~ Gnolls!
~ Composed by : Aeryllin

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Brave and well prepared, was I
to go forth and smite the savage beast!
My spells were cast, my mace did shine.
They would not stop this priest!

Deep below the earth I crawled,
through tunnels dark and dreary,
swatting far more cobwebs than foes,
of the travel, I soon grew weary.

But I pressed on with determination,
all my passion burning bright,
deep into the Manara Burrow.
I'd face those gnolls tonight!

I wound through tunnels, grinning fiercely,
my weapon readied and held high.
I had to find them soon, I knew.
The battle was drawing nigh!

Deeper into the tunnels I delved,
past poor souls I couldn't save.
For them, the slaves, I vengeance vowed.
Down another tunnel I went, further into the cave.

All of a sudden, there was a gnoll,
then two, and three, and four!
For every step that I did take,
it seemed I found six more!

They came at me with yips and growls,
with maces, whips and flails.
I fought them off as best I could,
my courage never failed.

But still, their numbers did not waver.
Only a few could come at once, at least.
The narrow passages worked in my favor.
I refused to be their feast!

The tunnels grew a bit more finished,
each foe tougher than the last.
I scrambled down the earthen halls,
a wary eye on every hole I passed.

Around the final bend I charged,
my body sore and tired.
I vowed to finish, even weary.
I was pumped up and wired!

Then he loomed in front of me,
his jaw open, his tongue did loll.
Big and brutish, ugly, foul,
the Chieftain of the gnoll.

The battle was met, our weapons clashed,
a fierce and vicious fight!
With a final smash, the battle won!
He couldn't withstand my smite.

But what is this, I pondered, weary,
trying to make my way back out.
There were new gnolls everywhere!
They came at me with a shout.

The fight raged on for many days,
with no end in sight of the beast.
By the time I emerged, tattered and weary,
I was surely one exhausted priest.

To town I trudged, my feet were dragging.
I left Manara far behind.
All I wanted was food and sleep,
to put the gnolls out of my mind

When I arrived, the House was in chaos.
Everyone did run amok.
I paused to ask, what is the trouble?
And wouldn't you know my luck.

The gnolls, they said! They grow in number,
and we need some help to bring them down!
Would you mind heading out to Manara?
I wanted to weep in hopes I'd drown.

For months, perhaps over a year,
I camped out with the gnoll.
And no matter how many I have smote,
It doesn't seem to take a toll.

So I warn you, brave adventurer!
If you come here, many a gnoll you'll face
But even after a million stricken
You'll never leave this place!


Penned by my hand on the 12th of Phaestian, in the year 606 AF.