Major Story Arcs

Balaam is the leader of a clan of Grendel warriors. Balaam is ferocious and doesn't stand for any compromise. His unit is involved (possibly without permission from the higher echelons of the Grendel organization) in widespread killing and razing of towns and villages, for no known reason.

When Jonah joins the group, he initially resists Balaam's rule, but Balaam forces him to conform; his warriors' faces are branded with the classic Grendel eye-marks, and he often beats or kills them for any infraction. At one point he kills a Grendel who attempts to sexually molest Jonah; this event finally brings Jonah over to Balaam's side.

One day they come upon Jonah's town. His brain-washing is so complete at this point that Jonah doesn't even recognize his own family for some time. Jonah is hesitant to kill them, but Balaam forces him to pull the trigger, and they die. This event leads to Jonah's amnesia and his experiences in Antarctica.