The Biscuits	Dollin - Druid 5th Level (PC)
Locale	Within the Vesve Forest
Date	4/4/585
Time	Late Afternoon

The gnollish squad was travelling northeast through the Vesve. They used their battle axes like machetes to slash a path through the thick underbrush.

Gnoll	How much farther?
Gnoll	Willy, that's enough of your whining. I think we can probably make camp just over that rise there.

The lone figure shadowing the gnolls wasn't able to understand those words, but the whining tone of voice spoke great volumes. He continued to move along with the humanoids, waiting for his chance.

Willy	There, over there, that has to be the spot. Will that work, Jonas?
Jonas	Very well, go and get some fresh water. Roy, you go set up the campfire.

Jonas was obviously the leader of the squad. He was dressed in a leather breastplate with horn shoulder embossing, and he probably didn't care that his dark green skin clashed with his orange and black tiger pelt. Some unlucky reptile had given him his belt, and another one his boots.

His squad was headed back to the lands of Iuz. They hadn't found many woodsmen to kill on this journey, but they had managed to waylay an elven ranger who was travelling alone. Jonas glanced over at the three female members of his squad, who were practicing with their bows. The previous night one of them had brought down a young doe, and he pulled out a strip of meat to gnaw on while he made camp.

Roy	(lighting up the campfire) Where is that Willy with the water?
Jonas	Yeenoghu only knows. Alright, start chopping down those saplings over there. I see we're already using that stagnant pond as the latrine.

Usually the gnollish squadleader looked for a cave or other large burrow to use, but they had seen nothing all day. The week before they had found a nice bear cave, and after they slaughtered the hibernating bear they also had a new bear-skin cloak.

The female gnolls left the camp, with six rough arrows each. Jonas hoped they would find game soon. As he continued to set up the tent Roy ambled in, complaining about Willy.

Jonas	I like him. Willy is a friend of mine.
Roy	But you do admit that he annoys you from time to time.
Jonas	But I don't dislike him. I mean, it's just that I'd like to kill him every now and then.
Roy	(Laughing) Looks like a storm is coming.
Jonas	Those clouds don't look good, that's for sure. Since you're done with the fire and I'm done with this tent, let's go help with the digging.

The pair of gnolls went over to a third, who was digging a good sized hole. Once it was deep enough, the gnolls put a small chest into it and then began to fill the hole again.

The trio of females returned to camp. The first two were carrying a small boar and the third was carrying a struggling young rabbit. That is, until a pair of arrows appeared, protruding from her neck and side.

Roy	(Grabbing his battle axe) Formation!

The gnolls lined up roughly, facing towards the archer's probable location. They were not in a straight line, in order to foil enemy magics such as lightning bolt. Jonas smiled to himself at the efficiency of his squad as he reached the back of the camp where his morning star lay. As he grabbed it he turned to give the next order.

Ka-Zot! The bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, striking the gnollish captain's mace and conducting down to the ground. The gentle smell of ozone was all that remained.

Roy	Shit! Fire, fire!

The trio of gnollish females shot their arrows blindly into the forest, hoping that one would strike their target. The two front gnolls began to advance, battle axes ready for a fight.

Moments later the handles of their battle axes exploded with a popping sound, echoed by the exploding bows behind them. A wail went up from one of the gnolls who was blinded with splinters. Roy rushed into the woods now, hoping to find either the spellcaster or the archer. His vengeance was stopped short by a spear which pierced his chest.

The gnollish archers broke and ran, but they didn't get far before being cut down by arrows.

The blinded gnoll heard nothing now, and smelled only the charred flesh of his former captain.

Gnoll	(in common) Why?
Dollin	Let's just call it a balance of nature. What is in the chest?
Gnoll	(turning to face his foe) Only coins and some papers we found on the elven ranger. What did you do with Willy?
Dollin	The young gnoll will be helping me to dig that chest up. Would you care to help as well?
Gnoll	Go to hell.

The sightless gnoll charged forward, brandishing the dagger he had surreptitiously drawn. Unfortunately, he couldn't see the spear that Dollin had set for his charging foe.

Dollin	Your choice. Now, Willy, is it? Come help me dig up this chest.
Willy	Yes, master.

The pair dug up the chest, which contained a smattering of gold and gems; and a sealed letter addressed to King Belvor of Furyondy. Dollin suggested that the gnoll travel to the northeast and never enter the forest again. As he contemplated the letter, he heard a voice behind him, speaking not common but the Druidic secret language.

Voice	{It had to be done that way.}
Dollin	(turning) {They were disrupting the balance of the forest.}

The elder druid stepped from a tree near the edge of the clearing. He wore only robes and sandals, and his greying hair flowed down over his shoulders.

Dollin	{I am initiate of the third circle Enolis Dollindoleribinish.}
Voice	{I am druid Findon Ippson, of the order of the Silvery Scythe. You must tell me what brings you to my woods.}
Dollin	{I have heard tales of the destruction of the great Vesve. I have heard that the Velverdyva runs red with blood. I have heard the Greyhawk Wars continue despite the pact.}
Findon	{Alas, it is all true, but not quite as bad as it seems. Come.}

Findon travelled with Dollin for a little while, and showed him some of the terrible destruction first hand. Dollin saw the Defiled Glades, with its drifting clouds of cloudkill, stinking cloud, and death fog. He saw some wood elves of the North, affected by an outbreak of chain madness. He also saw varrangoin and thassalosses, and even a vampiric mist. When the time of the full moon came, Dollin accompanied Findon to the sacred grove of the Vesve and harvested mistletoe.}

Dollin	{All is not well. Perhaps I should deliver this letter to the good Furyondian King.}
Findon	{There is more to do than one man can do, and yet there is always hope. Farewell, Dollin, we shall meet again someday.}
Dollin	{Farewell.}

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