in the creation of the cyclops and Moloch, the One-Eyed from his blood.
Holy Prayers
Every single known prayer to Gruumsh begins with “Kharg-hark,” the Orcish word for “revenge,” even if the prayer is not related to vengeance.Holy Rites
The most famous rite in Gruumsh-worship is the Ritual of the Poles. After a battle, orcs mark their new territory by pounding longspears into the ground at the boundary, point up. Placed on each spear-point is the head of a fallen foe.Clergy
Clerical Training
Most orc warbands have a cleric of Gruumsh attached to them, and sometimes she’ll “adopt” a soldier, passing on the teachings of Gruumsh while the army is on the march. At some point, generally during a major battle, the student-soldier graduates by casting his first spell.Temlpes
Moloch’s temples are essentially military camps with as many fi ghters and barbarians as clerics. The largest temples feature gladiatorial arenas where wagering is common and the best gladiators can earn great treasure.Divine Domains
Tempest, War, Ostracized and the Spurned
Minor Domains
Chaos, Domination, Evil, StrengthPortfolio
Orcs, orogs, half-orc, cyclops, war, territoryArtifacts
Shield of the severed hand, spear of retribution.
Divine Symbols & Sigils
Single unwinking eye
Divine Goals & Aspirations
Followers of Gruumsh feel they have a duty to direct and organize the natural proclivity of orcs for warfare. They’ll hunt down elves in their forest homes, encourage tribal chieftains to sack human cities, and act as emissaries to the goblinoid tribes that often join their great hordes.
Divine Classification
Lord of Ruin, Greater God
Religions
Alignment
Chaotic Evil
Realm
Children
Comments