Gnoll Invasion Arc

The Road to Socaller's Fronte

As the party embarked on their journey towards Socaller, they took the time to get to know each other, although they kept their true agendas hidden. Eli, in particular, made efforts to initiate conversations and foster camaraderie within the group. However, the party members remained cautious and revealed little about their personal histories.
After a couple of days on the road, the party encountered a scene of destruction—a wrecked wagon and a gravely injured man. Lezeke swiftly tended to the man's wounds, hoping to glean information about what had transpired. However, before the man could share his story, a sudden arrow pierced his throat, extinguishing his life.
The party found themselves ambushed by a group of goblins lurking in the surrounding trees. These nimble foes utilized the dense foliage to their advantage, launching surprise attacks and quickly retreating into the shadows. The battle proved challenging, with the goblins demonstrating remarkable skill in concealing themselves and launching deadly strikes.
During the intense fight, the party faced a series of unfortunate circumstances, leading to Augustus being incapacitated. The goblins seemed to have an uncanny streak of luck, landing three critical hits with natural 20 rolls on an unlucky Augustus. However, the combined efforts of the remaining party members prevailed, resulting in the death of all but two goblins. Sensing defeat, the surviving goblins chose to retreat, abandoning their fallen comrades.
As tensions rose between Eli and Lezeke regarding the fate of the fallen man, a disagreement emerged within the party. Eli, driven by a compassionate nature, insisted on giving the man a proper burial as a sign of respect. However, Lezeke, driven by a sense of urgency and pragmatism, objected, arguing that time was of the essence, and they couldn't risk waiting for the goblins to return.
The rest of the party, understanding the need to prioritize their safety and continue their journey, sided with Lezeke. They believed that leaving the body behind and moving forward was the most practical course of action, given the circumstances. Their decision was influenced by a combination of their own survival instincts and a desire to avoid unnecessary delays or potential risks.
In a moment of frustration and impatience, Lezeke, unwilling to entertain the idea of a burial, chose an alternative course of action. Breathing fire onto the body, he cremated it, leaving no remains behind. This act further solidified the divide between Lezeke and Eli, with the latter perceiving Lezeke's actions as callous and disrespectful.
Eli, witnessing the disregard shown towards the deceased man, couldn't help but view Lezeke in a negative light, perceiving him as someone lacking empathy or compassion. The clash in values and their differing responses to the situation created a rift between the two characters, deepening the tension within the party.

The Village of Latehold

As the party drew closer to Socaller's Fronte, they were abruptly met with a horrifying sight. Thick, billowing smoke filled the sky, and the distant screams of terrified people pierced the air. With a growing sense of urgency, the party rushed toward the source of the commotion, only to discover a small town under brutal assault by a horde of gnolls. Chaos reigned as flames engulfed buildings, innocent lives were cut short, and the town's inhabitants faced unspeakable horrors.
In the face of this gruesome scene, the party was divided in their reactions. Louis, Dave, and Augustus initially proposed bypassing the village, arguing that it was not their responsibility. Eli, torn by a desire to help but unsure of how to do so effectively, found himself paralyzed. However, Lezeke's instincts and sense of duty propelled him forward without hesitation. He charged into the midst of the chaos, engaging the gnolls in combat.
Despite their initial reluctance, the rest of the party ultimately chose to stand alongside Lezeke. As they fought, they were joined by a few brave guards who remained resolute in defending their town and its people. The captain of the guards named Captain Hakan approached the party, offering a reward of 200 gold for each gnoll head brought to him. This incentive sparked a renewed determination within the party, driving them to fight with greater fervor and purpose.
In the midst of the battle, as Lezeke engaged in a fierce duel with a gnoll, a sudden tomahawk struck the enemy in the face. Turning to face the source of the timely intervention, Lezeke beheld a towering figure—a giant of a man standing at 8 feet tall. With fiery red hair, a thick beard, and painted markings adorning his face, the newcomer revealed himself as a formidable barbarian. In a display of camaraderie and shared purpose, Lezeke passed the man's tomahawk back to him and fought side by side, united against the gnoll menace.
As the unlikely alliance of the barbarian, paladin Lezeke, warlock Eli, blood hunter Louis, bard Augustus, and rogue Dave fought together against the invading forces of gnolls and quicklings, the battle raged on with intense ferocity.
The quicklings proved to be elusive and troublesome adversaries, particularly for Lezeke and Louis. However, Louis devised a cunning plan, luring the quicklings into a small house and blocking their escape route. With swift and precise strikes, Louis dispatched the quicklings, eliminating their immediate threat.
Lezeke, driven by his determination to defeat the Gnoll Leader, engaged the formidable foe in a one-on-one duel. Despite his valiant efforts, Lezeke found himself overpowered and wounded, succumbing to the enemy's might.
The party rallied together, coming to Lezeke's aid and fending off the remaining gnolls. Working as a cohesive unit, they managed to save their fallen comrade, preventing his demise. However, the gnolls, in their retreat, revealed a wagon filled with the chilling cargo of corpses. Determined to prevent the gnolls from escaping with their macabre haul, Louis and Augustus pursued the Gnoll Leader and the remaining gnolls through a cloud of smoke.
Their pursuit led them into a perilous situation, as they encountered a group of ten additional gnolls emerging from the smoke. Louis, suffering from severe injuries, and Augustus recognized the dire circumstances and made the difficult decision to retreat, dragging Louis back into the thick smoke to escape the overwhelming odds.
Though the invasion had not been fully repelled, the valiant efforts of the party had succeeded in reducing the casualties inflicted upon the town. The invaders had been dealt a significant blow, and the party's resilience and teamwork had undoubtedly made a difference in the outcome of the conflict. As they regrouped and took stock of the aftermath, the party's focus shifted to healing their wounds, strategizing their next moves, and contemplating the lingering threat that still loomed in the wake of the invasion.

The Village Reparation

With a shared desire for vengeance and a lucrative opportunity for payment, Eli and Lezeke rallied the party to track down the remaining gnolls and retrieve the corpses of the villagers. Seamus O'Sloan, the celt barbarian from the north mountainous regions of Uskad, continued to assist the village in its rebuilding efforts. When asked for his name, Seamus introduced himself, establishing a connection with the party.
Approaching the captain, the party discussed the task at hand. The captain, recognizing the importance of recovering the corpses and eliminating the remaining gnolls, offered a substantial increase in payment. Each corpse would now be worth 50 gold, while any living survivors rescued would be rewarded with 100 gold each. Seeing this as a significant opportunity for financial gain, the party agreed to undertake the mission.
However, Dave, ever the rogue and kleptomaniac, hatched a separate plan. Waiting for the captain to leave his office, Dave took advantage of the opportunity to sneak inside. With no specific target in mind, he decided to pilfer the contents of the captain's desk. His motive was purely that of a thief seeking valuable items, without bothering to read the documents he absconded with.
As the party set out to locate the gnolls' base, uncertainty clouded their path. Thankfully, Louis, leveraging his skills as a blood hunter, expressed confidence in his ability to track down their enemies. His expertise in hunting creatures of darkness and evil made him a valuable asset in their search.
Seamus, eager to aid the party in their quest, expressed his desire to join them. Drawn by a sense of duty and the opportunity to lend his strength to their cause, he hoped to contribute to their success and bring justice to those who had wrought havoc upon the village.
United by their shared objectives, the party prepared to embark on their mission, armed with their individual skills and determined to avenge the fallen and ensure the safety of any remaining survivors. The path ahead may be treacherous, but with their combined resolve, they stood ready to face the gnolls head-on and bring an end to their reign of terror.

Gnoll Cave

As Louis successfully tracked down the Gnoll base, he and Dave devised a plan to incapacitate the two guards at the entrance of the cave. Leveraging his skills as an assassin, Dave swiftly dispatched one of the gnolls, while Louis, utilizing his shadow-touched blood hunter abilities, attempted to knock out the other. However, Louis only managed to wound the gnoll, prompting Dave to quickly eliminate the threat before it could raise an alarm.
With the guards neutralized, the party cautiously proceeded into the cave, encountering various traps and the overwhelming stench of decaying corpses. As they delved deeper, they faced numerous challenges, battling both gnolls and quicklings along the way. Dave's proficiency as an assassin allowed him to swiftly dispatch enemies, garnering the highest kill count during their infiltration. The presence of Non Canino, their group name, became evident to the gnolls, as they heard the sounds of screaming and clashing swords echoing through the caves.
Undeterred by the heightened alertness of the gnolls, the party continued to stealthily progress. Eventually, they found themselves engaged in a grueling battle against a formidable foe—an imposing Giant Hyena. This encounter proved to be particularly challenging for the party, with the Hyena targeting Seamus. However, through quick thinking and teamwork, Lezeke and Dave managed to save Seamus from harm and ultimately slay the beast. Lezeke leaped onto the creature's back, delivering a decisive blow, while Dave utilized a ballista found within the cave to deal a devastating attack.
Tensions within the party simmered as Augustus taunted Seamus for what he perceived as sloppiness, prompting Seamus to respond with a punch to Augustus' crotch. Despite this momentary discord, the party pressed forward, their determination unwavering.
As they ventured deeper into the gnoll stronghold, the stakes continued to rise. The outcome of their infiltration would shape the course of the battle and determine the fate of the remaining gnolls. The party stood united, drawing upon their individual strengths and the bonds they had forged, as they ventured further into the heart of the enemy's lair, ready to confront whatever awaited them.
In the final battle against the Gnoll leader, accompanied by a group of mage gnolls and a human druid, tensions ran high as the party confronted this formidable force. Confusion arose as the party questioned the alliance between the human and the gnolls, seeking clarification for their unexpected collaboration. However, their inquiries were met with aggression and violence from the gnolls. As the battle commenced, it became apparent that the task at hand would not be easy. Lezeke boldly claimed his desire to face the Gnoll leader alone, asserting his right to do so. Engaging in a fierce duel, Lezeke discovered the leader's resilience, making the fight all the more challenging. Despite the difficulties, the party persisted, pressing onward with unwavering determination. During the heated clash, the mage gnolls fell one by one, leaving only the Gnoll leader standing.
In the midst of the chaos, Eli, urging Louis to take action, demanded the leader's demise. However, Lezeke vehemently objected, driven by his personal vendetta and the need to prove himself. A conflict of wills unfolded between Eli and Lezeke, causing tension within the party. Ultimately, Louis, swayed by Eli's plea, made the decision to finish off the Gnoll leader, striking the final blow.
Eli celebrated their victory, but to everyone's shock, Lezeke's powers began to turn against him. Consumed by his own inner turmoil and unable to fulfill the tenets that governed his existence, Lezeke fell unconscious, his spirit crushed by his perceived failure.
The party, left reeling and unsure of what to do next, stood in disbelief at the consequences of the battle. In a moment of action, Augustus pursued the human druid who sought to release a powerful manticore from its slumber. Recognizing the danger posed by this plan, Augustus moved swiftly to distract and immobilize the druid, successfully casting a hold person spell to keep them at bay.

Aftermath

In a moment of intense desperation, Eli resorted to torture in an attempt to extract information from the captured human druid. Driven by a desire to uncover the secrets behind the gnolls' actions, Eli's violent approach only heightened the druid's panic. Despite the relentless torment, the druid refused to divulge any meaningful answers. Recognizing the need for a different approach, Augustus intervened, opting for diplomacy instead.
Augustus, taking a more diplomatic stance, promised the druid his freedom in exchange for information about the gnolls' background. The druid, under the promise of release, relented and shared what little knowledge he possessed. Although the revelations were not particularly significant, Augustus honored his word and allowed the druid to go free as the party departed from the cave.
Returning to the village with numerous corpses and hostages in tow, the party received a substantial payment of around 2000 gold. The joyous celebration that ensued was dampened by Lezeke's lingering feelings of failure and depression. Blaming Eli for not heeding his desire to face the Gnoll leader alone, Lezeke developed a growing resentment toward him.
As the party prepared to continue their adventure towards Socaller's Fronte, Seamus expressed his need to journey northward and initially declined to join them. However, upon realizing that Socaller's Fronte lay to the north, Seamus humorously changed his mind and temporarily joined the party's ranks.

Completion Date
Roester 7th 4E 766

Plot type

Arc

Parent Plot

Bonae's Attack Arc

Subplots

• Socaller Fronte Arc Part 1

Related Characters

• Agnes Flintsorrow / Eli Rosestone
• Dave
• Guumrenthil "The Dragon" Lezeke
• Louis Maddstrong
• Seamus O'Sloan
• Tharmur / Augustus Bornhigh

Related Organizations

• Non Canino

Related Locations

• Latehold