The long awaited return of The Brothers Grimm articles is finally
here with today's posting of Ziljinn Popos Zilwinn Grimm and his ever-present,
but mostly silent living construct companion Bulwark.
An interesting
pair to be sure, Ziljinn and Bulwark were already companions when they joined
with the Brothers Grimm nearly 50 years ago. Next to Felonius & Larcenius,
they are the longest tenured members of the troupe, having joined the brothers
on their grand adventure shortly after its founding.
A venerable old
rock gnome of some 200+ years, Ziljinn Popos Zilwinn had spent most of his
early years like many of his rock gnome kin, quietly working away as tinkerer
and toy-maker. Life was simple and life was good. Then one day, quite
unexpectedly, Ziljinn heard the calling of the Maker deep in his heart. Never
particularly devout, Ziljinn paid lip service to the god of artifice, but no
more so than the other gods. For some reason known only to the Maker, he had
chosen Ziljinn as one of his own, gifting him with a spark of divinity and
welcoming him to the brotherhood of his clergy.
Ziljinn would come
to know the Maker's plan for him soon enough as a series of adventures led to
the discovery of an ancient Atlantean stronghold and hidden cache of Atlantean
technology, including a long dormant Warforged construct. With the Maker's
guidance, Ziljinn was able to activate the Warforged who would become his
friend, companion and protector for many years to come.
It would be many
years later that the two companions would encounter The Brothers Grimm. They
had returned to Ziljinn's home and a quieter way of life when a gloom had
settled on the region. A shadow had settled on the land, crops withered,
monsters roamed and innocents had begun disappearing. It was not long after the
darkness had fallen, when a strange travelling circus of dwarves arrived in town.
Drawn to these strange travelers, Ziljinn again received a omen from the Maker
that these dwarves would show him the way forward. From the Brothers Grimm,
Ziljinn learned of the hags who tainted his homeland, causing death and
destruction everywhere they went. He joined the Brothers circus that day, he
and his trusted companion Bulwark. Together they hunted down the hags that
menaced his home, putting them to the sword and fire, ending their predations
on the innocent.
They have
travelled with the Brothers Grimm from that day forward. Ziljinn faithful in
the believe that they do the Maker's bidding and bring good to the world.
Bulwark quietly accompanying his friend, watching out for the good-hearted
gnome. Content to accompany and protect his friend, happy in his own way to be
needed and helping others.
