Grommgar Ironblaze

Backstory:

Rain.

It was the first thing he ever remembered. The wetness, the cold, the way it soaked into your bones and could suck the joy out of your very being. He hated rain, yet in the forests of Ashenvale, rain, and dampness were constant. This was the place he was born, the place his life both began, and ended. His father and mother, Kolruk and Verka, were murdered by Kaldorei here in Ashenvale,and in the hopes of one day killing those responsible, he stays in this rainy, forsaken forest.

At least, he did, until he learned the truth.

Grommgar was not an ordinary Orc, thought he was born in Ashenvale, after his parents death he was raised by a Tauren Hunter, 'Moki Stormchaser', a stoic Shu'halo who lived in isolation in the Stonetalon Mountains, to be quick, strong and most importantly, self sufficient. Grommgar was taught how to stalk, and being constantly on the move his weapon of choice became his trusty axe, which he used for everything form cutting firewood to slaying beasts.

Moki taught Grommgar the Tauren values of Honor, respect, strength, and discipline, and thought he cared for the young Orc, who was growing restless of the hunters life, Moki knew he would not stay forever. When Grom (as he is called) came of age, Moki told him where he had found him as a youngling, just past Kargathia Keep, home of the Warsong Clan, and it would be there that Grom should go, if he wished to become a warrior. The young Orc's eyes gleamed, and a smirk crept across his face. He could only remember cold, and screaming, on the night his parents died, and with this new information, he could not sit idle with it; he would go to Kargathia Keep, and find out what happened. The young Orc gathered his axe, his bow, and his pack, shared a moment with the stoic Moki, the two proud beings stood, then Grom lai what trinkets he had made in aiding with his hunts over the years at the Tauren's feet, gave him one last smile, and left.

The Warsong:

As the blood hit his face, the large Orc smiled. These 'Night Elves" are all the same, high and mighty until a well crafted axe cleaves its way through their skull until lodging itself firmly into the spine.

"One less knife-ear to worry about", Grom shouted to his commander, Goruk Stonebreaker, commanding officer to all new recruits into the Warsong Outriders, "Lok'tar Grommgar! Nicely done!" Cheered the aging Warsong Orc. Goruk had seen many strong, young Orcs in his days, but Grom was like no other. When battle arose, Grom would become a force of nature, charging headlong into the Kaldorei forces, and at the end of it, would always wind up standing on a heap of dead elves; it was impressive. So impressed was he with Grom, that Goruk had put in to have Grom elevated to Warlord of his own company of Outriders. Grom's leadership skills, ruthlessness in battle, and respect for his fellow warriors, made him stand out above all others, and Goruk knew he Grommgar would get the promotion with his recommendation.

He did.

Grommgar's first mission was a seemingly simple one, recruitment. Thought he was promoted to a Warlord of the Warsong Outriders, there was a catch; being so young, the Elders thought that no seasoned, established soldier would likely follow the young commander, so he must go and find his own soldiers, train them, and lead them in glorious battle. So Grom went we're all aspiring adventurers go he was told; He went to the Crossroads, and it was there that his life would change forever.

Xa, and the Forsaken:

"Walk with me, and listen", the huddled mass of cloth and bones croaked.

Grommgar had only encountered a few Forsaken up to this point. Vile creatures he thought, un-natural, affronts to the elements and the Earth Mother, abominations. He viewed them as little better than the Scourge, and did not trust them, yet, his Warchief did, for reasons Grom simply could not wrap his head around.

"Very Well, Forsaken, but no I have little like for your kind", Grom replied.

Xa, used to the sentiment, proceeded to share the story of Kang as the large Mountain east of the Crossroads. Kang was a mighty warrior, Xa explained, who slain hundreds, and hundreds of Centaur in a quest for vengeance, ultimately killed by his arrogance, and an unwillingness to adapt to tactics the centaurs he loathed had altered to fight him. In essence, his unwillingness to accept new ideas caused his death, "No matter how strong the body, the mind must be its equal, or you will fall like Kang did."

Grom was quiet. Here was a rotting pile of flesh, speaking about strategy, and vengeance, and stating the Grom could fall to his enemies! Yet...he sensed their was wisdom in Xa's teachings, and the way he spoke, was that of a teacher, not a lecturer, Xa was trying to help, and upon this realization, Grom blinked.

"Forsaken, why do you tell me this? I am not one your kind.", the large Orc stated.

Xa replied, "Thought no blood flows through my veins, my heart still bleeds for the Horde".

Grom was taken aback, he had not realized the Forsaken were this dedicated to the cause. His misgivings and hatred of their kind was misplaced, he knew this now. "Thank you for this knowledge Xa, I will learn and adapt with my enemies, so I may overcome, and know you have opened my eyes to your people. I am Honored to fight with the Forsaken for the glory of the Horde!", and proceeded to start walking back down the mountain, only to be stopped by Xa, one more time.

"Grommgar, your eyes have opened, and I feel you will truly appreciate that which I have to offer". The Seer removed his cape, revealing an Axe the size of his whole body, that had been hidden by the flowing robes and cape. "This, is Kang the Decapitator, it was wielded by Kang, and has slain many, many enemies. I feel...you will put it to good use". Stunned. Grom held the enormous Axe, with difficulty,"I will train to be worthy of wielding this blade, Thank you, Xa, I will not forget this kindness". And with a simple nod, Xa vanished a cloud of purple, leaving the Orc alone, at the top of a mountain, Battle Axe in hand, eyeing the mountain lion a short distance away, "Time to get to work".