✤ Grimm
The exiled god of nightmares and The Radiance’s brother. Following his banishment from Godhome, he formed The Troupe with whom he would travel around the world to perform and fulfil The Nightmare King’s ritual needed to maintain his physical form. Grimm and his Troupe now permanently reside in Dirtmouth. He drinks blood of beasts and fellow bugs to prolong the lifespan of each physical body, which allows him to stay with his husband Vyrm and his family for a longer time.
─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───
Info | |
|---|---|
| |
| |
| Name Pronunciation | /ɡrɪm/ |
| Name Meaning/Origin | Mask, shape-changer |
| Nicknames | "Dear" (Vyrm)
"Father" (Holly) "Papa" (Lewk, Asta & Milo) "Master/Master Grimm" (Grimmkin) "Blood-sucking fiend" (Lemm) "Stray" (other gods) |
Personal | |
| Age | ~400 years old |
| Sex | Cosexed/androgynous |
| Gender | Male |
| Pronouns | He/any |
| Orientation | Bisexual |
| Tribe | Higher being |
| Birthplace | Godhome |
| Hometown | Dirtmouth |
| Occupation | Troupe master |
Appearance | |
| Eye color | ■ Pastel red |
| Height | 1.29m |
| Weight | 29kg |
| Notable Details | Glowing eyes |
Relationships | |
| Partner | Vyrm (husband)
†Irma (formerly) The White Lady (formerly; casual encounter) Trobbio (formerly; casual relationship) |
| Children | Lewk (son)
Asta (daughter) Milo (son) Hornet (stepdaughter) Holly (stepchild) †Ghost of Hallownest (stepchild) †Unnamed vessels (stepchildren) |
| Parents | †The Dream Lord (creator/father) |
| Siblings | †The Radiance (sister) |
Extra | |
| Voice Claim | Chronos (Hades II) |
Grimm is the master of the Troupe, who lives in Dirtmouth with his husband, Vyrm and his family. Although most are unaware of his past, the frightening, intimidating aura that follows him leaves them with no doubts that he is not a simple mortal bug. During holiday celebrations, Grimm and his Troupe perform for the townsbugs, though most of their performances take place outside of Hallownest, in many cities and towns around the continent. As a consequence of his exile from Godhome, he is bound to the ritual during which his physical form is destroyed and born anew.
Name origin
Grimm originates in Germanic languages, where it meant mask or shape-changer, though it also has roots in Middle English, which gave it a second meaning - fierce. Grimm initially chose this name for his physical form to differentiate from his original name (The Nightmare, a contrasting title to that of his sister), though over time it became his primary name he is recognized by.Table of Contents
Appearance
Reference sheet
(click for full size)
Grimm is quite tall, fitting in the upper height range for a Hallownest bug, and his stature makes him appear quite intimidating. His body is very athletic and hourglass-shaped, and although he identifies as male, his body leans more towards an androgynous shape, with wider hips that give him a more feminine appearance. At a first glance, it is not rare for others to be confused about his identity, which is only amplified by his mannerisms.
The torso can be divided into two parts texture wise. The front area, that being the chest and stomach, is more fleshy. The softest part is a lighter shade of crimson, and is characterized by wrinkly segmenting. This allows him for a much wider range of movement and extra flexibiity, especially in the lower region. The darker crimson around it is also soft and fleshy, and a bit less flexible. As you move towards his back, the torso becomes a lot harder to touch, though it doesn't reach the hardness of insect-like chitin; instead, it more closely resembles the shell of a leatherback turtle, and it can be compared to tough, leathery material. The segmenting in this area follows the muscle structure, giving him prominent "shoulder blades" and emphasizing the line that follows his spine. Five pronounced bony spines can be spotted between the shoulder blades and end right below his neck, which is covered in long and thick fur, black on the back of the neck and reddish-brown at the front. The neck fur on the front grows in a heart shape that extends towards his chest, giving it a mane-like appearance. As you follow his spine down towards his bottom body, you will once again find fur. His tail is medium length, covered in long fur of the same color as the front of his neck fur, with a darker tip. The same color can be found on the upper part of his thighs, where the fur gains a lot of volume. The rest of the legs is covered in black fur, with some hints of the lighter color on the toes. His legs are long, and his feet are digitigrade and resemble those of a dog, with four digits and short, blunt claws on each of them.
In his prime form, Grimm's build can best be described as athletic. His torso is rather skinny, wider at the shoulders and the hips, with a smaller waist, giving him a hourglass figure. Underneath all the fur, his arms and legs are fairly muscular, showing that he maintains a fit form. The fur itself is thick, soft and shiny, especially as he puts extra care into properly maintaining it. After settling down in Dirtmouth, he lets the fur grow a lot longer than it used to in the past, which gives it a more natural appearance as well as extra volume, particularly on his neck, shoulders and around his tail. His fingers and toes end in long claws, although he tends to file them down to be more blunt, or even trim them short if necessary.
Grimm's head appears quite flat from the side, with a long snout and two horns growing from the back. The horns are thick, covered in skin and fur, and they slightly face up at the tips, which are rounded. His face is very characteristic thanks to the white pattern which surrounds his eyes and snout. From the front it, it appears almost heart-shaped, with prominent triangular fur tufts on his cheeks which share the white coloration. Two dark lines cut through his eyes and end slightly below them. His head is covered in fur, which gets shorter the closer it gets to the snout. His eyes are fairly large, with very thick outlines, almost resembling eyeliner and three distinct "eyelashes". In a neutral expression, they appear half closed, exposing the upper eyelid, which has a subtle sheen to it. The eyes have an unnatural red color, with a light pink pupil that usually appears in the shape of a wide slit, though it can dilate to the point it more closely resembles the shape of a diamond. The eyes glow with a subtle light, which gets stronger if he's enraged or using his powers. Above the eyes, he has very subtle eyebrows, which become especially more expressive when he's around those he trusts. He has a fleshy, mammal-like mouth with a rabbit-like nose and very mobile lips resembling those of a bear. Two long fangs extend from the top jaw (though they disappear whenever he puckers his lips), while the rest of his dentition remains hidden. The two front teeth on the upper jaw appear merged together, creating a triangular "tooth", which he uses to cut through skin and draw blood, as well as for affectionate nibbles. The inside of his mouth is pink, and his tongue is long and forked at the end.
Mortal form - anatomy
Anatomy reference
(click for full size)
Grimm's physical (mortal) form is not created through biological means. Instead, it is specifically designed by him from within the Nightmare Realm. Through nightmare essence magic, which in some ways resembles genetic manipulation, he gives his physical form specific traits and modifies existing ones according to his wishes. For this reason, his body's appearance and even its biology is not set in stone, and he often makes small adjustments depending on the circumstances, before replacing it during the ritual.
The foundation of the body is very similar in structure to an actual skeleton, though it is dark brown in color, decorated by a bright red, swirly pattern, resembling some kind of runes. Nightmare essence in its liquid form fills those patterns, traveling through his entire body and acting like a power source. Blood is an essential part of this process, and while the heart he designed pumps some of it, but for maximum efficiency, he needs to consume it separately in order to help the essence flow through the body and prolong its existence before the ritual is necessary. It can be sourced from fellow sapient creatures, or even regular beasts, and once consumed, it gets absorbed into the body. The muscles appear as if they were stitched together, though they function exactly as they are supposed to. This kind of appearance can be found in many parts of his inner anatomy, with the exceptions of some soft organs and tissue, for example the inside of his mouth, which is indistinguishable from an actual, biological mouth. This is the case for any part of his body which is seen from the outside, showing that he dedicated special attention into making sure he replicates a biological body well in order to blend in. This tendency can also be seen when you further investigate his mouth - unlike the rest of his skeleton, his teeth are pearly white and virtually the same as those of a mortal.
His inner organs are, for the lack of a better word, a confusing mess. For instance, his digestive system is severely limited, as he does not digest his food. Instead, it gets disintegrated almost as if burned in a furnace, or absorbed into his body for a boost of energy. Thus, his stomach is more like temporary storage for whatever he consumes than an actual part of a digestive track. The situation is similar for most of his inner organs; however, on the outside, his body functions as if that was not the case, in large part due to the nightmare essence acting as a fuel that keeps the whole thing going. This partially carries over to his reproductive organs, which, while serving their physical function, are also somewhat limited. The male reproductive system is incomplete in that it does not allow him to conceive, and in a normal state, the same applies to the female organs. This is on purpose, as it prevents him from siring or carrying unwanted offspring. In cases where he does wish to have young, he modifies the female system to temporarily allow for conception to happen and for eggs to develop in his womb.
Divine form & The Nightmare Heart
The Nightmare King
(click for full size)
Grimm's divine form, called The Nightmare King (or The Nightmare, prior to his banishment), is permanently stuck within the Nightmare Realm following his exile from Godhome. He is able to still draw power from it, but it is somewhat limited. From within the realm, he is able to create a physical form, which he then sends through rifts in the realms to the mortal world. In this form, his body is quite a lot bigger than his mortal form, with the most noticeable feature being the large wings (which can hide inside his body), and his face, which resembles a mask covered in runes. His fur, which covers all of his body with the exception of his lower legs, is crimson in color and much more voluminous than his mortal body. Despite his mortal form being referred to physical one, his divine form can still be seen and touched, possibly as an effect of his banishment.
After his battle with the Radiance, the body is covered in many permanent scars and burn marks, with a large opening on the right of his face revealing the burning inside of his skull, a deep wound on his chest and multiple large holes in his wings. This weakened state means that the form remains dormant within the Nightmare Heart, drawing power from it, and only detaching itself in the case he is threatened; however, due to the nature of the realm post-exile, it is inaccessible to any other being, even other gods.
He is able to control both of the forms at once to a small extent, but in most situations it confuses his mind and leads to strange behavior, such as temporary loss of balance, dissociation and uncontrollable mumbling. For this reason, as his mortal body is the dominant one, the divine form remains dormant, only activating while he is asleep to work on a body replacement. This does mean, however, that during that time, he might be unresponsive over in the mortal world.
The Nightmare Heart is an extension of Grimm's divine form, and functions as the power supply of the Nightmare Realm. It is from its beat that he draws his power, though it now beats weaker after it was severed from Godhome. The power will not run out, but the limited supply means that he can only use some of it before it needs to "recharge". He spends most of it on creating his physical form and his fire-related abilities, which are similarly limited, forcing him to rest if he uses them extensively.
His physical body is replaced in the process called the ritual. As his body begans falling apart, he travels to locations around the continent where the nightmare essence lingers, usually places of burial, dead kingdoms and towns, or even battlegrounds. Once he reaches the ritual spot, he moves an undeveloped form through rifts between the Nightmare Realm and the mortal world, so that it can feed on the essence and grow into the full body, as the rifts are too small to transport a fully grown one through. Since his travels also include performances with the Troupe, he often tasks bugs he trusts with accompanying the Grimmchild, as he likes to call the undeveloped body, so that it can be protected from danger. If the Grimmchild is destroyed, he is forced to create a new one, which further delays the final step of the ritual - once the new body is fully grown, the old one breaks down into nightmare essence, which is then consumed by its replacement, fueling its strength and prolonging its lifespan.
Background
Early life
Grimm, once known as The Nightmare, was one of the two children of The Dream Lord, created by godly means soon before their father perished in a fight against The Shade Lord. As his final wish, they both inherited an equal chunk of his domain and were meant to rule it together. The Radiance was tasked with watching over the mortals’ dreams and be their guiding light in hopeless situations. The Nightmare’s role was to guard the mortals’ nightmares and help them overcome their fears.Grimm was always the more rebellious and impudent of the two siblings. He would frequently pull pranks on his sister and mock her, it was clear that he wasn't as interested in the godly matters as she was, and he found her obsession to be ridiculous. As he grew up, he believed he could leave Godhome to mingle with the mortals with no consequences, and he ignored the growing tension between him and The Radiance. As time went on, the two siblings grew more and more distant. The Radiance was dedicated to fulfilling her father’s wishes and preserving his legacy, while The Nightmare spent most of his time away from Godhome. While he did his duties and watched over the mortals' nightmares, he held no attachment to his father’s legacy, which aggravated The Radiance. She saw him as unworthy of the power given to h, and he responded to it with mockery. He would continue with his mortal plane activities, an while he never showed outright cruelty towards them, he viewed the mortals as toys to play with to his own desires.
Banishment
The disagreenent between the siblings culminated after The Radiance created the Moth Tribe - a tribe of bugs who would serve as her main way of reaching the mortals, capable of entering her dream realm with the use of a dream nail. To get back at his sister, Grimm decided to disturb the tribe, often interrupting their rituals and even inciting them to rebel against her and her stuck up ways. In his eyes, this was nothing more than a mere prank, he could not care less whether they would remain loyal to her. Unfortunately, as a result, some of them started doubting their creator, which infuriated The Radiance. She found out about her brother's scheming, and after he returned to Godhome, she attacked him without giving him a chance to explain himself, seeing his actions as a direct threat to her authority, and even as an attempt at obtaining exclusive power over their realm. Their battle lasted a long time, but ultimately, Grimm lost, and was subsequently banished from Godhome and trapped in his Nightmare Realm, now separated from Godhome.
Grimm saw her actions as a betrayal, from his point of view, it was not meant to be taken seriously, and he was deeply hurt by the fact that she never allowed him to explain his side. Not to mention, he was was now trapped inside his Nightmare Realm, weakened to the point he couldn't maintain his physical form indefinitely. This gave him a lot of time to think and self-reflect, particularly about the way he treated mortals thus far. He was now at his lowest, having lost everything, which humbled him significantly. And as he eventually found a way to get his physical form out into the mortal world, he realized he couldn't maintain his physical form all by himself. He wandered alone for a while, eventually tagging along with a caravan of Fleas, protecting them from danger and enjoying their company. He left them after some time, not wanting to burden them any longer, though before his departure, he thanked them for their help and wished them luck on their travels.
He continued his journey alone, until one night, a bug wandered into his camp. Divine, as she introduced herself as, was on the run from attackers who burned down her premises and killed her court. She had no home, no one else to seek out, and so Grimm offered to travel with her. Over the next weeks, they encountered more bugs, who tagged along with them. Eventually, as Grimm noticed Divine's eye for fashion, and the talents of the other bugs in their cicle, the group morphed into what would become The Troupe. Weeks and months passed, and The Troupe expanded, as Grimm offered more bugs a place in it. Many of the bugs who joined were desperate to escape their unfulfilling or tragic lives, though many of them joined after the promise of immortality. While the members swore their loyalty to the Nightmare Heart and so were at its mercy, Grimm made sure to treat them with respect. The Grimmkin would help him travel around the continent in search of nightmare essence, collect it, and then aid the Grimmchild in its journey as it developed into the final form. In the spare time between each ritual, the Troupe traveled around the world in order to perform their shows.
As time went on, he realized the mistakes he made with The Radiance, and he hoped that perhaps she would give him another chance. Unfortunately, she never reached out to him, which fueled his anger at her and deepened the grudge he held towards her for taking such drastic action. On top of that, the other gods started viewing him as an outcast, some even saw him as a traitor; they were not aware of the full story behind his banishment, but they assumed that he must have done something to deserve it. In truth, he never shared his side of it until years later, as he was ashamed of his past behavior. The way he was seen by those he once called his kind was humiliating, and only strenghtened the resentment he felt towards himself, and his sister for banishing him without a chance of redeeming himself. However, instead of letting himself get consumed by his anger like she did, he decided he was better than that, and found a sense of comfort in offering mortals a second chance at his troupe. Over the years, many of them would join and leave once they got their lives together, and that gave him a sense of fulfilment he needed.
Life of thrill & heartache
Despite his banishment, Grimm still liked to indulge in pleasures, he had many casual flings and was a frequent guest at social events and parties. He had the reputation of being very promiscuous, going even as far as seducing kings and similarly important figures. He had no interest in politics, he simply craved the thrill and the pleasure; he knew his body was desirable, and he enjoyed how much it made him feel in control, despite using no force against those he slept with. Grimm found the topic of sexuality and desire to be immensely fascinating, he viewed it as something beautiful and yet full of thrill, the ultimate connection between two beings that made mortals that much more absorbing in his eyes; their lives were short, and yet they chose to form these bonds, which were stronger than anything he's ever seen back in Godhome. His views were particularly unusual among the gods, which only deepened the feeling of disconnect he had for his kind.But over time, his experiences became stale, as he realized his life was missing something: a soulmate. He wanted to find a partner he could share the pleasures of life with, someone he could truly care about, someone who would complete him. He craved intimacy, but above all, he desired a deep emotional bond. Soon enough, he got his wish. A writer he met after one of his performances, named Irma, whom he quickly found to be a fascinating bug. He truly admired her work and her passion for her craft, and the two soon began seeing each other. Irma was the first bug he truly connected to, and for a moment he thought he finally found his soulmate.
As time went on, however he slowly grasped that perhaps he was not prepared for such life yet; his desire, particularly his partner preference, made him crave more, as much as he wanted to believe otherwise. He found that his energy was at times too much for Irma, and he saw it difficult to show his love for her in ways which did not involve physical intimacy. And when Irma’s father passed away from old age, another realization hit him - Irma's mortality. Sooner or later, he would have to bury her as well, and he wasn’t ready for it. All of his inner turmoil soured the relationship, and he began acting more distant, as if he was avoiding her. He did offer her to join the Troupe once, to allow her to gain immortality and stay by his side forever, which would give him more time to figure out his own issues; but she declined. It was tempting, but the prospect of being forever bound to the Nightmare Heart was something she wasn’t okay with, and Grimm had to agree with her. Her connection to the Heart would take away her freedom, and the power imbalance that would result from it just didn’t sit right with him. But he also knew he wouldn’t be able to stomach watching her perish in front of him. In the end, the relationship did not work out as he left her like a coward, with nothing but a note. The two have never seen each other again.
Years passed, and Grimm accepted that he likely could never get what he wished for. Among the gods, he was seen as a nuisance at best, and an outlaw at worst, and the dislike was mutual, so he had no hopes in finding love there. He struggled with the distinction between desire and love, he felt that he was not prepared for a committed relationship, and yet he started avoiding the opportunity to learn, as he knew he would outlive any mortal he bonded with and he wasn’t comfortable with taking away their freedom just to be with them. So he decided to double down on his promiscuous life, hoping that the brief moments of intimacy would at least give him a taste of what he was longing for. He became a loner, terrified of making a lasting connection, who masked his fears and insecurities with his charisma and allure. He continued to perform with his Troupe, and seek the nightmare essence when the time came to replace his physical form, accepting that this would always be his life. His immortality was a curse, but he decided to at least try to make the best of it, even if he could never make the heartache go away.
Meeting Vyrm
He knew the White Lady from his early life. They were part of the same generation of gods, and both of their domains covered the land that would later become Hallownest and its neighboring territories, so it was inevitable that they would encounter each other. They had a fling years back, one that did not lead anywhere as they both found each other quite irritating. But they continued to run into one another occasionally, especially as the Troupe traveled through her territory. The White Lady lived in a mansion, found in an area later known as The Queen’s Gardens, and Grimm found amusement in inviting himself over whenever she organized a larger event for herself and her her special guests, though admittedly, the visits were quite rare. Many years later, Grimm learned of the arrival of The Pale King, who soon became The White Lady’s husband and the king of the territory now called Hallownest. He got curious, especially as he heard of his many accomplishments, and he decided to visit the White Palace during one of its royal banquets. His intentions quickly turned from fascination to lust, and he was looking forward to the prospect of seducing the king, something that, knowing his past, was not surprising. It seemed easy, as the king would frequently leave the event to seek solitude, and so Grimm followed him to one of the palace balconies.
The two talked for a while, and Grimm attempted to sweet-talk him to achieve his goal. To his surprise, the wyrm misinterpreted his intentions, and seeing Grimm as trustworthy, he opened up about his frustrations and anxiety. The Troupe Master was flabbergasted but intrigued, and as the two talked, he began noticing similarities between himself and the king. They both pretended to be happy about their lives, masking their true feelings, and in reality they were simply just lonely. Moreover, Vyrm’s passion in engineering and his desire to create, which soon became the topic of the conversation, were admirable, and reminded Grimm of his first love. He listened to the passionate ramble, finding himself genuinely intrigued, and before he realized, he accepted the invitation to see the king’s workshop without hesitation. With each passing minute, Grimm found himself more and more infatuated with the king, not just his looks but most importantly his personality. He felt a connection between them, and with the other’s struggles in mind, Grimm realized that he really wanted to be there for him. He found some of the hope that he thought he lost many years ago - that perhaps this was his second chance at finding the soulmate he desired, and that his eternal existence could finally have some meaning.
Grimm would become a frequent guest at the White Palace, and over time, he and Vyrm would form a very close bond. The king was still married to the White Lady, and as much as he wished he could involve himself romantically, Grimm respected their marriage. In many ways, he learned to appreciate the platonic, relaxed bond with Vyrm, it was a somewhat new territory for him, but one that he not only found to be a nice change of pace from his chaotic life, but also needed in order to fully understand what loving someone meant past being physically attracted to them. He still hoped that they would eventually become partners, but he was patient. He learned enough about wyrms to know that just like him, the king would not age, so in Grimm's eyes they had all the time in the world. And there were many signs that Vyrm’s marriage was unhappy, that much was clear from their conversations, so he expected that it was just a matter of time before they separated. But whatever would happen, he knew he wanted to be there for Vyrm. Regardless of whether or not they would become something more than friends, he still deeply loved him and wanted what was the best for him, and his words of advice about The White Lady's poor treatment of Vyrm came from a place of concern, rather than selfish desires to have the wyrm for himself.
Sadly, whatever perfect love story Grimm was hoping for, it wasn’t meant to be. His sister, out of fear of being forgotten, caused the infection that would soon plague Hallownest. The king was desperate, and while Grimm tried his best to help him in any way he could during his visits, he was not able to be there for him at all times. He suggested the void as a way to possibly stop The Radiance, though he warned the king of what was sealed away in the Abyss. Thankfully, The Shade Lord was weak and so the royal knights were able to defeat it, allowing the void inside the Abyss to be studied. This resulted in the vessel plan, the final hope for the kingdom, but one that would prove to be a massive burden for the king. Years later, The Pure Vessel was sealed away, trapping The Radiance's infection inside and putting an end to the terrible disease.
The events led to the separation of the king and his wife, which opened a way for his relationship with Grimm to evolve into something more. However, the wyrm clearly struggled with his feelings and the guilt of the divorce, and Grimm wanted to give him as much time and space as he needed to figure things out. He continued visiting the palace and spending time with the king. He would join him in the workshop, look at his newest creations and suggest possible improvements. He would take walks with him in the palace gardens, relax next to him on the bench and comfort him whenever he was anxious. He'd tell stories about his travels and other kingdoms, and talk about his latest performances. He'd help Vyrm take care of Hornet, and he'd look after Vyrm in his malnourished state, hoping he could get him to eat and get better. Out of gratitude for all the help, and as a token of their bond, Vyrm gifted him a music box locket, which he made specifically for Grimm; a gift the troupe master would cherish for years to come. He truly cared for Vyrm, whether they were romantic partners or not. And over time, there would be more and more signs that Grimm's feelings weren't one sided. Vyrm would stare at him for longer than usual, he'd blush whenever Grimm touched him or made his usual dirty joke, and he'd start stuttering if they made prolonged eye contact. Grimm quickly noticed it and found it very adorable, but he knew how quickly Vyrm got overwhelmed, so he waited for him to take the first step. They had time, after all. The infection was now gone, they could take as long as they wanted.
Vyrm's disappearance
The realization broke Grimm’s heart, he became distant and quiet, choosing to hide his pain behind a mask; in his worst moments, he was prone to silent breakdowns and violent anger outbursts. Any sense of loneliness and hopelessness he experienced earlier in his life, returned ten times worse. The casual encounters he once participated in for pleasure, now became the only way for him to not completely lose his mind, a distraction from his heartache. While he still performed for his audiences, afterwards, he would often isolate himself and seek distractions in the form of alcohol and sex. But no matter what he did, the pain of losing Vyrm never went away. Deep down he knew part of him was violently ripped out of his chest, and that nothing could heal his wound as long as Vyrm was gone.
Reunion
His heart ached when the Nightmare Lantern called his Troupe to Hallownest, now a husk of its former glory following the many years after the disappearance of its king. He hesitated, hoping he would receive another message, to no avail. He knew the ritual had to take place, and to get it over with quickly, he planned to perform it sooner than usual, long before his body started showing signs of breaking down. After reaching Hallownest, he and the Troupe chose Dirtmouth as a place to stay for the duration of the ritual. To Grimm’s surprise, he was approached by one of the king’s vessels which agreed to help him collect the flames to grow his next body. He tried not to think too much about the encounter, as the association with Vyrm brought him too much pain. He simply awaited their return, so that he could replace his body, and leave for good.However, the vessel never returned, and not long after, the infection slowly disappeared. Somehow, The Radiance was defeated, he could sense that she was dead; despite all that happened, they still had a sibling bond. Unfortunately, with the Grimmchild and most of the collected nightmare essence gone, the ritual had to be delayed and finished elsewhere; but before the Troupe could pack up and move, Grimm was approached by another unexpected visitor: none other than Hornet. He was shocked, he could not find her when he looked years ago, so he assumed that she was gone just like her father; and yet, there she was right in front of him. He invited her in, but she declined, instead asking him to take care of her sibling. The Hollow Knight, or the Pure Vessel as Grimm remembered them, now in an awful shape following years of carrying the infection. The painful memory of Vyrm hit him at that moment, but he could not turn them away, he knew that this is what his love would have wanted. So he agreed, and the Troupe stayed in Dirtmouth for a while longer as Grimm nursed the vessel back to health.
A few weeks after, another face showed up at his Troupe room. The one he thought was gone forever - his beloved Vyrm. He looked different, his soul glow was gone, and much to Grimm’s delight, he gained weight, looking much stronger than he remembered. Grimm couldn't believe his eyes, but he was overjoyed. He invited him to his private room, offered him some tea, and the two talked and talked. During the conversation, Grimm was preparing himself to confess to Vyrm, but to his surprise, the other did it first. The overwhelming joy of finally hearing those words from the mouth of his beloved stunned him for a few seconds, but just as Vyrm began to doubt himself and apologize for the misstep, Grimm kissed him without much thought. The kisses became passionate, and as things turned suggestive, Grimm momentarily stopped himself. Vyrm was in a better physical condition, yes, but he was still weakened after weeks in the wilds by himself. Grimm couldn't bear the thought of accidentally hurting him, though Vyrm assured him there was nothing to worry about. They continued, slowly and gently, and after consummating their love, Grimm found himself staring at Vyrm long after the other had fallen asleep, as if part of him worried that his love would disappear the moment he closed his eyes.
After that day, the two would meet daily. Grimm treated Vyrm's forehead wound with the best medicine he had available, they would chat and spend time together - Grimm showed Vyrm the behind the scenes of the Troupe, something which, despite their many years of friendship, Vyrm never became familiar with. However, Grimm knew that he would have to leave to finish the ritual fairly soon. His body already started showing signs of breaking down, which meant it had to be replaced. He broke the news to Vyrm, and just as he expected, the other didn't take it too well. But he would come back, he promised to do so as soon as he could, and despite Vyrm's fears, he kept to his word. After his return, Grimm and his Troupe permanently settled in Dirtmouth, with Grimm already envisioning plans to expand and offer permanent housing for its members.
Following their reunion, Grimm has finally found the joy in life that he searched for all this time. There was nothing stopping him from loving Vyrm and his new family with all his heart. To strangers, Grimm was still the intimidating, slightly scary Troupe Master, but in the presence of his family, the god of nightmares could not have been more soft and loving. The relationship did have a rocky period, as both of them had a lot of trauma and fears to deal with. Vyrm was convinced that he wasn't good enough for Grimm, while Grimm struggled with his doubts about the nature of his affection for him. All the years of casual encounters with strangers meant that he wasn't sure if he knew how to approach a long-term relationship. Was it purely physical, or did he truly love him? On the outside, the answer was obvious, but Grimm's mind warped the picture. The irrational fear that he wasn't a good partner outside of their sexual encounters would haunt him for a while, though after some time, he was finally able to see things clearly and feel certain that he loves Vyrm in all meanings of the word. Free of that burden, he was able to give Vyrm emotional support with a much clearer mind, which smoothed things out and allowed them to solidify their relationship. He did still have to deal with the residue pain from the years without Vyrm and his past, he would continue to act paranoid for a long time, though this time, at least, he did not have to bottle it all in, and was able to find comfort in Vyrm's arms. Despite the struggles, things were looking up for both of them.
Grimmkin incident
The attempt at Vyrm's life, known as the Grimmkin incident, shook that peace. A rogue Grimmkin, unhappy with the Troupe's sedentary position, decided to take action which would force Grimm to leave Dirtmouth and try to kill the bug that distracted their master. Unfortunately, Grimm was away in the City of Tears during that time, and when he returned, he instantly caught the smell of blood. Fearing the worst, he rushed to Vyrm's house, though to his relief, his love's condition was already stable at that point, and his stab wound was patched up. He held him in his arms, apologizing for leaving him alone, and promised to punish whoever did it.Once he was sure Vyrm was in good hands, he headed out to the Troupe. The Grimmkin who attempted the murder was caught by Brumm, ready to face Grimm's punishnment. The troupe master dragged the bug out to the troupe stage, and ordered Brumm to summon all the other Grimmkin. After forcing the bug to talk and confess their crime, he violently killed them in front of the others - a demonstration of what would happen if they betrayed his trust again, and a lesson they would never forget. He demanded anyone who knew of the Grimmkin's plans to confess, promising a much less cruel punishment to those who did so. A few Grimmkin stepped out of the crowd, and he exiled them from the Troupe, warning them that he would not be as merciful if they ever returned. Following the incident, Grimm decided to move into the family house, despite the fact the renovations were still undergoing. He was terrified that Vyrm was still in danger, and he wanted to be there for him during his recovery.
New family members
A few years later, Vyrm brought up the idea of having a child. They were both aware that Grimm was the only one with the potential capability of carrying a child, though ever since he began engaging in intimate relationships, he chose to made his body infertile as a preventive measure, as he wanted to avoid having any unwanted children. Unfortunately, living hundreds of years in this state with no changes made it very difficult to reverse, he was inexperienced in modifying that part of his physical form, and so it took him many tries to get it right before they were able to conceive. It wasn't until about 4 years later that a life could start growing inside his womb, as any unsuccessful attempt meant that he had to modify his body, and then replace it during a ritual. However, their concern did not stop there - he was carrying an egg, but there was no guarantee that a living offspring would hatch from it.The pregnancy itself was very difficult for Grimm, both physically and mentally. Physically, he experienced immense discomfort and pain, as despite his best efforts to modify his body in a way that would make it easier for him, it became clear that it was a tough task for it, and that carrying an egg inside his body was extremely demanding. Unfortunately, the physical symptoms were only a part of it. Grimm's rather erratic biology and his discomfort made for an explosive combination once hormones got involved, and he would go through very turbulent mood swings throughout the whole duration. At certain days, he would feel overwhelming joy and would get extremely emotional about the prospect of having a child. Other times, he was extremely affectionate and needy, way more than usual. But there was no guarantee that his good mood wouldn't change in a blink of an eye, and during those mood swings, he would be very unpleasant, often snapping at others in anger. He would try to apologize later, but he found it difficult to think straight, and so he would often say cruel things and not acknowledge them. Despite the hardships, however, he was able to carry the egg successfully for three months, and a few weeks after he brought it to the world, his first son, Lewk, hatched from it.
Grimm was overwhelmed by his happiness, but in the back of his mind, he felt intense shame about his behavior during the pregnancy. He realized how much he hurt those around him with his words and actions, and it was eating at him from the inside. During his recovery, he was very quiet and avoided talking the others, spending most of his time with his newborn pup instead. Once he was strong enough to leave the bed and walk around the house, he remained unusually quiet and instead became overbearingly helpful to everyone, as if he was trying to make up for his behavior. It became difficult to deal with, and he didn't realize that until he was called out by Hornet. That, and a very needed conversation with Vyrm, finally made him admit that he was being too hard on himself. In the end, he was able to finally focus on what mattered the most at the time.
Grimm and Vyrm got married soon after, making their relationship official, and just over a year later, Grimm brought up the idea of having more children. Grimm, now much more experienced in changing his body for this purpose, assumed he was well prepared for the pregnancy. However, a visit at Jiji's cave soon confirmed that he was carrying not one, but two eggs, something he never expected could happen. The process was thus a lot more physically demanding on his body, leaving him exhausted after delivering the eggs. The worries did not stop, unfortunately, as one of the eggs did not hatch for a long time after its sibling, Asta. The two parents feared the worst, but thankfully the pup, later named Milo, eventually gained the strength to emerge out of the egg. He was weak and sickly, but he survived.
Breaking point
As years passed and Grimm became more and more comfortable in his new life, his biggest flaw started to rear its head - his fear of loss manifested into paranoia about the well-being of his loved ones. The trait did not disturb his everyday life, though he gained the reputation of someone very protective of his family, to the point of intimidating any newcomer so that they stay away until he has reasons to trust them.However, all those fears built up when Hornet introduced Lace to the family. He was wary of her from the start - unlike Aika, Hornet's other close friend at the time (and, as Grimm already suspected, more than that) whom he already got to know rather well, Lace's first interaction with Hornet turned out to be a fight, and one that was not intended to end well. This immediately made Grimm suspicious of Lace, and the fact that he could've lost his daughter at her hands made him not only distrust her, but show outright hostility at times. At the time, he kept his emotions on a leash, choosing to instead carefully observe her and her interactions with Hornet and other family members. This was at a time he was still carrying the twin eggs in his body, and so he was more irritable than usual.
This all changed when one day, Hornet, Aika and Lace all disappeared, vanishing for days. Grimm was terrified, sending search parties from the Troupe in hopes of finding Hornet. Throughout all of it, he started imagining scenarios where Lace led them to danger, or even hurt the two herself, and it all exploded when they returned. His twins were born not long prior, and he was still stressed put about it. The sight of Hornet, weak and barely standing upright, sent him over the edge, and he nearly attacked Lace, only stopped by Hornet who got in his way. In his paranoid mind, it was all Lace's fault, and he believed she should disappear from their life forever since she was clearly a danger to all of them and not to be trusted. Her connection with a higher being only made things worse, as he inherently did not trust them.
But he was stopped, and dragged away by Vyrm to a separate room so that he could calm down. It was then, when he spoke to Vyrm and they talked about the situation, that he realized just how much he overreacted. He learned afterwards that it was Hornet's idea to leave, and that she did it to save Lace out of love and the wish to give her a chance at a better life. Something he prided himself on for many, many years with his troupe. Not only was he a hypocrite, but he clearly broke Hornet's heart with his behavior, he could see it in her eyes - the flash of shock and betrayal that pierced him when she stepped between him and Lace. The fact she did not even get angry at him back spoke more than any words. He was ashamed of himself, and he had no idea what to do, something that rarely ever happened to him. His confidence was gone, and if he could, he'd break down into tears. However, subsequent conversations with Vyrm helped him get his mind back on track. He messed up, he nearly broke the family, but he wanted to make things right. For the family, for Hornet, and for Lace - he still had his reservations, but he decided to give her a chance, something he should've done from the beginning. And he was hoping that she would give him another chance in return.
Over the months he would slowly mend his relationship with Hornet and Lace. Hornet forgave him, though she said that she would need some time away from him to process her thoughts. He really wanted to show that he regretted his behavior, but he respected her wishes and opted to take things slowly. Surprisingly, Lace was also willing to bury the hatchet, showing a lot more maturity than he first expected from her, and more than he displayed in their previous interactions. Slowly, but surely, things improved between them, and they even found things in common that they could talk about. The shame of his actions remained with him, but he was grateful that he was given the opportunity to make things right.
Present day
Ten years after his reunion with Vyrm, the two are closer than ever. Even after years of being together, their spark is as vivid as ever, especially with Vyrm's improved mental state. As for Grimm, the experience of a close relationship and family is everything he could ever hope for. He's still very paranoid about his family, and the baggage of all his trauma is still with him, but he can confidently say he's the happiest he's ever been. He properly settled in Dirtmouth with the Troupe, spending a big chunk of their earnings to expand their premises in the town, including living quarters for the Grimmkin, a new and improved stage, stables for the Grimmsteed, and more. With his family came new responsibilities, and while he does still perform in their shows, he is usually more occupied with paperwork and other matters related to the Troupe's organization. He hired Zote to be his personal helper, hoping that one day he might become a part of it, if only to solve the issue of his mortality. Things are looking up for him, and he hopes that nothing will interrupt the peace again. But if something happens, he believes that he is better prepared to face it than he has ever been before.General characteristics
Special abilities
Grimm's major abilities can be divided into two types. The first type is fire related powers. He can create red flames, a physical manifestation of nightmare essence, and manipulate them to his wishes. He can conjure various shapes out of them, his favorite being one which resembles small bats. The flames do not spread like regular fire, meaning that they can attach to physical objects made from flammable material and not damage them; however, they can cause a pain response if they attach to a living being. This allows Grimm to create fiery barriers or circles, which is useful for trapping his opponents. Finally, he is able to set himself and his clothes on fire, which may happen under very intense anger or as an intimidation tactic.The aforementioned cloak is the second type of his abilities. On the outside it appears like a piece of clothing, a long black cloak, red on the inside, with a fur collar of the same red color. However, it is in fact a manifestation of his nightmare realm powers, unbound by laws of physics, able to change in length, shape and texture, and even function as additional limbs. The cloak is an extension of Grimm's consciousness, responding to his thoughts, although if he's distracted, it can misbehave and act on his instincts. When not used, it can either be worn as a regular cloak, or disappear into the back of his neck, which allows him to wear other clothes and still be prepared to use the cloak at any time. The cloak gets replaced after every ritual just like his physical body.
When it comes to minor abilities, he is able to sense heartbeats of those around him. This can make being in large crowds overwhelming, though over the years he learned to tune it out and distract himself. However, when he chooses to focus on a specific heartbeat, he can not only sense changes in emotions before they become noticeable outside, but also hear the heartbeat and follow it, allowing him to pick up on it among other heartbeats. On top of that, his habit of drinking blood, including that of other bugs, made him very sensitive to its taste, allowing him to not only distinguish individuals by the smell of their blood, but even detect changes in their health just by tasting their blood.
Gender identity & sexuality
Grimm is a cosexed being which, biologically, has traits of both a male and a female, particularly in regards to reproductive organs. However, he chooses to identify as male, as personal preference. That being said, his mannerisms and behavior tread into the androgynous territory - he has no problem acting in a more feminine way, or even being referred to as such. Generally speaking, the concept of gender norms isn't something he worries too much about. He simply wants to identify as male, possibly due to finding that gender more attractive, or perhaps it simply feels right to him. Perhaps he also sees it as another way of breaking the norms, a concept he's always been fond of. He doesn't mind others referring to him with other pronouns, in some cases he even finds it amusing when his appearance creates confusion, but it is not something he does himself.He's bisexual, though he has a very clear preference for male partners. He explored his sexuality ever since he created a physical form for himself, and he's always been quite open about his desires. However, over time, his wish for a stable partner soured his casual flings to the point where, at times, he would only sleep around to experience physical pleasure. At his worst points, sex was his coping mechanism, but now that he's in a better place, he finds it to be an incredible experience that brings him closer to Vyrm than he can ever be otherwise.
He's fascinated by the topic of sexuality, finding the bond between individuals created through intimacy to be something profound and beautifyl. Moreover, to him specifically, it is yet another way through which he puts himself in an equal position to the mortals, especially since he enjoys being made love to the most, something seen as degrading by many gods. However, some unpleasant experiences made him wary of lowering his guard, and as a result he's very controlling in this aspect, choosing the commanding role regardless of his position, though still ensuring mutual understanding and consent.
In his relationship with Vyrm, he's the dominant personality in intimate aspects, commanding and guiding his partner through the experience, though he's also incredibly careful and gentle, always making sure that Vyrm feels safe and comfortable. He finds Vyrm incredibly desirable, so things get steamy very quickly between them. A big part of their relationship was helping Vyrm figure things out in regards to his own sexuality, and with all of his experience, Grimm is always there to offer him advice and let him try new things at a comfortable pace.
Fears
As unexpected as it might be for the god of nightmares to feel fear, Grimm is no stranger to experiencing it; his fears keep him up at night way more often than one would expect. The worries are primarily related to the fear of loss, and on top of that, he's paranoid about his family members being harmed. For years he felt loneliness due to his immortality, and now that he found a partner and a family who, like him, don't age past a certain point, he redirected his fears into an intense need to protect them from harm. His obsession to keep them safe can get overwhelming, and in moments where he feels helpless about it, he's prone to panicking and lashing out in fear.In regards to intimate aspects, he deals with worries related to his ability to truly love someone. All the years he spent sleeping around did not give him much opportunity to practice non-sexual intimacy, which causes him to fear that he may not only start seeing Vyrm as a sexual partner only, but also end up overwhelming and even hurting him if he unconsciously goes too far. Granted, watching the two for even just a moment proves that his fears are unfounded - it couldn't be more clear that he deeply loves Vyrm and respects his boundaries, showing that the years spent building their friendship paid off in the end.
Moreover, while he hides it very well, his sister's betrayal and the consequent banishment deeply affected him. It's very clear that even just talking about that subject is uncomfortable to him, and it's not rare for him to react with anger when asked about it. The only time this topic doesn't enrage him is when he's discussing it with Vyrm - in those cases, it quickly becomes apparent just how much pain this memory causes him. Consequently, as a result of this betrayal, he's especially sensitive to being lied to, and reacts with rage at the prospect of someone betraying his trust.
Quirks & mannerisms
In his neutral posture, Grimm stands with his back straight, though he makes sure it emphasizes his shapes. For instance, he subtly sticks out his behind, and if he's leaning against something, he ensures that his hips draw the most attention. He also tends to put one of his arms behind his back, almost as if he's standing in front of an audience and posing. When sitting, he often crosses his legs, though if he's relaxed, he often sits in strange positions, almost as if he's bored or unsure where to put his legs. He walks in an elegant, almost dance-like way, not unlike a cat. In general, the way he moves is very theatrical, which is further emphasized by how expressive his hands are while he's talking. The tail can be similarly mobile, swishing side-to-side, often in an enticing manner, particularly when he's around Vyrm. The tip of the tail can frequently be seen curled, giving the whole tail a question mark shape.Because of his ability to hear others' heartbeats, it is not rare for him to get overwhelmed. Over the years, he learned how to deal with the unpleasant sensation, and whenever he's in large crowds, one can notice that he tends to grip his clothes or clench his hands into fists, pressing his claws against the soft pads on the inside of his hands in an effort to distract himself. When talking, particularly with strangers, he tends to tilt his head to the side slightly while maintaining strong eye contact. Squinting is also very frequent for him, quite often he makes his conversation partners uneasy, making them feel as if they're prey being watched by a predator. In general, he tends to watch those he talks to very carefully, almost as if he's studying them. Another very characteristic aspect of Grimm is how much he moves his hands around while talking, almost as if he's performing on stage during normal, everyday conversations. Everything from dramatically gesturing to snapping his fingers, it's easy to get distracted watching him while he speaks.
There are rare moments where he appears to be slightly absent. This happens whenever his Nightmare King form is active, for whatever reason. In most cases, this only occurs at night while he's asleep, which can cause him to be unusually limp. However, while he's awake, his mind becomes distracted, and he may even lose balance and fall. Talking to him during that time often results in him not responding or not even registering the words. This usually happens briefly, and stops whenever his godly form returns to its dormant state - showing that it is impossible for him to maintain full control of both forms at once.
Voice & speech
Grimm's voice is quite soft, he speaks in a deliberate, carefully articulated manner, very often quite theatrical in its intonation and rhythm. With strangers, he talks in a slightly ominous but not outright scary way, he enjoys maintaining a somewhat mysterious image, and so his voice fits accordingly. Usually, the voice has a slightly more masculine tone particularly in its lower notes, although the higher notes reach a noticeably more feminine sound, giving his voice an androgynous quality. Unlike the audio sample, his voice does not have a reverb to it, with the exceptions of whenever he raises it to the point of shouting.In conversations with strangers, and especially around the troupe, he avoids using obscene language; his vocabulary is very sophisticated, showing his professionalism as well as the years of indulging in literature. Behind the closed doors, however, this changes drastically. In intimate situations, he is no stranger to using very direct, foul language, one you would not expect if you only knew him from his performances. When talking to his close friends and family, he frequently sneaks in swear words; in general, he talks in a far more casual manner around those he trusts, showing that he feels much more comfortable in their presence.
Hobbies
Grimm loves art of all forms, but specifically theatre, music and literature. He could talk about his favorite artists, art genres or themes for hours if asked about it, and he frequently brings it up during Dirtmouth feasts, hoping to have a productive conversation and learn different perspectives on the subject. It is very clear from the manner he speaks that he holds a ton of respect for writers and artists of all genres and techniques. When it comes to written forms of art, he loves delving deep into the works to understand the intent of the author. He believes that through analyzing artistic work, one can learn more about a bug than they would when speaking to them. Consequently, his favorite pastime is reading, since that is the most accessible form of art at his disposal. However, he enjoys visiting art galleries, with the one found in the City of Tears being his most frequent spot. In the past, he dabbled in painting himself, and while it's not something he does often these days, if given the opportunity, he's not opposed to showing his skills.Aside from reading and studying art, he loves playing music on the piano. He owns an old one that he bought many years ago, which spent a long chunk of its lifetime stored away. In the past, he would write his own music whenever something in his life inspired. Some of it was written with a dedication to Irma, or other lovers that lingered in his memory for whatever reason. However, most of his music was written for Vyrm, both during the time they were friends, but specifically in his absence. It was the heartache of the loss that made Grimm lock the piano away, as even looking at it brought him nothing but pain. Now that Vyrm is back, the piano returned to his life, and now it stands in their living room. Grimm loves playing it for Vyrm and the rest of the family, and occasionally he even tries to write new music, though his skills are quite rusty. Moreover, after learning of Phantom's passion for similar instruments, he lets them use it as a token of goodwill.
Work & education
Grimm is the leader of The Troupe. He's its master and boss, and so all of the organization falls on his shoulders. He handles the results of Grimmkin novice training, he plans future performances and schedules rituals, and at the end of the day, goes through any extra paperwork that he missed. On top of that, he also often stars in The Troupe's performances, showcasing his acting talent as well as his powers that always wow the audience. Since he settled in Dirtmouth, most of his work revolves around organization, a task which he often continues at home.He never received actual education, though he always had interest in learning things, and with his long lifespan, he was able to gain knowledge that far exceeds that of the formally educated bugs. His main focus was in the sphere of art, literature and performing, he admittedly is not as well-versed in more technical subjects such as engineering, though he is always willing to learn if given the chance.
Personality
Compared to his husband, Grimm is incredibly charismatic. He knows what he wants and he's able to maneuver through most social situations with ease. Moreover, he knows many bugs view him as attractive, and so in the past he would often act in a tempting way to tease them. This changed after his marriage to Vyrm, though he still enjoys acting in a somewhat teasing manner whenever he speaks to others. However, a lot of his behavior is a mask he puts on to play a certain character; he hides a lot of what he's really feeling, and while his acting is quite convincing, at times it can make others question his intentions.He has trouble making casual contacts outside of his closest circle; he doesn't lack the confidence, but he struggles to find a common tongue with them. For most of his life, the majority of relationships he made was either professional, or intimate. And as a result, he struggles to adjust to mundane, everyday conversations with strangers, usually opting for a more formal speech, which often makes him seem pretentious or strange. On top of that, his intimidating energy makes some bugs afraid of him, or at the very least, feel uneasy in his presence. He finds it far easier to connect with other townsfolk during Dirtmouth's social events, as he feels far more in his element, especially after a couple of drinks.
Similarly to Vyrm, it's very easy to get him to talk passionately about certain topics. In his case, any subject related to art, theatre or literature will make him talk obsessively and start discussions with those around him, even if they don't appear interested. Another topic he's very passionate about is intimacy and sex, he loves talking about them in the context of close bonds and love, though unfortunately it is a fairly unpopular topic among the bugs he usually talks to. This, however, does not discourage him in the slightest, and there are times he goes on unprompted rambles and rants or starts debates, even more so if he's slightly drunk.
