Gorrok Blackbanner

Gorrok riding his deceased mount

### Early Life

 Gorrok Blackbanner was born in the town of Barrowblight near the Sword's Edge Mountains. The son of Sandra Brewhall and Gundar Bloodaxe, Gorrok was not welcome in the town of his birth because of his mother's consensual relationship with his father. When Bloodaxe came to Barrowblight in cover of night to take his infant son, Gorrok's human uncles ambushed him. His mother fled with him, but died on the road of wounds inflicted trying to save her lover. After lying in the elements for days, Gorrok was found by a scouting party from the Black Company as it marched towards the Swords-Edge Mountains to campaign against the local Orc tribes. Taking pity on the infant and, they chose to raise him within the company.

### Battle of Hope's Port

The Black Company was hired to help the Yuan'ti Si'zzet take the city of Port's Hope.

During the battle, Gorrok, Dhelmes, Vogel, and Nisha cleared a section of the wall containing the commander of the city's defenses. Despite being initially stymied, Gorrok proceeded to beat down the Commander and end the imminent threat to the incursion. Vogel and Dhelmes were both heavily wounded in the battle, with Vogel suffering horrific burns from Nisha's ill-aimed flamethrower.

Following the battle, the warrior Lumlum was forced into the company by Dhelmes. Lumlum mocked Gorrok's intelligence, but was swiftly crushed in a game of chess.

The city burned overnight. In the morning, ships arrived to take the Black Company across the sea and away from the city; while the assault was successful, the company was not intended to fight the bulk of the war.

A surviving Sangrir (halfling) youth called John joined the party as it left the city, his motivations unclear as he claimed to be afraid of the encroaching Yuan-Ti. He agreed to serve as Dhelmes' squire, saying that his previous acquaintances did not treat him well. Vogel had John mercy-kill a mortally wounded soldier, but he bungled it horribly.

On the ships, Gorrok learned that his friends had already eaten his slain war-boar, Tusken Raider. That evening, an argument ensued wherein Nisha argued she had been helping Vogel by burning him into unconsciousness. She also argued that she would do it again if one of her friends got in the way. Vogel said that if Nisha ever set him on fire again, he would poison her in her sleep. Gorrok agreed with Vogel, saying that he would kill Nisha in her sleep or on the spot if friendly fire occurred again.

### Argynvost

At the town of Argynvost, the companions arrived to find that the commander had not yet arrived. The companions proceeded to the Inn; despite the Commander saying that there were bandits in Argynvostholt, the bartender insisted that he had heard no such rumours. Suspicious that such a well-connected man would have heard nothing, Gorrok warned that treachery could be afoot. Vogel knocked the barkeeper unconscious with one of his syringes and John was left behind to watch the unconscious man and keep him safe.

The party attempted to reach the fortress stealthily, but were noticed en route. An ogre, a group of bandits, and a priest confronted the party but were soundly defeated. One, called Vilin, was conscripted into the Company. He revealed that the bandits had been raiding caravans. The innkeeper was not in league with them, but didn't know about their predation.

When informed of the keep being cleared, the Chronicler suggested the company move into the keep. The Commander had still not been found or heard from.

## Connections

Dhelmes Ramasath, a member of the Black Company that Gorrok has worked with in the past.

Dr. Charles Vogel, a physician of the Black Company that Gorrok has worked with in the past.

Nisha, a member of the Black Company that Gorrok has worked with in the past.

Alan Rickson, the stablemaster who primarily raised Gorrok.

Gary Dirksmith, the Dwarf orphan who has an intense rivalry with Gorrok.