3. :Deep in the Forest:

:Deep in the Forest:


  • _The light reaches the forest floor in patches, the ground soft and leaf covered beneath the towering trees. An area of the ground has been torn bare, exposing flinty rock that lies underneath. The rock is flat and on it has been written strange symbols and sigils, the glyphs writhe and wiggle as they glow with a sullen red light. Light that seems the color of blood.

    A few shadowy human shapes raise their arms and are intermixed with the larger shambling humanoid forms that bear the heads of jackals, hyenas, some say simply dogs. The creatures' insane laughter and howls fill the forest. A forest that is quiet of all natural and regular activity. No bird sings, no small friendly creatures are seen.

    Their inhuman throats force out syllables through their snouts, their human counterparts fewer in number call out the same sounds, sounds that give voice to a name long forgotten, YEENOGHU…..YEENOGHU....YEENOGHU... one stands above and apart from the others. He is hidden in shadow. All others bow in deference at times to this one. He is their leader. He is the way and the promise. The Champion. His coming was foretold. The Gathering was underway. The stars continued to send their gifts. The time was soon.

    The Gnolls raised their voices higher, laughing and yipping as they thought eagerly about blood running across their muzzles. The time of red ruin was coming. Nothing could stop them now. The feast was soon._


  • ((bump))


  • _The Time had arrived.

    The altar was covered in a blood-red light. The cultists were shouting praises to the name of their dark lord until their throats were raw and they were beyond human exhaustion. Not that they noticed.

    The gnolls howled in exaltation and dark elation, filled with the power of their god's unholy might. Suddenly, a tear, a rip in the very air above the altar began to be visible. The tear opened, unveiling an obscene parody of a creature being born from the darkness.

    A putrid, decaying stench encompassed the area. It's corosive presence drained life from the surrounding area. Life died. The ground became brown and dead. Trees became lifeless husks. The huge shape coming from the gorey rent in the fabric of the air, pushed through. Writhing and undulating it's massive form before letting out an unholy scream to the night, creatures for miles away paused and shuddered, wondering what fresh hell had been unleashed this night.

    What was perhaps most horrific of all was once the newly arrived thing was completely through…the process began once again as another of its kind made its way into our world. And another. And another...on into the night.

    Oh yes, it was time._


  • _Deep in the forest, amidst howling, laughing gnolls. Deep in their land there is an altar. Two shadowed figures speak quietly, one with another.

    First voice:
    "Without him they will be in disarray. You can do this?"

    Second voice:
    "You have paid for my services. It will be done."

    First voice:
    "It is almost time. Make your final plans. Await my signal and then you will strike. And then we shall."

    Second voice:
    "As you wish. I will expect the final portion of my payment once your objectives have been reached and completed."

    First voice:
    "Of course. Have no doubt, you will be paid. Your service is very valuable to us."

    The second shadowed figure then turns and disappears into the darkness. The first stares at the altar and the bonfire near it, watching the gnolls, writhing and chanting the name of their god and their salvation.

    "YEENOGHU! YEENOGHU! SHOOSUVA! SHOOSUVA!"

    To the south, the Camp guardians heard the echoes of the gnolls and tightened their hold on their weapons…waiting._


  • _Each night the lights from the forest to the north of the camp seemed to glow. They were dim at first but each night seemed to began slightly brighter. The chants and howls went from annoying to bone chilling. Occasionally screams could be heard, perhaps from human throats before being drowned out by the howls and laughter of gnollish voices.

    The attacks on the Camp seem to have slowed. In fact, there was no attack for past few days, causing some Camp dwellers to fervently hope and pray that whatever roused the gnolls had now left them as they were before, merely a dangerous nuisance.

    A group of Camp scouts were sent north into the woods of the gnolls to see what might be going on there now.

    None returned._


  • _Deep into the night amidst the yowls and insane laughter of the Gnolls, their Leader stands in shadow. He is filled with rapture and joy. His thoughts filled with recent events.

    Another had been collected. The gathering continued. The ceremony continued unabated. Those who fell would return…

    The thought amused the Leader.

    Oh yes, they would Return._