Our Heroes:
- Braeden (Human Ranger) played by Battletech Terry
- Sir Kentor (Human Paladin) played by Paladin Steve
- Sir Lantor (Human Fighter) played by Boom Gun Brandon
- The Mighty Xyzzifax (Human-ish Wizard) played by Blaster
- Samson (Halfling Mechanist) played by Shootist Will
- Jaric (Human Cleric) played by Variable David
- Malice (Human Bard) played by Grognard Mike
- Inigo Vulnstack (Elven Rogue) played by Invisible Paddy
All are level 2 or 3 at this point. This account is mainly written by Malice.
Malice rejoins the Valiant Swords, arriving at camp in the morning. She trusted her ability to be sneak through the wilderness, and she trusted the camp to stand out. She arrives just as Xyzzifax is having Bubo fly over the gnoll fortress, to give us a literal bird’s eye view of their encampment. A rough count of gnoll activity across an hour. There’s a pair on the wall at all time, and we identify at least ten different gnolls come in and out of buildings. In the hour he observes, none leave the fort. We discuss the possibility of waiting for a hunting party to leave, if only so that we can split their numbers by killing them. We decide that even if they have night vision, attacking at night is our best bet.
We watch throughout the day, and into the night. We watch for a full night as well. There are a few fires that are made in the fort. We decide that those of us who are sneaky will get close to see what we can do to thin them out, whereas the heavy armored people are holding back. Xyzzifax will fly over their camp, and drop the cask of oil, and start a fire to draw their attention, so we can rush the gate without drawing all the ranged fire in the world. The plan goes off without a hitch – after dropping the bomb, the fire starts on one of the smaller buildings. And the Valiant Swords take off towards the gate.
Xyzzifax hears a bunch of howling and barking as he flies off. We manage to get closer to the gate at a full run, and they fire a pair of bows at our charging group. Sir Lantor is hit with a glancing blow. Xyzzifax drops out the the sky, forming a sword of crackling red lightning – terribly scorching the beast. Jaric charges forward, a holy flame encircling the same gnoll. Inigo launches a firebolt into the fort, and sprints between the gap in the walls. He discovers, much to his misfortune, that there was a pit trap that had been prepared. He falls, twenty feet into the hole. But he’s good at this kind of thing, and rolls when he hits the bottom.
Braedon rushes forward to Jaric’s side, pausing to shoot the misfortunate gnoll, killing it. Samson likewise charges and fires his crossbow – there is only one gnoll remaining on the wall at the moment, and it sprouts a crossbow bolt. Xyzzifax closes with that gnoll, and the sword hissing and crackling, the gnoll takes a terrible wound. The mage flies over the head of the gnoll, down into the pit with Inigo. “Grab my ankles, knife ears!” Malice charges forward, and is shouting, calling out the positions of the gnoll and the beasts in the pen that she can see. Inigo is pulled out of the pit by Xyzzifax, and Malice calls Lantor and Kentor forward.
Sir Kentor charges to the berm, and scrambles up the earthen wall, and glows as he calls a shield of faith around himself. Sir Lantor is close on his heels. The gnoll was ready for this pair, though, and he gives a loud, yipping bark. Then, he inexpertly withdraws, and pays for it with his life, as both knights carve him into several pieces. His body falls in more than two directions. The beasts in the pen rush the wall, baying and howling – and one chewing on the dead gnoll.
The Valiant Swords all make it to the top of the wall. Xyzzifax commands that the gnoll be kicked down into the pen, with what we can now see are giant hyaenas. Malice asks are we killing the hyaenas or going to the stairs – the group agrees stairs and we rush that way, Sir Lantor obligingly dropping the gnoll. As we rush to the stairs, Malice casts light on Jaric’s shield, and Verminax glows brightly as well.
Rushing down the stairs, ten gnolls come out of the nearest stone buildings, one of them quickly taking charge of their motley group. Braedon decides that the leader needs to be taken out, and starts by landing a very good shot with his longbow. Blood gurgles from the wound. With howls, a pair of gnolls charge the knights. Sir Lantor is hit, but only takes a bruising blow. Two others throw spears at Inigo and Braedon. They are both, unfortunately, grazed by the attacks. A trio of gnolls rush to the hyaena pens, opening the gate, and whistling out to them. And, the final two rush to their boss’s aid.
The stairwell is crowded, and Inigo is jostled as he tries to tries to shoot, causing his shot to go wide. Xyzzifax takes into the air, and shoots a firebolt at the gnoll leader. That is enough to lead to his fiery death. Jaric calls forth a spiritual hammer, but the gnoll is able to parry the blow. That leaves him open to be slashed by Sir Kentor, though. And Samson follows it up with a crossbow bolt – but the gnoll is still on his feet! Malice shoots out a trio of scorching rays, but only one manages to land on one of the gnolls at the hyaena pen. Sir Lantor slices both of the gnolls on the front line, leaving them both reeling from the force of his blow. Braedon fires another arrow into the scorched gnoll, killing the one that Malice had wounded.
The pair of bleeding gnolls fall back from the front line, and the next two nearest gnolls come forward. Once again, Lantor gets the worst of it, actually bleeding from this slash himself. The pair of gnolls that were with their leader charge forward, and throw spears at Braedon. One hits – its only a flesh wound. That same gnoll makes a shrill laugh, and Braedon is psychically impacted by the blow. The two that were left near the pen, flee back deeper into the fort.
Inigo shoots one of the pair that had closed to melee. Xyzzifax flies forward, and creates an illusion of a fat, white rabbit to distract the giant hyaenas. Two of them push on the fence, trying to get to the illusory bunny. The other two come out, though only one rushes towards the stairwell. Jaric summons forth a spiritual hammer on one of the pair that had been fleeing, and the holy might is enough to kill it!
Sir Kentor stabs the gnoll in front of him, and Verminax tastes the gnoll’s blood! Malice firebolts that same one in quick succession, dropping it. Samson joins Jaric in shooting the other fleeing one, and kills it. Sir Lantor slams hard on the one gnoll remaining in melee, who manages to take the blow. Braedon, drawn in by the echoing laughter of the gnoll, charges it, drawing his shortswords. He slashes the gnoll thrice, and though all three blows connect, the laughing gnoll stays on his feet.
The gnoll in front of Sir Lantor tries to stab him, but the blow is parried by Sir Kentor, who follows with a riposte, slaying the gnoll. Another charges Lantor, and their weapons clash. The gnoll in melee with Braedon stabs him, leaving the Ranger wounded once again. Malice had healed him, but they opened the wound exactly as if it had never been healed. Xyzzifax flies down to the giant hyaena, and the lightning sword reignites, and he drives it into the beast. It snaps at the mage, but Xyzzifax is able to stay up and out of his way. Then, it follows up with a yip at the one remaining gnoll, almost sounding like he’s talking to the gnoll.
Once more the spiritual hammer flies through the air at Jaric’s command, slamming into the giant hyaena. Then, he charges the creature, slamming into it with the staff of striking. There is a crack of power, and the sound of the hyaena’s ribs breaking. Sir Kentor swings at the last remaining gnoll, and he gives a response bark to the hyaena. He dodges the knight’s blow, magic between it and the hyaena keeping the blow from landing. Malice steps up, lunges with the glaive, but it is not enough to overcome the magic. But that is enough to leave an opening for Sir Lantor, with a pair of well executed slashes, the unwounded gnoll is killed at once. And Samson, with only a single target left, puts a crossbow bolt into the giant hyaena.
Braedon steps up to beside Jaric, stabbing the giant hyaena twice. The beast has been hit so many times that it staggers, and falls over with a slump. Inigo rushes forward, and slams the pen shut. Ths is enough action to draw the attention of one of the remaining giant hyaenas from the illusionary rabbit. Xyzzifax flies to the roof of the nearest hut, deactivating his sword. Sir Kentor hurries to Inigo’s side. Malice moves much less quickly, throwing a firebolt at the giant hyaena, singing it. Braedon goes back to where he’d dropped his bow, sheathes his sword, and takes up his missile weapon once more.
A pair of gnolls come back around the corner, rushing with them is a half dozen of normal sized hyaenas. Inigo gives them an arrow of greeting, shooting at one of the gnolls, and then he backs off – leaving the knights on the front line. Xyzzifax flies to the roof nearest to the gnolls, and hits one of them with a firebolt. The giant hyaena that Malice shot climbs right over the face, and charges towards her. But, the knights are between her and it, and Sir Kentor’s shield is able block the blow. The spiritual hammer bobs forward, chasing Jaric towards the giant hyaena. Once again, he unleashes the power of the staff of striking, slamming into the head of the beast, leaving it dazed. He then follows it up with another jab, leaving the beast stagger back. Sir Kentor follows up with a a clean slash, killing the giant hyaena.
Malice continues her walking pace, and flings a firebolt at the gnoll that Xyzziafax had targeted. And then Samson hits it with a crossbow bolt. That gnoll is looking in terrible shape, and Sir Lantor charges, flinging a dagger as he run. Malice speaks a quick word of magic, and the dagger finds its mark, finally killing the gnoll. Braedon gets closer to the rest of the Valiant Swords, and shoots the only gnoll still standing. Sadly, the arrow just grazes him. The gnoll says something in his own language.
Sir Lantor is swarmed by the pack of hyaenas, and the gnoll. Sir Lantor is hit not only by the gnoll’s spear, but three hyaenas are able to find places not sufficiently covered by armor. Still, the knight staggers under the barrage of blows. Inigo shoots at the gnoll – the arrow is lodged in the gnoll’s armor, leaving only a bruise. Inigo flies over the group, and slams down with a thunder wave – it doesn’t cause a lot of damage, but the hyaenas are scattered all over the place as the blast knocks them through the air.
Jaric charges the nearest hyaena, but it manages to be able to stay away from the terrifying staff. Sir Kentor is quick on Jaric’s heels, killing the hyaena as he rushes past it, and he gest to Sir Lantor’s side, taking up a guarding position. Malice and Samson each fire into the fray, one with a firebolt and the other with a crossbow, but neither of the pair find their mark. Sir Lantor brings down his mighty blade onto one of the hyaenas, killing it. Malice gives a word in the back speech of Iuz, and some of Sir Lantor’s worst wounds heal. Braedon moves up to Jaric and Malice, and puts an arrow into one of the hyaenas, killing it.
The gnolls and hyaenas attack the knights, and with an amazing bit of luck, one manages to actually bite the west of Sir Kentor. But, he reacts by slaying one of the hyaenas that attacked Sir Lantor. Inigo takes a quick shot, killing the hyaena. Xyzzifax reactivates the crackling lightning sword, and leaves a scarring wound from the electricity. The last giant hyaena finally loses interest in the rabbit, and rushes across the pen.
Jaric and his spiritual hammer take just a few steps, and slams over the edge of the pen, cracking into the giant hyaena. Compared to his earlier blows, this is not nearly so impressive. Sir Kentor runs the gnoll through, and then hurries to Jaric’s side. Malice moves to Sir Lantor’s side, and slays the last of the normal sized hyaenas as she looks appraisingly at the knight’s wounds. Samson puts a crossbow bolt into the giant hyaena as Malice mutters in the black speech, and more of Sir Lantor’s wounds heal. Sir Lantor, Xyzzifax, and Malice can see that there are more coming from up the street. Braedon moves to here he can back up that trio, but then spins to put an arrow into the giant hyaena.
Coming into the light, we can see a half dozen gnolls following a leader, another giant hyaena, , and a trio of normal hyaenas. Inigo shoots the giant hyaena in the pen, and finally that is a shot that is noticable. The huge beast gives a paid yelp as the arrow hits its soft underbelly. Xyzzifax puts a firebolt right into the lead gnoll.
There is a flurry of activity at the pen, as the giant hyaena tries to bite Jaric, but Sir Kentor blocks it with his shield, and then slashes with Verminax. The gnoll leader tries to shoot Xyzzifax with a bow, but the wily mage stays out of the way. Jaric slams down on the Giant Hyaena with the spiritual hammer, and as the beast expires he moves towards the approaching gnolls, hurling a sacred flame into their midst. Sir Kentor hoists his shield and takes Sir Lantor’s side. But, it is for naught, because Sir Lantor charges forward, throwing his dagger. Neither it, nor Malice’s firebolt are able to strike true. Samson sprints, coming around all of the buildings. It means that he has a front row seat to see Sir Lantor being completely overrun by the group’s enemies.
At some point in here someone utters the phrase "form the meat wall" - it was probably not Lantor or Kentor ...
The hyaenas attack in concert, two of them managing to draw blood. Three of the gnolls are able to get inside his defenses, as well, their spears stabbing him time and again. Sir Lantor, though, in defiance of all of the gnolls, keeps standing! Inigo is the last of the Valiant Swords to come out from behind the buildings, and he shoots a gnoll, Xyzzifax flies over the group, chanting to give a much more powerful thunder wave. All three hyaenas are killed right out. One of the gnolls is killed as well. Most of the gnolls are knocked around, bones breaking, ears bleeding.
The gnoll leader and giant hyaena both charge Sir Lantor as well. There is a quick yip from the hyaena to the leader, and then he bites Sir Lantor. The blood loss has the knight staggering, but miraculously his has not yet fallen. But the leader’s glaive is enough to finally drop the knight to the ground. Jaric points at one of the gnolls and utters a quick prayer, and the sacred flame ignites on one of the wounded gnolls.
Sir Kentor strides up to beside the fallen Sir Lantor, and announces that the leader of the has been judged. He slashes, but the large gnoll is able to block with his glaive. Malice rushes to Sir Lantor’s side, and heals him. As the knight gets to his feet, Samson fires into the crowd. Sir Lantor slashes with his greatsword, not once, but twice. Both times, the huge blade hits, leaving deep gashes in the leader.
The gnolls rally, and attack the knights and Malice. Their spears find Malice’s range, and she is stabbed by both of them. She gurgles, bleeding from her wounds. Sir Lantor is able to block one of the attacks, and then kills the unfortunate gnoll. Inigo puts an arrow through the throat of the lead gnoll. He is standing, but his death is inevitable. And then Xyzzifax makes it official, he lands behind the gnoll, and drives the lightning sword into him. The giant hyaena tries to bite Xyzzifax, but he is able to bring up a shield spell.
Jaric closes into the swirling melee, swinging with his spiritual hammer and staff. He doesn’t manage to finish off any of the gnolls, though. Sir Kentor drives Verminax deep into the giant hyaena. Malice spreads her fingers, and sends forth a cone of fire, killing a pair of gnolls. Sir Lantor drives his greatsword into the giant hyaena, killing it. Braedon shoots the wounded gnoll, leaving only one left standing. It turns, and flees from the fight – it earns him a slash across the back from Sir Lantor. Inigo gives chase, and puts an arrow into him. Xyzzifax sneers, and blasts him with a pair of magic missiles, killing him.
We search the grounds, and discover that the sturdiest of the buildings is an old defaced temple. They’ve been performing some profane rituals here. Once upon a time, this was a temple to the gods of the old faith, but they have been desecrating it in the name of the demon lord of gnolls. Malice spends a few minutes casting a healing ritual, for herself, Lantor, and Braedon. And then Jaric uses miracles to further heal Sir Lantor. Searching the camp, we’re able to find some coinage and small jewelry. And, the pack leader’s glaive is magical! Malice quickly claims it for her own. We return to Hommlet, to sell what we can.
That was a lot of fighting and a lot of gnolls! They did have to work for it some but it went pretty well. This was a nice change from the prior - and future - dungeon crawling that makes up most of the adventure. It's also nicely modern in the sense that it's not just a random monster lair - there's a story here about what it was before (a human farming community overrun by gnolls) and also what's going on with the gnoll tribe (their troops are being poached by the temple and the leader is not happy about it). It may not matter at all but there are details there to be found if your party cares.
If it was basic gnolls it could have gotten a little dull but they have an interesting ability in ToV:
This is another 4E-style ability that can change up a potentially static fight. It is only DC12 - but it is Charisma, so many characters will not have much of a bonus on this. A little damage and some forced movement can be fun. It only went off a few times here but it was great when it did.
Managing 8 PC's with as many options as they have is challenging but this session was not that bad. This being a raid on a hostile camp was sort of one long running fight with some scouting and recon before and then some exploration afterwards so it had more action than just rolling to hit. Being a defined location but outdoors allowed for more movement and gave ranged abilities a chance to show off.
