Chapter 1: A Puzzling Predicament
Chapter Text
Callus is a 7' 6" gnoll who needs to prove himself as a warrior in his tribe. He is currently struggling to find a way to do so. Normally there are human villages nearby or adventurers who steer too close to their camp that make easy raiding targets and are good sport for those looking to prove themselves.
All the villages in the area were raided before he came of age (thanks big bro…) and won't have anything of value to prove himself for at least another year or two. Most adventurers and market caravans have stopped coming through their territory, most likely someone was sloppy and let a few escape to warn people about their camp.
His only option at this point was to brave the dark forest and try to slay one of the monsters in there. The only problem is many of their fierce warriors have entered that forest and have never been heard from again. Callus is a hardened warrior, one of the pinnacles of his tribe, a hardened testament to his race, but the idea of facing the forest is still sickening to his stomach.
Chapter 2: Over the River and Through the Woods...
Summary:
Callus begins his journey into the woods
Notes:
I know I promised a much larger chapter, but I had a decent amount of extra fluff, so I figured I could add an extra plot chapter while I continue trying to finish up The Drake and the Rhino!
Chapter Text
Callus faces the entrance to the dark forest. He has only a month left to prove himself or face exile from his tribe, one of the deepest forms of shame one can attain in his culture, and an almost guaranteed death sentence. Gnolls are strong in numbers. While they are physically powerful, their muscles seem to have sucked power from their brains.
His tribe is there to say their farewells. They all know the likelihood of him not coming back but are proud that he isn't taking a coward's way out. A true warrior.
Callus makes his way through the forest, trying to keep quiet so as to not garner the attention of any monsters. As he moves through the forest, he comes across a stream where he sees what looks like, at first glance, to be some kind of large panther. Upon further inspection, as the creature turns to scan the area, he finds that it is a monster that has and extra set of legs and two tentacles with large spikes on their bulbous ends.
He is unfamiliar with this creature, but with how thickly packed it is with muscles it must be dangerous enough to bring back as a trophy proving his worth as a warrior! He makes ready to pounce on the creature, readying his greataxe, and as soon as the monster turns back to drink from the stream he makes his move.
Callus leaps from his hiding spot with a loud war cry, making to land on the beast and sink his axe into its flesh. The beast's head whips around toward him and snarls, hissing at him but it does not attempt to dodge his attack. Perhaps this will be easier than I thought! Callus thinks as he swings his axe down on the beast. There is a thud as the axe connects to the ground.