<span style="font-style: italic">(A minor note on gnolls in particular: In this setting they aren't as misshapen or mangy as they're usually depicted in DnD. They're larger and more muscular than humans, but the proportions are more similar; they're basically just hyena-furs. They just happen to be the most common breed of fur and have a strong social structure. They were actually created by one of the lesser gods who served under Centrius, Lunia and Ulundius rather than a greater god; Sharee the goddess of hyenas. Although they rarely eat carrion nowdays, some other races still consider them to be dirty and disease-ridden.<br/><br/>Actually, I haven't mentioned lesser gods very much, have I? They're magical beings who have only a fraction of the power wielded by the 'big six', and rather than being tied to a number of broad concepts, they only have a narrow sphere of authority. Usually they are tied to a specific location, like a forest, lake, or city. The more powerful among them will rule a narrow conceptual category (like hyenas). Unlike their greater cousins, lesser gods aren't all that powerful, and many have been destroyed by mortal champions over the centuries. Most of the more powerful and unique monsters in the world are lesser gods in their own right. They can't grant the kind of powers to their followers that greater gods do, but instead can take time to personally appear to do favors for supplicants. People rarely devote their lives to them, but instead give them praise and offerings when they happen to need something. There are hundreds of them scattered throughout the world, and most people will meet, or at least see, a lesser god at some point in their lives, whereas only extremely important (or extremely unlucky) people will be privileged enough to meet a greater god or goddess in person.<br/><br/>Secondly, a note on narrative control: you all have full narrative control over your NPC followers unless I say otherwise. You can write dialogue and actions for them if you wish, though I'll use them as well. You can also create minor setting details (what Akiada did with Hyra's landing is a good example of this) without PMing me for permission first. If a detail you come up with conflicts with the story, I'll retcon it. I prefer to use 'soft' retcons of the "Yes, but" variety when possible: I'll only ask you to change something if the conflict is unavoidable.</span><br/><br/>The tall, powerfully built tiefling Sophia licked her full lips in anticipation as she overheard the leadership coming to an accord on their plan of attack. "Oh yeah, I'm with Saraphina on this one! The wild ones are a perfect first target. A bunch of disorganized fools running around in the woods and howling at the moon? I know their type, it'll be almost pitifully easy. The 'Hand could probably take them even without our new friends."<br/><br/>Ryssa giggled softly in response. "If you're so tough, I suppose you won't mind taking point then?" Sophia gave an arrogant toss of her head. "Gladly!"<br/><br/>Her smile faded slightly as Ryssa turned to Marrok. "Really though, Marrok, I do agree that the south should be our first target. We're less likely to run into an ambush or a well-prepared defense there." Her eyes narrow and jaw sets as she grows serious. "Not to mention they're kin to those scum who destroyed the Landing. It could be that some of them even took part in it, and we're as eager as you are to make them pay. Let's see... tactically speaking..." Her stubby black tail swishes back and forth as she thinks. "If they're like most barbarians, they recruit strong and fearless warriors and make great use of divine gifts. You remember what the horde who took the Landing was like, right? Lots of lightly armored warriors who'll try to close with you as fast as possible. Besides the obvious, we can expect them to have some bound elementals and trained war-beasts. I hear they've a lot of gnollfolk among them, so they'll have some pet 'yenas at the least, maybe some dire animals too. Finally, you can expect them to have a lot of magical healing on hand. They're not completely stupid, and with their overaggressive tactics they know they need it."<br/><br/>As she rattles off her strategic insights, Ryssa holds up her index finger as if she were a prince's tutor. "Those are their strengths. Where they're always weak is organization. Most likely they'll be split up across several groups with little communication or discipline. We should be able to take them apart, piecemeal."<br/><br/>From behind her, the half-orc called Marcus snorts. "Hah, I don't know about you, lady, but I prefer mine whole." he says, licking his lips. Ryssa lets out a distinctive, high-pitched gnoll laugh by way of reply. "No, no, I mean we'll isolate each group of them while keeping our forces focused. Obviously, when the time comes, all of us hope to get one of them alone."<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the shifter Leira nods sagely to Salana. "Yes, it is the duty of the Enders to save the people and prevent this entire region from collapsing into chaos. Without hands to tend the land, the fields will grow fallow and the herds will dwindle and die. It sickens my heart to see so many who worship the worst aspects of the Lord of the Earth and his Lady of the Moon, making their dreams grow darker with each innocent life they end and each field of grain they put to the torch."<br/><br/>And so, the company of warriors make their way down the south fork of the road. The southern part of the valley is much closer than Delium proper, but the path is winding, and the heavy foliage means that greater precautions must be taken against an ambush, so progress is slow.<br/><br/>After a little over an hour of travel, Sophia and the other scouts who were sent ahead of the main group meet up with the party. "Saraphina! Oh, and you other two I suppose, the leaders of the Hand and the Enders. We've found our first sign of life. There's a little roadside inn, not much more than a cottage really, up ahead. It looks like we've already found the Gullet: There's a big symbol of a silver-white wolf's head with a bulging throat painted on the door, and a big damn hole smashed in one of the walls. I spotted an armed lizardman loitering near the entrance, and a few tamed wolves resting outside. I'm pretty sure they didn't spot us; I doubt they'd have the discipline to feign ignorance if they had. It looks like we may be able to get the drop on them."