Onslaught

The party continued their trek south and east along the old forest line. It cut back east a ways and then turned due south. Maintaining their safe distance from the old trees they made good time as Ben continued his mapping duties. On the third day a couple of figures were spotted in the distance running in their direction. Stopping, they scanned around for any other activity and found none. Furion cast a Fly spell to scout from the air. The runners were quickly revealed as two hobgoblins running at top speed. Tyrade called out to them in their language telling them to stop but they ignored his call and veered to their left to avoid the group. They were obviously frightened and running in panic. Their answer included the information they were not looking for trouble but were running. Tyrade pressed asking running from what? But they frantically shouted back they just wanted to go.

Not satisfied by this development Morgana cast an Entangle to stop the runners. She approached and tried to talk calmly with them but they were still in a panic and reacted badly to her approach. A discussion followed on what to do with them, including the idea of dispatching them. They wanted to know what they were running from and anything else they could learn about what was south of them but it wasn't until Gwynn cast a Hold Person freezing the targets. At that Morgana dropped her Entangle and tied them up to allow them to properly determine unrushed what to do. Now restrained, Gwynn also used a Detect Magic to see if they were under the effects of some form of magical fear, but it revealed nothing. The interrogation continued but the only coherent answer they got was they were fleeing from 'tribal warfare'. With that, they unbound the captives and let them escape. Which they did with all speed. Furion used his flight to scan the area ahead seeing the old forest once again broke east but there was a newer forest growth further south that stretched quite a ways east and west before the Wasteland.

The hobgoblins behind them they continued on for three more days before they were attacked by surprise. Bolts came flying from somewhere unseen in the grassy plain. Morgana, Rennala and Jack were struck as Jack fell from his horse, fast asleep. A second volley flew this time striking one of the wagon horses who dropped. Now the party was trying to figure out where the bolts originated as Rennala and Kenny were struck, falling immobile. Furion cast Fly to get a bird's eye view and went airborne, Tyrade cast a Protection from Normal Missiles and Morgana cast Barkskin for additional protection. Bolts flew again, striking the wagon and a few party members but no significant effect happened. Tyrade answered with an Ice Storm in the area and Gwynn issued a Prayer.

Furion now had his view and spotted assailants in murder holes scattered in the area calling out the information. This was followed by the blowing of a whistle and "Cease fire!" shouted from one of the holes. Gwyn called out they were just travelers passing through. With that a small contingent of Xvarts emerged from their cover led by their Captain. He approached cautiously, confirming the situation. When Tyrade realized the situation he mentioned having encountered King Parfek several years ago and his attempts to save him from slavery. The Captain reacted with amazement and introduced himself as Pinter. A far more friendly exchange occurred as this surprise reveal garnered a much more cordial response from the Xvarts. Pinter invited them to come back to their kingdom, called Rill, which resided in the newer forest further south. That trip took another day of travel to reach the forest and them some as they picked their way in to the heart of their kingdom. The residences and buildings were made of forest materials, not formal building supplies but it was obvious the population was not small. They were led to an assembly area and parked the wagon and horses. Furion, Tyrade and Jade agreed to disarm to meet the Xvart leader. They were brought to an amphitheater type location. The main stage area had one ornate chair in the center and a far less fancy seat a few levels down upon which sat Marfek, son of Parfek. There was stunned amazement regarding the story of how they assisted the Xvarts in the past. Tyrade thought the king had been freed and would have returned to his people but Marfek assured him this was not the case but he was encouraged to hear the story and where their leader might still be. The interaction was very positive including the relay of what their mission was and offering Marfek the option of having their kingdom kept off the maps to avoid revealing the location. He was happy to be given that option and he took it. But not long into this conversation the meeting was interrupted by runners alerting the ruler there was an attack coming imminently. The Gnolls were approaching. The party graciously offered their assistance and were directed to an area defended by barricades.

The party raced out to the conflict. The Xvarts had established a line of barricades, tall by their standards but actually only 3 or 4 feet tall. As they approached the line the oncoming horde of Gnolls came in to view. There were quite a lot of them, accompanied by a number of hyenadons and the surprise arrival of a few trolls. The battle began in earnest but first blood was drawn by Rennala who experienced a misfire wounding herself followed by another misfire of her bow which hit Morgana. Tyrade cast Ice Storm covering and killing an area of the oncoming Gnolls. The Xvarts manning the barricades let fly their poison laden crossbows, striking several but not slowing them down much. Gwyn set forth a Prayer which this time included Rennala. Morgana cast Entangle on the far side of the barricade catching and disabling several more gnolls. Kenny used a Hold Person to stop a few more. The Xvarts loosed another volley at the Gnolls but the horde kept coming. As they raced to the barricades they crashed through cutting paths through the resistance. The lines were holding but it was tenuous.

The party was now engaged with the Gnolls as they broke through the barricade line. Kenny attacked with a Spiritual Whip, knocking down his target. Rennala's fortunes changed as her next shot struck and skewered the elbow of another, disabling him and Furion dropped another with a bow shot. Now engaged with a Hyenadon, Jade let loose her Rael's arrows. It took two shots but she dispatched the one assaulting her. A Xvart in the line was killed by a Hyenadon and Tyrade avenged him with multiple strikes that killed the beast. Morgana now loosed a Thorn Throw killing a few more as Kenny's Faith Arrow fizzled. Tyrade struck at another Hyenadon, scoring a critical blow as the beasts attacked back at several of the party. His follow up attack finished off the beast.

Morgana was now using a Flame Blade to attack, Jade failed a Shield Spell and Rennala capped off another Hyenadon after Tyrade had whittled it down some as Kenny killed another Gnoll with a successful Faith Arrow. But now the trolls were involved. Tyrade hit the first with a Magic Missile and Jad cast Shark Bolt to slow down the Hyenadon attacking her. The breast lunged and struck a crippling blow on Jade. But Kenny, feeling a bit overmatched by the Hyenadon attacking him chose to flee as best he could to avoid the one on one confrontation. Running worked as the beast was never able to get a clean shot on him as he retreated to reinforcements. Morgana did not fare so well as she was struck, causing her leg to give way, unable to support her weight. Tyrade turned his attention to the trolls attacking with an Aganaver's Scorcher. Kenny was now behind Morgana and laid a heal on her relieving the critical, disabling wound, allowing her to strike at the trolls with her Flame Blade as Kenny and Gwyn attacked with Spiritual Whips. Tyrade used his second Aganaver's Scorcher in an attempt to finish off the troll. But the trolls were now using not only their club like fists but also their viscous fluid laden bites. And hit they did catching Tyrade, Morgana and Jack revealing the poison in their maw.

Back and forth the battle continued. The number of Gnolls dropping precipitously, the Hyenadons thinning out and the trolls crashing the fight as the two Gnoll leaders decided they had had enough and began racing in retreat to escape. Gwyn hit with another Spiritual Whip as Morgana failed a Thunderclap. Tyrade received a gashing blow from a troll opening a bleeding wound on his neck. Kenny cast a Bless on a group of the party still heavily engaged as Tyrade quaffed an Extra Healing potion to stem the open wound and restore much of his health. The Shark Bolts finally finished their job killing the hyenadon engaged with Jade. But they were no longer as potent as a Gnoll had raced over and attacked the magical creatures, weakening them. Some of the disabled Gnolls were becoming freed of their restraints as the battle raged on and the spells holding them expired. Gwyn used a Hold Person to stop two of them in their tracks. Kenny used his healing to help keep Morgana up and followed with a Hold Person on the last standing Gnoll. The trolls were the only remaining able foes and the party ganged up on them. Striking them down and hacking away until they had the ability to burn the bodies to destroy them.

And with that the battle ended.... For now...

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