The Howling Horde - Part II

The home of gnomes so deep under the ground,
was under siege by hordes of cruel gnoll packs
who ravaged all, destroying what they found,
while captured gnomes were carried off in sacks.
The Lord of Gnomes could do nothing but watch:
the gnolls were too many while the gnomes too few,
they needed help: a force that was a match,
however, all nearby towns had the gnolls slew.
Then they came, breaking the siege. The heroes!
They laughed and dared the gnolls to do their worst.
To save the city and gnomes were their vows;
selfless and brave, they fought to buy time first.
Human, halfling and elf; all warriors,
the renowned heroes: Thia’s Troublefinders!

The gnomes needed time to evacuate,
a score of minutes or all would be lost.
The heroes set-up and began to wait
determined to make the gnolls pay the cost.
They placed themselves in narrow corridors
so endless numbers would not matter as much
and braced to meet the gnoll’s best warriors.
The gnolls did not expect a fight like such.
Wave after wave broke upon the heroes,
again and again spell and sword did ring!
Such numbers died there grew walls of corpses,
slain by arrows and flame and steel and fang.
Goblins and gnolls alike died in agony,
along with their dream of a victory.