Connects to: 14.27, 15.28, 18.28, 19.31.02, 51.29 and 51.29.02.
Overview
Male gnolls who reach a certain age and cannot find favor with a matriarch (51.29) and those who willingly renounce gnollish culture often spend their remaining years in the remote village of Abbalah-doon. The village is an ancient spiral of bone huts lying on the Tantalus Mountains’ western slopes. At any given time perhaps a hundred to two hundred gnolls dwell here.
The gnolls of Abbalah-doon are more peaceful than their eastern brethren. Most have resigned themselves to scraping a living from the Singing Wastes’ meager game. The village’s howling traditions (51.29.02) are more somber than unnerving than those elsewhere. But despite the gnolls’ relative docility, adventurers are careful not to visit during unusually dry seasons unless they are ready to contend with a horde of half-starved hyena men. The outcast gnolls, when they are in a trading mood, peddle out artifacts from the desert tombs to those who bring meat, tools, weapons and wine.
Abbalah-doon was the intended destination of the Gnawer of Flame and his human lover, Helin (19.31.02) during their final tryst. Knowing that that bringing Helin to the Burning Lands would be doom for both of them, the Gnawer of Flame chose to renounce his race and live the rest of his days with her in the Singing Wastes. He knew little of the new lands, and fell victim to a ghoul’s illusions. He was not eaten by the ghoul, but mauled until he was unable to save his love. He staggered into Abbalah-doon days later, more dead than alive. When his strength returned, he swore vengeance against all ghouls. He leads raids deep into the desert whenever possible, hoping to find and destroy his lover’s slayer.
Hooks
- Tell me about some other outcast gnolls.
- What kind of artifacts do gnolls dole out?
- What hospitality can a visitor expect?
- What do these gnolls hunt?
- What ruins and tombs lie nearby?
