Grover Underwood

Introduction

Grover Underwood is introduced as Percy Jackson's best friend at Yancy Academy. He initially appears as a scrawny, anxious boy who walks with a limp, which is later revealed to be a disguise for his satyr legs. Satyrs age at half the rate of humans, so while he appears to be a young teenager, he is actually twenty-eight years old at the beginning of The Lightning Thief, despite having the physique of a middle schooler. Grover is a vegetarian, an environmentalist, and plays the reed pipes, though initially not very well. He is known for his loyalty, compassion, and unwavering dedication to his friends and his duties as a satyr. He is also deeply concerned about the destruction of the natural world.

Physical Appearance and Disguise

As a satyr, Grover has the upper body of a human and the furry hindquarters and hooves of a goat. He has curly brown hair, brown eyes, a wispy beard, and small horns on his head that grow larger as he ages. To blend in with mortals, Grover wears a rasta-style cap or relies on his curly hair to hide his horns, and uses fake feet and shoes to conceal his hooves, leading to a characteristic limp. His goat legs give him enhanced speed and agility, especially in natural environments.

Personality Traits

Grover is generally cheerful, kind-hearted, and emotionally attuned. He is deeply empathetic, often to a fault, feeling the emotions of those around him, especially fear and distress, and has a strong connection with animals and nature spirits. Despite being naturally timid and easily frightened, Grover consistently demonstrates immense bravery when his friends or the natural world are in danger. He is prone to anxiety and stress-eating tin cans when nervous. He is also very passionate about environmental causes and the search for Pan.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians

Grover is a central character throughout this series. His primary role is as a Keeper, tasked with escorting demigods safely to Camp Half-Blood. He was Percy Jackson's keeper at Yancy Academy and was responsible for bringing him to camp. His previous failures as a keeper, particularly with Thalia Grace, heavily weigh on him. Grover accompanies Percy and Annabeth on their first quest to retrieve Zeus's master bolt. Throughout the series, he also pursues his lifelong dream of obtaining a Searcher's license to find the lost god of the wild, Pan. His empathy link with Percy plays a crucial role at various points. In The Battle of the Labyrinth, Grover, Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson find Pan in an underground cavern. Pan imparts his spirit to Grover and his friends, asking them to spread the word that he has died but his spirit remains in the wild. Grover's powerful Panic cry during the Battle of Manhattan, fueled by Pan's spirit, significantly aids in defeating Kronos's army. Following the Titan War, he is appointed to the Council of Cloven Elders and becomes a Lord of the Wild.

The Heroes of Olympus

Grover's role is less prominent in this series, but he is mentioned and makes occasional appearances. He continues his duties as a Lord of the Wild, working to protect nature and guide satyrs. He communicates with Percy and other characters, offering support and information from Camp Half-Blood. He is still romantically involved with the dryad Juniper.

The Trials of Apollo

Grover appears in The Trials of Apollo series, aiding Apollo (in his mortal form as Lester Papadopoulos) and Meg McCaffrey. He assists them in navigating dangerous natural environments and rallies nature spirits to their cause. His status as a Lord of the Wild and his connection to Pan's legacy continue to be significant.

Satyr Abilities

Empathy Link

Grover shares an empathy link with Percy Jackson, allowing them to sense each other's strong emotions and sometimes communicate across distances. This link was formed when Grover was near death and Percy willed him to survive.

Woodland Magic/Nature Connection

As a satyr, Grover has a deep connection to nature. He can communicate with animals, sense the health of plants and the environment, and encourage plant growth. He can also play tunes on his reed pipes that can influence plants, animals, and even demigods. Some of his tunes can induce sleep, fear, or encourage growth. His most powerful ability is the Panic cry, a primal fear-inducing sound inherited from Pan, capable of terrifying and scattering enemies.

Enhanced Senses and Agility

He has keen senses, particularly smell, which helps him detect monsters and demigods. His goat legs grant him superior speed and agility, especially in rough terrain.

Keeper Skills

Despite early setbacks, Grover becomes a skilled Keeper, adept at guiding and protecting demigods. He is also a Searcher, dedicated to finding Pan and later protecting the wild in his name.

Reed Pipes

Grover is proficient in playing the reed pipes. Initially, he only knew a few simple tunes, but his skill develops significantly throughout the series. His music can have various magical effects, from making plants grow to putting creatures to sleep or even repelling monsters. After encountering Pan, his musical abilities become even more potent.

Percy Jackson

Percy is Grover's best friend and the demigod he successfully brought to Camp Half-Blood. Their bond is exceptionally strong, cemented by their shared empathy link and numerous dangerous quests. Grover is fiercely loyal to Percy and often provides emotional support and guidance.

Annabeth Chase

Annabeth is another of Grover's closest friends. The three of them (Percy, Annabeth, and Grover) form a tight-knit trio that undertakes many quests together. Grover respects Annabeth's intelligence and bravery.

Juniper

Juniper is a wood nymph (dryad) and Grover's girlfriend. They share a deep love for nature and each other. Juniper often worries about Grover when he is on dangerous missions but is very supportive of his endeavors.

Council of Cloven Elders

Initially, Grover has a difficult relationship with the Council, who are skeptical of his ambitions and often dismissive of his efforts, especially regarding the search for Pan. However, after his role in the Titan War and his connection to Pan's passing, he earns their respect and a position among them.

Pan

The lost god of the wild is Grover's lifelong idol and the object of his most significant quest. Finding Pan is Grover's ultimate dream. When he finally meets Pan, the god's passing and his final words profoundly impact Grover, shaping his future path as a Lord of the Wild.

Other Satyrs and Nature Spirits

As a Lord of the Wild, Grover becomes a leader and a figure of inspiration for other satyrs and nature spirits, guiding them in protecting the remaining wild places of the world.

Grover Underwood is a crucial character who represents the importance of nature, loyalty, and overcoming personal fears. His journey from a timid, insecure satyr to a confident Lord of the Wild is a significant arc within the series. He plays a vital role not only in Percy's personal journey but also in the broader conflict against the Titans and later Gaea's forces. Grover's dedication to environmentalism and his successful quest to find Pan (and carry on his legacy) highlight themes of conservation and the enduring power of nature. He serves as a moral compass and a symbol of hope for the preservation of the wild.