Grold Hound-toad is the leader of the eccentric cult Branch Duh-Groldians, who believe that Grold is is the reincarnation of the four Goblin Hero-Gods: Hadregash, Venkelvore, Zarongel, and Zogmugot (Grold can’t pronounce the names correctly). Unlike most goblins, who revere Lamashtu, the Branch Duh-Groldians believe Lamashtu is the enemy of all goblins, especially Grold. They believe that the end times are drawing ever closer, when Grold and Lamashtu will one day battle on the mouth of an erupting volcano.
Grold is the oldest goblin in the cult. He has survived for as long as he has by convincing others to carry out his deeds as he watches the chaos nearby. Grold believes that reading and writing are paramount, and has lived among humans for most of his life.
He was found abandoned by two strange humans who attempted to raise young Grold. Teaching him to read and write, they cared for him and raised him as if he were their own child. His human parents were killed, however, by worshipers of Lamashtu. After his parents’ murders, he found a nearby clan who quickly cast him out for his beliefs.
While living with a tribe of Razortooth Goblins, he met Fen Vrag. She was half his age when they met, a mere six years old. After Grold was exiled, Fen followed him into the lower swamps. There they found a root that made them hallucinate. After eating the root for several weeks, they became convinced of Grold’s divinity and the impending doom the world would face.
During one particularly long bender near a small village, Grold and Fen stumbled into a tavern and began talking about the end of the world. There they met Karen. She was on a bender of her own with her on-again-off-again boyfriend Clem, who was tending bar.
