Draft:Shattered Embrace:Orb of Gromsh

One of the Travelling Orbs, this magical artifact was created by General Gromsh, one of the Founders. Initially it was used to operate the Gate of Gromsh, allowing transportation of Orcish settlers to their part of Arveran, namely the Morrag Peninsula.

History

Initially, the Orb was kept in the Tower of Gromsh in ancient city of Gromshar. Gromsh didn't use it during the Tenebrae Ivasion, leaving Gromshar without it to aid besieged Lorrendar, where he fell alongside another Founder, Archmage Lorren. The artifact remained in the tower, even after it's destruction (along with Gromsh's Seeing Stone).

According to Lertis, the artifact was recovered from the ruins by the Chosen of Fenrir's taskforce some time before the Hero's arrival on Arveran; they were even given a special casing to protect themselves from it's poisonous touch. Adramelech wanted them to use it to activate the Gate of Gromsh, so they could return to Tebris after accomplishing their mission. The exact way they wanted to operate the Orb remains unknown, since they lacked any of Gromsh's descendants in their ranks.

In-game

After picking up the artifact from Fenrir's body, the Hero gave it to Orias, who became the Orb's new master, thanks to obtaining a piece of Gromh's old sword with the stain of the Founder's blood on it, resulting in the artifact mistaking him for the ancient warlord. The Orb was then used by Orias to contact Ghortarius and Rogdor, vising them both in Alsorna (by Orias alone) and subsequently bringing them all to Arveran, so they could join Dar Pha and the Hero, and help them to defeat the Elven conspiracy.