From Goblin to Goblin God: Chapter 1 - The Scrawny Survivor
The stench of mildew and decay clung to Grug like a second skin. He shivered, not from the damp chill of the cavern, but from a deeper, bone-chilling fear. He was alone. Completely, utterly alone. The last of his goblin clan, wiped out in the brutal raid by the Orcish warband. Grug, the runt, the one always picked last for scavenging parties, was somehow… left behind.
This wasn't the glorious, blood-soaked death he'd envisioned. No final, defiant shriek against overwhelming odds. Just… survival. A bitter, lonely survival.
His stomach gnawed at him, a constant, gnawing reminder of his emptiness. He hadn't eaten in days, his meager rations long gone. The only sounds were the drip, drip, drip of water echoing through the cavern and the frantic thumping of his own heart.
What happens to Grug after the Orcish raid?
The Orcish raid had been a whirlwind of violence and chaos. Grug, small and nimble, had managed to evade the brunt of the attack by hiding amongst the rocks. He'd witnessed the slaughter, the horrific end of his family and friends, a scene burned into his memory with terrifying clarity. The trauma, the overwhelming loss, threatened to overwhelm him. But survival instinct, raw and primal, pushed him forward. He had to live. He had to find a way to honor their memory.
How does Grug survive in the cavern?
Survival, in this desolate cavern, was a daily struggle. Grug learned to hunt the cave-dwelling insects, a task initially revolting but eventually necessary for sustenance. He learned to conserve energy, moving only when absolutely necessary. The cave, initially a place of terror, slowly became his sanctuary. He discovered a small spring, providing fresh water, and he learned to identify edible fungi and roots, expanding his limited diet. His small size, once a source of ridicule, became his advantage, allowing him to squeeze into crevices and escape potential predators.
Does Grug encounter other creatures in the cavern?
The cavern wasn't devoid of life. Grug encountered giant spiders, their hairy legs skittering across the damp floor, and blind, subterranean worms that burrowed through the earth. He learned to avoid them, his senses sharpening with each passing day. He also discovered evidence of other creatures—larger tracks in the mud, suggesting something considerably bigger than himself roamed the depths of the cavern. This added a new layer of fear, but also a flicker of hope. Perhaps, he wasn't entirely alone.
What are Grug's hopes and dreams for the future?
Grug's immediate goal was survival. But beneath the surface of fear and desperation, a small ember of ambition glowed. He wasn't just going to survive; he was going to thrive. He envisioned building a new goblin clan, stronger and more resilient than the one he'd lost. This dream, initially faint and fragile, grew stronger with each passing day, fueled by his unwavering will to live and the memory of those he had lost. His journey was only just beginning. The scrawny survivor would become something more. He would become a Goblin God.
This is just the beginning of Grug's journey. Future chapters will explore his encounters with other creatures, his development of skills and abilities, and his eventual rise to power. The road ahead is fraught with danger, but Grug is prepared to face it. He is, after all, a survivor. A survivor who dreams of becoming a god.
