3 of 4

The first explosion rocked the vessel, and DuGalle shot up like a rocket, "I apologize, I will have to continue our conversation at a later time." He rushed to the door and barked orders at the armored men outside, "Get her, all the items she was taken with, and her pet, take them to the hanger, prepare a shuttle. I will be there shortly." He vanished behind the wall of armor, and two of the men stepped forward.

"Sorry, I don't feel like being a prisoner any more," Raylea said. She scooped up the little bundle that was Grunty playing in a pillow case, gathered all her faith, and projected a field of light around her. Before the two armored men could even raise their weapons, she bowled them over, sprinting down the hall. She followed another of the armored men to a locker, and as soon as she saw her gear, she summoned her strength again, delivering a devistating mental assault on the man. He clutched his head and fell over, groaning. She apologized to the man as she collected her equipment and dashed down the corridor.

Another explosion rocked the ship, and the little bundle that held her friend Grunty went flying as she hit the deck. "No!" she shouted, but a collapsing bulkhead blocked her off from Grunty. She heard a familiar sound, and turned to face the pulsing golden portal. Her face was twisted in rage as she drew her blade and fixed her shield to her arm. The first Infinite stepped through the portal, and she charged, "For the Naaru!!"....

"Man, what ever happened here, it sure was a mess..." Raynor said, stepping over the corpse of a UED marine. He shouldered his gauss rifle, "So, there are still a few survivors?" he asked over his shoulder.

"Just a few life signs still active sir," His squad medic replied, "Three this way, two that way."

Raynor looked down the two corridors, "Alright, you three," he said, pointing into his squad, "that way, you and you, stay with the dropship, and your with me Markus." They saluted and went their septate ways. "What the hell are these things?" he asked, prodding a dead drakonoid with his foot.

"No clue sir," Markus said, "Never seen anything like 'em." He bent over one and started studying it, "Reptilian it appears, defiantly not zerg. I would like to take a few back with us to study..."

"Well, if you like those things, your gonna love this," Raynor said, rolling a big drakoniod body off a smaller, blue body. With her death, the illusion of time no longer masked her appearance.

"Wow, this place is a xeno-biologists playground, I will that that one too." Markus said, moving to inspect the blue creature. Both Raynor and Markus turned and pointed their gauss rifles at a pile of debris as it shifted. "Who's there?" Markus asked, inching towards the pile. The lights from their armor reflected off a pair of small eyes. "Come out, come on."

Grunty crawled out, looking around, the soldiers lowered their weapons, "Well, he is kinda cute," Raynor said, looking down at the tiny frog like creature.

Grunty locked his eyes on the body of Raylea and started bawling, waddling to her side. "Momma... momma..." he cried. He snatched the glowing badge off her right shoulder pad, he didn't know a whole lot, and he still had a hard time understanding what the big people say, but he knew that this was the thing that made him and his mom go from the sandy place to this place. He stuck in under his tongue, he had to keep it, it would get him back to the sandy place, back home. No matter what happened, momma was always at home.

"Well, we can't just leave the little guy here," Markus said. Lets take him back with us, we could use a new mascot. He reached down and picked up the little frog creature. "Anyway, there are no more life signs here, this little guy is the only one alive in this part of the ship.

"Alright," Raynor said, "Lets get out of here. This place is giving me the creeps."

Grunty was not used to having so much attention, but there were lots of people here that liked him. All the soldiers painted pictures of him on their armor, and the one they called Scrappy, the one that smelled like oil, had made a little suit of armor for him. It was lighter than it looked, and warm too. Grunty liked the armor, but Grunty liked the gun more. He had learned a new word, just for the gun. "Boom," he liked the boom, it made lots of noise, and fireworks. And made holes in things. He liked the soldiers, but he still missed his mom, and he knew that she would be waiting for him at home. He couldn't wait to show her his new armor, just like her, covered in metal. One day, while the soldiers were out, he fished the badge out from the back of his mouth, it was glowing a little differently now, but he knew it would take him home. He played with it until it whined to life, projecting a strangely pulsing golden colored portal. He danced a little jig with joy, he would be home soon. He picked up his boom and hopped through the portal.

He landed in a forest, tumbling head over heals into a small lake, the badge flying into the middle of the lake. He squeaked in alarm, and dove into the water after it. It was hard to swim in armor... After hours of searching, he gave up, the badge was lost, momma might be mad....

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“No way,” the goblin said shaking his head, “No way you could pay me enough gold to go back into that convention center.” He walked forward, still trying to get the dirt off of his tux jacket. “I don't care if you left your ticket home in there, its not my problem.”

The worgen growled, “Fine, Cogspine,” he said, looking back over his shoulder. “I will go get it, but you can forget about us ever being friends once the wall comes down.”

“We aren't even going to be on the same side of the war Shamus.” the goblin said, “We wouldn't be friends anyway.” He scoffed walking towards the woods, he didn't want any more to do with this.

“Fine, then you can get your own bar tab tonight,” Shamus said as he turned and started jogging back towards the city of Anaheim.

Cogspine snorted at him, “Fine by me.” He was tired of the attention, of the flashing lights, the pay offered to make this appearance was not nearly enough. Had he know that thousands of humans were going to be pawing at him for three days straight, he would have asked for at least double.

Grunty saw the goblin walking down the trail, he knew goblins. Goblins sold things, and occasionally gave momma coins. He bet the goblin could help him find momma. He hopped out of the bushes and into the path in front of the goblin. “Momma? Find.. momma?” he squeaked at the goblin.

Cogspine recoiled, first from seeing the strangest looking murloc he ever saw, then from hearing it speak common. He blinked and bent down, “Momma huh?” he asked, inspecting the armor the little murloc was wearing. “You want me to help you find your momma?”

Grunty nodded, “In Stom... stor... windy...” he hopped up and down, knowing the goblin would help him, but then he remembered that goblins only did things for coins. He dug into his mouth, where he kept his small treasures and offered the goblin a single copper coin.

Cogspine eyed the slimy copper piece and shook his head, “Thats alright, you can keep it, I can help you find your momma, in Stormwind you say?” He grinned, he knew a goblin that would pay well for getting his hands on that kind of technological looking armor. He pulled his transit badge out of his pocket and activated it, producing the familiar pulsing gold portal. “Come on little guy,” he said, picking up the little murloc. He hopped through the portal, and back into Azeroth, in Duskwallow Marsh. “Now, lets find your momma,” he said, setting off towards Mudsprocket and a certain goblin that would soon part with a large sack of gold.

Raylea would never get quite used to the feeling of being resurrected by the ghostly Spirit Healers. Chromie was not happy that she had failed, but the perky little gnome-disguised dragon never gave up hope. As she left the Wyrmrest temple, she heard Chromie explaining the problem to another hero, a deathknight. She wished him luck as she turned to leave. Chromie told her she should head to a goblin town in the swamp to find something she had lost. Raylea thanked her and began her travel to follow the dragons directions. The griffin from Theramore deposited her right outside the gates to Mudsprocket, and as soon as she landed, she heard a familiar voice. “Momma! Momma!” she turned and caught Grunty as he jumped into her arms.

Cogspine's mouth hung open, he couldn't believe it, the odds of meeting anyone out here was astronomical at best. He hung his head in defeat and started to walk away.

“Excuse me,” Raylea said, “You brought my friend back to me sir?” She stepped towards Cogspine.

Cogspine grinned to himself, perhaps all chance for profit was not lost. “Yes madam,” he said, spinning around to face the Draenei, “I found him in another plane, he was so lost and afraid, I wouldn't dare leave such a creature all alone.” He bowed and reached into his suit jacket, offering her a small rectangle of parchment as he stood. “Cogspine Coinspin at your service ma'am.”

Raylea took the parchment from him, noting that it had his name and a few addresses on it. “Thank you sir, I will make sure you are rewarded for your caring.” She turned and walked back to the griffin master. “I will give your name to an acquaintance of mine when I return to Stormwind, be expecing him.” She looked down at Grunty, “And I bet you want to be in the newspaper too, don't you?” Grunty replied with a happy gurgle and hugged her arm.

Cogspine grinned to himself, his luck had finally turned around. While a newspaper wasn't cash money, it would make his name known, for at least a little while, and fame was almost as good as money.

“So, your saying that if I provide you with a stash of weapons, and a small number of soldiers to train your men to use them, you will alter time so I am the leader of the UED,” DuGalle asked the drakonoid, sitting across the table from him, glancing at the white noise generator on the table, ensuring it was on. No way he wanted this conversation being recorded. He looked up, trying his best to look the creature in the eye, but its constant chaotic blurry motion quickly gave him a headache.

“Of course, with your weapons, nothing will be able to stop us, we will have absolute control over the ebb and flow of time, we can change events at will....” the odd double voice of the drakonoid replied.

“Hmm,” DuGalle hummed as he thought back to the strange woman he was talking to less than a month ago. It was hard to believe her, but here is proof. “Deal, I will gather supplies for your departure tomorrow. And after that, I will have all the power I ever wanted....”

In November of 2007 a goblin engineer by the name of Raski was excited to arrive at Mt Hyjal for that years Blizzcon. Raski was a proud member of the venture company and was sponsored for the trip by the company in an effort to get information on the possible logging and mining opportunities of Mt Hyjal. The first night of the event Raski picked up his "schwag bag" then sneaked out to take some initial surveys under the bright light of a full moon. Things were going well when Raski discovered a cave and decided to venture inside in hopes of finding signs of ore for future mining operations. Unfortunately before Raski could perform any excavation he was attacked by a huge wolf and fled for his life. Realizing his fortune at only receiving a small bite, and surviving relatively unscathed he decided to return to the convention for the night. The rest of the week went better then Raski dream. Raski discovered an abundance of not only huge trees ripe for clear cutting, but also a literal gold mine of minerals, ore’s and gems hiding just below the surface of the mountain, including a new blue ore he had never seen before. Raski was so proud of his find he immediately sent a message to his boss, Gerenzo Wrenchwhistle, informing him that after a vacation on the beaches of Darkshore he would be returning home with information that would be making them both very rich.

It took Raski a little over two weeks to arrive at the elvin village of Auberdine. On the final night of a weeklong stay there, he had an odd dream. He was a murloc, happy in his simple existence, amongst many other murlocs, fishing and caring for his wife and single egg. It was late and he had just finished covering his egg with warm sea kelp when he heard screams to the north, immediately he grabbed his spear and ran outside with many of his kin, to find the same wolf that had attacked him a month prior. This time however he could not run, he had to protect his wife and egg! He charged in with a proud war cry of Mmmmgurgleblarglegurgle along with his neighbors! The beast was to strong however and easily tore through their feeble ranks. As he lay dieing he watched the wolf continue its gruesome work slaughtering the women and children of his village and crushing many of the eggs. Raski woke up with a start just as the blood and scale covered wolf let loose a fearsome howl. As Raski awoke he found himself not in the comfortable inn of Auberdine but instead on the beach of Darkshore, his clothes were in tatters, freezing, wet, and sore. As Raski got to his feet what he first thought to be water and sand turned out to be green and shiny. He was covered in fish scales and a slimy green substance, actually not fish scales, murloc scales and murloc blood! He scanned his surroundings to find himself standing in a murloc village surrounded by murloc corpses and shell fragments. He immediately fled up the beach towards the distant Auberdine. Upon arrival to his room he grabbed all of his belongings paid his bills and left. He made it less than a mile down the path when he turned and headed towards the beach and revisit the scene. Could this have all really been his doing, could he really be a werewolf? Unfortunately it was the only logical solution. At this realization he angrily threw his backpack into a nearby hut spraying its contents across the sand and broke down crying. After an hour of sobbing the tide began to come in and was washing away his scattered belongings. He got up and saved the yet unopened swag bag he received on the night he had been attacked and infected by the werewolf. While picking it up he caught a small speck of green from the corner of his eye. Investigating further he was shocked to discover an egg! The very same egg he had dreamed of. He scrambled over and found it intact and still warm. He immediately knew that saving this egg was the only way he would ever be able to forgive himself for his horrible crimes. He immediately dumped the contents of his convention bag with a plan in using it to carry the egg. He bent down to pick up the egg but the second he touched it, a huge crack split across its surface, the horror of having killed yet another innocent murloc began to fade from his face as he heard something moving inside and beginning to break free of the confines of the egg. In a panic he searched for a plan and noticed this years Blizzcon gift, it was a full sized murloc costume complete with googly eyes, sock fins and a large EPK zipper up the back. He squeezed into it just in time to witness a tiny green murok immerge from the egg, stare up at him and excitedly squeak Mgurgle ! It then tripped its way over to him and hugged his leg. This murloc was small even for a baby murloc so Raski immediately named him "Runty." Over the following three weeks Raski never left the murloc suit, nor Runty's side. Raski taught Runty to make his first spear, and how to fish with it. Runty taught Raski how to swim, as it was exceedingly difficult in the suit. Raski was never able to teach him any of the common language as it seemed Mmm, gerrr, and gull were about the extent of his vocal capabilities. He was able to get a semblance of his name "Gerr-unty" and so it was changed to Grunty. All was going well with Raski and Grunty, so much so that Raski had completely stopped thinking of his lycanthropy, but the moon could not be denied and was nearing its climax.

Grunty was coming along nicely he could already fish on his own and even defend himself from the local shore crabs. Raski decided it was time to deal with his problems directly and create a long lasting solution. That day he gathered enough fish to last Grunty a week. The following morning he communicated with him that he would return soon, and set out to the northeast. After cresting the first hill he happily emerged from the murloc suit for the first time in weeks. He was so happy to be rid of it even briefly he ran the entire way and was able to reach the cliff walls of Felwood that night. Raski then began his search of the area and mining of its abundant silver. It was well past dark 2 days later when he decided he finally had enough. At dusk of his final day, the one in which would end with a full moon, his work was complete; he had forged a collar and chain out of the silver which he then used to bind himself to a massive tree, and waited for the inevitable. The following morning was terrifyingly familiar for Raski, he awoke sore, covered in sweat, from another nightmare of panic and terror. His plans however had been a success; he remained collared to the tree. The tree was in poor shape, having been nearly sawn through, and the earth around it torn apart with some holes many feet deep in areas. The Silver chain however was untouched, and while muddy in parts looked good as new. He began happily packing his equipment, when he realized something was missing, his murloc suit! It was then that he saw one of the googly eyes attached to a bit of thread, when he realized he must have gotten a hold of it the previous night and had torn it to shreds. He panicked and fruitlessly began gathering the shreds he could find together when he heard something step on a branch very nearby. He spun around and found Grunty standing at the edge of the clearing looking at him with large wet (even for a murloc) eyes. Grunty then ran across the short distance and gave Raski the same hug he had the day he emerged from his egg. It seems Grunty was smarter than Raski realized and was not fooled by the suit from day one. After a slightly confusing exchange, he learned that Grunty had followed him and been witness to everything including his change into a werewolf. Grunty was just happy to have Raski back safe and unharmed.

Over the following 20 months Grunty and Raski lived happy lives together and even traveled. Word got around of a strange goblin that talked to murloks, but neither of them cared as they were left alone and free to go where they wished. Raski even made Grunty a shiny blue suit made from the Silver of the caves as an added layer of protection against his disease. They returned to My Hyjal where Raski was able to use the incredible new ore he discovered to complete his crowning achievement as a engineer. It was a small rifle (perfect for the hands of a murloc) that could incapacitate large creatures, including like were-goblins for up to 12 hours. Early one morning with Grunty still asleep, While putting the finishing touches on the device Raski heard some fighting nearby. He left the gun next to his sleeping companion and snuck off into the woods to see what was going on. To his surprise he came upon two goblins and a werewolf in the heat of battle. He watched them battle for what seemed like an eternity until it was clear to those involved they were at a standstill. At this pause in the action Raski realized that the goblins were wearing the tunics of the horde and one of them he recognized to be a personal bodyguard of his old boss Gerenzo Wrenchwhistle. Just then this goblin shouted at the werewolf, "Enough already! I am tired of this endless bickering. Like it or not we both have a job to do and this isnt getting us anywhere."

At this the werewolf transformed into a human in full plate mail, full with the bright blue tabard of the Alliance. Raski was dumbfounded; what was more shocking? A goblin blatantly wearing the hordes colors in direct conflict of the ideals of all goblins; to never choose a side and just profit in the middle, or the fact that horde, no matter the race, were working with alliance? Before he could answer this, the human interrupted saying "As much as I hate to admit it your right, the sooner we find this were-goblin, Raski, the sooner I can bring him to the Alliance and train him to harness his were-abilities."

"Ha !" shouted the goblin Raski didn’t know, "as if any goblin would join the alliance, were-goblin or no. You goody toe-shoes have no business sense, or respect for a good swindle, nevertheless your useless gnomish engineering."

Both goblins broke into laughter at this and began to dust themselves off and gather the belongings hastily dumped during the fight. Before the odd group had wandered away in their search for him, Raski had already made his decision. Werewolves, the Venture Company, the Horde and Alliance were after him. He was in deep trouble and so would be anyone around him. He crept back towards his camp with Grunty, and just as he saw the smoke from his mornings fire he realized the party of diplomats would see it as well. They had. Fortunately they had not found Grunty sleep as he was standing sweeping the as of yet untested stun rifle back and forth across the three.

And that’s all I got for this story so far. I think it accurately explains the situation in the article and ends at a pretty good cliffhanger. I apologize this isn’t edited more as you can see I am submitting it on the 11th hour with submissions being selected tomorrow, but would like to thank you for reading it, and considering it for your prize. Also thanks for the awesome competition idea. This is my first time writing anything like this, I had a BLAST doing so, and your motivation is very appreciated.

yay Its November the 1st...........Hope curse chooses the rightful owners :)

Grunty. Private. Terran Marine Corps, U91035.

That’s the short version, and that's all you need to know - name, rank, and serial number; but since you asked nicely, I'll tell you the whole story. Just keep those beers flowing - I'm on leave, and I've got a few more hours before I have to report in.

I left my old name behind when I left the beach all those years ago, so that's the only name you're going to get. I'm not even sure I remember that name anymore. Mind you, there’s a lot more to me than what you see here and a nickname that reflects that I am, well, just a grunt. But I’m not the sort to make my small size an issue. Unless, of course, you really want to make something of it, and then I’ll show you that short doesn’t mean “pushover”. State of the badass art, I like to say.

Yeah, I’m a murloc. We’re all this small. That’s the question I’m sure you want to ask with that look on your face. I’m not from around here, no. And let me tell you, the day I ran away from that beach village to enlist was the best day of my life. I’d heard stories of a place where you could get paid to travel and adventure. I figured I’d see the world and meet new people and all that. And I have, although I do have to honestly tell you that there’s been some unpleasant bits mixed in. It’s never pleasant to have to shoot at anybody, let alone kill them, but sometimes that’s what our orders are, and we’re doing it to the bad guys who are out to kill us or anybody we’ve been ordered to protect.

I had a bit of wanderlust when I was young, a bit too much for a murloc, really. Most of us spend our entire lives in those little villages on the beach that you’ve probably heard about from your local adventurer. Sand castles. Fish. Deal with the occasional adventurer who’s trying to kill you to collect your eyeballs, your feet, family heirlooms, or some **** like that. Not the most exciting existence, let me tell ya. There’s only so much of that that a murloc can stand.

Apparently, my mother didn’t agree with me. She was the village elder, actually, or leader, or whatever you prefer to call such people. She was expected to guard the sacred traditions, pass down the elder lore, and make sure we were all the good murlocs that all the adventurers expect to see when they come questing in our homeland.

She told me that if I couldn’t be a good little murloc and live the life she expected of me, I was welcome to leave the village. I later found out from the Terrans that they’ve got a phrase for exactly that kind of thing: “my way or the highway”. It was then that I made up my mind to take her up on her offer and leave the village.

One night when everyone else was sleeping, I crept out of the village and never looked back. Well, maybe I did look back once just before I went over the top of the first hill… I’ve got a warm, fuzzy, secret heart, I guess. Or maybe I just knew I wasn't going to be coming back.

I spent a couple of weeks travelling cross-country, creeping at night from lake to lake. I am, after all, a murloc and water is a familiar environment to me. I could hide during the day so I didn’t get eaten by the local wildlife or spotted by adventurers. I very nearly got spotted a few times until I learned to camouflage myself with the lake vegetation - something I’ve since learned is called a “ghillie suit”. Don’t ask me why they’re named after ancient Terran servants, but I can tell you for sure how effective it was.

Not effective enough, it seems; I was spotted by a couple of worgen and goblins who were traveling after attending some convention called “Blizzcon” and they managed to spot me. I’m not sure what a blizz is, but they knew that the area I was in wasn’t supposed to have any murlocs in it. They were kind enough to stop and ask if they could take me home or offer any other assistance, after I was able to ensure that they didn't pose a threat to me.

Both the goblins and the worgen offered me shelter, but to me it was no contest: I'd heard stories of the goblins and their machines and given that I'd always been the village tinkerer and couldn't resist taking everything apart to learn how it worked, I almost immediately took the goblins up on their offer - though if you ever meet a worgen who remembers meeting a murloc in the woods, do let him know that I am okay and thank him for his generosity.

I spent some time after that in the cities of the goblins and saw their amazing machines and what they could do, and I couldn't help but be fascinated. I wanted to know how everything worked. One of the goblins took me in as a student, and taught me most everything I know today that your average murloc wouldn't know the first thing about.

After a few years, my mentor died, and his neighbors took me in but weren't able to spend the time with me that he had. I saw an opportunity in my misfortune, and asked them if they could point me in the direction of the Exodar and the Dranei. The goblins weren’t entirely sure why I was interested in such a place, but they knew that I wasn't destined to live with them for the rest of my life, so they agreed to help. They were able to draw a map for me that would help me find my way, and point me in the right direction to begin my journey.

You see, I’d heard the occasional story about other worlds out there beyond this one that some people call Azeroth. I don’t know where the stories came from; I just heard whispers from innkeepers, Brewfest maidens, and other people who tend to be around people who aren’t exactly thinking about when they should keep their mouths shut. There were whispers that the Dranei might still have a usable escape pod or two on the Exodar. I figured I’d go find out if there were any truth to the stories. After all, I’m pretty little, aren’t I? I might be able to slip in unnoticed, and even if I couldn’t do that, maybe I could appeal to someone’s better nature to let me, er, borrow a piece of the ship. If it didn't work out, I would figure out what to do when the time came.

But my luck was still holding. There were, indeed, a few small pods still operable aboard the Exodar, probably overlooked by the Dranei engineers. I’m not sure what they were originally used for, but I’ll take what I can get. I’d been told, or overheard, just enough to figure out how to get one of the pods to launch - I was on an express elevator to hell, going up. After I came to - I passed out from the G-forces - I managed to put it on a course toward more populated regions, where it’d be found by anybody who got close enough to detect the distress beacon. My luck held and, after a couple of weeks of surviving on stored water and dried rations that aren’t exactly the fish I was raised on, I was able to make my way to a place where I could enlist in the Marines despite what I was - the recruiter was an open-minded sort and was sure I'd find somewhere to fit in.

Since then, I’ve seen a lot. I’ve seen guys hurt so bad they were calling for their mothers while the medics did everything they could to save ‘em. I’ve seen a Marine lay down his life for a young child in the middle of a firefight deep in enemy territory and defend that little girl’s life as if it were her own. I’ve seen three-kilometer-high waterfalls surrounded by orange evergreen (everorange?) trees. Yep. Orange. That’s some crazy ****, huh? The eggheads tell me it’s something to do with the color of the sun in the sky and the chemicals that make plant food from sunlight, but I’m just a grunt, if you get my meaning. But the life of a Marine is the life I wanted, and I love being a Marine, and I'm glad I chose to serve. It's better than a life of fish and sand castles, and my life actually means something now.

Oh, my rifle? It's not exactly cute, like you think it is. It's small, but it packs quite a punch. This is my service weapon, and I must keep it with me at all times while on duty. It’s custom-made, as the Marines’ inventory doesn’t include a weapon designed for soldiers as small as I am. It’s an M353 0.5mm-caliber fully and semi automatic assault rifle with a mounted M734 grenade launcher that fires grenades that are one millimeter in diameter by three millimeters long. It’s way too small for standard ammunition issued to other Marines, and the ammunition for it is produced at the Marines’ special-operations weapons facility, the same one that modifies weapons for, er, taller Marines. I go through thousands of rounds and hundreds of grenades every year in practice, and whenever we ship out, our quartermaster has to make sure that I am issued enough ammunition to complete my mission. There’s one plus, though: all of my rounds for several weeks fit inside a single standard ammo box.

This is my rifle. There are none like it. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I mastered my life. Without me, my rifle is useless. My rifle and myself are defenders of my allies, I am the master of my enemy, and I am the savior of my life. So be it until there is no enemy but peace.

Ooh-rah!

Begining

With the sun shining brightly in the sky, the air was filled with sounds of birds singing and insects buzzing about. The warm gentle breeze was filled with the wonderful new smells of flowers, anouncing clearly that winter had ended and spring had begun with summer soon to follow.

The murloc villiages welcomed spring, they had much to celbrate this new spring. Thier king and queen had given birth to five baby murlocs, more then ussual.

the baby murlocs were running through out the villiage, excitedly playing and inspecting thier new suroundings

Tho the family was proud of all thier new baby mulocs, the king was troubled with the smallest of thier murloc babies. Merly stayed close to his mother becuase he was too frail and fragil to play with his siblings.

Logging Camp

Murtok, the commander of the king's murloc army, reports to the king of the slaying a ally solder in the village. Worried of a pending attack from the logging camp to the south, the king gives his orders to mutok to have patrols set up troughout the village.

Days had passed without insident. The murloc village had become more relaxed as the days passed. The baby murlocs once again returned to running through out the village playing thier games, many taking to the cool refreshing wather of the Stonecairn lake.

However, the tranquility of the village was shattered with the eruption of screaming and chaos from the south. Murtok reports to the king that a sizable force of ally's has entered the village, slaughtering everything in their path.

Fearful for his family's safty, the king enters his family's house Inquiring of his children's wereabouts.

The King's wife responding in a frantic tone, "The childen are in the village to the north."

[king] "you must take Murly and escape!"

[king] "The village is being attacked"

Immedialty the wife grabs the small murloc in her arms, holding him close. She turns to her husband. "Please be safe!"

The Escape

In the far distance she head the sounds of death from behind her, propelling her to continue running as fast as she could. Her primal instict to run had consummed her thoughts and senses.

Atfter running for what seemed like hours, she finally stopped to rest. Intently listening to her surroundings, she could hear faint voices in the distance though she could not see them through the thick srubs and trees.

Desperate to save her son, she hid the Murly best as she could. With a loving kiss goodbye, whispering "I'll be back for you!" in his ear.

Without hesitation she ran in the direction of the voices, hoping to divert the intruders.

Hungry

Merly stayed in his hiding place, hoping for his mother's return, for sevral days. Not knowing the fate of his mother, cold and consummed by hunger, Merly decided to ventured out of his hiding place to look for food and water.

Causiouly scouting the area, Murly found himself surounded by trees and thick bushes.

Not finding any immediate danger and unable to ignore his hunger any longer, he returned to the bushes he had noticed had berries on them.

He loved eating the berries his mother gave to him when he was back in the village and he had hoped these berries on the bush tasted just as good.

Rift Opens

Indeed, the barries tasted just as good. With both hands scouting the bush for barries, Murly kept a keen eye on his suroundings, whatching for any intruders that might come within the area.

Just at at that moment, blinding light engulfed Murly, Crackling, popping and a searing noise filled murly’s ears with a loud thud that followed.

Murly locked his gaze in the direction of the loud thud. As the bright light faded, a figure before him could be seen. he did not know what this creature was in front of him nor has he had ever seen one like it before but Murly was still consummed by hunger, so he continued to eat the berries.

First Contact

The force of the explosion had thrown Raynor on the ground. He could feel pain through out his body but Raynor, being an experienced fighter, has learned to supress the pain he tends to feel to focus on the things around him instead.

Turning his attention to the noise directly in front of his face, Raynor locked his gaze. Raynor couldn’t help but watch as the dimming light revealed a creature that appeared to be only 4 inches tall, standing up right, eating berries of the bush.

Remarkable, Raynor thought to himself, this creature before me shows no fear!

As Raynor picked himself off the ground, his gaze remained locked as so did the creature before him while eating the barries.

[Raynor] what just happened?

[Protoss] It appears that the explosion had created a diminstional rift and we had been blown through it.

[Raynor] is it stable?

[Protoss] No. I’ve taken readings of the rift and it appears to be closing. We need to hurry before it’s to late.

Without a thought of what he was doing, Raynor, simultaneous reached down with both hands grabbed the creature and the bush and entered the diminstional rift before it closed.

Return to Aiur

Raynor and the protoss returned to the ancient xel’naga warp gate they had previously had tried to close before the explotion created the domintional rift, knocking them through.

[Raynor] report?

[Protoss] the gate appears to have been closed and the zerg are no where to be found.

[Raynor] lets hope Zeratul, Artanis and all the evacuees made it saftly through to Shakuras.

[Raynor} lets move on and find a way to get off this planet

Bonding

With luck on their side, they discovered Mengsk’s old battlecruiser, the Hyperion, floating in the planet’s lower orbit. Raynor and the protoss escaped detection of the zerg, took control of the battlecruiser and headed toward the Koprulu sector, their final destination, Mar Sara.

During the journy to the Koprulu sector, Raynor spent much of his time with the unknown creature he had found. Not wanting to call it "creature" Raynor decided to name the little runt.. Grunty. He was pleased with the name, not because the creature grunted, but because he was small and he also felt anyone who didn’t listning intently enough, would infact interpet the sounds he made, as grunts.

As Raynor spent time interacting with Grunty, Raynor discovered the runt made a wide range of different sounds, Indicating to him, that perhaps the runt does have a large vocabulary, simular to the large vocabulary the taurens have.

While the sounds Grunty made could be misleading, Raynor confirmed his suspecitons of Grunty intelligents through games he played with the runt. Countless times did he presented Grunty with challenging problems and then watched him efficiently solve it. The thought of the endless possibilies Grunty presented excited Raynor.

Mar Sara

After arriving in Mar Sara's orbit, Raynor contacted his old collage, Proffessor Thomas,

Raynor presented Proffessor Thomas with Grunty. Proffessor Mark was most intriged with Raynor's find. They talked for sevral hours about the possibilities Grunty presented and the intelligance he had shown during the long voyage.

Departure

Raynor, contacted by the protoss, informed him they had intercepted a transmition from an unfamiliar terran force identifying itself as the United Earth Directorate (UED). Protoss also informed him the fleet was on the corse to the planet Korhal IV to apprahend Arcturus Mengsk.

Before leaving the Professor, Raynor cautioned Mark to keep Grunty a secret. Proffessor assured Raynor he would look after Grunty and teach him what he could.

new beginning

Years passed, With the ending of the Brood War, there had been many new technoligies advances, that would no doubt bring new challeges to over come. But also there would also be new discoveries made. Unknowing to Raynor, he had set events into motion he would never fully understand.

Chirp.. Chirp..

[Raynor] yes?

[Grunty] is this a channel secur sir?

[Raynir] yes

[Grunty] Sir u need to get to Shakaras as soon as u can. Professor and I have stumbled upon a location with unknown ancient artifacts.

[Raynor] oh?

[Grunty] We've been able to piece together infomation of an unknown race from the ancient the artifacts here. They identify themselfs as the Draenei.

[Raynor] I've plotted a corse for Shakaras, We should arrive there in sevral hours. In the mean time, keep the the area secure, nothing is to enter the area!

[Grunty] Yes sir. You should also know that the Proffessor and I had also uncovered a device, we're attempting to activate it. The Proffessor has so... pop.. crack... boom... kssshhhhhh...

[Raynor] Damit!!

The tranismition had abruptly ended with an explostion.

Blizz con

Gruntry awoke to voices in the distance getting closer. He couldn't understand what they were saying. they seemed to be talking in a dialect he had never heard before.

[Grunty] Sara, are your system working?

[Sara] My programing seems to have been slightly damaged, resulting in some lost data. i will require some updates to correct my programming

[Grunty] can u try to disipher thier language for me please?

[Sara] I shall do my best.

preoccupied, grunty hadn't noticed the two creatures that had walked up to his position and now staring at him with blank exspressions.

Turning around to face the two creatures who had walked up to him, he could see one was tall and hairy while the second, short and green with pointy ears.

Grunty not knowing what to do, stood there, silently staring at them while they stared at him.

The two creatures started comunicating between themself again.

[Grunty] Sara, have u been able to decipher thier languege?

[Sara] I believe so

[Grunty] please feed it through the translater so i may understand.

[Tall creature] I've never seen any thing like this

[Short Creature] I'm telling you, this is a murloc in a suite of some sort, i'm sure of it.

[Tall Creature] if thats the case, it's an extreamly rare murloc. probly the only one of it's kind.

Detemining these two creatures were no threat to him, he decided to take a chance.

[Grunty]pardon me, but would you mind telling me where I am?

Gruntly on recieved silence with blank exspressions from the two creatures

[tall creature] Murlocs don't talk... do they?

[short creature] None that i've ever met. This is most fastenating!

[short creature] Please forgive me, my name is Thomas, known as a Goblin and this here, is my good friend Brandon, known as a Worgen

[Grunty] My name is Grunty, I'm pleased to meet you both.

[Thomas] You are standing in the Anaheim woods, known as the "Real world" My friend and were returning from preparing for blizzcon 2009, which will start next week. We are so excited!

[Brandon] I'm looking so forward to it. Blizzard will announce the release of WoW's exspantion pack, "Pirates of the high Sea" We're going to be able to buy our own ships and sail where we want much like way we can with the flying mounts.

[Thomas] yes and not only that but players will be able to explore the ocean floor with the use of suberines. it's going to be sweet!

[Brandon] I can't wait, i'm so excited!

[Grunty] i'm not sure what your both excited about but I hope Blizzcon is a hugh success

[Thomas] Thank you. I was returning with Brandon to his home in Gilneas for a short visit. would you like to join us Grunty?

Grunty not seeing any alternatives and relizing Thomas and Brandon knew the area, the information they could provide him would be essential, pehaps even help him get back to Raynor.

[Grunty] yes I would like that very much.

[Brandon[ Awesome! we're both glade to have met you Grunty. Allow me to open an portal home for us.

Brandon started chanting, moving his hand around in circular motions. As he did so, Grunty watched brandon's hands intently as they became electricfied. With a Vrooom sha-bang.. a Dimintion portal seemed to open up for Brandon.

[Brandon] After you Grunty.

As Grunty walked through, he Instantly found himself inside a building populated with other worgens and a few goblins.

[Brandon] this way Grunty.

As Grunty followed his new found friends, he found himself taking in everything with eyes, ears and nose. He had never seen building, what appeared to be made of wood and stoon, it intrigued him.

After arriving at Bradon's house and eating the meal he had prepared for them, they all settled down to talk.

Grunty wanted to Inquire about the land he found himself in but Thomas and Brandon seemed so interested in Grunty and his equipment that he didn't find the opportunity to ask.

However, while talking about his equipment, Grunty mentioned that Sara, his computer system, needed updates becuase his system lost data that would allow sara to opperate correctly.

Thomas immediatly invited Grunty to come with him to his house, located on the Lost Isles, indicating he could possibly help. Thomas informed Grunty he has a computer in his lab at home.

Accepting Thomas' invitation, Brandon opened another portal to the Lost Isles. Again Grunty found himself taking in the scenes of this new place. This place was very diiferant from Brandon's home in Gileas.

The sun shined brightly here, the smell of the sea was over powering. The homes here appeared to be made of trees with seashells, big and small. Grunty was yet agian astonished.

Thomas eagerly showed Grunty to his lab where he kept his computer.

[Thomas] Here it is Grunty! I just got it from a friend of mine in the real word, it's the top of the line.

[Grunty] oh... umm... I don't mean to be rude Thomas but your computer is far less advanced then where I am from.

Without a thought to what Grunty had just siad, Thomas turned on the computer.

[Thoams] Let me show you where u can get your updates for your computer, It'll diffenatly help you.

[Grunty] what r u doing?

[Thomas] I'm loading up the Web page, Curse.com, they have all the latest mods for just about anything you need for your computer.

[Grunty] let me take a look.

[Thomas] sure

[Grunty] wow, there's tons of programs here, this may actually work!

[Grunty] would this contraption of yours happen to have a USB port?

[Thomas] sure does, it's right here.

Over the next sevral days Grunty spent time looking over the website, down loading many of the programs he had found on Cures.com. As he did, Thomas had the oppurtunity to get a closer look at Grunty's equipment and suit.

[Thomas] wow, is this a rocket booster belt you have here Grunty?

[Grunty] yes it is

[Thomas] mind if I examine it closer?

[Grunty] no, go ahead

[Bandon] what are you doing over here Grunty, you've been on the computer for days.

[Grunty] I've found some interesting infomation i'm attempting to access with Sara's help.

[Brandon] oh?

(happens all the same time)

As Braondon peered over Grunty's shoulder he read...

"Blizzardard Etertainment"

"Access code required"

[ ]

[Brandon] OH MY GOD! Are you hacking into blizzard?

Meanwhile...

[Thomas] If i can reproduce this belt, I can sell it and make a fortune, ha ha

Meanwhile...

****Blizzard Entertainment's Head Quarter****

[Programer] Sir, we're being hacked! I can't stop him, help me!

[Lead Programer] What?

[Programer] what should we do?

[Lead Programer] Quick, use the program 1745. It'll destroy the hacker's computer.

(Back at Thomas' lab)

[Sara] I'm getting resistance, I am attempting t...

Thomas's computer abruptly starts to sizzle, poping sounds followed, then it exploded. The force of the explostion knocked Grunty backward and off the chair he was sitting on. Lucky for him he had his visor down.

[Grunty] Bonicles! I did something terrible... arrrrg

Rushing to Grunty's side...

[Thomas] Are you ok?

[Grunty] yes, It'll take a bigger explosion to tke me out.

[Brandon] what did u do?

[Grunty] I'm terribly sorry. while attemping to accesss the site, Sara left my impression in thier software.

[Thomas] what does that mean?

[Grunty] It means I've left coppies of me in thier database, which they will be able to reproduce.

[Brandon] I'm sorry but I'm still a little confused.

[Grunty] you'll be seeing more of me around soon. I won't be the only one

[Thomas] Ha ha... is that all? it would be good to have more of u around, that isn't so bad.

[Grunty] well... there is one other thing, I've started a chain reaction that it'll change your world.

[Thomas] What did you Do?

[Brandon] what did you do?

[Grunty] I've allowed Deathwing to execute a catastrohic act to burst forth from the elemental plane, where he is imprisioned by the titians, into Azeroth.

I'm sorry, I did not have time to proof read and correct all the mistakes in my story. But as it is, I hope your able to find it easy to follow and understand.

I also hope you enjoy my story. i wanted to add more but simply ran out of time

My mom was helping me edite it, but she didn't have the time to do so. So here is my story.

Sorry about the repost... for some reasone first post isn't showing up....

“Private Grunty, it’s your mission to go and… umm… how should I put this?… umm… well… uhh.” I learned long ago that it was impossible for Rom’ulis to finish any thoughts coherently, let alone a sentence. Some of the other privates joked that his mind had never matured beyond that of a newborn. “Well, here. See for yourself.” He shoved a slip of paper into my hand and turned away, stomping up the stairs, “I need to get back to the captain’s deck. When you’re ready head to the Aratic Air Force section of the ship. They’ll transport you to that place they ‘Earth'.”

I looked down at the paper in my hand and dashed through the door and down a flight of stairs to the Aratic Air Force. It seemed like every cadet had suddenly found a need to be on deck and I found it difficult to maneuver around them as I sought the lieutenant in charge of transportation.

Finally I got through to him and snapped to attention before him. He didn‘t even look up from his clipboard, “Private Grunty, you know your mission, correct?”

“Aye sir, I am ready to go, sir.”

“Be aware there have been reports of worgen and goblin activity. I would keep an eye especially on the worgens, from all I’ve heard they have quite bad tempers.” He pushed his way through cadets jostling for their first look at the teleporter in use and I rushed to follow. It had taken me two years to earn this mission and I didn’t want to get knocked back to cleaning latrines. He stepped up to a control panel and gestured towards the teleporter pad, "I wish you the best of luck Private Grunty.”

Soon I was on the teleported to the planet, but as soon as I had landed it was knocked out by something hard.

Slowly I regained consciousness, but all I can seem to remember from that dreadful night. Is the flashing lights across the street. The screaming fans, chanting “ Go Ozzy Osbourne! You rock!” I felt so unloved, cold, and scared. There were so many flashing lights coming from the large building. Slowly I squinted across the street, to see two strange creatures from stumble out of the front doors of the building. Covering their eyes from the flashing lights. One of them was a worgen, the other a goblin. They were both from a distant land known as Azeroth. Slowly they walked across the street. I cried in sheer fright as the Worgen walked toward me.

“Ahh, a nice tasty snack, all those flashing lights have made me hungry!” Said the worgen sharpening his claws and stepping toward me. Quickly the Goblin ran over to me and picked me up. Then out of no where a odd glowing ‘thing’ appeared out of no where, then I was taken into this odd looking portal! Light flashed, I felt like my skin was being ripped from my bones. I covered my eyes as the end of this ‘thing’ come nearer. All movement suddenly stopped and a small kind voice rang out into my ear.

“It is okay, you are safe now.” I slowly dozed off, remembering the evil worgen who was going to eat me.

My eyes quickly opened as I heard the loud crack in the cold thick air. “ Don’t worry I’m okay, just some engine difficulties!”

“Where am I?” I whispered as I looked around the brightly colored room. I saw multiple small trinkets scattered about, some copper wires and bars of metal were placed around the room. I looked down at my arm, to find that none of my armor pieces had been destroyed by the odd ‘thing’ which seemed to be a portal to a distant land. I had read about these creature back when I was young, but never though they were actually real! Quickly I clicked the blue button on my wrist piece of the suit I had been given from a good friend.

A goblin slowly walked into the room.

“I’m uhh sorry about the noise I made, my umm vehicle kind of broke down. I am Tony, I am a engineer, and this well doesn’t happen often.” I quickly got to my feet, and reached for my gun. I glanced up at the goblin towering over me.

“I command you to give me back my gun!” I glared at him, expecting him to be frightened.

“Uhh, you seem to be confused. We have taken your weapon to see what technology it seems to be. If would like it back ask politely, and we will give it back to willingly.”

“Gah! Fine, may I PLEASE have my weapon back?” The goblin looked at me, and seemed to be studying my face.

“I will be right back, please wait here until I return.” I watched him as he left out the door. Quickly I looked around the room, looking for something useful to use. But in no time he was back, with my gun in his hand. He slowly handed me my gun and said, "Your gun had been broken, we had looked into its model type, and managed to fix it... I hope that is okay with you."

"Th-thanks, but why did you-" Tony had cut me off before I could finish my sentence.

"I had found you, well the worgen had found you first. But trust me, you wouldn't of wanted to of gone with him. You would of been a dinner for one... if you know what I mean. After I had made my portal I had taken you in with me. This was for your own safety, and I'm sorry about the pain. It happens to all new people who hadn't used it before." He stopped and placed my gun on the ground in front of me. I took a step forward and picked it up. Slowly I examined my weapon, to find that the frame work was completely renewed.

"Sir, I thank you for repairing my weapon, but I'd like to get back to my mission."

"May I ask what exactly what your mission would be?"

"Negative, the information is classified." I said as I corrected my poster.

"Okay then, how can I help you then?" Tony said in an odd expression.

"If I could get back to umm, the place called BlizzCon I would be perfectly well on my way to completing my mission... maybe." I looked up to Tony, hoping he could help me.

"I will take you to the Portal Trainer, she may be able to help you. Follow me Grunty." Tony turned around and slowly walked out the room. I think was because he underestimated how fast I could run. I followed closely behind him, and every once and a while he would look behind him to make sure I was there. Soon we got to a big, and nicely designed building. The building was tarnish white, with remarkably glimmering blue details on it. Tony opened the door and said, "After you, sir." I looked at him suspiciously and slowly walked through the door-way.

"Welcome, what do you need young merloc?" The voice echoed through the room, I pulled out my weapon as the voice went away.

"Young! How dare you call me young evil being!" I felt a hand touch my should, quickly I jumped in fright.

"Kneel down, he is the keeper of portals." Tony whispered as he removed his hand from my shoulder.

"I am sorry for frightening you kind sir. I am Kalthaz, the keeper of portals, what do thoust need?" A figure slowly appeared shortly after the sentence was finished. Kalthaz was wearing a Golden robe, with red detailing running down the side of the robe.

"I-I would like to go back to the intervention known as BlizzCon two-thousand and nine." I said, frightened of what would happen next. Kalthaz turned around and out of no-where a portal appeared in the middle of the room.

"This should take you there, would you like to be escorted by two of our guards?"

"No thank you, I will be fine on my own. I thank you both for helping me on my mission."

"No problem, I am glad that I helped." After bowing, I slowly walked into the portal. Within no time I appeared in front of the building. A sign hung outside saying BlizzCon 2009. I slowly walked through the door, slipping past the long legged gnomes feet. As I run through the small spaces I ran into a oddly looking man with a name tag on, that said World Of Warcraft- Administrator. He looked down at me wondering what I was.

"Ahh a Murloc! Last I saw one of these fellas was when I was doing the Game programming."

"I am Grunty Murloc Marine." I said as I took a few steps back.

"How may I help you, Grunty Murloc Marine?" He said with a questioning expression on his face.

"I would like to become a obtainable companion for your game... armor and all. I have recently met one of your new character types, and found that the gaming system seems to be great for my type. But I would also like it if you would stop allowing them to kill my fellow Merlocs."

"I don't think we can do anything about the killing of fellow Merlocs, but, I can see what I can do with making you an obtainable companion for our game. Hmm, only exclusive to people who attend to BlizzCon two-thousand and nine and people who pay for the DirectTV broadcast of this event. How does that sound to you Grunty?"

"Sounds great! Now, I shale be on my way... think you can find someway to get me back to Starcraft 2 so I can resign from their programming?"

"I will work on that." I slowly began to doze off as he pulled out an odd looking clam and spoke into it.

Written by: DeathDreanei - Dark Side of the moon- Eu Azjol-Nerub (Draenei Death knight).

Special thanks to WoWWiki, Alakhazam maps, and wow insider.

Name: Grunty

Race: Murloc

Class: gunman (with a bit of shamanism, read it before you judge)

Professions: engineering and mining.

Friendly Races: Gnomes, Orcs, and Draenei.

Enemy Races: Goblins, Blood Elves, and Forsaken Undead.

Grunty was born in a small coastal village in the jungles of Stranglethorn. Although Grunty was raised by normal murloc villagers, he was never normal. Grunty was very smart and ambitious. He dreams to explore the world of not only Azeroth, but also to explore a new world that no murloc has ever reached.

When Grunty became old enough, he left his small coastal village to explore the world around him. He wandered the jungles until he reached the goblin city of Booty Bay. Grunty expected welcoming from the goblins; but instead, he was attacked by the first goblin he met, who was a goblin merchant making a deal right outside of the city. The merchant action the poor murloc at the Booty Bay action house, where a gnome tinker named Hagin bought him.

Hagin the tinker took Grunty to the city of Ironforge, where he forced him to become his servant. But after two months, Hagin noticed that his murloc wasn't like any murloc. Grunty was smarter than all murlocs, he learned the gnomish, dwarven, and common language in only a month and a few weeks. Hagin that Grunty's brain must not be wasted in a servant's work. He decided to teach the genius murloc the art of engineering, which Grunty mastered.

After three years, the dark portal was opened and great adventurers fought the burning legion. Even after the demons retreated back to Outlands, may continued to fight demons in the remains of the world of Draenor. A new race joined the alliance, the uncorrupted Draenei lead by Prophet Velen. Hagin was sent to The Exodar with The High Tinker as an advisor, and Grunty went with him. When reaching The Exodar, Grunty was fascinated by how The Exodar is constructed. After Hagin's approval, Grunty wandered the Exodar and studied how it was made. He also asked many Draenei jewelcrafters. Grunty returned to Ironforge with his master after he was done with his meeting with Velen.

Hagin's next mission was to go to Outlands with a number of tinkers, including Toshley, Fizit Clocktock, and Bembil Knockhammer. Again, Grunty went with him. The tinkers established a small station in Blade's Edge Mountains. They named it Toshley's Station, after their leader. But peace was not settled for the gnomes, for there are enemies. It was not the Burning Legion, nor the ogres that attacked, the enemy was the Horde this time. A number of blood elves and forsaken undead attacked the tinker base. A Blood Knight (Blood Elf Paladin) killed Hagin. The station retrieved fast after the attack. But poor Grunty is now on his own.

Grunty decided to explore the world of Draenor. He left Blade's Edge Mountains and entered Netherstorm. Grunty kept wandering Netherstorm untill he found a city from afar. He ran as fast as he could to reach the city. When he reached the walls of the city, he discovered that it was a goblin city called area 52. Unfortunatly for Grunty, goblins tried to capture him to sell him as they did before. Grunty escaped. Even though he was out of danger for now, Grunty learned that he cannot continue escaping every danger he sees. He must fight. Grunty decided to make himself a weapon and armor.

Grunty decided to make the armor from crystal because he knew that it was strong (he saw The Exodar), and make the weapon from metal because it's easier to make when it comes to the details. He started mining in Netherstorm, and gathered a lot of gems and ores. When he had enough, he headed back to Toshley's station. He started making the weapon, with the help of Fizit Clocktock. Thanks to his engineering skills he finished it in a few months.

When Grunty was done, he told Fizit "We are finally done with the weapon, now I must go to find a good jewelcrafter to help me make the weapon." Fizit replied "You must go to Telredor, there are many Draenei jewelcrafters there, here, take these peaces of gold, for jewelcrafting is not free." Fizit gave him some gold and also a michanostrider.

Grunty left Blade's Edge Mountains on his new michanostrider and into Zangarmarsh. Where he header to the Draenei city of Telredor.He found a jewelcrafter there. He gave him some money and gems and told him to make him some armor. The jewelcrafter was done with the armor (it wasn't very hard, Murlocs are small) in a year. He wore his new armor with pride and equipped his gun, and went out to try it out. He yelled at the first animal he found. The animal came rushing to attack him, Grunty tried to shoot with his weapon at him, but he discovered that he forgot a very important thing, he didn't make any ammunition for the gun. Grunty ran back to Telredor as fast as he could to escape the angry animal, but the animal was faster than him and attacked him. Grunty continued running to Telredor.

He reached the jewelcrafter. The Draenei asked him "what happened to your first try?" "The armor is great!" Grunty said, "if it wasn't for the armor, I would be dead." The jewelcrafter asked "Why, what happened to the weapon?" Grunty replied, "I forgot to make any ammo, I must make the strongest ammo I can, I must use fire." The jewelcrafter said, "The only people who use that are mages and shamans, and becoming a mage takes years of learning. If you want to learn shamanism, I advise you to go to the leader of the Mag'har orcs, Greatmother Geyah, the mother of the noble Dorutan. Go forth to the beautiful land of Nagrand. I will go with you, for you will need some one who can understand the orcish language." Grunty took his advice and packed his belongings and readied his michanostrider to go to the orcish stronghold of Garadar, the jewelcrafter readied his Elekk.

Grunty and the jewelcrafter finally entered Nagrand. Meanwhile, in Garadar, Greatmother Geyah called for Saurfang the younger. Saurfang the younger came to Geyah. "What is it, Greatmother?" Saurfang said. "The elements are speaking to me, a murloc and a Draenei are coming here. They must be welcomed and brought to me." Geyah said. "As you wish" Saurfang said and then he went to tell the guards.

When Grunty and his translator finally reached Garadar, they were welcomed by Saurfang The Younger. "Greatmother Geyah awaits you" Saurfang said. The Draenei translated. Grunty was surprised. "but how did she know?" He asked. Saurfang The Younger didn't answer him, instead, he pointed to where Geyah is. Grunty went to Geyah. "Hello, murloc. The elements told me that I must show you the path of shamanism" Geyah said, "if you truly want to know how to communicate with fire you must go to The Throne of The Elements to the north." The Draenei translated. Grunty thanked here and went to The Throne of The Elements, where a number of shamans from the Earthen Ring were waiting for him.

"The Elements can't allow you to communicate with them" said a broken shaman in common language. Grunty asked him, "Why not?" The Shaman answered, "You have filled your mind completely. You must remember, you are a murloc, you know more than any murloc in the world. But you can't learn more, it will hurt you. If you must learn it, you need to give up some of your knowledge. Do remember that the elements can make you powerful beyond measure, it can make your armor stronger, make your gun faster."

Grunty swam in the lake. He had forgot that feeling, the feeling of the water. He had forgot he was a murloc, a smart one, but still a murloc. Grunty remembered the times when he would swim in the great sea alongside his brothers, Murky, Lurky, and Gurky. He remembered what his father told him, "Survival must always be a murloc's primary goal." At that moment, Grunty knew what he had to do. A weapon and armor to defend him against enemies is more important than communicating with other races.

Grunty returned to the Throne of The Elements. "I will exchange my ability to speak with other races with the ability to communicate with the elements" Grunty said to the shaman. "Are you sure?" the shaman asked. Grunty answered, "yes, I am sure." At that moment Grunty saw the elementals around the throne of the elements coming to him. In a few seconds, he learned how to communicate with the elements.

Grunty heard the campfire speaking to him, "You have given up much in order to hear us. You will be rewarded. Every time you try to use your weapon, balls of fire will be created inside of it. You may use them as unlimited ammunition. I will also make your armor stronger, a secret that not many know is that burned crystal is stronger than normal crystal, as long as it stays cold." He then heard the water in the lake saying "I will keep your armor cold after it is burned." He listened as the wind was talking "Every time you use your weapon to shoot balls of fire, I will make them faster."

Grunty took of his armor and he gave it to the fire elemental. He saw his armor burning. Then, he saw the elemental putting the armor in the lake. "You may take your armor now" the elemental said. Grunty took the armor from the lake, and wore it with pride. It's color turned from a transparent, light blue color to a dark, metal-like blue color. He tried to shoot a nearby rabbet with his gun. A ball of fire went as fast as the wind to instantly kill the rabbet. Grunty thanked the elements.

Grunty then returned to Garadar and rode his michanostrider. "Will you return to Telredor?" the jewelcrafter asked. Grunty understood him, but he could not respond. He nodded, no. The jewelcrafter said "Then I must leave you now, I must return to Zangarmarsh." The jewelcrafter rode his Elekk and went back to Zangarmarsh. Grunty now couldn't speak common, gnomish, or dwarven. He decided it was time to return to his old village in Stranglethorn Vale. It's been a long time since he had seen his family.

Grunty went on to Shatrath. He took the portal to Stormwind. From Stormwind he traveled until he reached the jungles of Stranglethorn. He greeted his father. Grunty could still speak the murloc language. Grunty stayed with his family for two years. He was known as the protector of the murlocs, for he would protect the village from anyone who try attack it. Using his gun, he would kill anyone that attacks his family.

But one day, the goblins of Booty Bay were tired from him ruining their attempts to gather murloc eyes. The goblin engineers decided to make a weapon that would paralyze Grunty. They sent a goblin rogue to use the weapon against him. Grunty was captured by the rogue and brought to Booty Bay. The goblins decided not to sell him in Booty Bay. They would take much more money if they sold him at Dalaran. They put him in a tiny cage, after shrinking him in order to fit inside the cage. His cage was packed next to many boxes inside a zeppelin that would go to the forsaken base in Howling Fjord and then to Dalaran on Wind riders.

Unfortunately for the goblins, the zeppelin driver had no experience in driving zeppelins. The goblin driver got lost and eventually crashed into the sea near Grizzly Hills. The goblin died from the crash. Grunty jumped, he wasn't harmed though because the wind eased the fall on him. Grunty landed in the forest. Unfortunately for him, he was seen falling by two creatures, a worgen from Arugal's wolfcult, and a goblin from the Venture Trading Company. They both rushed to see the creature that landed. The goblin was the first to reach him Grunty. Grunty shot the goblin with his gun. The goblin was instantly dead. Then the worgen came from behind Grunty, fortunately for him, A Knight of the Ebon Blade was near and killed the worgen before he could harm Grunty.

The Draenei death knight took Grunty, and an strong friendship was created between the two.

                                                                                   Grunty the Murloc Marine

My name is Grunty, I used to be just an ordinary murloc, but when my home was invaded by a swarm of zergs, that all changed. Our village was about to be wipd out, when a raiding force of Terrans appeared behind the Zergs and began to kill them all. From the moment I saw the Terrans in their shiny armor, I knew that’s what I wanted to do. After the dreadful event was over, I found their leader, and asked to join their forces. He thought it over, and decided I would work well. I could be a special ops man, able to enter places others couldn’t, because of my size. We returned to the Terran base and they got me started with some training. First thing was the armor. It took some effort, but they got some special armor to fit me. It worked well, and I was ready for the next step. They gave me (also specially made) gun and had some basic target practice set up. Turns out I can’t aim worth crap. Day after day and the best I managed to do was get a few shots on the target’s chest. The Terrans were patient at first, but they soon grew restless.

            About two weeks later the group I was with caught wind of a group of Zergs due east. We picked up our guns and marched east. We saw a large hill up ahead and heard something we hadn’t expected. Gunfire. The closer we got, the louder it got. By the time we got to the top of the hill we were afraid of what we might see.  I bravely marched forward. What I saw took my breath away. A large asteroid must have landed here, because there was an enormous hole in the ground, but that wasn’t what took away by breath. It was the enormous battle that raged inside.  Thousands of troops, Zergs and Terrans were fighting in an all out battle for dominance. Thousands. Artillery was on both sides. And it was all I could do to not be trampled. Artillery was churning up dust and now I could barely see. Suddenly, there was a large explosion above us. We looked up, some artillery, and bombs from a gunship had all met in the same spot in the center of the battlefield. The explosion blew away all the dust. For a couple seconds a large swirling purplish hole appeared in the battlefield and I was practically right next to it. It emitted a small gravitational pull, and I due to my size, was swept right in along with a couple small Zerg.

                        I was violently tossed around before being popped out about 15 feet in the air in some unknown place. When I looked around I was in an odd place. It had a dark aura around it. Also around me were the zergs that had come through. They still seemed to be dazed and I quickly dispatched them-you can’t miss at point blank. Two odd creatures had walked up to me now, attracted by the odd sound of gunfire.

            “Hwwr?” asked one. He looked like a wolf that had learned to walk on two legs.

The was a sharp buzzing sound and my translator perked up.

            “Who are you?” asked the small green creature, obviously intrigued by me.

            “My name is Grunty and I am a new recruit of the Terrans against the zergs.” The green creature, glanced over at the dead zergs I had shot earlier.

            “They zergs?” it asked.

            “Yes,” I replied. “They are.”

            “I see….” The large furry creature, had apparently, become disgusted that I was carrying on a conversation with the green creature and, shaking its head, ran off.

            “You look lost, you should come with me….we’ll get you fixed up.” Said the creature. With no better plan I followed him. He explained that he was a goblin, his name was Ratchet, and a member of the Horde, while the furry creature was a worgen, and a  member of the Alliance. He also asked to see my gun, and as he looked at it and shot a round, continued to stare in awe. Eventually we reached the coast of the place we were in, which he called Silverpine Forest, he was here on a scouting mission into Gilneas, but he was done. We hopped on a boat, and began a long journey towards his home. After a while they arrived on a tropical island in what seemed to be the middle of nowhere. Ratchet guided me through some tunnels and we appeared in an underground city he called Undermine. The Undermine smelled, and has large mechanical guards everywhere and goblins shouting everywhere selling things, which made up the majority of noise in the city. The guards were constantly busy making sure all the goblins didn’t get into brawls which seemed to happen every five seconds. Ratchet guided me through the streets and eventually we walked into a blacksmith’s shop. The Ratchet asked to see my gun. I handed it to him and he quickly disassembled it, and from the way his eyes were moving I think he was memorizing the blueprints as he went. He took out a few parts and set it down. He then took out some vials of a dark liquid he called lead and set them into molds making tiny balls. I soon recognized them as bullets. Then he put them in a machine which mass-produced them. He handed the gun back to me and asked me to shoot it at a mock target he had set up. I noticed the gun was much lighter and which my aim improved, it was still horrible.

            “Shoot again?” asked Ratchet. I shot again and his eyes lit up like fireworks. “Ah! You’re doing it wrong…” Ratchet then showed me a different technique to shoot and this time, I hit the head of the target straight on. Ratchet’s eyes gleamed with pride.

            “CITIZENS of Undermine! We are under attack! Please report to a safe area or gather arms and meet at Trade District A!” Ratchet quickly gathered some leather armor and some knives and the two of us sprinted off. When we got the district we saw an intense battle going on. Humans, worgen, gnomes, and elves fought the angry goblins in a brawl. I asked Ratchet what to do but he was gone, disappeared into the shadows. Seconds later he was behind a human and going for the kill. I got the idea and rushed over to help him. He took him down, along with a mage and a warrior. Together we took down many Alliance and I wasn’t sure how many more we could take. The goblin numbers were dwindling. Knowing I had to do something I charged and took down as many Alliance as I could. Eventually there was only a single human warrior left. He was wearing enormous plate armor and dual-wielding axes most men would have to use two hands on. All of his armor was glowing with enchantments as well. He charged and a few goblins surged forward. With just a few swipes they were down. More charged and he began to spin like a whirlwind, and with his axes, it was impossible to stop. Many goblins were killed. Ratchet began to try and sneak behind him. If he could just get behind him, he could win. But the warrior saw Ratchet and charged. Not going to allow this to happen I let loose all my ammo on the human’s head. The human wasn’t harmed at all but turned to be with a vengeful glare. That was all Ratchet needed and sprung out and slashed the warrior’s legs and then neck form behind. He was dead and we had won. Many goblins surged forward and threw me and Ratchet into the air, hailing us as heroes of Undemine, and the Horde.

EPILOUGE: After that Ratchet and I became close friends and to this day we travel as a pair, willing to take on any challenge that comes our way.

Posted this earlier and now do not see it. Please delete if it is a duplicate.

Hello fellow Azerothians. Everyone on our world has been wondering about a little murloc found wandering around seemingly lost near Anaheim which is a city located on Earth in the country known as the United States and the regional area called California. How did he get there? Where is he from originally? What’s his story?

These and other burning questions will be answered in this report. My name is DAG Nabbitt and I’m . . . . Ok, I see the little quirk at the corner of your mouth. You’re wondering if I’m for real. I guess a name like DAG Nabbitt would cause more than a little mirth in some circles but here on Azeroth people in the news business are know by a combination of the initials of the paper that they represent followed by their first name.

Since I work for the Daily Azeroth Gazette and my original name was Nabbitt Darnit you can see why I prefer my new moniker of DAG Nabbitt. Anyway, enough about me let’s get on with the story.

Our research has shown that the little fellow prefers to be called “Grunty”. He has refused all requests for an interview but we were able to track down and locate the one person that seems to know the most about Grunty. Hot on the trail of a good story and a galaxy wide scoop I traveled to Darkshore to meet with a Night Elf hunter named Ularin. He claims to know most of the story of Grunty’s origin.

It’s a cool evening here in the woods in Darkshore near Auberdine. I’m sitting around a pleasant campfire with Ularin and his pet Catamount. Ularin and “Cat” have been together since they first met in these very same woods. Here, in this idyllic setting I heard the story of Grunty.

One evening Ulatin and Cat were resting around a campfire much like this one when they both heard a twig snap in the woods just out of sight in the darkness. Cat silently slipped into the darkness and disappeared. Ularin placed an arrow into his bow and peered intently into the gloom. He was perplexed by a sudden crashing noise and, just as quickly as he had disappeared, Cat reappeared with some sort of tiny creature riding on his back.

That was the night that Ularin and Cat first met Grunty. The creature slipped off Cat’s back and dropped to the ground. It was obvious this that he was in distress and no danger to either Ularin or Cat. Ularin moved to the little guy and helped him to sit up. When he seemed a little steadier the little guy gulped down some of the wine Ularin offered him from a wineskin that had just been filled that morning in Auberdine.

After helping him move closer to the fire for warmth Ularin offered him some of the fish he carried for Cat. It was obvious that he was hungry and the combination of food, wine and the warm fire were having a pronounced effect because he was soon snoring. Ularin decided to let him sleep. Besides, he could get answers to his questions in the morning.

During the night the little fellow appeared to be having nightmares and he tossed and turned alternately yelping and making this weird gurgling sound. At first Ularin was concerned because it sounded like the little fellow might be drowning but that was just not possible. Eventually he settled down and everyone slept.

The next moring Grunty told Ularin his story and here, for the first time, is Grunty’s story as told to Ularin and then to me.

It begins several years ago when Grunty was born. Some have theorized that Grunty was born of royalty but Ularin assures me that this was not the case. His mother and father were poor folk living in a village along the beach right here in Darkshore. The first few years of Grunty’s life were the same as any normal young murlok. I guess I should mention that his name then was Murggley Fishbait.

Always inquisitive little Murggley was walking along the shore some distance from his village. His mother had told him never to wander out of sight of the village but young murlocs are just as bad as the young of any species when it comes to doing what their moms tell them. Murggley was fascinated by a shell and was not paying any attention when he heard this strange sound. It was a sort of humming noise. He quickly looked left and right but the sound seemed to be coming from everywhere. Then he looked up and was surprised to see some sort of strange machine hovering over him. It pulsed with many different colored lights. As Murggley watched some sort of opening appeared in the bottom. It was then that he remembered his mother telling him not to wander out of sight and he began to run towards home and the safety of him Mother’s arms but it was too late. A strange light flashed down from the machine and Murggley was immediately snatched from the shore into the inside of the strange machine.

It was some time later that he found out that he had been abducted by a group of interstellar wildlife traders working for a zoo on some planet named Blizzelskp. Now he knew why he should have listened to his mother and he vowed that if he ever saw her again he would always listen to what she told him.

Since Space was limited on the Space ship and at the zoo he was fed a chemical in his food that altered his body so that he would stay small even as he grew into adulthood. Life on board the Space ship was boring. He was kept in a cage in a room with many other animals of all kinds. Each one was small like he was. With nothing else to do Murggley tried to exercise to keep in shape just in case he ever got a chance to escape.

It was one morning several weeks later just as he was exercising when he heard a loud whooshing noise and the Space ship shook terribly. Then there came a lot of loud clanging and banging noises and finally the sound of people moving thru the ship. He cringed when a group of beings burst into the hold. Although they were clearly from a number of different species they were all wearing the same kind of uniform.

He had been rescued by the Space Marines!

He was amazed by the confident way that they handled themselves. It turns out that they had been alerted to the actions of the zoo trader and had been watching for his return. Now they were faced with the problem of returning all of the captured creatures to their own worlds. Murggley thought it would just be a short time before he felt his mother’s arms around him once again.

Sadly it was a number of years before the Space Marines were finally able to return Murggley to his home. Despite his disappointment, Murggley decided to make the best of his time with the most respected fighting group in the galaxy. Hoorah!

At first the Marines were reluctant to teach Murggley anything but he was so persistent and cute he was hard to resist. In the following years he learned how to shoot, how to protect himself in hand-to-hand combat and much more. Unfortunately they could not teach him how to live off the land since they were on a Space ship and this was why he had stumbled into Ularin’s camp in a weakened state as he had.

Part 2

The trainer at the shooting range was impressed with the accuracy Murggley demonstrated even though he was forced to use weapons that were designed for larger creatures. As a surprise Sargent Strongsprocket prevailed on one of his friends in the armory to design a rifle and handgun more suitable to Murggley’s diminutive size. With the smaller rifle and pistol Murggley’s scores increased dramatically.

Murggley was even presented with an ingenious device that allowed him to create his own ammunition as long as the raw materials were available. Since the device was able to transmute almost any substance into the required raw materials he would never have to worry about ammunition. To make things even easier both his rifle and pistol used the same ammunition.

A new Marine is called a Grunt. One day one of the regulars used the nickname Grunty because of the little guy’s small size and the name stuck.

It was about this time that the Space ship finally approached earth. Murggley, who now preferred to be called Grunty, was excited to be returning home. Still, he was depressed about leaving his new friends. He had tried to get them to just let him return for a few days on leave so that he could see his mom and dad and then return to the ship to remain with the Marines. Regretfully, the captain of the ship explained, they were required to return him, if possible, and he was still too young to join the Space Marines.

He was full of mixed emotions about leaving his new friends and apprehensive about seeing his mother and father and the rest of his old family and friends. He was deposited on the shore very near the place where he had originally disappeared. As he trudged along the beach he could not help but wonder what had changed. He did not have time to dwell on these thoughts because a moment later he saw a murloc fishing along the shore.

He rushed up to him and said “urglley murgle gurgley!” The young murloc looked up in surprise and saw a miniature murloc wearing a camouflage uniform and carrying a miniature rifle. He proceeded to drop his fishing pole and run back down the beach in terror.

Shrugging his shoulders Grunty continued on down the beach toward his home. Shortly he found himself confronted by three adult murloc brandishing spears. Grunty quickly blurted out his story. Fortunately, the adults remembered how a young murloc had wandered off and disappeared some years ago. The whole village had hunted for him for days. It was then that Grunty thought to tell them that his name had been Murggley.

With his identity confirmed they lowered their spears and headed back to town. His mom and dad were overjoyed to see him again. Naturally, they had thought he was dead. That night a feast was held on his behalf and everyone partied into the early morning hours.

Unfortunately, it did not take long for things to return to normal. In fact, things got worse. Young people of any species can be terribly cruel. Murloc’s are no exception. Because of his small size the murloc children  began to taunt and make fun of him. It did not matter that he could have beaten any three of them easily. He surely wanted too but he knew that Space Marines did not prey on weaker beings. Besides the pain they were inflicting was not physical but emotional. They even began to call him “Runty”.

Soon many of the adults, other than his family, began calling him Runty too. What could he do? The support he received from his family was great but it just was not enough. He became more and more depressed. Even if he had been willing to play games like the other children did he could not participate. In his mind he was a Space Marine.

Things got so bad that one day he simply wandered off into the underbrush and disappeared. It was easy for him to hide because he was so small. He left behind his rifle, pistol and his camo uniform. He wanted to be just another murloc so bad but it was just not possible.

It was just two days later when he stumbled upon Ularin’s camp.

After hearing Grunty’s story Ularin began to think about ways that he could help the little murloc. They decided that before they could do anything else they had to return to Grunty’s home. The first time he had disappeared from his parent’s life it had not been his fault. Even so, they had suffered terrible pain at the loss of their son. He could not do that to them again so the three of them set out for his village.

During the trek Ularin had been thinking about ways to help his small friend solve some of his problems. He had several ideas but all he had told Grunty was that he was welcome to travel with he and Cat.

You can understand how sad Grunty’s parents were to hear that he was leaving them again but they knew that things had not worked out well for him in the village and that he probably would never be happy here. Like all parents, they wanted their son to be happy so they wished him well and hoped that he would discover his place in the world.

So Grunty put on his miniature Space Marines camo uniform, gathered up his rifle, pistol and his ammunition transmuter and left his family behind for the second time in his young life.

He and Ularin traveled for several days. During the trip Ularin did his best to teach Grunty how to live off the land. So it was that Grunty learned how to hunt and skin and clean his food. He learned what plants were good to eat and which ones to use as spices. Ularin taught him how to set up camp and how to locate a good camp site.

As they traveled they talked and Ularin grew quite fond of the little murloc.

After several days they entered a small clearing. There, much to Grunty’s surprise, he saw an older man sitting on the steps of a lovely cabin. Next to him sat Cat. As they approached a plump smiling woman came out the door and stood beside the man.

Crossing the clearing quickly Ularin rushed up to the woman and hugged her warmly then turned and shook hands with the man. Ularin beckoned Grunty over and introduced him to “Top” and Maude.

Grunty immediately liked the woman. She reminded him of his mother who he still missed as she pulled him into a warm embrace. Then he turned to the older man and, as he shook hands he thought to himself that “Top” was a very unusual name.

Maude quickly ushered them all inside and told them to sit at the table where she served what Grunty thought might be one of the best meals he had ever had. Ularin made sure that most of the conversation was about Grunty, where he had been, the things he had done and his desire to become a Space Marine. As the evening progressed they continued the conversation in the main room in front of a fire. They even enjoyed some wine.

Before long every one began to tire and Maude showed Grunty to his room. As he lay there trying to think about all that had happened he slowly drifted off to sleep. One time he thought he heard Ularin and Top still talking but he was not sure. Finally sleep overtook him.

In the morning, at the breakfast table Grunty found out that Top, Maude and Ularin had talked long into the night about what could be done to help Grunty. It turns out that Ularin had brought him here because Top was a retired Space Marines Gunnery Sergeant.

Not only that but he and Maude wanted him to stay with them and finish his education until he became old enough to apply for the Space Marines. In addition, Top would continue teaching Grunty how to be a better Space Marine. Grunty could not believe his ears! These wonderful people were offering him an opportunity to achieve his dream.

During the next several years Grunty went back to school. He studied hard and excelled at almost everything and graduated at the top of his class. For a while it looked like his desire to become a Space Marine might be stymied because of his size but, with Top’s help, he was able to prove that it was not the size of the creature that mattered but the size of the fight and desire within the creature. He was finally offered an appointment to the Space Marines Academy where he rose to the top of the class and graduated with honors.

There is more to this story but we need to move ahead to Anaheim.

Grunty was not lost as reported in that “Other” rag. He was on final leave before shipping out or his first assignment. He had expressed an interest in attending Blizzcon 2009 and so had been assigned escort duty for the Worgens and Goblins that were being introduced.

After the last meeting and all the lights had been turned out Grunty along with the Worgen and Goblins had gone into a wooded area. Transportaion had been arranged off planet for Grunty (the method of extraction must remain a Space Marine secret) and the Worgen and Goblins were providing protection for their new friend.

And now you know the rest of the story.

…being  blinded  by  the  cameras  nearly  crushed  poor  baby  Grunty,  but luckily  for  the  Murloc,  Goblins  are  rather  small  and  Worgen  are  very  cushioned. Sadly  in  the  stumble  Grunty  did  suffer  a  head  injury  resulting  in  Grunty  thinking  he  traveled  to  the  future  of  2499  to  a  place  called  ‘Koprulu,’  and  now  believes  himself  to  be  a  Human  ‘marine.’

            After  the  to  races  recovered  from  their  fall  they  looked  down  to  see  the  little baby.  A  Wargen  named  Nockor  picked  up  the  baby  Murlock  and  after removing  the  carrion  grubs  that  were  crawling  all  over  the  poor  thing  held  him  as  a  female  Goblin  named  Odisia,  wrapped  a  heavy  silk  bandage to his head. 

            Not  yet  used  to  their  new  factions  as  of  yet,  the  Goblins  and  Wargen teamed  up  to  make  sure  their  newly  found  baby  had  caring  for,  blaming themselves  for  his  amnesia.  Setting  up  a  campfire  they  made  the  Murloc  a  kaldorei  spider  kabob  and  gave  him  some  milk  they  heated  up  with  the  campfire.   After  Grunty  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of  a  female  Wargen,  cozy  in  her fur,  the  two  races  debated  on  what  to  do  and  came  to  the  conclusion  to  find  his  parents  and  create  the  ‘marine’  suit  with  the  best  engineers  they  had.

            From  that  day  on  Grunty  never  fully  thought  himself  to  be  a Murloc,  seeing  as  his  Father  was  none  other  then  King Mrgl-Mrgl.  And  why  did  Grunty’s Mother  leave  him  in  the  woods  you  may  ask?  Well,  apparently  Rnga-Rnga  had  seen  some  of  Osbourne’s  older  concerts  and  feared  for  her  sons  life.  Now  you’re  probably  asking  why  was  he  left  in  the  woods  for  days?  Well  after  much  investigation  our  team  found  that  she  died  in  a  tragic  fire  caused  from  an  Undead  Mage.  Still  remembering  the  grubs  were  around  him  that  tragic  night  Grunty  still  holds  a  grudge  and  will  kill  anyone  he  happens  to  come  across. 

            If  you  ever  come  across  the  Marine and ever think ‘Who dat is?’  just  remember  his  past  and  remember  under  all  that  armor  is  a  confused  Murloc  wearing  white  boxers  with  red  hearts.

Posted in the wrong place the first time so sorry!!!

Alone wandering around the woods, wondering why his mother placed him here depp in hiding and told him to be quiet he begins to worry. Its been such a long time since she left him here, where could she be? He notices its getting darker and hes awfully hungry, he decided to look around for something to eat. As he walks he comes upon a small lane and he cautiously peers out to see if its safe to cross it. Just then 2 figures approach, Grunty tries to dart back into the woods, into hiding but gets hung up and trips over a tree root he didnt see. As he falls he sees two ;arge shadows above him, resigned that he is about to become someones dinner he thinks to himself " oh i should have listened to my mother and stayed in hiding", just then a gentle voice speaks to him , Little one , what are you doing all alone so far from civilazation? Afraid he looks up and speaks hesitatingly, my mother left me here to hide saying it was unsafe for me , but I got so very hungry so i ventured out in search of food. The other figure, a small green rather rude creature abruptly started talking, Morgansen, he said, we dont have time to worry about creatures we come across if we are to make it back to our villages any time this millineum,lets leave it here and continue on. Morganson looks down at the goblin Trox, i cannot leave a creature so young alone in the woods, you may continue on if you wish I will stay and escort the creature to my village. Trox sensing maybe he spoke to soon and knowing that the truce between their races would soon be over, got to thinking, what if Morgansen knew what this creature was and it will help them advance beyond we goblins. Trox says no why dont i take him with me to my people. Morgansen confused by trox's sudden change of heart looks at him with great suprise. You want to take him in? Why would you do that? Well he might be more comfortable with people his own size and come out of his shell a little easier. morgansen knew goblins were not known for being a nurturing race thought about this a moment, he said well to settle this fairly why dont we let him decide who he wants to go with once we reach our turn off point. Until then he can travel with us and get to know us. Trox thought this over for a moment then agreed. plotting in his mind ways to turn the small creature against the worgen. Along the way they noticed the creature had a small gun and was garbed in strange gear and both wondered about his origins. As they made camp for the night and sat around a small fire to keep warm they began to all talk a little bit. Slowly they discovered that the creature was a marine murloc from some place called starcraft that they had never heard of. he showed them his gun and the tiny bullets that were his ammo, but wisely remembering his brothers advice back home to keep much to himself, he chose not to tell the two he was short on the ammo and would soon have to find a source to make him some more. Quietly he watched the two bicker about everything, they couldnt even agree on which side of the road to make camp on, growing weary of this he wandered off from the fire and curled up under a small bush he found to rest awhile, sometime later he felt arms picking him up and sleepily he stared into the strangely furry face off the tall stranger, morgansen whispered softly, shh little one only moving you closer to the fire so you will stay warm and safe with us. the next morning dawned and Morgansen and Trox woke to find grunty sitting quietly a few feet away chewing on a small animal he hd caught while they slept, he motioned over to the fire where they saw a couple of more animals waiting for them. After their meal they gathered everything up and headed out again as they walked throughout the day the small murloc gravitated more and more toward the tall one who called himself morgansen, such a strange word to be called but well whatever. After a few hours they reached a fork in the road, they all stopped and Morgansen and trox looked down at the little one and said this is where we part ways to our own villages, it is now your choice on who you go with. He thought a moment and quietly stepped to the side of the tall furry one, looking over at the goblin he said while i have enjoyed meeting you I wish to go with him. Trox having softened towards the small invader overnight looked at him and said, if thats what you wish then that is where you shall go but if you ever have a need for me you shall have my services. They parted ways and Morgansen and Grunty continued on towards the village Pyrewood in Silverpine Forest. As they walked into the village everyone ran to greet Morgansen and to hear the stories of Blizzcon, then from out from behind Morgansen stepped the small armored visitor, everyone skidded to halt and became afraid when they saw his weapon and they wondered if Morgansen had been threatened into bringing the creature home to destroy them all. morgansen smiled and continued on to the town hall where the elders awaited his tales from the big city and celebration. They too jumped in surprise as they saw the small creature and Morgansen said " please have no fear he is with me" I found him all alone in the woods his mother had hidden him there on their way to Blizzcon and never returned. The elders approached cautiously and looked at the small creature then one by one knelt down to his level and spoke softly to him, if you bode no ill will or harm to our people you are welcome to live among us. Everyone gathered that evening to hear the stories of Blizzcon and meet the new member of the village , for years he continued to live among them and learn their ways, even visiting trox occasionally who had learned the ways of making the small ammo he needed for his strange weapon. Then one day as Morgansen and Grunty  were out in the woods on a hunting trip for that evenings meals they came across a rather strange sight, there hidden deep in the woods was a small perfectly preserved body right beside a rather strange brightly colored swirling portal. Grunty ran forward with tears running down his small face, this is my mother, oh how did she come to be here. then he looks in wonder at the portal and walks toward it slowly seemingly hypnotized by it. Morgansen reached out and stopped him. breaking his attention towards the portal. Grunty looked at him beseechingly, to me you are my family you and everyone, but what if my world lies beyond this portal, I owe it to my people to at least attempt to make it back to them and to take my mothers body back to the land of our people. Sadly Morgansen looked at him realizing that he had to let go this small creature who had so softly crept into his heart over the years to him he was like a son. morgansen knelt down and put his hands on Gruntys shoulders, slowly he nodded and says i understand this you must do, but know you will always be welcome back to us and your family as well. Grunty hugged him with tears in his eyes and turned, gently picking up his mothers body he turned for one last look at the tall man who had been so kind to him. before stepping through the portal into what lay ahead waiting for him.....

its past nov 1 

/anxious

  Quote:

Originally Posted by zodi2u

its past nov 1 

 

/anxious

lol yeah, I wonder when they announce. gl

  Quote:

Originally Posted by Akeby

  Quote:

Originally Posted by zodi2u

its past nov 1 

 

/anxious

 

lol yeah, I wonder when they announce. gl

gl 2 man

yep, contest ended on the 31st of october, and its now

the 2nd, gl you two

hope they tell us soon who

was lucky enough to win.

Bonniy

A very dark sky stretched out beyond the horizon as the small figure emerged from the recess of the cave. He'd used this small space, almost unseen the day before, as a safe haven from the terrors of the "New World". Giants, some grotesque, (perhaps related to the Zerg?), some very Terran-like, populated this land. He wasn't sure if he'd been conked on the head and was dreaming this whole thing or if he'd actually managed to somehow poke a hole in the fabric of time-space. All he knew for sure was he'd already had to deal with too many unknowns. Grunty needed to make an alliance with someone- or something. After several days of dodging through the thickly wooded areas, he'd learned that most creatures here traveled in the light- and for good reason. Darkness in this land was nearly as complete as in the tunnels back home- ah home...

He shook off the memory, this was his new home. He was certain he wouldn't find a way back. With no technology except his minigun, the suits AI, and a small infrared sensor embedded in his titanium armor, he knew there wasn't any hope of seeing his family, his friends, or his comrades ever again. No- this was it. For better or worse, he would make a place for himself here. He put his helmet back on and headed out into the night, glad at least, that his eyes could adjust to any light. He made a note of his little hidey-hole and headed south, he'd traveled almost 20 miles North the day before and found nothing but more woods.

As he made his trek South he thought about all the different creatures he'd stumbled accross and how likely it would be to confront one face to face without getting himself killed. Perhaps a white flag would let them know he was friendly? And what if a white flag in this crazy New World meant "I'm going to kill you" or "At War"...? He needed something fool-proof. Wait... Fool-proof... The only things fool proof are fools themselves! Yes! He would play the fool! As he was laying out his plan in his mind he noticed tacks on the ground- well layed tracks, as if many people had come through on several occasions. This was perfect. He followed the path for a while and came accross a giant stone arena, all kinds of mammals were tied to posts outside- probably primitive hauling animals.

Moving towards the entrance he noticed a couple of cows, not just any cows though, these were standing upright on two hooves! They had leather clothes and spears and seemed to be guarding the arena. He decided not to get too close, you never could be too sure what was intelligent enough to know enemy from foe. He circled around and found a small crevice just big enough for him to slip inside. He edged his way through the crevice and emerged behind some crates and barrels. He peered over them and almost couldn't believe his eyes. Milling around tables and stages and what seemed to be bars were hundreds of different beings- from what he could see- maybe 12 different races...maybe more? Some to his left were making strange gestures with their hands and murmuring unintelligible words- even to his AI. Suddenly, snow began to fall around him- then fire! What in the hell was going on? What was this place? He rummaged around in one of the barrels and found some shiny red things- they smelled sweet. He tasted one, it was good! Crunchy sweet goodness filled his mouth as he gobbled the rest of it greedily down- he ate four more and stashed a few in a piece of cloth he found a the bottom of the barrel- next to this barrel he'd found what appeared to be bottles of liquor. He tried one and found it to be tasteless- this was oil. Unbelievable. These creatures seemed to have a better undertstanding of things than he'd originally thought.

He set the oil back and checked out the rest- two more bottles of oil- and then... what was this putrid smelling liquid?! He shrugged and put the bottle to his lips- WHOA. Now this was something to remember- a green bottle about the same size as his gun with a reddish liquid inside... smelled terrible- but it was fantastic! He drank deeply and washed the juicy red things down. After a a couple minutes of gorging himself he decided it was porbably time to go. Don't want to be noticed- oops... Too late he realized he'd been being watched by a small version of the cows out front. This one didn't seem to have the same kind of balance as it was on all fours and obviously it had no shame being without clothes except for the neclace it had on. He narrowed his eyes, and quickyle grabbed a couple bottles of the oil- he smashed them on the ground near the cow-thing. The cow-thing moved only slightly- he realized this wasn't going to be easy if they didn't even scare easily. He gave whoop and a holler and set his mini to auto-fire releasing a short burst in the direction of the cow-thing- flame washed over him and the cow-thing as the oil caught fire- he ran for the crevice- creatures were moving towards his little dining spot. He dove and scrambled through the hole. When he reached the outer wall he raced for the woods- suddenly feeling light-headed and sluggish. He ran with all his might for as long as he could- but he fell and lost consciousness...

*Blurn na nisthag ne dies.*     *Dlen mas the uug ner thas.*    *Herssh nans kepsh tanashh!*   *Joot il nespas daewoo.*    *Gggrrrrrowlash nash pa creesshh te kleshh- *    *Klearn tharl thyng marn.*    *Wersh narsh Keepsh himsh?*    *Whash else sharsh we do with it?*   *Ah it seems it's woken up.*

Somehow his AI was beginning to be able to translate these odd-looking creatures languages- wait, how long had he been out? Where was he? Where was his gun? All these thoughts came crashing into his head at the same time- he groaned... What had happened? He must have hit his head on something... or maybe it was that delicious red drink. No matter- the splitting headache was all he could think about right now- that and getting the hell out of here. The smaller green being was trying to put a bowl to his lips. WHAT!? Where the hell had his helmet gone? He sat up- too fast.... The world spun around for a moment... he regained his balance and saw that the bowl had water in it- he tested it and satisfied that it wasn't poisoned or something he took a big gulp.

He saw his things in a corner on the floor and made a move towards them.  *Don't worry lettle fella,* the large one said, he went over to the corner and picked up the mini and the helmet, *Here you go.* he handed them to Grunty who snatched them up and immediately re-fitted them to his gear. *My name is Fralkaan, I am Worgen. This is Kreelnaf, he is Goblin.* The worgen gestured to the smaller green one  with the pointed ears. *We found you in the woods near the latest Blizzard festival. Can you speak? You seem to understand me.* The giant dog-terran explained.

Grunty gave a grunt and and attempted to use the tele-type communicator embedded in his armor's left fore-arm. However, it seemed to be damaged- the keys were melted together in some places and some were missing altogether. Luckily there were enough keys left to give some auto-replies and pre-programmed information. He pressed one- *SccccrrrRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!* The sound was almost intolerable! He assumed something had happened to his speakers. At least his in-helm display was working, he accessed the tele-type functiona nd sent the words to his helmet screen.

He motioned the two giants away and plopped down off the table he'd been sitting on. The two had been looking on in fascination as the tiny murloc had made verious attempts to communicate with them. Bemused they again indulged him and he went to their fireplace- he found some charcoal and set himself to the task of writing in their native toungue.

- Hello. My name is Grunty. I am a Murloc of the Terran-Protoss Alliance. Thankyou for taking me in and although I cannot repay your kindness, I hope we can become good friends someday. -  Well, that's what he thought he wrote anyway...

** Mrggglll. Mgll nrgll Gruntgll. Irgl Murlgl rgl Grrgrgl-grrglgrrgrl Grmrgl....** The one named Fralkaan read aloud. Grunty didn't undertsand. As the one named Fralkaan read more of what he was writing he realized the AI must not have seen enough of their written language to properly translate. There was no way to truly communicate with these beings- at least not untill he'd travelled far and wide enough to let his AI learn teh written laguage on it's own.

Grunty made another grunting noise and went to the one named Kreelnaf, and made a gesture at himself then at Kreelnaf. Kreelnaf gave a disgusting look and said, *I think this little one wants to accompany me! Well, unless you have something of value to offer me- I'm afraid I won't be able to accomadate you- we goblins are economists. if there's no profit in it- then there's no reason to pursue it.*

So grunty turned towards the larger one, Fralkaan. He gestured at himself then at Fralkaan. The worg seemed non-plussed about the idea, but he didn't say no either so Grunty moved closer and gestured again. Fralkaan couldn't help but say yes, his kind was always very caring- even the lower evolution of his kind were loyal pets to many of Azeroth. He decided to take this poor creature in. *Alright, I will take you with me, on one condition- you must do as I say and I don't expect any complaints.*

Grunty was pleased with himself, he'd made a friend, friends were important commodities. He vowed to himself that day to protect his new friend 'till the day he died- or at least, untill he learned to speak the New World's languages and fend for himself.

I know the contest was technically over on the 31st... I was just hoping, since there's only 14 pages of posts and still no announcements of winners yet.

Please consider my entry Curse! Pretty pleases! With cherries and sprinkles and all the good stuff on top!

Well i wish everyone good luck...

I hope curse Chooses the rightful owners.

I also hope i get one, Ive been checking for updates everyday...And like alot of other people..I cannot afford to go to US For Blizzcon.......

thnx for the competition and gratz to winners

Wishing Good Luck to all!

Eagerly waiting the out come and Like every one else hope I get one! LoL

Any how Best Wishes all and CongratZ to the Winners when they announce!!!

please announce winners! good luck all!

I think everyone needs to exercise a little patience.

I am sure that they are going as fast as they can but you need to think about the fact that EVERY person judging the entries needs to read EVERY entry. They they need to get together and discuss the situation.

Finally, do any of you honestly think that Curse wants to delay the announcement any longer than necessary? I would like to know the outcome too but we will all just have to wait.

I'm not really good at doing this kind of stuff but I tried my best! I edited it and added discriptive language and stuff.

Hope I win :)!

What REALLY happened to Grunty is that the Goblins betrayed him by not
wanting to change his stinky baby-marine diapers. The Worgen stared and
stared. they haad no other choice but to take Grunty home as a pet.
The raised him and fed him Murloc baby formula and stuff. But there
seemed to be a problem. Ah-Ha! It was quite obvious that Grunty was afraid
of all the Worgen from Gilneas and their ability to transform. The Worgen
had no other choice. They wrapped up little oozy-woozy Grunty in blankets
and put him into an old moldy satchel from the Elder Worgen. Then, they
wrapped Grunty up and dumped him into a river where he floated solemnly
along until a pack of Forest Trolls found him. They picked Grunty up and
smelled his pits. Smells like Chicken!!!!! Taste like chicken????? An Amani
forest troll started to slide Grunty down his throat until the Elder Amani
screeched, "STOP!!!!!!!". The other Amani troll quickly spit out Grunty and bowed before
his maker. Or I guess his master. Grunty grunted and decited he had no other
choice but to RUN!!!!! He didn't want to risk being eaten by obese trolls
so he sneakily and stealthily ran like a chicken behind the bushes. Grunty's
eyes rolled to the back of his head and he passed out.
 Grunty woke up a little nauseated but well enough to walk and talk.
He stared. What are those strange blue beings? "I come in piece!" Grunty
said in Murloc language. The blue beings chortled and laughed. These beings
remind me of Dranei. My elder Starcraft friends said that they come from the other side
of our planet. Our arch enemies.
 Grunty examined the Dranei and looked to see if they knew any secret
hidden portal of dreams that could warp him to his home planet. A SHIP!!!!!!
Grunty loved ships!!!! Were the Dranei getting on? Yes! They Were! They were taking
Grunty aboard too! Grunty figured that people that hate Dranei must be bad, including his old tribe.
Then he saw Worgen working too! The Allience! Wow! Worgen wern't evil after all!!!!
Murky had new friends in the Allience! Now he was happy that he had some good, optimistic new friends. :)

  Quote:

Originally Posted by driscollblood

I'm not really good at doing this kind of stuff but I tried my best! I edited it and added discriptive language and stuff.

Hope I win :)!

What REALLY happened to Grunty is that the Goblins betrayed him by not
wanting to change his stinky baby-marine diapers. The Worgen stared and
stared. they haad no other choice but to take Grunty home as a pet.
The raised him and fed him Murloc baby formula and stuff. But there
seemed to be a problem. Ah-Ha! It was quite obvious that Grunty was afraid
of all the Worgen from Gilneas and their ability to transform. The Worgen
had no other choice. They wrapped up little oozy-woozy Grunty in blankets
and put him into an old moldy satchel from the Elder Worgen. Then, they
wrapped Grunty up and dumped him into a river where he floated solemnly
along until a pack of Forest Trolls found him. They picked Grunty up and
smelled his pits. Smells like Chicken!!!!! Taste like chicken????? An Amani
forest troll started to slide Grunty down his throat until the Elder Amani
screeched, "STOP!!!!!!!". The other Amani troll quickly spit out Grunty and bowed before
his maker. Or I guess his master. Grunty grunted and decited he had no other
choice but to RUN!!!!! He didn't want to risk being eaten by obese trolls
so he sneakily and stealthily ran like a chicken behind the bushes. Grunty's
eyes rolled to the back of his head and he passed out.
 Grunty woke up a little nauseated but well enough to walk and talk.
He stared. What are those strange blue beings? "I come in piece!" Grunty
said in Murloc language. The blue beings chortled and laughed. These beings
remind me of Dranei. My elder Starcraft friends said that they come from the other side
of our planet. Our arch enemies.
 Grunty examined the Dranei and looked to see if they knew any secret
hidden portal of dreams that could warp him to his home planet. A SHIP!!!!!!
Grunty loved ships!!!! Were the Dranei getting on? Yes! They Were! They were taking
Grunty aboard too! Grunty figured that people that hate Dranei must be bad, including his old tribe.
Then he saw Worgen working too! The Allience! Wow! Worgen wern't evil after all!!!!
Murky had new friends in the Allience! Now he was happy that he had some good, optimistic new friends. :)

Hate to say it man, but the contest ended 2 days ago.

Can't believe I missed it ='(

  Quote:

Originally Posted by Ularin

I think everyone needs to exercise a little patience.

I am sure that they are going as fast as they can but you need to think about the fact that EVERY person judging the entries needs to read EVERY entry. They they need to get together and discuss the situation.

Finally, do any of you honestly think that Curse wants to delay the announcement any longer than necessary? I would like to know the outcome too but we will all just have to wait.

My thoughts exactly.

I've been checking the site everyday to see if the winners are announced (& praying that I am one) but the judges have to read allllllll the entries, & there's like 4 pages worth O_O, so it's gunna take time. I know for one I'm excited though!... Even though I'm not sure if comic entries were allowed... *prays that they were? D:* :3 Good luck everyone & grats to any winners they pick :D!

My thoughts too.

I think anyone who lost to an entry which was added after the date would be rather upset. Same for comic entries, though creative, did it say comic? I can't speak for everyone but I'm sure some of us would be annoyed if a comic won over our written story. Why? Because some of us are actually great drawers and graphic designers and even movie makers, so we could have done that to impress, instead, we stuck to the conditions of entry. Still good stories those of you who entered after the date, pity it was after. :( Maybe they'll do another one of these? Who knows. I only really entered because there is no chance in hell I'm able to fly from Australia to Blizzcon to get a Murloc pet.

  Quote:

Originally Posted by Maziel

My thoughts too.

 

I think anyone who lost to an entry which was added after the date would be rather upset. Same for comic entries, though creative, did it say comic? I can't speak for everyone but I'm sure some of us would be annoyed if a comic won over our written story. Why? Because some of us are actually great drawers and graphic designers and even movie makers, so we could have done that to impress, instead, we stuck to the conditions of entry. Still good stories those of you who entered after the date, pity it was after. :( Maybe they'll do another one of these? Who knows. I only really entered because there is no chance in hell I'm able to fly from Australia to Blizzcon to get a Murloc pet.

True, but the same can be said for writing, for some people it is easier to tell a story visually rather than verbally. Also I know that when I do write, I tend to go into enough detail to write a bloody novel. The contest said to create an origin story, & stories such as that usually have an accompanying image or two. Of course I know that people might be upset if a comic beat out their story, but I'm sticking with my entry 100%. I too am unable to ever go to Blizzcon due to where I live, nor am I able to order it, & I want Grunty just as bad as anyone else does! 

Well, I think that the whole thing is a little confusing. I do not recall seeing a "Contest Ends" date. What I saw, and I certainly may be incorrect, was a "We will announce the winner on Nov. 1" date. That is not quite the same thing and could be construed to mean that entries up to and including Nov. 1 would be OK. Mine is one of those that landed there on Nov. 1.

Despite that, while I would be disappointed if my entry was disallowed, I could accept that because they may well have meant the contest closes on Oct. 31. That is a call Curse has to make.

As far as a comic entry, I do not recall anything saying written stories only or specifically outlawing that type of entry. The comic tells a story. It flies from that standpoint in my mind.

Having said my piece I still recommend patience. I am sure that Curse is wrestling with all of these issues. Why not just wait and see what their decision is? None of us should have any say in how the rules are or should be interpreted.

Taking it one step farther though, it would be appropriate for the Curse staff to update this thread and let us know what the delay is and when we might be able to expect some results. If it's 2 days, 5 days, or 2 weeks we will at least have a time frame to work with. After all, they were the ones that set the Nov. 1 announcement date.

Curse, thanks for the contest. I enjoyed it and I will be content with whatever decisions you hand down. This is and was supposed to be FUN. Let's none of us lose sight of that concept.

  Quote:

Originally Posted by Ularin

Well, I think that the whole thing is a little confusing. I do not recall seeing a "Contest Ends" date. What I saw, and I certainly may be incorrect, was a "We will announce the winner on Nov. 1" date. That is not quite the same thing and could be construed to mean that entries up to and including Nov. 1 would be OK. Mine is one of those that landed there on Nov. 1.

Despite that, while I would be disappointed if my entry was disallowed, I could accept that because they may well have meant the contest closes on Oct. 31. That is a call Curse has to make.

As far as a comic entry, I do not recall anything saying written stories only or specifically outlawing that type of entry. The comic tells a story. It flies from that standpoint in my mind.

Having said my piece I still recommend patience. I am sure that Curse is wrestling with all of these issues. Why not just wait and see what their decision is? None of us should have any say in how the rules are or should be interpreted.

Taking it one step farther though, it would be appropriate for the Curse staff to update this thread and let us know what the delay is and when we might be able to expect some results. If it's 2 days, 5 days, or 2 weeks we will at least have a time frame to work with. After all, they were the ones that set the Nov. 1 announcement date.

Curse, thanks for the contest. I enjoyed it and I will be content with whatever decisions you hand down. This is and was supposed to be FUN. Let's none of us lose sight of that concept.

I agree, though I'd love to win, I had fun writing a story regardless.  It was something I do not usually do, and was an overall positive experience.  Also, if someone is creative enough to do a comic, and unless it states otherwise, I see no problem in it, they thought outside the box.

"Winners will be selected by Curse staff on November 1st"

That statement in their first post. If they 'selected' the winners on 'November 1st', then anything after is null and void and thus the end date must be before they select it.

In any case, it was still alot of fun to post and read other posts. :)

The difference is that I conceded that either interpretation could work and that it was not up to any of us to try to decide exactly what Curse meant.

The unfortunate thing is that a good, fun thing could easily turn into a bad thing for Curse the longer they wait to make some form of statement. I would hate to see that.

Personally, I enjoyed the challenge to see what I could do with the story. However, I don't need to win. If I had my preference everyone would get to enjoy Grunty's company. There were not that many entries.

In any event, as I said before, if CURSE says that entries closed on 10/31 or on 11/1 or even that all entries will be considered, including comics, I don't care. It was fun! I enjoyed myself! If I win something cool. If I don't I'm not going to tear this down just because I may not agree with whatever Curse decides. Life is way too short for that.

After all, we are all really winners because we did something positive. Why ruin it?

Good Luck.

IMO the thread should have been closed once they weren't accepting entries, and we should have heard something from them by now. It's not fair to the people who spent a lot of time and effort into creating these stories to just leave us all hanging in limbo without even letting us know ANYTHING. I would be happy with even a reply on this thread saying winners will be announced so and so day.... the contest took longer to judge than expected........

Well they can't just pick peoples stories cause of peoples names or something, their having a fair contest and the choices are difficult to make, cause it said, put some effort into it and be creative, so people with short stories arent going to get far. Then they basicly have all the longer stories left and they need to select those with creativity level comparing them all. Just be patient ;)

I absolutely agree with Saala, the thread should have been locked upon closing date.

If you see, DoranM the one starting this edited it on November 2nd so i guess he was busy before anyways.

I sent a pm to Doran yesturday about it to find out whats going on and I'll let you guys know as soon as I hear back from him

I too would enjoy reading the winning entries.  I hope that the people who are judging the entries are simply taking the time to do their job carefully.  Has anyone heard if Curse stated anything about posting the winners?  I haven't seen anything at all.

Has anyone received any notifications regarding their entry?