For many generations the little Gnomish folks lived in peace in their small grassy village known as Karagorn, yet it was four years ago that all that changed, when vicious goblin raiders came to invade their land and war waged for many years thereupon, but the stouthearted gnomes held out well against the invasion. Eventually the goblins camped near, still beleaguering the gnomes.
"They are our blistering curse, yet they are sent by the gods, here to edify us that naught in life should come easy."
-High priest Hallowedingy Lovalord.
Chapter I, Just another Day of Duty
"Cap'n!" shrilled a screeching voice from afar. The scream nearly made old Captain Stockend Stiffenhard drop his meat to the campfire. "Jeepers!" he said after rescuring the piece from the flames, then grumbled. He figured it was of those damn new recruits who think every footstep is a sure sign of a ambush, Ringferry. His panting they could hear from afar. The captain and Gristring, a veteran soldier, set on a small hill within in a small camping site not far from Karagorn. They were on a scouting patrol, though they spent most of the time cooking and eating.
"Cap'n!" cried the panting voice again, and it was young Ringferry as the captain suspected. "We, sergeant Gremmering and me, found a goblin carcass down the hill. Still all armoured and all bleeding!" quickly they both sprang from their seats and followed Ringferry, who led them down the hill till they came near cave's mouth, the sergeant was disarmouring the body. "What killed it?" asked the captain, frowning.
"Well, other goblins I reckon," answered Gremmering, "considering he has an arrow of their kind across his chest."
"Begads! are they here then?" he drew his sword.
"No-no, they left when they saw us."
"Eh? you don't look all too intimidating to me," said the captain rather mockingly, who was largest of the bunch.
"Mayhaps the goblins came to know my skills, for after all I had slain two in past," stated the sergeant, a fact which was true.
"Nah, methinks it was your frizzly little chin-beard that gave them the hibbie-jibbies. You really outta groom it, Scraggly," he laughed, sheathing his sword. Gremmering replied with a snort. "Well, what do you think caused it, o' intimidating bullyrag?"
"Insurgent. Did not want to follow orders all day long, I guess."
"So that's what you do nowadays to those not following orders? fascinating," he stroke his chin ruminatively, giving a sidelong glance at the sergeant who in past did not follow an order once. He rolled his eyes.
"Nay, nay, nay! that's what goblins do. Besides, history is history isn't it? good god! At any rate, 'tis good news, most excellent as matter of fact! a sign of a friction in their army! we must carry it over to the lord. Grab his feet."
"I'm sorry, I was under the impression I'm the captain, but I reckon you're just too intimidating for dear old me that I'm not going to even argue!"
Gremmering sighed, "my apologize, I'm merely excited cap'n. I'll grab his feet then."
"That you will, and it will be Ferryring who will be helping you."
"That's Ringferry," corrected the recruit.
"He knows," said Gremmering, and the four went back the town.