Hogger of the Riverpaw tribe was the greatest Gnoll to ever live. All his pack said so.
Those who didnt where just more bones to gnaw on. For years he had led his pack on raid after raid against the humans, and against the other packs.
He had gathered shinies shinier than any Gnoll he had ever seen, and trophies of every life he had ever had the pleasure of taking. Life had been good.
Eventually, after a particularly successful raid, he had received an offer from some strange humans.
He would lead his raids deep into the heart of the blue human packs territory, and in return for doing everything he was already doing he would receive weapons, supplies, and a mine filled to the brim with Kobolds he could use for slaves.
He almost said no out of spite. He never liked humans and the one who came obviously incorrectly thought he was smarter than the great Hogger.
Instead, in his infinite wisdom he killed the messenger and started raiding the areas he mentioned, and occasionally humans brought the supplies they offered.
So he killed humans, feasted well, earned more mates than he had ever had by proving his glory to the females of other tribes, and of course killed humans.
Many tried to stop him, patrolls of the blue pack from storm-whatever marched out in greater and greater numbers to protect the farms in villages.
Now those patrolls made up the armor and weapons his tribe used, filled their bellies, and of that soft and smooth skin made up their tents. Life had been good.
Then the supplies stopped coming, and a few in his tribe said the defias humans had forgotten the mighty Hogger.
So after he mounted his naysayers on spits he decided to take his revenge, to remind them who they had challenged, he struck deep into the human lands, killing the farmers, the patrols and of course any wearing a red mask he came across.
Many of the men said stupid things like "Arent we allies!" or "Please no, dont hurt me!" Obviously trying to lie to him about the declaration of war they had sent his way by not honoring the deal.
Unfortunately not all the humans took his war laying down. Many times he found himself on the field against whole warbands of humans.
In his infinite smartness he attacked them when they werent prepared, and then ran before they could react. His perfect cunning strategy meant he could fight the foes whenever he wanted at no risk to him.
Stil, the size of the enemy warband he was trying to beat made things difficult, and he lost as many pack members as he had gained from attacking the tribes who had been trying to flee the humans.
While he fought them he raiding the surrounding towns and villages for food and supplies, leaving the remains of his victims of a reminder of what happend to challengers of Hogger.
The humans eventually brought war beasts of metal and hay to fight him, costing him hundreds of lives. Eventually he learned to attack them only from a distance, or not at all.
The strange creatures were quick and deadly, but unable to chase over long distances. With that in mind he redoubled his efforts to attack before the humans could properly fight back.
The cycle of fighting and raiding had gone on for many moons before his scouts reported something strange one night.
A lone elf, covered in bandages, just outside of view to his camp, waiting with his arms spread.
All around him were a series of funny lines drawn in the loose earth.
The scouts claimed they had shot at him a few times before reporting this, but just in case he killed them for lying before ordering the rest of the tribe who had ranged weapons to do the same.
The arrows and bolts of his warriors, those of which flew truely struck the elfs body, and while he flinched at the blows he did not fall.
The elf had several arrows throughout his body.
He simply stepped back, bracing the impact, before stepping forward again, his arms spread. "Coward!" the elf called out, still unmoving.
The shamans advised he let them try, but he knew they were just trying to steal his kill, undermine him while he was being made fun of.
With a snarl Hogger ordered his pack to attack, charging forward with his axe.
Nearly two hundred Gnolls followed with him, yipping, snarling, and laughing as they did.
They charged against the field in the certainty they would slay the lone elf. Even if their blows did not kill him, Hogger would chop him apart and bury the bits somewhere.
It was only when they charged past the funny lines that Hogger realised something was wrong. The moment he crossed the threshold he felt lethargic and drained.
As he charged he slowed, his form growing heavier and heavier as he approached. The sound of his own blood pumping sounded in his ears as he grew near to the elf in bandages.
A pale blue glow shined from behind the Elves eyes, and when he grew close enough to swing his axe he heard the whispered chanting of the creature.
He collapsed before he could even lift his weapon, falling to earth in front of a strangely carved totem, with a skull embedded on it.
Hogger's eyes closed for the last time as a living being, falling into a sleep that would never end.
The last thing he heard was the elf humming lightly to himself.