The 18th of Miraman dawned clear and crisp, a perfect morning to
showcase the offerings of spring. Unbeknownst to most of Sapience, the
cruel leader of a previously unknown race called the Gnoll had decided
that today was the perfect day to lunch upon something other than his
normal fare of Mingruk stew. With his muzzle salivating at the prospect,
Lirthak sent two of his best slavers out with the instruction to return
with something young, tender, and sweet.

The Gnoll slavers had heard of pixies in Minia, and they headed there
first. Vellis, however, chased them away from the archway to Minia.
Thinking it wise not to tangle with the aged, yet strangely confident
man, the two turned to one another and plotted anew. "What of
Halflings?" he asked, "Do you think he will enjoy them as much as a
pixie?" The other nodded and replied, "Yes, Halflings would do nicely."

The Gnolls quickly headed towards the Valley of Actar. They were not
alone on this journey, however, for an Arcanist named Ethel was quick
upon their heels, shadowing them from Minia to Actar. Ethel and two of
her guildmates, Andreas and Aurielle, stalked the slavers through the
halfling village. The slavers managed to evade their followers by
splitting up. Finally a young halfling girl was spied, and she was
snatched up by one of the slavers. She had but a moment to scream as she
saw the toothsome Gnoll leering at her.

The slaver fled the valley, calling for his comrade to follow.
Merrygold, the village elder, heard the scream and ran to investigate,
only chancing to see the backs of the Gnolls as they ran away. She
frantically searched the area for her niece Blossom. It was not until
Andreas questioned if the Gnoll had taken her that Merrygold finally
accepted what must have happened.

"Please find her," Merrygold begged, "Please find my niece."

They questioned her about her knowledge of the Gnolls, which was very
little. Merrygold told the Arcanists, now joined by Dreas, that she
heard one of the Gnolls mention heading back to the "Hills" and a
"fortress" as he fled. Sobbing and light-headed from the shock,
Merrygold shouted out for the entire realm to hear her plight: "Help,
please help!"

While Aurielle and Andreas left in search of the "hills", adventurers
who had heard Merrygold's call arrived: Josalyn and Defia, followed
quickly by Syth, Sethai, Reiye, Xel, Namino, Glithoniel, Dallam, and
many others. The distraught Halfling elder explained what had passed.
More search parties began to form to head to the Dakhota, Granite, and
Shamtota hills.

The Gnolls were indeed in the Granite Hills carrying their captive
towards home. As they stopped to rest, the noises of the first search
party reached them. In a panic they split up, trying to lead them away
from the carefully guarded entrance which led to Manara Burrow, their
home. As they blundered around the hills, Namino Silverwing came upon
them. Fearful now, a Gnoll slaver yelled to his partner to take the girl
and flee to the fortress. Blindly heading to the entrance of Manara
Burrow in a panic, he flew headfirst into the tunnel, revealing the
entrance for all in the area.

The first to enter into this newly discovered place was Namino, followed
by Rambaldi, and Taril. Shortly after the discovery of Manara Burrow,
Taril found Lirthak, the slavers, and the frightened Halfling girl.
Yelling his find, he was swiftly joined by Kereille, Acar, Namino,
Larali, Kato, Josalyn, Aurielle, Madrick, Dreas, Eranan, Kelderos,
Syder, Ethel, Andreas, and others. They all piled into Lirthak's den,
checking to see if the girl was alright and demanding her release.

Though Lirthak was secretly quaking at the sight of so many seasoned
adventurers invading his domain, he could not show fear in front of his
subordinates. The girl was his property now, he sneered, and would make
a nice snack once they left. Several of the adventurers, realising that
Lirthak would not yield to their demand to release the girl, resorted to
violent means. The dragon Aragon struck the first blow, assisted by
others, and they slew Lirthak. As the Gnoll leader perished, the others
dispatched the slavers with relative ease. Alas, amidst the chaos, a
pair of innocent slaves were slain, mole-like humanoids called Mingruks
who had been subjugated by the Gnolls.

These killings did not escape the attention of the terrified Halfling
girl, who began to bawl. When the adventurers enjoined her to finally
leave with them, she fearfully asked, "Will you kill me as you killed
those helpless slaves?" and refused to trust them. Josalyn and Arabi
told Merrygold her niece had been found. Overjoyed by the news,
Merrygold was led to Manara Burrow and Blossom by the Sentinel
Glithoniel. As soon as Blossom laid her teary eyes upon her Aunt she
threw herself into her arms, holding on tightly as they were reunited.

In the end, all is well, Blossom and Merrygold have returned to Actar
Valley without further trauma. But what does this mean for the Mingruk
and Gnoll race that had lived for years within the Burrow? Only time
will tell if good or evil will triumph in Manara.

Penned by my hand on the 25th of Miraman, in the year 385 AF.