We get many questions about the origins of the guild, why we are who we are and what we're all about. Let me take a few minutes and hopefully explain them all.
The Granite War Machine (GWM) was founded very early on when Norrath was still being explored and people were afraid to venture on their own into the wildernes. Our founder Gravelbeard, a stout shorty and future members of the GWM, though not afraid of the wildernes (just smart enough to know that there is strength in numbers), whilst sitting at a bar partaking of the local flavor decided to form a fellowship. This fellowship became the GWM. This band of brothers was comprised of a hearty band of dwarves. Their mission in life...simple....stand by their brothers and sisters in combat and drink as much damn alcohol as possible. Many citizens of Norrath heard of this "Band of Brothers" and wanted to join. Now the GWM was at a crossroads. They had heard of many other fellowships that had formed and dissapated in short order. They strove to be different. The founding fathers of the GWM decided that they would allow new members, but to stand out where no other fellowship stood out before, they decided to only allow the short, stout, courageous and of course hearty drinking shorties into the guild. This included of course the dwarves but also gnomes and halflings. This distiction along with the sense of family, comradere and closeness that was fostered destiguished the GWM over all others. Many members have come and gone. Some have stayed. The only thing that has not changed is the heart that beats within this Mighty Fellowship.
Now the GWM over time has thought of letting in other citizens (tallies). The topic was discussed over and over and time and time again. "Shorties ONLY". That statement has been a fact of the guild for a very long time...until recently. Finally, after consuming copious amounts of ale and any other form of alcohol we could find we decided on a course of action. Why not form another fellowship of tall races that show and exude the spirit it takes to become a Granite, that way we may still call our tall brothers and sisters Granites! This forming of a seperate sister fellowship allowed the GWM to retain its distictiveness, yet it allowed them to fight along side of and of course drink along side of other tall race citizens that they would normally not have the pleasure nor chance to meet. This other fellowship remains its distictiveness by only allowing Tall races only into its ranks, but still carries the Granite banner. They were formed and were amply named the Granite Foreign Legion.
The GWM and the GFL both grew and prospered from this alliance. Over time the topic of allowing tallies into the GWM cropped up again around hearth fires and at the bars of many well known taverns. Meetings were called by all the officers of both prestigious guilds. Had we not fought, bled and more importantly DRANK next to our tall brothers and sisters of the GFL? Had they not proven themselves in battle as fine warriors, healers and practitioners of the magical arts? Had they not held their own with a pint in their hand?!?
With that said (and a few more) a vote was taken by officers and then members of both guilds. Some say fate played a part in the decision. Others say chance, and still others say "Nay, twas the brew!". Regardless of the hand that delt out the cards that day the GWM and the GFL became one. For the first time the GWM not just accepted, but welcomed heartily our taller bretheren. Thus a new era began for the GWM.
Now if you're traveling around Norrath or maybe on Luclin or even the Mighty Planes of the Gods and you suddenly hear a shout "LLTGWM!!!", take heart and be well for the Granite War Machine is here.
Long Live the Granite War Machine!
