A Gift for the Gruploks

This is the first quest for gruplok faction in The Murk. You will need to do this quest in order to no longer be kill on sight, KoS, to frogs in The Murk, The Gruplok faction.

Having to get Sentinel Badge's seems to only be necessary if you have killed frogs before starting this quest.

A Gift for the Gruploks
Quest giver	Grupruk the Thoughtful
Starting Zone	The Murk
Other Zone(s)	Prophet's Landing
Suggested Level Range	65 plus
Quest items used	Thick Leech Hide Venomless Spiderkin Fang x 2 Murk Leech Meat x 5 Shattered Gruplok Remains Sentinel Badge x 4 Not usually required, see end of article
Positive (+) Faction	The Gruplok
Experience Reward	17,000

Walkthrough

Find Grupruk the Thoughtful (The Murk  at -2520, 642, -4  • Central South Island, in the ruined buildings that are grey on the map) .

You say, 'Hail, Grupruk the Thoughtful'

Grupruk the Thoughtful says, 'Eh?' Grupruk peers at you with a contemplative gaze. He continues to scrutinize you as he speaks in a steady, measured voice. 'I suppose if you were some new kind of Kaezulian monstrosity, you'd have dragged me off by now. Well,' he saws  [sic] with a smile, 'so long as you're willing to be civil - welcome! I'd offer you some szithri stew, but there's an old saying about giving away more than you can catch with your own tongue - and as you can perhaps tell, I prefer to use my tongue for conversation rather than hunting overgrown insects.'

You say, 'What? Who are you?'

Grupruk chuckles, 'Ha! Yes, you're certainly no Kaezulian - they have such a way with words, one can hardly spot a difference between their questions and their commands.' Grupruk froaks, clearing his throat, 'Ah, pardon my rudeness, but it's not every season one meets a friendly stranger in these parts! They call me Grupruk, Grupruk the Wise, Grupruk the Thoughtful... but mostly they call me Grupruk the Fool. For you, simply Grupruk will do, if you please.'

You say, 'Who calls you these? It doesn't seem like anyone else lives here with you.'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Quite right, quite right. There is a city in the East, less than an hour's journey from here - more of a village, I suppose - perhaps you've already caught sight of it? Thasra Marlithuk... was once its name, if you fancy to believe the tattered historical texts. These days the Kaezulians just call it Gruplok City, and we've taken to following their preference - my people, I mean: the Gruploks.'

You say, 'What do you mean, 'following their preference'? Are they in league with Kaezul?!'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Now, now, no need to raise your voice, stranger. The elderly sentries like to say that in their great grandfathers' day, the Gruploks mounted quite a grand resistance against the Kaezulians and their wicked ways. Of course, they're not terribly pleased to hear an old windbag like me question how grand a resistance it could have been, considering our present circumstances. You see, the Gruploks are a subjugated people. The Kaezulians have kept us in check for generations - since before the birth of any Gruplok alive today, I can assure you, but exactly how long, we're not sure - we're lucky to have the bits and pieces of our history that we do.'

You say, 'Subjugated? Why haven't they just destroyed you?'

Grupruk sighs, 'Pockets of resistance creep up now and then, inevitably - and there have been times when it seemed like the Kaezulians would burn our fair city and hunt down every last one of us... but for the most part, they tell us what to do, and we listen. They take what little we can make as supplies for their endless campaigns to who-knows-where... when they aren't dragging our young off to build extravagant monuments to their Lord, of course. Other than that, and some random patrols and executions to make sure we're still paying attention, they basically leave us to fend for ourselves - which is not an easy task in this wasteland, mind you. It's quite a sad state of affairs, I suppose... but my people have grown accustomed to it. They don't have the patience to live as slaves and listen to my musings at the same time - which is why I'm here instead of there. A self-imposed exile, I suppose you might call it.'

You say, 'How do I get to Gruplok City?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'It's due North-East from here, provided you don't mind going for a swim. I don't expect you'll find much hospitality there, mind you. My people... they don't have quite the open mind that I do, you have to understand. They won't be seen consorting with unknowns, lest they gain the Kaezulians' ire. And some of the younger sentries are fanatic enough to slay anyone they don't recognize without a word of warning, I fear. It's a very trying existence for us, you see - but as bad as it is, my people haven't lost the will to live yet.'

You say, 'How can I earn their trust?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Earn their trust, you say? Ah, to hear such words has already earned you mine, stranger. But my people need far more than kind words. If you're truly willing to help, however...'

You say, 'What do your people need, exactly?'

Grupruk ponders for a moment. 'The Gruploks have long lived off the bounty of Dalaya. These days, however, the beasts that roam the land are twisted and unnaturally strong. Straying far from the city to forage is unsafe for all, and few hunters remain who can fell the local monstrosities for food. Besides which, we haven't the equipment nor the energy to train more hunters or gather together in hunting parties - every able body and every sword is occupied in the defense of the city, and even that is lacking.'

You say, 'What kind of equipment do they need?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Hmm. Perhaps some hunting weapons... Ah! I have it! Gruklikh the Apothecary knew how to make the Gruplok hunting knives of old, the kind the elders used to speak of while regaling children with the Myth of Gruthluk. I remember the children would beg him to show them the one that he had made. If you could fetch me a thick leech hide, and two spider fangs drained of their venom, to be carved into a blade - I'm sure I could be persuaded to take a trip home and tell them all about you and your interest in us.'

Your journal has been updated. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: Grupruk asked you to find a thick leech hide and two spider fangs which have been drained of venom, as components for a knife that the Gruploks can use to hunt with. In return, he has promised to put in a good word for you with the Gruplok people.

Gather and give Grupruk the Thoughtful:

• Thick Leech Hide
• Venomless Spiderkin Fang x 2

Grupruk smiles, 'Aha! Leech skin and venomless fangs, indeed! You are true to your word, friend. We could use more vibrant folk like you in our fair city, if they could raise everyone's spirits the way you have raised mine. But no matter, I must bring this bounty to the city at once! I will return as soon as I can. You have my thanks - hopefully my people will not withhold theirs.'

You gain 2,000 experience!!

Your faction standing with The Gruplok has gotten better!

Your journal has been updated. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: Grupruk accepted the hunting knife components and took them to the Gruplok village. You should speak with him when he returns.

Food for the Gruplok

Note: Grupruk the Thoughtful will return in 1 minute.

You say, 'Hail, Grupruk the Thoughtful'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Greetings, friend.'

You say, 'How was your trip to the city?'

Grupruk smiles, 'Ah, it was quite a sight for my people, I'm sure. The looks on their faces when they saw me, Grupruk the Fool, approaching the city after so long - and bearing a bounty not seen in decades! Whispering filled the streets in a way that I had not seen since my youth. And the shine in the eyes of the young sentries when I told them that a new Knife of Gruthluk could be forged! Ah, but it was quite an experience for an old windbag like me.' Grupruk sighs, 'The headman was not as excited as I, however.'

You say, 'Oh? What did the headman say?'

The excitement in Grupruk's voice has faded. 'I told him about you and your interest in our city, as well as making it clear that the pieces for the new knife were a humble gesture from you to our lowly people. He was suspicious - though I must say, he is quite wary, and not one to have his hopes raised - understandably so. Your gift has done much in your favor, let me assure you now - but the headman is not keen on symbols and myths when there are more pressing concerns to attend to.'

You say, 'More pressing concerns?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Quite. It seems the supply of food in Gruplok City is atrociously low, even by our standards. The headman asked me: "If this benefactor of yours can slay the local beasts for their rare trinkets, why not for their common meats?" The headman is still quite apprehensive about letting you anywhere near the city. But if you can bring me some murk leech meat to bring to them - perhaps five slabs? - even he would be truly grateful. Your gift of the knife has made you known to my people. If you can provide these meats, and relieve their hunger-torn bodies - I believe that would truly garner their trust.'

Your journal has been updated. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: Grupruk has conveyed a message from the Gruplok headman telling you that the Gruplok village's food supply is fatally short. He has requested five slabs of giant murk leech meat in order to quell the shortage. Grupruk thinks this could help pursuade  [sic] the villages to trust you.

Gather and give Grupruk the Thoughtful:

• Murk Leech Meat x 5

Grupruk smiles as he admires the quality of the meats. 'Ah, you have done it again, my friend! These should provide rations enough to feed the entire city for a week! The headman will surely be pleased. I will return shortly.'

You gain 5,000 experience!!

Your faction standing with The Gruplok has gotten better!

Your journal has been updated. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: Grupruk accepted the five slabs of murk leech meat and is transporting them to the Gruplok village to be made into rations. You should speak with Grupruk when he returns.

Putting Lingering Spirits to Rest

Note: Grupruk the Thoughtful will return in 1 minute.

You say, 'Hail, Grupruk the Thoughtful'

Grupruk stretches his legs as he greets you, 'Ah, hello again, friend.' You hear his bones crick as he stretches his arms and back. 'Ahh, that's better. It's been some time since I've traveled like this. I haven't as much energy as I used to, that's for certain.'

You say, 'Did you deliver the meat?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Indeed I did. The headman did not let his demeanor betray him, but I know that he was truly grateful. As am I. But perhaps I overestimated my people's trust...'

You say, 'What do you mean?'

Grupruk sighs. 'You must understand. My people can scarcely recall a time when we were not enslaved. What few stories we have from the old times are only myths. They can hardly conceive of random acts of kindness - nor of outsiders other than Kaezulians and Baldakans looking to round up slaves whose lives mean nothing to them. Even with both of your gifts - nearly miracles, in the eyes of my people - some of them still do not believe that you truly exist, that a stranger would really do this for the lowly Gruploks. And they are afraid. Some nearly believe that the Kaezulians will spring from the swamp muck and set the city ablaze the moment you, an outsider, set one foot inside. There is still hope for them, and for you, however.'

You say, 'How do you mean?'

Grupruk speaks in a solemn tone, 'I believe there is one thing you can do which will pursuade some of my people to speak with you... You see, we Gruploks have not had a peaceful history. Many Gruploks - leaders, revolutionaries, moralists, innocents, children, entire families - have died violently over the generations: executed, tortured, worked to death. Countless other have died from hunger, or were slain in the wilds by beasts. Many of these saddest Gruploks, these martyrs, linger... twisted by Kaezulian experiments and necromancy, or by the sheer power of their immortal hatred. Perhaps you have spotted some of them in the swamp... They are mindless, now - they thoughtlessly attack any who come near, even their former kinsmen. But they are still Gruploks. We still honor their lives, and deaths. If you can put any of them to rest, and bring me some of their remains for burial - I know my that people, in their respect and their grief, will allow you into their city to speak with them.'

Your journal has been updated. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: Grupruk has asked you to put to rest any lingering spirits of violently killed Gruploks you find in the swamp, and to bring back some of their remains for burial.

Gather and give Grupruk the Thoughtful:

• Shattered Gruplok Remains

Grupruk gathers the remains in his hands and takes a long, deep breath. He seems unusually sombre. 'Thank you, my friend... Thank you. I must make another trip, but you needn't wait for me. Once they have heard from me, someone among them will wish to talk to you, you have my word.' Grupruk carefully places the remains into his haversack, and leaves due North-East.

You gain 10,000 experience!!

Your faction standing with The Gruplok has gotten better!

You have completed a quest. [A Gift for the Gruploks]

 

Journal Text: You gave Grupruk the Thoughtful the remains of a fallen Gruplok, and with this gesture you have gained permittance  [sic] to enter the Gruplok village.

Note: If your faction with Gruploks is dubious now, you can not continue, the quest is completed. Grupruk the Thoughtful will give the items for the fourth part back without comment.

Additional Faction if Needed

You say, 'Hail, Grupruk the Thoughtful'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Ah, but it's nice to be at rest again. Which reminds me: what with all the excitement lately, we haven't had the chance to get acquianted and simply chat. Does any particular subject strike your fancy?'

You say, 'What do you know about the Kaezulians?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Little that I haven't already conveyed to you, <Player Name>. I have only seen members of their military - brutish, loyal, very much believers in the chain of command. I could not tell you what goes through their soldier's minds when their superiors tell them to kill innocent Gruploks, but I suspect they have never learned to care - certainly not for other beings. Do they care for each other? I cannot say. Perhaps only as far as to avoid being punished by their superiors... Ah, but I suppose I'm the only Gruplok who would give them even that much thought. To everyone else, they are monsters - living nightmares each and every one. Ah, but I would be interested to meet one of their citizens one day, and to speak with them openly...'

You say, 'What do you know about the Baldakans?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Ah, I suppose I haven't mentioned much about them, have I? They have taken many Gruploks for slaves recently, although not as many as the Kaezulians have. They have not been around here for very long, at least not that I know of. To be truthful, I know little else about them... precious few stories had circulated about them in Gruplok city, at least when I still resided there. I'm sorry I cannot be more helpful to you, <Player Name>.'

You say, 'What do you know about the history of the Gruploks?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Our history is quite sketchy. We do know that we have a long history of telling myths. Most of what we understand about our history come directly from the myths, and some Gruploks have spent much time trying to understand just how much we can trust from the myths as far as historical accuracy - which figures truly lived, which events truly happened, and which are merely fantasies. I wonder if it is truly worth the effort. Some of them seem to believe that finding the right myth and proving it to be true will be enough to suddenly free our people, give meaning to all our past struggles, and vindicate all those who have died... Ah, but if you'd like to know more, <Player Name>, you should go and speak with Galka and his wife, Kalunepe. They are the current living authorities on Gruplok history and myth.'

You say, 'What can you tell me about the beasts in the Murk?'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'I have done all I can to keep clear of them, myself. But I suppose I may be able to remember some of the things the huntsmen used to say. Let me think... The szithri are bloodsuckers, and very numerous throughout the swamp. Most are somewhat weak, and easy to flee from, though I have heard of greater szithri defeating seasoned huntsmen quite horrifically. Murklings are also bloodsuckers, but tend to stay near the murkwaters. I have heard that they form into social groupings, unlike the szithri, with most murklings hunting to gather food for the broodmothers they cluster around. I've heard that there are serpents in some of the deeper murkwaters - some consider their meat a delicacy - but I've never actually caught sight of one myself, come to think of it. I believe I've already expained to you about the fallen Gruploks that linger... Ah, there are also the fungus men, a result of unnatural growth among the fungus patches that have always surrounded the swamp. I don't know what to tell you about them - I've rarely heard of them. And that is about all I know on this subject, I suppose. I'm sorry my information isn't a little more concrete or first hand, but monstrosities have never been my particular interest, you know! Haha!'

You say, 'Not particularly.'

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Ah, I know the feeling, friend. Sometimes it is best to just let the mind wander. And yet, sometimes simply letting one's mind wander can be too much, even for me. Ah, but some of the things we do are so absurd when we stop to think about them, don't you agree, <Player Name>? Perhaps most people never have the experience... Why do my people go on living? Oh, certainly, a few of the townspeople have learned to cope, learned to live for today since their tomorrows are never certain - but the wisdom in that is another issue altogether. Most of my people live in constant fear and insecurity for all of their lives, never assured that they will have food to eat, never assured that the next patrol won't decide to take them or their family away, never to return, at a whim. And yet they live out their lives, day by day - some cowering openly, some cowering under a thin veil of pride or apathy. Why do they do it? Do they think the freedom of the Gruploks is only a matter of time? If not, then how do they justify it - how do they justify continuing to mate, to have families, to bring new lives into their world of slavery and fear? Is the continuation of the Gruploks really worth all of our suffering, our pains, our countless perils? Or do they even think of it? Do they simply perpetuate the species mindlessly, like animals - like the beasts in the wilds? Is there truly any purpose to it all? Would we really be any worse off if we allowed ourselves to become extinct, never to be born into suffering again..?' Grupruk continues muttering to himself. He seems to have forgotten he was talking to you.'

Gruplok Faction still below Dubious

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Tough luck, friend? The Gruppies not happy to see you as they ought? Your meager amount of foodstuffs not enough to undo your actions? We will have to take more extreme measures. The Gruploks like to pretend that they are not vengeful and violent, but we both know that is untrue, don't we? Perhaps a little slaughter on their behalf will do much to assuage their wounded pride? Ah, yes, of course. The lizards around the city. The sentinels. Bring me a set of four badges. I will transport them to the Gruploks. Don't worry. They will know it was you who sent them.'

Gather and give Grupruk the Thoughtful:

• Sentinel Badge x 4

Grupruk the Thoughtful tells you, 'Excellent, a full set. The sad Gruplings will appreciate your hard work and violence.'

Your faction standing with The Gruplok has gotten better!