So what I'm thinking of is some kind of 'Grendel' race in residence, inland near the banks of the Fym. Probably humanoid in some manner, but at the same time different enough to be distinct from the Beastmen and Frost Giants to the north and west - and probably more than just 'graaah! savage monsters!' as well once you get past the scary stories. Anyone have any ideas to contribute to this?
I agree, the Fym Valley does look suspiciously empty. A valley of Grendels would be interesting.
What would these guys look like?
According to wikipedia:
However, the epic also defines Grendel as a jotun (or giant), i.e. a troll. Within the poem, he is described by many different terms including ent, ettin, and "scather" ("one who scathes"). The terms ent, eoten or ettin, meaning "giant", were synonymous with "troll" in Norse mythology (see e.g. Nafnaþulur), and clearly connect Grendel with the Jotuns/trolls of Scandinavia. The term "dragon of greed" is also used in some translations, but this is most likely simply a metaphor rather than an actual description
Also:
Possible original Old English roots may have been grynde (abyss), grindan, grindel, or grennian (grating, grinning or gnashing of the teeth), or even grend (green), which may or may not be a reference to a distant or northern homeland (supporting the theory that Grendel may have originated in an earlier legend as a troll, ettin or jotun). And since the original Old English version of the name may have been grendles (possibly meaning "green lies" -- les is Old English for "lies") or grendlas (possibly meaning "green foot" -- las could be a cognate form of last, which means "foot"), further confirmation may not be possible unless corroborating records or documents can be found
"Gnashing teeth" suggest some fairly heavy jaws, perhaps with tusks. I am wondering if a green furred creature could be interesting, but I am a little bit afraid that it would just seem silly. Green skinned, like an orc or troll would perhaps work better, though I definately think they should be rather hairy beasts.
Another thing I noticed:
Grendel's mother and Grendel are descendants of Cain.
This got me associating to a bibilical myth I once read where Cain was portrayed with a single horn in his forehead (the mark of Cain).
Maybe the Mystaran Grendels are Green skinned hairy Ogre sized creatures with a horn protuding from their foreheads? Would make them a little different from other creatures...
Culturally, they may not be that different from the average norseman, though perhaps in some ways appear as perversions of Antalian culture.
Also, from Wikipedia:
Grendel invades Heorot, the mead hall of the Danes, eats some of the men, notably using their skulls as pins in an Old Scandinavian game thought to be the origin of present-day bowling
It would be fun if this grotesque proto-bowling game plays a central part in Grendel culture.
Okay, just tossing out some ideas
Havard
Cool
I agree, the Fym Valley does look suspiciously empty. A valley of Grendels would be interesting.
What would these guys look like?
According to wikipedia:
Also:
"Gnashing teeth" suggest some fairly heavy jaws, perhaps with tusks. I am wondering if a green furred creature could be interesting, but I am a little bit afraid that it would just seem silly. Green skinned, like an orc or troll would perhaps work better, though I definately think they should be rather hairy beasts.
Another thing I noticed:
This got me associating to a bibilical myth I once read where Cain was portrayed with a single horn in his forehead (the mark of Cain).
Maybe the Mystaran Grendels are Green skinned hairy Ogre sized creatures with a horn protuding from their foreheads? Would make them a little different from other creatures...
Culturally, they may not be that different from the average norseman, though perhaps in some ways appear as perversions of Antalian culture.
Also, from Wikipedia:
It would be fun if this grotesque proto-bowling game plays a central part in Grendel culture.
Okay, just tossing out some ideas
Havard
Fascinating and disgusting at the same time! maybe find a way to work in the "blood eagle" and we could have an Anatalian nightmare region.
Where would they be found on the OW?
What is their current state and history?
What is the future of individuals left on the OW and their culture?
Anything else?
Not to suggest that these are bad ideas but perhaps the Immortals are saving this area for future use? Maybe there is a culture on the outer world that is on the verge of disappearing and will be transplanted into the HW soon. If one doesn't exist we could create it (such as this Grendel race that has been discussed).
Where would they be found on the OW?
What is their current state and history?
What is the future of individuals left on the OW and their culture?
Anything else?
Mmmm, it's an interesting idea in general. For the 'Grendels', though, I'd prefer for them to have been around long enough to have developed a definite history with the Antalians. Beowulf wouldn't have been nearly as memorable if the monster had only been lurking around Hrothgar's hall for a mere two weeks, after all, and not had a chance to really start terrorizing the locals.
(Side note: I'm also of the opinion that anything important that happens after AC 1000 in a game should be of direct interest to the PCs, or allow them a chance to meddle or protest, or something. Game's about the PCs after all. So any race/culture that gets spirited into the Hollow World during the campaign should only disappear when the PCs are visiting them, or while the PCs are searching for their whereabouts to re-acquire the Lost Foozle, or somesuch. 'Tis only fair.)
1) Could they be related somehow to the notion of the "Father of Demons" put forth in Gaz7? Thus having connections to the Moulder Dwarves and "Dark Elves"? Maybe they were the third part of the trifecta of this group that ultimately led to the Moulder dwarves being cursed.
2) There is the strange chaotic god Darga (symbol was a winged warrior) who was worshiped in Vestland's darker ages (from X13, p. 59). Maybe Darga is connected to the Grendels somehow?