Migi knows the orcs and hobgoblins rarely work together. Tribal cultures have fierce territorial behavior. The Guild obviously wants its investment in the city protected from a major attack. But the old abandoned Temple of Erythnul, therein lays the curiosity. What could bring them together? Something of great value, no doubt. With a sack of gems the gnome makes his way cautiously back into the mountains. His trade as a master spy is not without merit.
Sneaking around the outskirts of an orc camp is difficult. No simpler is it to approach a camp of goblins or hobgoblins. Their vision can pierce the darkness much more effectively than humans, or even gnomes. Luckily, orcs also have a passion for destructive bonfires. The blazes illuminate the camps quite well for any onlookers foolish enough to snoop. From the overlook of the ridge he sees three fires.
Migi scurries through the woods to the first encampment. Hobgoblins and goblins wander through the flickering light. Most look tired from a long day’s labor. Nothing appears too unusual about the camp. The chiefs yell from somewhere beyond the Migi’s prying eyes. The goblins seem uneasy about something though. It must be a weak alliance that brings them all here. Mistrust lingers always in such a confederacy. All it needs is a little push in the right spot.
Migi creeps further east to the next encampment. Bugbears!? Migi peers over a rock. What in Bernman’s Plane are they doing here, too? Bugbears are just as fierce as these other two races. Ah, there! A few orcs are in the camp as well. How strange. These monstrous folk barely get along with each other. What are they all doing here? There’s only one way of finding out.
Migi crawls closer to his aggressive quarry. Common scouts know the value of stealth and invisibility. Migi has devoted a great deal of study to such skills. But to master his trade, he also took extensive time to studying linguistics. Migi realized long ago that knowing what was going on is just as important when he gets close enough.
As dusk settles atop the ridges, the bugbears gather to the fire pit. Three figures emerge from the chaos. A lurching figure with gnarled hands in black robes trails in the back. His features hide under a tattered hood. The second walks tall in a darkened set of banded mail. He brandishes a morningstar as he scans the growing crowd. The third leads the other two from a large tent near the lakeside. As he raises his hand, stillness falls over the celebration. The symbol of Erythnul, the god of slaughter, adorns his robes. He hails the faithful that have gathered. "The joining of tribes will bring great riches as our enemies fall."
Snap! Twigs behind Migi give testimony to something approaching the camp. It’s a lot of something. Crouching at the edge of camp, Migi slowly turns his head. The glittering light dances off the leaves. Then shadows give way to shining eyes hovering high off the ground. A dozen appear. No, two. Three dozen at least as low snarls mix with the rustling leaves. Gnolls: the 9-foot tall barbarians resembling a humanoid hyena. Ahead of the pack are two bugbears. Migi forces the lump back down his throat. If it weren’t for the bugbears, Migi might have been caught in the middle of a raiding party.
One bugbear approaches the camp. Migi watches as he stops short of the crowd. He circles his club in the air. The leader stops in his speech for a moment, and then makes a distinctive nod with a grimace. They’re expected. Migi makes his move. He’s so close to the camp that he stands up and waves to the new guests. The gnolls spot him as he boldly strolls towards them. “Excellent job, comrades.” He stands firm, hands on hips, surveying from side to side. “A most excellent job. You are just in time. The master is very pleased.”
“Who you, small one?” came the gruff voice. He was muffled, holding back from his typical animal fury.
Migi pulls out two gems. “I,” staring into the bugbear’s dark furry face, “am the one who pays you.” He opens his palm to the large beast. “I’m the paymaster. Didn’t they tell you we would make it worth your while coming here?” By now, three gnolls have advanced to gaze upon the tiny stones held in his small hand. Migi turns his hand over and waits for his gift to be accepted. He doesn’t wait long. “And tell me if you guys need anything. I’ll see what I can do about getting it.”
The second bugbear returns. “They ready. We are…” he stops and looks at Migi. He looks back at the bugbear, pointing to the midget with a snarl.
“Ah, the other loyal servant returns. You’ve done us well. The master also wishes to reward you,” digging back into his pouch, “for your service.” It’s amazing how far you can go with a smile and the right attitude.
The gnolls move into the camp, followed by Migi. Who would notice such a small character amongst such a large congregation? From the back he overhears the commotion. “I told you I would deliver your enemies to you, Grasnaz. Now let us see how the great Gruumsh favors our band of warriors!” A feral war cry let out followed by the clash of metal on metal. Within seconds, it ended. The single band orcs were few in numbers. The gnolls closed into camp from all sides. Hundreds of the smelly animals, drooling for orc flesh to rend. Migi stood amidst the mayhem, arms crossed. He returns glances here and there with a swift nod.
The priest praises the gruesome sight. "It’s a true tribute to Erythnul. Now it is time for them to resurrect the olden ways. The temple that was buried, we will raise again. The work on the damn must be completed soon. Let us ensure that the others know who the greater god is. Go now and ensure their servitude. The world will fear us again!” A group of gnolls and bugbears take off for the goblin encampment. Migi mingles a little. He makes sure he knows where all the chiefs’ tents are. He informs the bugbears that he will be around for any equipment needs. Then he slips off into the night to make his own base of operations.
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