Cpt Genesis Shrout

## Captain Genesis Shrout

### Occupation

Lord of the Genesis Klan (1105-present, 22 years), Captain of the Jericho (1105-present, 22 years)

### Class

Cleric/Barbarian

**Cpt Genesis Shrout** is a devout Orcish captain within the Great Fleet of Klans, and the Lord of the Genesis Klan. He was inspired by the teachings of his mother to serve Gruumsh, the king of the Orcish Gods. Cpt Shrout commands the brigantine known as the "Jericho", a vessel respected for its spiritual dedication and its pursuit of Orcish heritage preservation. His primary focus lies establishing a new era of Orcish spirituality. Madriz Alcig, a wizardry graduate from the Goldsea Institute, currently serves as First Mate.

## Early Life and Spiritual Awakening

Eugene Shrout was born in Ogg Dungan in 1068 AV, to parents Cain and Ushat Shrout (née Yonkathu). His father, Cain, was a well-respected and feared colonel of the Rekus Klan's land army. Cain was a strict disciplinarian and a staunch disbeliever in the Orcish gods, as Cain was of the opinion that the gods had abandoned the Orcish people long ago. From an early age, he rigorously trained Eugene in martial warfare, imparting to him the skills needed to survive in a world often hostile to Orcish kind. Meanwhile, his mother Ushat, an immigrant from the Orcish homeland of Clardon, offered a softer presence in the young Eugene's life, though her religious beliefs were largely concealed due to Cain's impositions. The pivotal event of Eugene's childhood came in 1079 AV with the death of his father in the Battle of Freyaton. It was an encounter with the Kingdom of Althea's forces that went tragically awry for the Rekus Klan. The loss of his father left a void in his life, one that his mother began to fill by teaching him about their ancestral gods through bedtime stories. The tales revolved around the mighty Gruumsh, king of the Orcish pantheon, and his eternal struggle for justice, war, and power. She couldn't read the stolen sacred book of Gruumsh she had brought with her from Clardon, but she knew its value and taught Eugene about their heritage through the oral tradition of her small tribe. It was these tales that piqued Eugene's early curiosity and planted the seeds of spiritual fervor within him. Eugene's world shattered once more in 1088 AV when his mother, Ushat, perished during an Althean Royal Navy raid. The loss catalyzed Eugene's spiritual quest. He left his post under Cpt Krak Rekus on the "Krunch" and returned to Ogg Dungan, where he discovered his mother's sacred text dedicated to Gruumsh. Written in Orcish script, the text was already smudged, damaged, and missing several pages by the time Eugene took it into his care. Undeterred by its damaged state, Eugene dedicated years to mastering Orcish script and immersing himself in the tattered but invaluable holy book. It was this period of intensive study and introspection that led him to change his name to Genesis Shrout and self-ordain himself as a Cleric of Gruumsh, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

## The Era of Genesis Shrout

Upon his self-ordination as a Cleric of Gruumsh, Genesis Shrout felt the full weight of his spiritual responsibility and the divine call to action. Fueled by his readings of the damaged holy book, Genesis began to spread the teachings of Gruumsh across Ogg Dungan. Despite the skepticism from those who held views akin to his late father’s, he managed to sway some minds. Among his small group of followers was Cpt Nigel Rhodes of the Moonrucker Klan. In 1105 AV, aware that his years were waning, Cpt Rhodes decided to pass on the mantle of leadership of his ship. Seeing in Shrout a worthy successor and a force capable of instigating a spiritual renaissance among Orcish society in Venthalia, Cpt Rhodes willingly handed over the helm of his brigantine, the Jericho. The veteran captain demoted himself to the position of First Mate, dedicating his remaining years to mentoring Genesis Shrout. It was Rhodes' belief that the establishment of a religiously oriented Klan would serve as a lasting legacy, one that would outlive his own mortality.

This transfer of power marked the birth of the Genesis Klan, a singular entity within the Great Fleet of Klans. Unlike its counterparts, the Genesis Klan had a spiritual underpinning that set it apart. Most of the other Klans were primarily concerned with the material benefits accruing from piracy and slaving, a perspective Cpt Shrout aimed to change. Rhodes' mentorship was crucial in shaping Cpt Shrout into a capable naval commander. While Cpt Shrout provided the crew with religious teachings, Rhodes instilled the requisite martial and navigational knowledge. Their combined leadership bolstered the Jericho’s crew, creating a symbiosis that lasted until Rhodes' death in 1111 AV. Since the demise of Rhodes, the Genesis Klan has held steadfast, never expanding its fleet beyond the Jericho but maintaining a devoted crew. One particularly notable addition has been Madriz Alcig, a young but highly educated wizard from the Goldsea Institute, who now serves as the Jericho's First Mate. Madriz’s loyalty to the Jericho is not a matter of faith, as Madriz pays no respect to any gods. He managed to earn a place on the crew, along with eventual rank and the respect of Cpt Shrout, by providing history and context to his teachings. Madriz, being very well read and versed in foreign cultures, has proven invaluable to Cpt Shrout. The relationship between this seasoned captain and this young wizard is that of mutual respect, with Madriz helping Cpt Shrout to write new scripture in Common, while Cpt Shrout provides Madriz materials and free reign to practice his arcane experiments, as unethical as they may be.

## Activities and Influence

Since its inception, the Genesis Klan has been uniquely focused on recovering and preserving Orcish heritage and spirituality. While their fleet may be confined to a single ship, the Jericho, they have undertaken audacious missions aimed at intercepting T&K Co and Althean Royal Navy vessels that are rumored to carry priceless Orcish artifacts. These expeditions have earned Cpt Shrout a particular notoriety within the Great Fleet of Klans, marking him as a pirate driven by more than mere greed. On several notable occasions, such as the Sacking of the "Golden Sovereign," a T&K Co vessel, Cpt Shrout and his crew were able to recover ancient tomes and religious symbols, further enriching their spiritual collection and lending gravitas to Cpt Shrouts’s teachings. Although Cpt Shrout has been moderately successful in accumulating artifacts and sacred texts, his ideological influence remains circumscribed. The majority of the Klans maintains their distance from spiritual matters, preferring the tangible rewards of their trade. Nevertheless, Cpt Shrout's endeavors have attracted a subset of orcs and even other races who find themselves enthralled by the captain's fervent piety and the promise of a more meaningful existence.