Raakdos

War of the Spark #020 Borborygmos‘s Hermitage

Added 2024-12-13 03:43:54 +0000 UTC

Borborygmos has a bestial look, with his single eye, a wild mane of red hair, and two twisting horns. He only wears a few scraps of leather armor. He is allegedly a descendant of the Gruul Parun Cisarzim.

Borborygmos led the Burning Tree clan, which is the largest and most diverse of the Gruul Clans. For decades, he commanded the respect and obedience of the Gruul by defeating all who challenged him. He embodied the raging fire that the Gruul believe burns in their bellies, and his wrath toward the civilization of Ravnica knew no bounds.

With Bolas' urging, the planeswalker Domri Rade challenged and defeated the aging Borborygmos by setting waves of beasts on him. The cyclops wasn't killed but lost the Gruul's respect even more. Afterward, he lived as a Trog (hermit) in the Rubblebelt.

A small adventure for this map:

Quest1: Clan Division

Objective: The players are contacted by an emissary of the Gruul clans or a contact within the Gruul who is aware of Borborygmos's current state. The Gruul has been fractured since Borborygmos's defeat. Domri Rade and his supporters are taking over the guild, but some old supporters still want Borborygmos to return.
Description: Domri Rade, now the leader of the Gruul, is too focused on personal power and his ambitions. He was fighting against Eternals initially but soon changed sides to fight for the elder dragon after he saw Bolas topple the Vitu-Ghazi elemental. Some of Gruul support him but there are also a large number of them despise him. Now, the clans need their true leader back. The players are tasked with finding Borborygmos's Hermitage, a legendary ruin deep in the Rubblebelt, where he has isolated himself since his fall.

Quest 2: Into the Rubblebelt:

Objective: Travel to Borborygmos's Hermitage.
Description: The journey to the hermitage is perilous. The Rubblebelt is filled with dangerous terrain, wild creatures, and rival Gruul warbands who may or may not still be loyal to Borborygmos. Along the way, the players will encounter scattered Gruul tribes, some of whom may challenge them to prove their worth or seek their assistance in defending the Rubblebelt from encroaching forces of the Azorius or other guilds.

Quest 3: Restore the Confidence

Objective: Reach the Hermitage and meet Borborygmos.
Description: The players find the ruins of an ancient Gruul stronghold, abandoned long ago. Here, Borborygmos hides in the shadows, surrounded by the bones of animals he's hunted. He’s disheveled, broken, and shows no interest in reclaiming his old power. He has become a recluse, consumed by guilt and loss. The players will need to convince him that the Gruul need him and that his defeat at the hands of Domri Rade was not the end of his story.
Challenges:
- Emotional Persuasion: Borborygmos is reluctant to engage. Players will need to navigate a delicate conversation, showing empathy for his pain while convincing him to rise again. This could involve a combination of skill checks (Persuasion, Insight, or even Intimidation if a more forceful approach is needed).
- Combat Trial: Borborygmos may challenge the players to a trial of strength or combat to prove their worth and inspire him to take action. Alternatively, he could demand the players help him in one last battle against a rival faction (perhaps a remaining ally of Domri or a new threat).

Quest 4: Rekindling the Flame

Objective: Help Borborygmos reclaim his position as the Gruul guildmaster.
Description: To reignite Borborygmos's spirit and restore his standing, the players will need to complete several key tasks:
- Gather old Allies: Borborygmos has been absent for too long, and many Gruul warbands now follow Domri Rade‘s lead. The players must rally some of Borborygmos's old allies or win over new ones who are dissatisfied with Domri’s rule.
- Defeat the Rival Clan: Borborygmos's fall left a power vacuum. the Scab Clan and/or Ghor Clan is now taking Burning Tree Clan's turf and territory. The players must help Borborygmos reclaim his honor by defeating those rivals in a brutal battle.

Quest 5: Anger Unleashed

Objective: Defeat the Eternals in the Gruul territory and convince the Gruul clans to join the allied forces against the tyrant.
Description: As the Gruul clans begin to regroup under Borborygmos's leadership, Nicol Bolas launches a sudden invasion into Gruul territory, sending his Eternal army to crush the guild’s resolve once and for all. The players, alongside Borborygmos and his fiercest warriors, must defend their homeland from the relentless assault. The battle rages through the Rubblebelt, where the players fight side-by-side with the Gruul in a desperate push to repel the invaders. As they cut through Bolas's forces, the Gruul warriors' raw fury and the players' tactical brilliance lead to the destruction of the Eternal army’s foothold. In the aftermath, the Gruul, impressed by the players' valor and Borborygmos’s restored leadership, pledge their strength to the allied forces, forming a crucial part of the united front against Nicol Bolas's growing power.

Connect this map to other Gruul maps to make a larger adventure: