Ascent of the Goblin King by Rob Burman is a book in the Tales of Pannithor line of novels.
It depicts Grogger Split-tooth rise to power and how he achieved it.
Contents
About
Grogger Split-tooth is a goblin with ambition. Big ambitions! After a mysterious vision shows that Grogger could become the king of all goblins, he sets out on a perilous quest to become the supreme ruler of all Pannithor’s greenskins. There’s just one problem: only he believes the vision!
First though, he needs to rescue a goblin wizard that’s being held captive by a group of salamander corsairs. These man-sized, lizard-like creatures aren’t going to give up the wizard without a fight, which means Grogger’s going to need all the help he can get.
Unfortunately for him, he’s joined by a goblin with a love for high explosives, a troll that wants to kill him, and a beast handler who is ready to stab him in the back; Grogger’s journey to becoming king isn’t going to be an easy one.
Plot Summary
Raid on Terwhane
In 3850, Grogger Split-Tooth is a goblin scout of the Red Claw Tribe who has been sent with Klup to scout the human settlement of Terwhane. After killing a stag which ran out of Whane's Weald which they were hiding in, Grogger tricked Klup into capturing back their mawbeasts who had gone after the stag. Kulp successfully manages to attach leads back on the mawbeast and things were going well, frustrated Grogger fires an arrow into Klup's neck killing him and causing the mawbeasts to devour him. Grogger, who had hoped he avoided detection by the humans at Terwhane, returned back to the Red Claw Tribe's cave and reported back to their leader, Bung. After advising of the fate of Klup and the defences of Terwhane, Bung ordered an attack upon the village and forced Grogger to lead the left flank of their forces.
Meanwhile, the leader of Terwhane, Brynn, investigated the stag along with the day watch leader Tam. Seeing the corpse of Klup, they knew they were soon to be raided by Goblins and began to prepare their defence.
A few days later, the Red Claw Tribe raided Terwhane which initially started in favour of the humans with Brynn correctly predicting the goblins battleplan and prepared strong defences including hidden spikes to take out the charging fleabags. Grogger, seeing this, hatched a plan quickly to send a group of fleabags around the village to catch the defenders from the rear. This worked, turning the battle to the goblins favour and killing Brynn along with other villagers (such as Lucille and presumably Tam and Anton), ultimately defeating the defending forces. </div<
Quest to Rescue Kackle Flashzap
After the battle, Grogger roamed the streets of Terwhane and enjoying the chaos around him. One of Bung's messages advised that Bung wanted to speak with him at Brynn's old home. Bung, with Ug and Og on their side of the bed he was resting on, order Grogger to capture a wiz,Kackle Flashzap, who he had recently learnt had been captured by a group of Salamanders led by Captain Furna. Along with Grogger, Gritter Fingernipper and Klunk Blackclaw were to accompany him along with Ug.
Captain Furna and her crew (including Rorsha, Hr'zak, Berusk, Shalesh, Igne, Krat’lk, Ralz and Tulsk) had recently captured the goblin wiz, Kackle Flashzap, while he was stealing gear from a hedge witch and now were traveling to Valentica to sell it to the highest bidder. Captain Furna and her crew had been recently shipwrecked and were trying to earn enough gold for a ship to get back to The Three Kings
After a few days, Grogger, Gritter, Klunk and Ug caught up to the Salamander crew. Grogger crept up to the crew's campsite and spotted Kackle. As he was trying to work out how to distact the crew away, a nearby explosion caught the attention of the salamanders and they quickly ran towards it, leaving only Berusk to keep guard. Berusk accidently fell asleep and Grogger begun to free Kackle, which woke Berusk up. Kackle frantically cast a couple of spells, knocking Berusk out. Grogger and Kackle were able to escape before the crew returned to the campsite. Grogger returned to Gritter, Klunk and Ug with Kackle and Kackle directed them to an nearby cave to hide from the salamanders which they correctly assumed were chasing after Hr'zak finding their trail. On their way through the forest, Furna's crew began hacking away at the trees to attempt to clear their path. This disturbed some sleeping Gladewalkers, resulting in Krat’lk, Ralz and Tulsk getting killed.
Meeting Magwa Howlclaw and Jo'os
Grogger, Gritter, Klunk, Ug and Kackle arrived at the cave, which Kackle had been using as his home before he was captured. After learning that Kackle had killed his previous tribe, Grogger demanded the wiz show he was in control of this magic and he wasnt a threat. Kackle began creating a magic brew to see the future and Gritter, Klunk and Ug moved outside just in case it went wrong. Grogger drunk the brew and saw his future which included a might goblin army, a forest in flames and most importantly Grogger as a Goblin King.
To make this future a reality, Kackle suggested they find Magwa Howlclaw and Jo'os, a legendary and old goblin, and get their help with defeating Bung. Grogger agreed and, without telling Gritter, Klunk, and Ug of his true plan, begun heading to an old dwarf hold which Magwa was living in. A short while after, Furna's crew arrived at the cave and Igne found a map to Magwa's location. After reaching the fort, Grogger and the goblins agreed to enter however Gritter, Klunk, Kackle and Ug ended up staying back without letting Grogger know. Eventually, Grogger found Magwa Howlclaw and Jo'os, unsucessfully convincing them to help him but did allow them to stay until the sun falls to rest.
Furna's crew arrived during the day at the fort. Furna, Shalesh, Berusk and Hr'zak proceeded into the cave in hope to catch the goblins by surprise. Furna ordered Shalesh to kill the mawbeasts as they past by them and slowly made their way into the hold. Grogger, who was unable to sleep due to Ug's snoring, spotting the approaching salamanders and alerted the rest of the goblins, breaking out in a fight. This fight also woke up Magwa Howlclaw and Jo'os who were in their quarters, and using the power of Magwa's magical prod, Magwa killed Hr'zak and the goblins retreated into a nearby toliet. The goblins escaped down the sewer and Klunk left a bomb behind to cover their escape, Furna realised this too late and the explosion partially collapsed the hold on top of the crew and were unable to follow them down.
Finding the Underminers
While moving through the sewers, Grogger managed to convince Magwa of this visions and Magwa suggested a group of goblins, underminers, that could make these visions a reality. Hours later, the goblins emerged into Death Hand's Pass and began to head towards the underminer's tunnels which Magwa knew as he was once captured by them. Furna's crew, who were recovering from their fight, had a map of the hold and saw that the exit of the sewers led to Death Hand's Pass and began their trek towards it.
As the goblins got closer they spotted a pale-looking goblin holding a horn. After a brief chat, it blew the horn said "Grukhar sends her regards" then ran away. The sound echoed through the valley and had awoken dwarf and goblin looking zombies who began to attack the group. Furna's crew were approaching Death Hand's Pass and heard the explosions (as Klunk had begun throwing bombs). They quickened their pace and shortly also encountered the undead along with the goblins. After an attempt to help the situation, which included a portal to a Nightstalker, eventually Grogger came upon a undead slasher and managed to release it upon Furna and her crew. Furna was knocked out in her successful attempt to defeat it and once again the goblins escaped the crew.
Continuing on, eventually Grogger, Gritter, Klunk, Kackle,Magwa, Jo'os, and Ug, were captured by Queen Grukhar Rockcrusher and the underminers and brought them deep within their tunnels. Furna's crew managed to fight their way out from the undead and eventually ended up recovering at Rowan Bossesus and Mary Bossesus's farmstead. After Furna awoke, she agreed to team up with Rowan and some local milita to take on the local goblin colony and also capture the wiz back.
Grogger and the rest of his party were brought to a large chamber that contained Grukhar's throne and locked into cages.Grukhar pulled a lever to reveal a large pit. Forced to choose someone to be "tested through a feat of strengh", Grogger chose Ug who was thrown into the pit to face off against Grum, a Deep Cavern Troll. Ug was not doing well against Grum but Grogger managed to free himself and jumped down to assist Ug. Using the influence of the dagger that he found while fighting the zombies earlier (hinted to be from the Abyss) Grogger managed to kill Grum. Grogger managed to use this as leverage to cause the underminers to turn on Grukhar and order her to be locked up after it was revealed she was stashing food in secret away from the rest of the Underminers.
Escaping the Underground
Meanwhile, Rowan newly formed militia and Furna's crew moved into the tunnels, thanks to Nian advising of the entrance to it. Grogger dreams of the salamanders killing them while they slept and awoke suddenly. He told the advised the underminers and his group of this, causing some underminers to flee in all directions down the tunnels however a large amount stayed. Grukhar advised of a way to escape out through the pit where Grum was and they made their way through it. Eventually they came upon an underground river with three barges roped up. They all got on however the weight and chaos of one of the barges caused it to sink, leaving the other two to float out into the open.
The Salamanders and the Humans arrive at the large chamber with the pit and began searching for clues as they can see it has been recently occupied. One of the humans, Aeron, found a treasure trove of stolen valuables which was enough for the humans to buy defences against future raids and enough for the salamanders to get multiple ships back to The Three Kings. Furna, fueled by vengence, refused to give up causing Rosha to refuse and demand Furna to step down as captain. Rosha and Furna fought, and Furna came on top, knocking Rosha to the floor. Furna made him promise to get the rest of the crew home and to not kill the humans, after threatening to do so earlier. Rosha agreed and Furna jumped down the pit to follow the trail of the goblins. Igne, Rowan and Berusk choose to follow along with her.
The Bodjits
After sometime, Furna and the group come upon the underground river and spot the wreckage of the third barge. They begin to follow the river down and come across some Ratkin, quickly disposing of them. Meanwhile, as Grogger and the goblins sail down the river, Magwa advises a group of goblins that might be able to help with Grogger ambitions, the Bodjits. Grogger agrees to find them and a short while later, they make landfall. Grogger, Grukhar, Klunk, Kackle,Magwa, Jo'os, and Ug begin their journey to the Bodjits however Gritter and the rest of the underminers stayed back to fortify their position.
Grogger and the group shortly find the bodjits, with Magwa even surprised that they had moved out of the caves and taken over an old human village, creating all sorts of contraptions. Viewing Magwa as king, Magwa gets a overwhelming sense of grandeur and pushing back on Grogger and his desire for power. Wanting the Bodjits for himself. Grogger and Magwa fight, with even Jo'os turning against Magwa. Grogger wins and the bodjits now view Groggers as King.
Furna and her group reach the end of the underground river and eventually stumble upon the Gritter and the Underminers makeshift fort. They were able to avoid detection and Igne sensed Magwa's prod elsewhere. They continued towards it and came upon the Bodjits. Realising they needed a way in, Igne summoned a Fire Elemental and they began their approach with Igne staying back to keep control of the Fire Elemental.
Grogger's bodjits spotted Furna's group and Grogger sent Grukhar to get the rest of the Underminers, out of fear that the rest of the salamander's crew is nearby. Kackle suggested using the same summoning spell he once used when with the Furbiters, which summoned a water elemental. Kackle managed to achieve this and Grogger order Klunk to use a Winggit to throw bombs down from above. After the Water Elemental broke down the gate and stormed towards the Fire Elemental, the goblins took on the approching group. Ug took on Berusk, Grogger and Jo'os took on Furna and Magwa took on Rowan (with Klunk throwing down bombs in support from above)
While the Elementals fought each other, the rest battled it out. Berusk managed to gain the upper hand on Ug and Grogger sent Jo'os to help him out. Berusk ended up being overwhelmed and Ug snapped his neck. Rowan meanwhile attempted to dodge Magwa's blasts from his prod which was working until one of Magwa's lightning strikes hit Klunk's winggit's and bombs rained down. Knocking Rowan down and causing Magwa to drop his prod.
Grogger was on the backfoot by Furna and attempted to reach for the prod that had fallen close to him. Rowan ran towards Furna to warn her however it was too late. Grogger fired a lightning bolt through Furna, killing her and Rowan was captured.
Aftermath
Klunk had crash landed and had died (along with missing some limbs). Ug captured Igne shortly after and was locked up with Rowan. After a quick debate, Rowan was taken by Grogger and Igne was left to be killed by Gritter and Grukhar.
Rowan was tortured so he wouldnt forget Grogger's name while more and more goblins arrived at the Bodjits settlement.
Epilogue
Days later, Tompkins found Rowan beaten and broken on the outskirts of the city. Captain Dwight ordered Rowan to be thrown in a jail cell to be dealt with later only for Rowan to grab Captain Dwight "King Grogger is coming, and he will kill us all"
Characters
- Grogger Split-Tooth
- Klup
- Bung
- Klunk Blackclaw
- Gritter Fingernipper
- Kackle Flashzap
- Magwa Howlclaw
- Wrencher
- Thunk (mentioned)
- Thump (mentioned)
- Clomp (mentioned)
- Drung (mentioned)
- Graf (mentioned)
- Captin Greenclaw (mentioned)
Trivia
- First mention of the drink Dragon Scale Brew, which has an intoxicating effect, and Kthorlaq's Tears, which is even more intoxicating than Dragon Scale Brew.
- First appearance of the goblin sub-species, Underminers, and the troll sub-species, Deep Cavern Troll.
- First mention of Worm Gut Stew, a food eaten by the Underminers
- An abridged version of page 69-70, when Kackle Flashzap gives Grogger Split-Tooth a potion to see the future, first appeared in the 2017 suppliment, Edge of the Abyss which was also written by Rob Burman. 6 years before the Ascent of the Goblin King was published
External Links
- Ascent of the Goblin King Digital Edition - https://www.manticgames.com/fiction/tales-of-pannithor/ascent-of-the-goblin-king-digital/
- Ascent of the Goblin King Paperback Edition - https://www.whpsupplyroom.com/fantasy/p/tales-of-pannithor-ascent-of-the-goblin-king
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