Relationship between Grog and Scanlan

Grog Strongjaw and Scanlan Shorthalt were buddies and often spent their free time in the same pursuits, mainly by visiting brothels.

Grog and Scanlan together intimidated Jeffrey, an associate of Riskel Daxio. Grog unleashed Craven Edge to get the advantage on intimidation checks. When he slammed it into the ground, the party observed what looked like mist emanate from the blade.

Scanlan was the first person to whom Grog told his concerns about Craven Edge, and Scanlan advised Grog on what to do about it. Grog confided Craven Edge's true nature to Scanlan, including the dream and that the sword spoke to him. Grog unsheathed it and asked if it had enjoyed its snack, to which it responded, "it was a good snack" and asked for more. Scanlan couldn't hear it, so Grog went to hand the hilt to Scanlan, to Craven Edge's consternation. "You will hand me to no one," it commanded, and Grog found that he couldn't give it up. He told Scanlan not to worry about it as he went to sheathe it again, but Scanlan was suspicious and cast Suggestion on him to get him to hand over the sword. As he grasped the hilt, Scanlan asked the sword if it had been talking to Grog. Craven Edge sighed and said Scanlan must prove himself to hold him. Scanlan asked how he could prove that he was worthy, and the sword shifted to point at their friend Reginald like a divining rod. Scanlan resisted its influence and handed it back over to Grog, expressing concern about him wielding this sword. Grog swore him to secrecy about its power, and Scanlan agreed, though he did want to ask Pike about it later. They both could hear Craven Edge say, "Always hungry." Upset that Scanlan seemed to want him to get rid of it, Grog intended to never share information about Craven Edge again, and held onto it like a security blanket.

Grog was deeply affected by Scanlan's death at the claws of Raishan. His first reaction was disbelief, which soon turned to anger as he shouted for the rest of the party to "FIX HIM!"

Grog participated in Scanlan's resurrection ritual, where he removed the Titanstone Knuckles and Belt of Dwarvenkind and placed them on the altar alongside Scanlan's body. He then spoke to his friend's body lying before him, saying: "You've been with me through so much. I pride myself on my strength, but as we fought Earthbreaker Groon, you were there by my side as I learned that my true strength comes from my friends. Which means that these trinkets, no matter how strong they are...mean nothing. You knew me before them. And I would hope you would know me after. And while my best buddy Pike taught me to love, you taught me to laugh. And I don't wanna know what life is like without that. You've spent so many times inspiring me...I'd like to take a page from your book."

The goliath then sang a song to the bard: "Hail to Scanlan Shorthalt. Hail to victory. No one can make me laugh faster. Please bring him back to me. Grog was saddened by Scanlan's departure from Vox Machina, but out of the entire party, he was the most understanding and respectful of Scanlan's decision, even going so far as to apologize for not getting to know Scanlan's history better, while opposing any attempts by Vox Machina to try and convince Scanlan to return prematurely. Despite this, Grog misses the gnome greatly, frequently visiting brothels and buying services for two, only to remember that Scanlan wasn't with him anymore.

When Scanlan finally returned after over a year, Grog was furious with him, speaking no more than a word to him, and leaving whenever Scanlan attempted to talk to him. Scanlan was later able to make it up to him (more or less) with an apology and a blank check to every pub in Ank'Harel.