Habololy Forum
Great Forest Campaign => A Year of Near War => Topic started by: Asinjin on October 05, 2013, 11:47:43 AM
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Part 1
What you know of your earliest years seems normal to all eight members of the litter. That there are eight of you, all brothers, in one litter, seems normal enough. Some other families had eight siblings, and there are litters of five and six around. The fact that there are eight of you doesn’t not feel any different; at least in the mind of a very young gnoll. What you notice that is different is that you have only one parent. Your father, who is called the equivalent of sir, raises you without your mother. As soon as you are old enough to understand, you grasp that she is dead. None of you have any memory of her. Servants and extended family aid your father in raising the eight of you. It is happy and normal enough, especially having known no better.
As three and four year olds, you come to several realizations about your situation. One of your brothers cannot see. Your father is protective of him, but he must still do many of the things the rest of you do. You have half siblings that visit and stay sometimes with their mothers. This is normal enough in gnoll society that it does not make you feel out of place. In fact, even in your young minds, you sense that your father is powerful and respected because of it or has it because he is powerful and respected. Your home is large enough for all of you, and if not for the eight of you, it would be a large home by gnoll standards. You see your father as a large gnoll, and when you see him next to other male gnolls, you are certain he is big for a gnoll, although not monstrously big. You hear talk of such gnolls but do not see any.
The first event the litter remembers that shaped their lives was when they were four years old. It is shortly before you birthday, in the dead of winter. Your father comes and tells you all that he must go. For the first time, he will be away from you all for more than a day. He explains that he must go to make sure the family stays safe and that he could be gone until spring. Your father’s brother and the mother’s of your half-siblings will look after you. “Take care of each other. Other than your father, no one is more important to you than each other. Dedestroyt will torment those that do not protect their family.†With that, he leaves. Your uncle comes into the room minutes later; he is smaller than your father and says less. He spends much of the next month in your home, rarely leaving. He takes care of you but is less interactive than your father. The mother’s of your siblings come every other day and tend to you well. Life with the other mother’s is easy.
After nearly two months, your father has not returned. Nervousness has spread through the community. Whispers of bad things reach even the safety of your home. Your uncle and the other mother’s do not let you go out much, and in the middle of winter that is not uncommon. As the cold drags on, there is a ruckus outside. No one is inside with you, and you are all awake, so you go outside to see. In the center of the village, not far from your home, two humans are arguing with several gnolls, your uncle among them. A human is a rare but not unheard of occurrence. You have seen one before. Unfortunately, none of you speak common. You only understand what is said by one of the humans. “We do not know when it will end. You must be wise with your supplies.†Your uncle and others argue with the humans about battles and food, but after a minute or two, the other mothers see you and move you inside.
An hour later, your uncle storms into the home. Even though he is not your father, angry, he is imposing. He has a dagger. You hear commotion outside. “There are too many, we must cull the herd. If you all want to live through the winter, Dedestroyt must be appeased.†He moves towards your blind brother and it is then you all understand what he is going to do. Jumping to action, you swarm your uncle. You are all brave and valiant, but he is a full grown armed warrior. Most of you take a beating, some get cut. With the most feral of you clamped onto his leg and the strongest wrapped around his neck; while the others are too beaten to act, he moves to slit the throat of the blind one. In a rush, one of the humans comes into the home. He tackles your uncle and beats him into a daze. The strongest and most feral help the human. Your uncle subdued, the human turns to one of the brothers who is bleeding. He tends to your brother who is wounded the most. He says something you don’t understand. You see one of your other brother’s collapse, and then oddly, you can understand the human. “You don’t understand me do you? Oh, you do. Your father should be applauded. Do you best to help your brothers. I will return when I can, I must make sure that no one else is harmed.†He goes to leave, but stepping out, he turns back and says, “If you need help, call out for me. Remember, my name is Grant.†You don’t see him again.
Later other gnolls from the community take your uncle away. The other mothers take care of you and tell you everything will be okay. You are suspicious, but they are proven correct. Your father returns within two week. He tells you that the community is now joined with others under the rule of Warlord Akrak. You are all safer now. Your uncle is never allowed in your home again, although you see him around the community. Your father, even more than before, is respected by the rest of the community.
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Part 2
Over the next four to five years, as the litter ages from 5 to 10 years old, they learn basic life and survival lessons. It is during these years that the impressiveness of your father becomes apparent. You always thought he was strong, but when you see that no other gnoll can pull his bowstring at a festival game, you know it to be true. You always thought he was clever, but when he tricks a group of Vass raiders to leave without a fight when they had the village in danger, you know it to be true. You always thought he was tireless, but when he alone among the extended family does not fall ill during the black hair epidemic of 775 and takes care of everyone, you know it to be true.
During those years, each of you also began to learn individually from your father. At first, he would teach you the basic skills of gnoll life: the bow, the spear, tracking, hunting, and such. All of the skills that every male gnoll needs to learn. Even your blind brother was taught the skills, as best as your father could teach him. He was however, able to make due and complete some of his training better than anyone dreamed, although he was far more tired when it was finished than the rest of you. It was not clear in the beginning of those years, but it was clear by the end, which of the litter was good, which were great, and which were bad at the basic skills. Unlike other litters that you saw, the weakest in yours were not beaten, given less, or put out. Your father worked even harder with them to make sure each learned what was needed.
At the age of seven, one of your half sisters came to live with you. She was older by two years. Her task was to help your father with the daily goings on of the home. It worked for a time, but the eight became too much for her after a year and she had to leave. When it was to your father again, with no help in the home, it was fine for a while. But then, even your mighty father began to wear down. The eight of you were too much for even him to keep up with, and he realized it when you neared the age of nine. It was in the autumn of that year when he came to the eight.
“I am going on a hunt. It is a dangerous one and I may not return. If I do, we will be better off for it. If I do not, you will be taken care of, but separated. Do not fear for me, I will succeed or I will be blessed in Dedestroyt’s realm. If I do not return, take care of each other, nothing is more important. When you are older, take care of the village, it is second. Honor your faith, master your skills. If any of you fail at this, when you reach Dedestroyt’s realm, I will be the one that torments you.†He leaves the next day. For a month, you are left in the care of the other mothers and for the first time in many years, your uncle makes an appearance to bring food.
After a month, your father returns. He is successful and the proof is the mighty tooth he brings into the village. You all realize immediately what it signifies, your father has gone on an epic hunt, one that few gnolls attempt and fewer return from, the hunt of a Hebablam. A feast is held, a celebration ensues. Over the next few days all of the parts of the great animal are displayed. Your father is adorned with praise and reward. Even the great Warlord Akrak makes an appearance and praises your father. Even at this age, you understand that this accomplishment means that your father and his family will never want to anything again. The largest honor given to your father, one which he had for a few years held in reality if not in name, is the title of pack leader. This meant that he was in charge of the defense of the village and all matters of safety and hunting were his to decide.
In the year or two after that, he had a great deal of time to spend with the eight. He commanded things be done and they were by the other gnolls of the village. The village worked smoothly, safely, and well. You and he were happy. Feasts became more common and even your uncle and the few others that your father had at times told you not to trust joined in on the success. The village grew in size in those two years. Gnolls were attracted to the village and your father. The eight of you were treated well, and life could not get better.
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Part 3
At the ages of 10 through 14, the litter becomes well known in the community. The eight boys of the pack leader are referred to by most. The young don’t think to challenge you, the old think twice before denying any request or the eight. Only those in your age group ever offer any resistance. Your father makes every effort to reign in all of your attitudes, as you become skilled and big-headed. Through these years, several events shape what comes next.
Several times your father is called away to protect the community or work for the warlord. He is never away more than a week, and he usually returns with a story and a prize. As these years go on, his trips become less frequent. You all think little of it. When he returns, what you do notice is that he is angrier with every trip that passes and his anger is focused on the eight of you. Beatings become more frequent and more severe. Punishment is quick, and reports of your behavior while he is gone become more frequent. To you, jealousy fuels those tales.
What actually happens during those trips goes on and gets worse during these years. The eight of you take advantage of your position. You never fight one another, and you always have your brothers’ backs in any confrontation. Whether it’s corroborating the lie of a brother or ganging up on an older gnoll in a fight; you are there for your brothers. While your father is gone, you take food as you please. He always returns home with good food, so should you. While your father is gone, you order things to e done for you. He always has others acting on his behalf, so should you. Stories of your actions are sometimes overdone, but always have some truth. You have the females wash your feet. You take the best baked bread from the batch. You pick the teams (always the eight of you together) for any competition. You decide what gets taught when the young gnolls are gathered for a lesson.
When your father is around, which is still most of the time, there seems to you to be no need for these actions. Your father commands what gets done, and you and the others do it. You don’t have the slightest inclination or desire to contradict what he commands in the community while he is home. For that matter, you never think to do anything he explicitly forbids before he leaves. On several occasions, you get in trouble because you made an assumption that he did not, but that’s just the trials of getting older and more experienced.
Life is good in these years, although different than before because not everyone seems to share the same level of happiness as you. It is also in these years when each brother begins to come into his own. Each develops talents and skills that some don’t have. It becomes clear which will be the largest and which the smallest. Some are more adept at hunting, others more devout, and others with odder talents.
There is a large gnoll, bigger than any of all of you and older by two years. His name was Garpat. He, for at least a year, was the only gnoll that stood toe to toe with all of you as you rushed him. After fighting to a standstill, and while your father was away, you decided to outsmart him. Leading him into the woods, away from any other gnoll, you planned to get him lost. Your plan was working when one brother stopped you all and had a vision. A vision of a hidden pit where Garpat would fall into and be trapped until you all rescued him and looked the heroes. Sure enough, within minutes, that very thing happened. But as it did, the brother with the idea collapsed. Terrified, you all rushed him back to the community and in a fit of nervousness, revealed what had happened. Garpat was found, with several broken bones. Your brother recovered, but not before your father came home and the strap was not spared.
Another time, the group of you were angered when the big farmer of the community refused to give a fat pig for you to feast on for a holiday. Plotting how to make the farmer see you were correct, you devised a plan to poison the pig and make the farmer see what happens when you are crossed. Taking herbs you learned would do the task, you made your way to the farm. You poisoned the troughs and snuck away, one brother commenting that he wouldn’t be unhappy if all the pigs died from it, wouldn’t that be a lesson. The next day, the pigs were dead, and the brother that had mentioned it felt as if he would be. Again, when your father returned, he figured out what had happened. He did not reveal it to the community, but he made sure the farmer was taken care of, and the payment came out of your hides.
Luckily for you, as time went on one brother became very good at predicting what actions would go very poorly, the first time was when one of you suggested one of the females should be taught a lesson in servitude. The brother leaped in front of the rest and demanded you to stop, collapsing as he did. You took the message and retreated to home.
During these times, your blind brother only participated if some of your antics, becoming less and less involved in them. However, the rest of you never thought ill of him. After all, he is your brother. That attitude did not translate over to your half brother. Nearing your fifteenth birthday, you discovered that he, who went by the name of Skupt, was using your names to get the things that only you deserved. You confronted him about it one night while your father was away. He demanded that it’s his right to have what you had and in a near fatal mistake on his part compared his mother to yours. The beating he took was severe and made worse as one brother’s anger erupted in flame that burned most of his body. As that brother collapsed, another, realizing that Skupt’s death would be a line too far, dove on him and exhausting himself somehow saved Skupt. When your father returned, Skupt and the two brothers were not yet recovered.
“This is a sad day.†Your father said to all of you in a voice you had rarely heard. “I must now split you up.â€
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Part 4
The next few months were the most difficult so far in the lives of the brothers. Anticipation of being split up was terrible, almost as bad as the moments when you were actually separated and sent away. The first one to be sent off was the most straight forward. One of the brothers, the one that had erupted with flame and nearly killed Skupt, was sent off to Yekel, an associate of your father’s who is a known Ettin hunter. Within two weeks of the incident, that brother was gone. The day he left was agonizing. Yekel came and carried him off, having to wrestle him into submission before he could. You all saw fires lighting the trees right before your brother was subdued. The rest of you were nearly just as angry, but your father’s presence and stare kept you in place.
The brother that saved Skupt was next, a week after the first brother was sent. The gnoll that arrived for him was known to all of you. A veteran of many battles and an elder gnoll of nearly 90 years, Vokseeg is a legend. However, his fighting days are long behind him and now he is known as a restful cleric of Dedestroyt. When the old gnoll, blind in one eye and walking with a staff for support, arrives; despite your anger at your brother’s imminent departure, no brothers can muster the courage to act except one. Your brother who has always had the greatest trouble controlling his anger is filled with it overflowing. He rushes forward, unable to control himself, moving faster than he ever has before and with such force that he throws aside Vokseeg guards. The rest of the brothers take heart and feel compelled to join the rush, inspired by the act. However, it ends moments after it began. Your brother falls feet from Vokseeg, collapsing from some unknown force. You drag him back at your father’s command and the small group leaves, leaving you now at six.
It is nearly a month before the next of the brothers is sent away, and to your shock, he is not allowed to say goodbye to his brothers. The raging one that almost attacked Vokseeg is gone when you wake up one morning. “I cannot risk him having an outburst. He has gone to a trainer, one that will make sure he can harness that.†No mention is made of who that trainer is or where he lives. Similarly, two other brothers are sent off with little fanfare over the next month. One is sent to the east, and the gnolls that take him are from a tribe that you do not often see. They show great respect to your father when they arrive. The other leaves with gnolls from the town of the Warlord, members of his pack, to whom your father defers.
That leaves but three of you: the one who warned of the danger, the one who is blind, and the one that made the gnoll fall into the pit. While you all hear about where the other went, or at least the circumstances of their departure over the next few years, it is not until you all meet up again that you hear about the departures of these last three. It takes three more months for two of them to be sent off. The first is sent the farthest away. He is sent to learn with, to your shock when you learn, with someone named Hemino, definitely not a gnoll name. His teacher is a Nipit. His home is in a small village deep in the forest to the north. The second Is sent with a pack of gnolls that travel to the east, to train near the Boiled Forest. The leader of this pack is a gnoll named Kaklan. That name is known to all of you, as he is called ‘the diseased’, a rare gnoll that has been ravaged by them and survived. He is an outcast, as he has been known to spread them to other gnolls, are rare thing. Despite that, your smallest brother is sent with his pack to train.
That left only your blind brother. It is not until you return home that you find out that he alone remained with your father.
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The next part of the story will take place after you have all trained and are called back together. I will not be able to post that part until everyone has their characters settled (not completely done necessarily, but mostly done).
In the mean time, I will be sending out individual stories about each of your time in the interim, which is about 5 years in game.
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All of the individual stories have been sent out and I have gotten some responses. I will be sending out the next part of the group story in a week.
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Part 5
A message reaches each of you on or about the 20th day of the 9th month of 786. The message reads the same to each of you. It is read to you, but whomever your teacher / handler / warden / master is listens as well. “It is with great anger that I send word to you, son of Arka. Your father was murdered in front of your home. Return now for his ceremony. Warlord Akrak.â€
After roars, stomps, sobs, and all other immediate reactions have passed; you are told that with all haste you will be taken home. In each case, your teacher / handler / warden / master accompanies you on the journey. You say farewell, or not if you hated where you were, and set off towards your village. The trip’s duration varies greatly. All of you safely reach your home village. You learn that the body has been blessed and that one brother, the blind one, insisted that the ceremony wait until all of the brothers were present. It does not take long before you all realize that he had remained home with your father most of the time the rest of you were away. You notice some changes among your brothers. Two of them are now very large, bigger than a normal gnoll; and one of those two is wearing uncommon heavy armor with the symbol of Dedestroyt. One brother rode home on a horse, a strange way for a non-flind gnoll to travel.
As you arrive, all want to know what happened. What could have killed your father, one of the great gnoll pack leaders of this time. What great powerful beast, what near deity of a person, what horrible scheme could have accomplished this. You all hear it from different people, whether it be a half-sibling or town leader or neighbor; but the answer is always the same: “The Voice†Every one of you (except for maybe one) knows that the voice is the mortal ambassador for the Lord of Scalehome. Akrak tells you all, “When the ceremony is complete, I will sit down with all of you and tell you everything I know of the attack.â€
The ceremony begins within a day of the last of you arriving. As per tradition for a gnoll of your father’s stature, the ceremony will last three days. The first day is the most heavily attended, as it is the day the non-gnolls, including most of your teachers / handlers / wardens / masters are present. It is then that you each get a glimpse of what the others have experienced. There is a filthy gnoll known to all of you as a warrior of the boiled forest, there is a lone elf, there is a Nipit, there is a masked human and a dark furred flind, among others. Each pays his respects to your father. The day includes tales of your father’s exploits around the forest. Some of the guests recount tales of your father’s skill. Your father’s life was long and full and the recounting takes five hours. There is a sober lunch followed by a large feast of your father’s favorite game animals. One of your half-sisters, the oldest, reveals that your father had given to her a some of coin to pay for the feast, and everyone is impressed by the quality of the food and wine, that must have cost 600 gold (a large sum for the gnoll village) for the entire village and guests.
When they day has finished, the non-gnolls leave. (Private messages can be sent if you have any last questions for your teacher / handler / warden / master). The remaining two days are reserved for the gnolls, the family, and the village. The second day is a celebration, in gnoll fashion, of his life and accomplishments. Contests of strength and skill are held, each on pertaining to a skill that your father was known for having in abundance. Tracking, archery, spear combat, hunting, camouflage, stalking, and so forth. At the end of the second day, more of the gnolls not from the village leave. This includes some more of your teacher / handler / warden / master. The two that remain are the Warlord Akrak and the cleric of Dedestroyt.
The third day is sober. The tomb has been prepared. The ceremony includes more than one hundred gnolls. All of the brothers and all of the half-siblings and wives are there. Many clerics of Dedestroyt, and some others. The day is spent in quiet and prayer with the exception of a few moments of mass howling and growls. After dinner, the ceremony ends with a final blessing from the clerics and the sealing of the tomb. It is an underground burial site, dug and built specifically for your father. It was designed by your blind brother and several of the half-siblings. You all notice that many of his items are not being buried with him. The Warlord tells you all, “I have them safe, when we meet tomorrow, I will give them to you.â€
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Part 6
For breakfast, the Warlord comes to your father’s home, where you have all been staying together for the first time in years. It is much smaller than you remember. The servants and other townsfolk do their best of these days to make you all comfortable. Your half-siblings share in your grief some of the time, but they know not to overstay their welcome. Your eldest half-sister is the exception, as she maintains the house and stays in a small addition to it.
After the meal is served, he begins, “Your father was a brave, strong, respected pack leader. He now runs hunts in the realm of the dead, bringing pain and torment to the non-believers. May we all join him one day.†He offers a toast with mead.
“I am here to speak about what happened. I offer you know a chance to avenge your father and serve me. The worm of the forest let his name die with him sooner than later, and his trickster, the one called the Voice, are cowing the weaker, lesser creatures of the forest. Scalehome is bringing fear and death to any that choose to stand against it. But it does not offer compensation, it does not offer alliance. It offers slavery. Others have bowed to it. Vass, halflings, humans, fironi, and even some weak gnolls. But not your father. He choose freedom and death. While others will live a slave and exist eternal in the realm of Dedestroyts damned; he will be glorious for eternity.†He pauses, “Let me tell you how your father died.â€
“As the Voice went from village to village, declaring the intention of Scalehome, none defied him. They said they would not ally with Fellos or they did not reply at all, remaining quiet. No Woodduke, no Fironi, no Vass, no human, no Wug, and no Ogre stood against the Voice. We knew our turn was coming. When the Voice came to the villages, he was met with cowardly submission, as he picked small, weak villages and pack leaders. When he came here, he assumed more of the same. But your father knelt before none. He did not care for the halflings, but no pointy eared scale lap dog would demand anything of your father. The voice began to talk and your father barked him down. ‘We know who you are, we know why you came, we do not need to hear. Leave with your tail between your legs and never come to demand of us.’ The voice began to speak again, but now the barks of one hundred, then one thousand gnoll stopped him. But the voice did not cower or flee; he stood in challenge to your father. Your father held bow and sword and yelled, ‘Choose!’ The voice waited and declared bow and with that the bow of your father vanished. Your father called a charge and the village yelled in unison. The voice did not fight, but summoned beast after beast. ‘Treachery!’ the pack cried as they charged into the battle. But none could reach the battle. Magic kept them away. Beast after beast fell to your father’s chop. No blood soaked his blade as the things vanished as they died. Fifty did he cleave through before he reached the voice. More trickery, illusion and fog, rain and chill blocked our view. Minutes later, when it cleared, the voice was there, over your father’s body. ‘This is what will befall any who stand against us.’ And he vanished.â€
After it sinks in, and you have paused to collect yourselves, Akrak continues. “This cannot go unanswered. If none stand against the worm and its voice, the whole forest will come under its control. Right now, only the Halflings of the Fellos estate stand against it. We will not let them stand alone. We will not let your father die in vain for nothing. I want you to go to the estate. I want you to kill the worm’s allies. I want you to take vengeance, I want you to bring glory and honor to the gnolls.†He stamps and howls. “As you go, I send with you a pack of a thousand. They will be under the command Vatpik, but they will follow your example. They will be inspired by the quest of you eight. Defend the estate while I gather up a horde of gnolls, and army with which to fight the worm and its minions, and the fey.â€
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Any questions for the Warlord can be asked.
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Akrak, you mentioned that our fathers possessions would be distributed among the pack. I can think of no better way to slay the cowardly "Voice" than with father's weapons. When do we leave? I am anxious to exercise my right of vengeance.
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Akrak, you mentioned that our fathers possessions would be distributed among the pack. I can think of no better way to slay the cowardly "Voice" than with father's weapons. When do we leave? I am anxious to exercise my right of vengeance.
He grins, "I like your vigor. You will leave as soon as you can all be ready. I will order the pack assembled."
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Part 7
After your talk with the Warlord has been complete, he says, “Now, to other matters. Your father’s belongings.†He barks and a minute later two gnolls carry in a stout wooden chest. They put it next to the Warlord. He opens the lock with a clawed finger and lifts the lid. Inside are most the finest of your father’s possessions. The Warlord takes them out on by one and lays them on the floor. “There are eight items, and eight of you. Destiny. I will let you decide, but if you cannot, I will decide.†You know that when a Warlord lets anyone else decide anything, that is an honor.
The items are known to most of you, and where they are not, one brother at least knows and tells the others. The first items is his sword. A two handed cleaver-like weapon is known as ‘the finisher’. It is said to be enchanted by Dedestroyt to make sure that any creature hit by it that is near death, will be killed. It is also said to not allow those killed by it to be brought back from the dead (a common enchantment by the clerics of Dedestroyt.)
His bow is next. Your father’s bow is a masterwork gnoll bow. Crafted for him by a village elder after he saved the elder’s family from trolls, it is enchanted to prevent those that are hit by its arrows from healing the wounds. Next to the bow, and a separate choice, is his quiver with arrows. The arrows have been dipped in the blood of a powerful Fey he killed and made into deadly poison capable of killing fey. He has twenty three such arrows. The quiver is water proof and has a cap to protect the arrows, or anything else inside.
His armor is made from the skin of a Hebablam, and there is a necklace made from its teeth. It is said that your father killed the creature on his own, a rite of initiation for pack leaders. The teeth were enchanted to give your father the skin and fortitude of a Hebablam. The skin armor protects the wearer from arrows, teeth, and daggers such that they rarely penetrate the armor.
When your father was young, his father gave him a gift when your father became a hunter. Your father’s father was a skilled hunter, but never made it to be a pack leader. As a hunter, he had completed many hunts. During own such hunt, he found the bodies of some halflings that had been killed by Vass. After killing the Vass for having committed such a cowardly act, he blessed the bodies. The halfing’s relatives rewarded him with a set of belts and straps, all blessed to allow the wearers to travel easily. Your father told you that when he wore them, he was difficult to track and he could move through the brambles without being hurt.
When he became pack leader, your father was soon challenged by one of the hunters. After disciplining him, your father took from him leather bracers as a punishment. The bracers had been blessed long ago to allow the gnoll that wears them to act with great skill and quickness.
The last item is a helm. After several years as pack leader, your father thought that he needed a better way to protect himself for magic. An attack but Fironi convinced him of that. He set out and when he returned, he had a stone made of a strange gem never before seen in the forest. He had it woven into a helm and it protected him from magic.
Missing from the lot is your father’s spear. You all are certain it was valuable, and blessed in some way.
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I would be honored to take the sword.
OOC: I think it fits well with my character being a cleric of Destroyt. I know there is another cleric of Dedestroyt so would also defer to them if they wanted it.
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Akrak, you mentioned that our fathers possessions would be distributed among the pack. I can think of no better way to slay the cowardly "Voice" than with father's weapons. When do we leave? I am anxious to exercise my right of vengeance.
Note that the brother that said this is the one that burned Skupt years ago and the one that went off with the Ettin Hunter Yekel.
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I would be honored to take the sword.
OOC: I think it fits well with my character being a cleric of Destroyt. I know there is another cleric of Dedestroyt so would also defer to them if they wanted it.
Note that the brother that said this is the one that went with the cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg and is the one that saved Skupt.
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After asking for the sword, the Warlord nods his head and motions for you to pick up the sword. Lifting it, it occurs to you, being a large gnoll, that the sword does not change size and would not work as a great sword for you. The same is true of your brother who went to train without the warlord.
Looking at the other items: the armor, bow, and the arrows do not change size. The straps, the necklace, the helm and the bracers do change size.
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Why Voice not wipe out villages? Why Voice want gnolls? Gnolls not make good slaves. Except females.
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Apparently the sword is meant for another. My lucky brother who gets this is surely blessed by dedestroyt.
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The Warlord responds, "Strategy, the worm and its mouth must have some strategy that is the reason to not wipe us out." He appears to be talking to the large brother of yours that asked the questions, directly.
"Think about reasons you would not wipe out an enemy that you could slaughter. Fear of vengeance? Perhaps they are weak, and cannot, but don't want to show it."
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Great warlord Akrak, what happened to father's spear? Did Voice take ?
Tox no need item from father. Give blind brother another item; blind brother need more than Tox.
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Great warlord Akrak, what happened to father's spear? Did Voice take ?
Tox no need item from father. Give blind brother another item; blind brother need more than Tox.
The Warlord responds, "Yes, The Voice took your father's spear. He must have seen its power, for it was the pack leader of your father horse. Able to harm any creature...Fey, undead, fiend. It could extend to a great length, return to his hand. And what it did to those he loved to hunt," the Warlord pauses and has a moment, "beautiful."
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. . . He must have seen its power, for it was the pack leader of your father horse . . .
Tox gets an obviously confused look on his face.
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mistype....horde not horse
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I would like to take a look at the helm. It fits well with my armor.
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I choose the necklace of hebablam teeth, so that I may always remember Father's most glorious hunt.
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"Brothers, if it's okay with you, I would like Father's bow. We will slay The Voice and reclaim Father's spear. We will sever this coward into many pieces and scatter them across all the villages for the tribe leaders to display as tribute to Father's memory. Dedestroyt will be pleased."
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It takes little for all of you, having been around bows of quality and all being trained to use them, to realize that your father's bow is meant for only the strongest among the gnolls to use. Also, realizing that only normal sized gnolls can use it makes the strength of such a gnoll even more impressive.
It is clear that the runt, the blinded, the brother that went with the Nipit, and the large brothers cannot use it. That leaves only the one that flamed (who just asked), the one that has to this point remained quiet and returned with an elf, and the raging one as options for the bow.
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Can we get a list of who's who?
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1 ) 'Scratch' - blind brother
2 ) Runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days
3 ) Ozzle - created the fire - wants the bow - went with Ettin hunter Yekel
4 ) Tox - large brother - went with Warlord Akrak - doesn't need an item
5 ) large brother - wears armor - saved gnoll years ago - went with cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg
6 ) crazed brother - taken away forcibly - returned with human Alwidst and flind Bact
7 ) brother that returned with Hemino the Nipit - wants the teeth
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil
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Scratch tilts his head and twitches an ear towards the sound of Tox' voice. "I have learned some useful skills in your time away from the pack, but I'll take your offer and take the straps and bracers"
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We will not continue with the story until you have settled who is getting what items.
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Scratch tilts his head and twitches an ear towards the sound of Tox' voice. "I have learned some useful skills in your time away from the pack, but I'll take your offer and take the straps and bracers"
Blind brother cook?
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"Yes, Tox. I make a delicious sandwich. Would you like a taste?"
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"Yes, Tox. I make a delicious sandwich. Would you like a taste?"
" Mmmmm . . . No! Only if great warlord Akrak is eating again! (What's a sand witch ?)"
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The Warlord chuckles, "Unless you are cooking it over a large fire, that is the work of a b****"
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Ozzle punches Tox in the face. "I believe this is the sandwhich Scratch is referring to. I hope you enjoyed it. There's more if you want seconds."
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Ozzle punches Tox in the face. "I believe this is the sandwhich Scratch is referring to. I hope you enjoyed it. There's more if you want seconds."
"Great Warlord Akrak, may Tox pummel ignorant brother for acting like fool in Great Warlord Akrak's presence?"
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The Warlord snorts in amusement, and then says, "Don't hurt him too badly, you will need him soon."
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The Warlord snorts in amusement, and then says, "Don't hurt him too badly, you will need him soon."
Grapple
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From what I know of the two character, Tox the larger, stronger, and more skill unarmed combatant takes down his smaller (although still large) brother.
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From what I know of the two character, Tox the larger, stronger, and more skill unarmed combatant takes down his smaller (although still large) brother.
With his opponent pinned, Tox takes out a very sharp dagger and shaves a bald strip down the center of Ozzle's head.
"Now ignorant brother have hairless place with hair on either side like female, except on head for all to see. Next time ignorant brother punch Tox for no reason Tox use knife to take one of ignorant brother's stones. Punch again and ignorant brother become ignorant sister. Forever.
Rest of brothers remember: Tox soldier. Disrespect Tox, get soldier discipline in return."
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From what I know of the two character, Tox the larger, stronger, and more skill unarmed combatant takes down his smaller (although still large) brother.
The wrestling match between Tox and Ozzle was not much of a match. Tox grapples, easily maintains, and pins his brother. This impresses you all, since Ozzle is strong, enough so to use the bow of your father. Despite that, Tox appears to know how to handle himself when wrestling...and is more than a foot taller and nearly twice as heavy.
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With his opponent pinned, Tox takes out a very sharp dagger and shaves a bald strip down the center of Ozzle's head.
"Now ignorant brother have hairless place with hair on either side like female, except on head for all to see. Next time ignorant brother punch Tox for no reason Tox use knife to take one of ignorant brother's stones. Punch again and ignorant brother become ignorant sister. Forever.
Rest of brothers remember: Tox soldier. Disrespect Tox, get soldier discipline in return."
If you're seriously trying to shave Ozzle's head, prepare to roll initiative...you may also want to write up a new character. ;)
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If you're seriously trying to shave Ozzle's head, prepare to roll initiative...you may also want to write up a new character. ;)
Not his whole head.
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OOC: I will take the bracers or the belt
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Not his whole head.
Them's fightin' words. Prepare for a Gnoll on Gnoll hate crime.
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When Tox backs off Ozzle, he growls fiercely. Reaching out with his hand, he pints with a finger and a ray of fire burns an O on Tox's chest.
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When Tox backs off Ozzle, he growls fiercely. Reaching out with his hand, he pints with a finger and a ray of fire burns an O on Tox's chest.
Is this after I've shaved his head?
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Yes.
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Tox mutters "spear", and a long javelin like spear appears in his hand.
"Great Warlord Akrak, Tox not hurt ignorant brother because Great Warlord Akrak say not to. Now ignorant brother burn Tox. What Great Warlord Akrak want Tox to do? Tox not want to kill ignorant brother but ignorant brother not learn lesson from gentle discipline. Tox give ignorant brother soldier discipline?"
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The Warlord says, "If he were my soldier, I would have you beat him into submission and thrown into a pit for his weakness. But this is your father's home, and he believed brothers to hold a higher importance. I would not want his spirit angered by such an action."
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The Warlord says, "If he were my soldier, I would have you beat him into submission and thrown into a pit for his weakness. But this is your father's home, and he believed brothers to hold a higher importance. I would not want his spirit angered by such an action."
"Very well. Great Warlord Akrak has spoken."
Tox takes the dagger and cuts the burned flesh away.
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"Time is short, decide what each of you claim." says Akrak.
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belts/straps - armor - bow - helm - in maybe that order
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OOC: The arrows are for a gnoll bow, I assume?
"Since Tox gives up his choice, then the bow and the arrows will go together to the best archer" says Drax in a very matter of fact tone. "A contest, perhaps?"
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The arrows are for a gnoll bow.
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This is a list based on what has been requested. Note that the one brother that has not requested anything defaults to the sword. This is not final, just giving a point where the debate is at, and also added a name.
1 ) 'Scratch' - blind brother - Bracers
2 ) runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days Straps
3 ) Ozzle - created the fire - wants the bow - went with Ettin hunter Yekel - Bow and Arrows
4 ) Tox - large brother - went with Warlord Akrak - doesn't need an item - No Item
5 ) large brother - wears armor - saved gnoll years ago - went with cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg - Helm
6 ) crazed brother - taken away forcibly - returned with human Alwidst and flind Bact - Sword
7 ) Drax - brother that returned with Hemino the Nipit - Teeth
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil - Armor
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This is a list based on what has been requested. Note that the one brother that has not requested anything defaults to the sword. This is not final, just giving a point where the debate is at, and also added a name.
1 ) 'Scratch' - blind brother - Bracers
2 ) runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days Straps
3 ) Ozzle - created the fire - wants the bow - went with Ettin hunter Yekel - Bow and Arrows
4 ) Tox - large brother - went with Warlord Akrak - doesn't need an item - No Item
5 ) large brother - wears armor - saved gnoll years ago - went with cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg - Helm
6 ) crazed brother - taken away forcibly - returned with human Alwidst and flind Bact - Sword
7 ) Drax - brother that returned with Hemino the Nipit - Teeth
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil - Armor
Tox not say any brother take second item. Tox say blind brother take second item. If blind brother not want second item, Tox take item out of respect for father.
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"Tox, it only makes sense that the bow and arrows go together. I know you think that I need special treatment, but save your breath."
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"Tox, it only makes sense that the bow and arrows go together. I know you think that I need special treatment, but save your breath."
Tox glowers at Scratch for about thirty seconds before realizing he can't see the look.
"Great Warlord Akrak say bow and arrows not one. In Great Warlord Akrak's bodyguard Tox learn: make as many soldiers strong as possible. One brother with magic bow and another brother with magic poison arrows is better than one brother with both.
Great Warlord Akrak say: if Tox can't choose, Great Warlord Akrak make choice. If Great Warlord Akrak give Tox item, Tox take. If Great Warlord Akrak say Tox not need item then Father will be pleased with how mighty Tox is."
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The Warlord says, "Tox, you are correct. The arrows and bow are better split. Perhaps you can take the arrows and stab a fey with them."
-
It is at this point that Khraz walks over and picks up the sword. He has yet to speak since his return.
In a voice that is barely audible he says "enough."
"Have you learned nothing?" His glower is focused on Tox and Ozzle mainly. "We stand here with the shadow of our father weighing heavy on all of us and you dare to squabble like insolent pups fighting over scraps. Where is your honor. Your sense of family." With each sentence the volume increases slightly.
"I have lived like an animal, locked away in a cage, in a filthy pit, only to return to this! Do you remember nothing! Do you not know what is important?" His volume has still only increased slightly but it is obvious that he is visibly agitated.
"I think it is time you were reminded of what our father really wanted. What he stood for." It is at this point that he has a crazed, almost feral look to himself.
"Rise up brothers! Show these two the meaning of family. Teach them what will happen when we fight amongst ourselves. Join with me and show them the power of the pack! Let them learn the lesson that all will soon know! As one we are are unstoppable!"
-
The melee that erupts is horrific, everyone but the armored brother of Dedestroyt rushes forward and a huge brawl begins. No one else is capable of taking any intelligent action. Large cleric brother, what do you do.
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The melee that erupts is horrific, everyone but the armored brother of Dedestroyt rushes forward and a huge brawl begins. No one else is capable of taking any intelligent action. Large cleric brother, what do you do.
Does this include Tox and Ozzle?
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The armor is hide?
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The armor is hide?
It is a light armor, close to leather.
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Does this include Tox and Ozzle?
Yes, whatever it is does not appear to have be discriminatory based on the words of your brother.
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The melee that erupts is horrific, everyone but the armored brother of Dedestroyt rushes forward and a huge brawl begins. No one else is capable of taking any intelligent action. Large cleric brother, what do you do.
The large brother in the armor does nothing. He watches for half a minute while the rest of you pummel each other with fist and foot and tooth and claw. When it ends, Khraz is collapsed with a glazed and exhausted look. The rest of you are in varying stats of pain. Ozzle, Tox, and Drax are all unconscious.
The Warlord stands after it ends and looks at those that are standing, Scratch and the three nameless brothers. "Good that is out of our system. After they wake up, decide on the items, then get ready. Tomorrow, you leave for the north." He begins to leave.
"Let them know," motioning towards the brothers on the ground, "That I will not tolerate another outbreak."
He leaves.
-
Scratch tilts his head slightly and moves his ears around a bit, then makes his way over to the items. Once there he gingerly touches them until he locates the bracers. When he does, he puts them on.
to the others that are still standing, "Whatever happens, one of us must stay with Khraz and make sure this does not happen again."
-
The large brother that was not effected by the bloodlust pick up the helm and puts it on. His name is grozik.
-
Update
1 ) 'Scratch' - blind brother - Bracers
2 ) runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days - Straps
3 ) Ozzle - created the fire - wants the bow - went with Ettin hunter Yekel - Bow and Arrows
4 ) Tox - large brother - went with Warlord Akrak - doesn't need an item - No Item
5 ) Grozik - large brother - wears armor - saved gnoll years ago - went with cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg - Helm
6 ) Khraz - crazed brother - taken away forcibly - returned with human Alwidst and flind Bact - Sword
7 ) Drax - brother that returned with Hemino the Nipit - Teeth
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil - Armor
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The gnoll word for scratch is Zipnar.
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Tox wake up yet? Always angry brother need some time in leech pit to pay for disrespecting Great Warlord Akrak. Maybe get some anger out of blood too.
-
Unless a brother heals the unconscious in some way, it takes an hour or two for everyone else to wake.
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After fifteen minutes, your half sister beings in water, bandages, and such.
You rest and talk more subdued. Finally, everyone recovers, except Khraz.
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After fifteen minutes, your half sister beings in water, bandages, and such.
You rest and talk more subdued. Finally, everyone recovers, except Khraz.
Tox moves as far away from "always angry" brother and inspects the arrows.
"Hmmm odd number of arrows." He looks for a moment as if he is going to split one long ways with a dagger but then shakes his head and puts the knife away. "Tox keep one arrow to honor Father. Give 11 to "reverse Mohawk" brother and give 11 and quiver to different brother who shoot bow good. Who shoot bow good?"
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Tox moves as far away from "always angry" brother and inspects the arrows.
"Hmmm odd number of arrows." He looks for a moment as if he is going to split one long ways with a dagger but then shakes his head and puts the knife away. "Tox keep one arrow to honor Father. Give 11 to "reverse Mohawk" brother and give 11 and quiver to different brother who shoot bow good. Who shoot bow good?"
*raises hand*
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Update
1 ) 'Scratch' - blind brother - Bracers
2 ) runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days - Straps
3 ) Ozzle - created the fire - wants the bow - went with Ettin hunter Yekel - Bow and 11 Arrows
4 ) Tox - large brother - went with Warlord Akrak - doesn't need an item - 1 Arrow
5 ) Grozik - large brother - wears armor - saved gnoll years ago - went with cleric of Dedestroyt Vokseeg - Helm
6 ) Khraz - crazed brother - taken away forcibly - returned with human Alwidst and flind Bact - Sword
7 ) Drax - brother that returned with Hemino the Nipit - Teeth
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil - Armor and 11 Arrows
-
*raises hand*
"Oh good, give tiny brother arrows and quiver. Tiny brother need bow and arrows; keep away from big enemies."
-
Update
2 ) runt of litter - went with diseased gnoll Kaklan - warned of danger in younger days - Straps[/]
8 ) brother that returned with elf Tamil - Armor and 11 Arrows
Tox so confused
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"Oh good, give tiny brother arrows and quiver. Tiny brother need bow and arrows; keep away from big enemies."
The brother that raised his hand is not the runt.
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I'll give another week before we move on from the selection of items and the scene in the house.
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Having chosen your items, the brothers begin to gather their belongings for the trip. Your brother Ghazik does not recover for more than a day, and is weary after that for another day.
On the next day, the Warlord says to you, "You are to leave ahead of the pack. You are to make way for them. Scout and clear the path. I will not put any of you in charge of the pack of you. You are to work as a team. If there comes a point when a decision cannot be made, do not waste time. Tox will break any ties, he is the soldier among you.†Then turning to Tox, “Do not try to rule over your brothers, I have given you his authority, but you are not a pack leader. Break ties, end long disputes, do not command.â€
-
Tox has confused and concerned look on his face. Tox raises hand.
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The Warlord says, "Speak Tox."
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The Warlord says, "Speak Tox."
"Great Warlord Akrak, Tox not know the way to halflingtown."
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"Some of your brothers know the way. It is called the Fellos Estate."
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Your trip is not eventful to begin. You head out our hours before the pack of 2,000. You clear the path of things that would slow down the large pack. You cut a path through the bush where possible and mark ways around when necessary. You avoid towns, doing your best to conceal the march of the large pack. You have the advantage of the fear of many of the communities. They are not sending out many merchants or scouts far from home. On the 2nd day, you are sent a messenger from the large pack. His name is Kerx, a fast moving scout. “I command the scout pack. I will be sending three messengers a day to you. Report anything important and send them back.†Tox thinks he met the gnoll once, but he is not sure. Kerx is twice as old as any of you. His face shows the wear of battle and his body the wear of travel. He is dark brown in color and lightly encumbered. He other messengers you meet are similarly outfitted, but none are as experienced.
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Kerx meets with you once every other day. He gives you a report on the large pack. The large pack that follows you consists entirely of gnolls, with one exception. There is a human named Dairn. “He is a masked human. A southerner he says. He is here to learn. Lean what, I don’t know. He has some skill, his bow is small and he whines that he has no horse.†The rest of the pack is what you would expect. It is your pack on a larger scale. Lots of warriors, weighted towards rangers with some fighters and some berserkers. There are divine spellcasters more than double the arcane ones. There are plenty of scouts. They have no pack animals or wagons. They do have more than a hundred animals of war; include a flock of hawks, three packs of wolves, several giant hyena, swarm of bats, and other animals." Kerx adds, “We are lucky to have with us Zevik the Beastmaster and Terrormaw.†Some of you have heard of the gnoll and his beasts. For nearly three decades, he has trained a weird menagerie of mutant creatures. Terrormaw is a twenty foot long giant cat with two rows of teeth.
-
Tox looks suspicious at mention of the masked human.
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As you travel, the large pack is assigned with collecting information. In front, you are to not give away the position in advance. In turn, the pack gives reports to you. The trip takes you two weeks. You make excellent time, in your estimation. You avoid every danger and Kerx gives you praise after ten days. “You honor your father by your skill.†In that time, you scare several halflings into silence and hiding. You kill several small beasts that may have hurt the passing pack. You avoid a swollen marsh that would have slowed the pack. On the 12th day, you receive word that the pack is stopping. The religious leaders have demanded a day of worship and sacrifice. Kerx informs you of that in person. He is not happy with the situation, but he says, “The majority of the pack leaders are in favor of the worship, and Zevik agrees.â€
-
Tox says: "Tell clerics, pack stop when pack on good ground to fight. Clerics make pack stop on bad ground and pack gets attacked, clerics get trip to Dedestroyt's home."
-
Kerx replies, "Most of them are clerics of Dedestroyt, so I don't think that is a threat." That said, he does return and there is general agreement that is a good idea. You scout around and make sure the area is good before stopping.
-
The day after the worship, the weather begins to change. Rain falls and there is a strong wind blowing. Not rare for this time of year or this area, but unfortunate timing. While you are not slowed much at all, the large pack is bogged down. You are forced to spend more time waiting for them to catch up and you are told the mood of the large pack sours. You lose two days and the weather continues to slow your pace. The messengers report that pack discipline is faltering and there is some infighting. Kerx reports through a messenger, “I am needed here and cannot come speak with you. I sense a foul scent flowing through the pack causing dissent, but the clerics have found nothing. Do not think about coming to check on us, I do not want you tainted.â€
-
Are brothers there yet?
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Where?
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Where?
Halflingtown!! (Who ask such dumb question? Need good smack)
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You are not there yet...we are going to pick up after you begin moving again after the prayer stoppage.
-
The day after the worship, the weather begins to change. Rain falls and there is a strong wind blowing. Not rare for this time of year or this area, but unfortunate timing. While you are not slowed much at all, the large pack is bogged down. You are forced to spend more time waiting for them to catch up and you are told the mood of the large pack sours. You lose two days and the weather continues to slow your pace. The messengers report that pack discipline is faltering and there is some infighting. Kerx reports through a messenger, “I am needed here and cannot come speak with you. I sense a foul scent flowing through the pack causing dissent, but the clerics have found nothing. Do not think about coming to check on us, I do not want you tainted.â€
I continue to pace my way toward our destination, but I take the time to hunt some wild game on the way. I'm trying to determine if the wildlife has been tainted or if it's just the pack of Gnolls.
-
The wildlife appears to be acting normally.