The Gnoll Magic War was an Izril conflict that mainly involved the Drake cities and the Gnoll tribes. It happened during the Summer and the Fall of 23 A.F. The war ended in an unofficial ceasefire between the Drake cities and the Gnoll tribes. In the middle of the war, the Gnolls tribes had their own civil war concerning the fate of the Doombearers/Doombringers. That civil war ended in favor of protecting the Doombearers. Both conflicts were intertwined with the Seamwalker incursion in Kasignel.
Background[edit | edit source]
Drakes versus Gnolls[edit | edit source]
Historically, Drake cities and the Plains Gnolls have always been antagonistic, with multiple conflicts between certain cities and tribes. In some Drake cities, such as Hectval, City Gnolls are considered second-class citizens. The councils of those cities do every trick imaginable to stop Gnolls from gaining any form of rights, forcing them to work as indentured servants called "Paworkers."[1] Tired of conflict with the Drake cities, some Gnoll tribes decided to immigrate to Chandrar and become the people of Flos Reimarch the King of Destruction. One of the tribes, Saltstone, was massacred by a village in Belchan, leading Flos to declare war on Belchan,[2]
Relations have been relatively stable in the last few decades, especially with Drakes focusing more on Antinium and Human conflicts. However tension was created after the newly formed Woven Bladegrass Tribe raided some Drake cities, while the Meeting of the Tribes was viewed by Drake critics as a show of force from the Gnoll tribes.[3]
Doombringers[edit | edit source]
White Gnolls, denoted as "Doombringers", are viewed as cursed among the tribes, and are hunted down and killed by the Plain’s Eye Tribe. Plain’s Eye set multiple Drake cities ablaze during their hunt for "Doom".[4]
Gnolls' Loss of Arcane Magic[edit | edit source]
For the last two centuries, the Gnoll species have lost access to their arcane abilities, with no Gnoll gaining a [Mage] or magic-related class, with the exception of [Shaman] classes. Forty years ago, Wistram refused a Gnoll [Shaman] saying he couldn't cast magic and declared Gnolls to be magic-deficient and talentless.[5]
Participants[edit | edit source]
Major participants[edit | edit source]
Gnolls[edit | edit source]
Gaarh Marsh Tribe and Weatherfur Tribe
The Gaarh Marsh Tribe is a Great Tribe that live in a swamp with their guardian Khoteizetrough. They specialize in nature, mostly importantly swamp faune and flora.[6] The Weatherfur Tribe is a Great Tribe that specializes in weather magic and producing mighty leaders. The two Tribes want to protect the Gnolls from Drakes and want the Doombringers to live. Khoteizetrough revealed that the Doombringers are actually named Doombearers.
They are the most populated tribe. One of their activities is hunting for Doombearers. When Magic is revealed to have been suppressed, [Chieftain] Xherw swore to that his tribe would investigate the situation.[4] It would be later revealed that Plain’s Eye is paid by the Walled Cities for helping the suppression. It would also be later revealed that Plain’s Eye is using all the luck from the dead Doombearers to create a Daemon of Luck, benefiting all the tribe.[7]
The Silverfang Tribe is a Tribe that specializes in silver. For the Meeting of Tribes, they had multiple objectives: give magic back to the Gnolls, show that the Doombringers were not cursed with Mrsha's help, and give the protection of Gnolls to the Earthers.
Drakes[edit | edit source]
The Walled City of Magic is mostly responsible for the suppression of Gnoll magic. Ex-Wall Lord Dragial is chasing the Gnoll Named-Rank adventurer Lehra for the Blade of Mershi.[8] It would be later revealed he still had support from the city and was a part of it. The Walled City is the first to attack the Meeting of Tribes.
The Walled City of War went into the war with the goal to protect the other Walled Cities and their powerful leadership and only do damage to the Gnolls, not destroy them.[7]
Following Magnolia’s arrival in the city, the Walled City of Growth was under siege by Zeres. Cirediel their Dragon did a life-pact swearing to protect Mrsha. He later convinced the city to protect the Gnolls.[7]
Following the revelation about magic, the Walled City of Gems also sent an army to the Gnoll Plains. Ilvriss took control of that army to help Mrsha.[7]
Sserys and the Liscorian Army
Using the Kasignel Crisis, General Sserys took control of Erin Solstice’s body. When he heard about the war In the Gnoll Plains, he commanded Senior Guardsman Relc and Archmage Valeterisa.[9] Liscor’s Mercenary Army, the most powerful non-Walled City Drake army, didn’t want to slaughter the Gnolls and made it clear in their contract with Zeres.[7]
The Walled City of Waves was already at war with Oteslia. With Liscor’s mercenary army under their control, they were forced to retreat into supporting the other Walled Cities fighting the Gnolls.[7]
Others[edit | edit source]
Their King Fetohep was in contact with the souls in Kasignel. Using the crisis in Kasignel, King Fetohep recruited an army of elites from multiple Chandrar Kingdoms and Terandria’s Knights.[10] He wants to defend the Gnolls against the Drakes and to protect Mrsha on Erin Solstice’s behalf.
Following her attack on The Wandering Inn[11], The Stitch Witch was hired by Pallass to create chaos among the Gnolls.[12] She wanted to kill indirectly Mrsha or make her suffer.
Minor participants[edit | edit source]
The Great Tribe is known for slaying the dragon Muzarre. They are the great guardians and officiators of the Gnoll Plains. They joined Plain’s Eye side.
The small tribe of Gnoll is known for their elite Gnolls seeking perfection. They use their powerful genes to become great at everything and to create powerful children with other tribes. The public revelation about the Doombearer would cause the tribe to divide in two. Two-thirds led by [Chieftain] Firrelle joining Plain’s Eye, the other third led by [Paragon] Gireulashia joining Mrsha’s side.[7]
Fellowship of the Inn and Forgotten Wing Company
Chasing Mrsha across south Izril, the ragtag group of companions lead by Niers Astoragon decided to intervene in the war.[13] Niers wanted to protect the Gnolls and Mrsha.They would recruit minor Gnoll tribes, the Wild Wastes Tribe[14], and the goblin Ghost Hand tribe. He would later include troop from his Great Company in Baleros.[15]
The Walled City of Invention hired Belavierr to create chaos among the Gnolls and to stop Niers. They had one hundred and twenty soldiers present at the final battle, helping the Gnolls.[16]
The tribe is known for their metal fur granted by their [Chieftain]’s Skill. They joined Plain’s Eye's side in the civil war, except for Adetr Steelfur.
The Antinium Hives of Izril
Before the magical revelation, the Grand Queen of the Antinium made an offer of truce and territory to the Gnolls.[4] During the final battle, Sserys accidentally summoned two companies of Antinium from Liscor's Second Army, who helped defend Mrsha from enemy forces, as well as Zeres's army. Xrn also teleported Klbkch & Wrymvr to the battle.[16]
History[edit | edit source]
Discovery of the Conspiracy[edit | edit source]
It’s a tradition for each tribe to present a gift at the Meeting of Tribes. The Silverfang Tribe's gift was a magical tome from the Rihal Imperium, given by an “Eldavin” and Ryoka Griffin.[17][18] Along with the tome, the Silverfangs wanted Gnolls to learn magic, having proof of two Gnolls gaining magic classes: Mrsha the [Druid] and Ferkr, apprentice of Grimalkin Duveig. Ferkr initially could not cast a spell, claiming that something was blocking her. [Shaman] Theikha summoned Khoteizetrough, the Swamp Elemental of the Gaarh Marsh Tribe, who uncovered and broke a gigantic crystal of magicore buried under the location of the Meeting of Tribes, allowing Ferkr to cast.[4]
Following the revelation, on the scrying orb, an international committee was formed, thanks to Feshi Weatherfur and Yerranola. Comprised of rulers from every continent except Rhir, they interrogated [Grand Strategist] Chaldion Oliwing of Pallass. Chaldion revealed at least two Walled Cities was involved in the conspiracy, while implying that a Gnoll tribe had also participated. No official verdict was passed by the committee[19]
Knowing war would start, the Drakes went on the offensive. One conflict involved the Drake city of Bentill ambushing the Lomost Tribe. However, Bentill's army was defeated by Niers Astoragon leading the Fellowship of the Inn, along with Lomost's ally the Ghostly Hand Tribe.[13] To prevent Niers from interfering in Izril and to create chaos among the Gnolls, Chaldion hired Belavierr Donamia.[12][7][15]
The Doombearer Incident[edit | edit source]
After a battle with the Drakes, Mrsha was revealed as a white Gnoll to the Gnolls of the Meeting of Tribes. Khoteizetrough defended her from some Plain’s Eye killers, announcing her a “Doombearer.”[20] The suddenly-equipped Raskgnar Nokha tries to assassinate Mrsha's birth parents Mrell and Prha. The attempt is stopped by the Halfseekers. [Historian] Satar Silverfang reveals the true story of the Beast of Albez, where the slayer of the Beast become a Doombearer. [Mathematician] Yelroan and [Warrior] Merish also reveals that Plain's Eye was way too lucky and received money from the Walled Cities. Merish also reveals that Nokha was hired by Plain's Eye to do the assassination attempt. During a debate between the Chieftains about white Gnolls, Belavierr appeared and revealed that a Daemon of Luck, made up of the corpses of Doombearers, was under the control of [Chieftain] Xherw of Plain's Eye. This ignited a civil war between the tribes.[7]
When the ghosts of Kasignel alerted Fetohep from the arrival of the Seamwalkers, the King of Khelt activated the Dragonward Bell and decided to intervene the Izril conflict. Along with his undead armies, the Revenants of Khelt and his powerful living troops, he recruited the King of Destruction Flos Reimarch, his steward Orthenon, The [Hero] Doubte, [Queen] Jecaina Leysars of Jecrass, and the Horns of Hammerad. He forced the surrender of the Terandrian [Knight] Crusade, Medain and Claiven Earth, saving King Raelt Leysars of Jecrass who joined the cause. Using the Revenant Ship Sand at Sea and the newly acquired Terandrian ships, he convinced the Knights and Herald of the Forest Ierwyn to join him.[10] Arriving from the Wistram Academy heist, [Pirate] Rasea Zecrew, Quarass, Gazi Pathseeker, and Amerys would also join the cause.[9]
The Final Battle[edit | edit source]
After winning a skirmish with Fissival,[7] Niers' forces was approaching the Meeting of Tribes, but the Titan was teleported to Baleros by Belavierr per her deal with Chaldion. However, using his new Skill, Niers swapped the places of the Ghost Hand Tribe and Perorn Sadiluc’s regiment of Centaurs.[15]
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
Deaths (in chronical order)[edit | edit source]
Gnolls[edit | edit source]
- Honored Dorekh of Wild Wastes Tribe[21]
- Plain's Bow, a Gold-Rank adventurer team linked with Plain's Eye[21]
- Honored Bezis[21]
- [Shaman] Ceqe[21]
- [Shaman] Hiren[21]
- [Shaman] Polloriokh[21]
- [Chieftain] Firrelle Ekhtouch[21]
- Elemental Khoteizetrough of Gaarh Marsh[16]
- [Chieftain] Torishi Weatherfur[22]
- [Chieftain] Iraz Steelfur[22]
- [Chieftain] Reizet of Az'muzarre[22]
- [Shaman] Cetrule of Silverfang[22]
- [Chieftain] Xherw of Plain's Eye[22]
- [Shaman] Ulcreziek of Plain's Eye[22]
Others[edit | edit source]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- This is the last major conflict of the Waning World.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Chapter 7.53
- ↑ Chapter 7.10 K
- ↑ Chapter 6.49
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Chapter 8.42
- ↑ Chapter 1.46
- ↑ Chapter 8.16
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 Chapter 8.79
- ↑ Interlude – The Tribes of Izril
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chapter 8.81
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Chapter 8.78 F
- ↑ Chapter 8.28
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Chapter 8.66
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Chapter 8.52 MN
- ↑ Chapter 8.65
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Chapter 8.80
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Chapter 8.84
- ↑ Chapter 2.46
- ↑ Chapter 4.09
- ↑ Chapter 8.49 M
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Chapter 8.67
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 Chapter 8.83
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 22.9 Chapter 8.85