Have you ever heard of a Were-Gnoll?

The battle at the dock was done and a sincere clean up was needed. The group wanted no publicity or recognition. They just wanted to get out of town and leave the sweep up to the locals, keeping any word of their involvement quiet. The last thing they needed was for the Zandits to pin this on their group. This was discussed with the leader of the local guards who was effusively thankful for their help. He was more than happy to accommodate their request. But first, a few small items required attention. Hal used his psionic ability to scan for any other magic on the ship. He found one more item. The key to the lower cells was magical.

Now they needed to Identify each of these items. The spell failed when cast on the tapestry. A short side trip to the local Wizard’s Guild and they obtained a few Identify scrolls. Between recasting the spell and using the scrolls the items were revealed. The key to the lower cells had a magic on it that allowed it to Wizard Lock and Unlock a lock. The hat was enchanted with the ability to use ESP a few times every day. The tapestry, which had so much good information on it regarding the doings of the Zandits had a magical location enchantment that allowed it to ping its location to others while gathering the location of other items with this enchantment. This was disappointing as they could now not keep the device. It was decided to have the local guard destroy it. The tapestry was given back to the captain of the guards to be placed on the ship so it would go down with it when they scuttled it off shore as part of their mission to return the Oompa Lloompas to their home. And with all those details handled the group left town the next morning.

They started out heading south west to provide a little cover for their escape. After one day of travel they turned hard back to the east. The intention to stay well north of the Zandit area, skirt the forest to the north and drop in on the Intercities to perform a little additional recon. The travel was quick and quiet. At the end of the third day out they divided up the treasure they had acquired from the ship and used a Talking Crystal to update SD on their findings. Troubling would be a good adjective. Moreso, the news they needed to share with Raifer regarding his wagons and what the Zandits were doing with his designs was going to disturb him greatly.

The party continued on making great time as they hurried east arriving near the forest edge to the north of the mountain range on the 8th day of their trip. Day 9 would not be so peaceful. During the morning hour of their travel they were disturbed by a pack of Gnolls and hyenadons racing out of the trees, setting upon them. They raced from the trees wielding spears in a charge attack, the first few attempts scoring hits. As they rushed on Gwyn and Books in the wagon cast Prayer and Mass Aid providing some extra protection. Hal, one of the first engaged by a hyenadon used his Dimension Door ability to transport away on the opposite side of the battle field. Furion struck the first blow for the group with a combo attack dropping the first Gnoll. Illiana opened with an Aganaver’s Scorcher and Morgana enchated a Seeklng Sword to attack one of the three opponents that had closed in on her.

Books began his spell attacks. First with a Hold Person that captured 2 Gnolls an d then attempting to Entangle another with a Spiritual Whip that unfortunately failed to grasp the creature. Furion continued his rampage using another combination attack to slay his second as Illiana’s Scorcher finished off her target. Gwyn chipped in with a critical hit on his target and Cord dispatched one of the held figures for the fourth kill. Hal cast a Blur on himself to aid his defense, following it with an Eyetrick on the Gnoll engaged with Curly. As Books tried to use the Entange effect of another Spiritual Whip but the Gnolls were a little quick on their feet and it also failed to have an effect.

The attacks raged on. Gnolls skewering with their spears and the party thinning their numbers. Cord killed the fifth, Hal attacked using Holy Darts, Books positioned himself for a crushing backstab, Furion struck with another combo and Cord combined with Gwyn. All these attacks killing another 2 of the creatures.

But now the Hyenadons began to have their impact. Rennala was bit hard, some type of poison reaching in to her body from the bite. The same impact hit Books and Cord. The effect was not immediate and unknown for the time being. Others were also bit but seemed to fight off any effects as the group continued to wade through the enemy. Curly and Hal finishing another two and the enchanted weapon conjured by Morgana hit, knocking down one fo the hyenadons.

Now engaged by more thasn comfort would allow, Illiana cast a Shield 360 to aid her defense. Furion managed to use his combo attacks to drop the hyenadon ion combat with Morgana. It was then the mood shifted. As the creature fell and hit the ground it swiftly morphed in to a gnoll. No one had ever heard of a Gnoll lycanthrope but this seemed to disprove that thought giving more serious concern for those that had been bit.

The battle continued, Cord dropping his scimitar watching it break as it fell. Fortunately it was no special blade.Hal attempted, but failed, a Faerie Fire and Illiana struck with a Magic Missile as Furion dispatched the last of the gnolls leaving just two of the suspicious hyenadons remaining. Rennala finished off one, the beast also form changing as it fell. Illiana hit the last with another Magic Missile as the creature struck Gwyn a critical hit to his shield are, disabling it. Hal struck it with a Hailstone and Rennala scored the last kill, this beast also shape changing as it hit the ground.

The battle was over but now the more serious concern was the possibility of several members in the group being infected with lycanthropy. They healed as much as they could and continued their travel for the day. Books began to feel severe pain in his gut as they traveled. When they stopped for the day contact wass made with SD via a Talking Crystal. He was filled in on the details of what had happened and he made arrangements for aid to be waiting at the entry to the northern pass. He consulted with the healers in Midway who, as fortune would have it, knew about these creatures. Hw knew their form of lycanthropy would not affect them but their was a critical possibility of disease. SD relayed this information as soon as he was able. Morgana and Gwyn loaded up on their spells with Cure Disease using them on everyone that had been bitten. Books felt relief immediately but he still felt a little just not himself.

As he awaited the return SD was greeted by an emissary from the Intercities. Town 1 to be exact. His missive detailed a growing problem with White Ninja in the cities having taken hold in town 11. The letter asked for Midway’s help. SD was unsure how to respond and requested the emissary stay until he could welcome back the group that was on their way in and he prepared for their arrival.

The party continued on and arrived at the northern pass a few days later. They were mety by SD and a number of healers that performed scans and necessary healing on the spot. The diseases were eradicated but caution required those bitten to stay at the healers for a few days. Most were discharged in two days but Books was still feeling the effects of the attack and needed to remain longer. Having arrived in Midway, the party delivered their cargo of chocolates, wine and bath salts.

The last item of business was how to respond to town 1. SD decided to send his own emissary back along with the diplomat from town 1, a few guards and a few Talking Crystals. He wanted to help. He was just unsure of what they needed or what help he could provide.

And now.... another Halrfold original bardic tale.....

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