Gnollan was a large zone for its average monster level. Dungeons spawned frequently but only in the rare case did a dungeon possess a monster capable of challenging the Gnolls that ruled the zone.
That was why the zone boss was generally viewed as the ultimate resource in a zone. Unlike dungeon monsters, the zone boss was capable of defeating other monsters to grow in strength before it was tamed. Like all monsters, the zone boss would become unable to level once tamed, but the presence of augments offset that downside to some degree.
The Gnolls of Cazador therefore generally let the zone boss be for several weeks or months after its spawn to allow it to grow to its limit. Leaving it be for longer generally resulted in diminishing returns as the low leveled monsters of the zone prohibited truly high levels. Feeding it dungeon spawned bosses could increase the maximum level of the zone boss even further, but the practice was rather slow, inefficient and seen as barbaric by some as it required sacrificing companions.
Still, several weeks of power leveling usually elevated the zone boss to a truly formidable force worthy of joining Vorahr’s companions. The Fashta Alpha crooning at the Gnoll Alpha’s feet was one such zone boss. She was an incredible specimen and was Vorahr’s pride and joy. Her hide glistened a mercurial silver along her majestic fourteen foot length. The Fashta Alpha had leveled unusually fast for a zone boss. Partially due to her agile nature, but also because of her overwhelming capacity to hunt down higher leveled prey.
The current zone boss however, was rapidly outpacing her.
“The numbers do not align, Vorahr. The Hartebeast Behemoth is growing at a rate far beyond Gnollan’s capacity to support. If I extend the analysis, it will grow beyond even your ability to tame within the week, though where it acquires the levels only the gods know.”
Vorahr turned to Sabio. The wise elder stooped over one of his strange devices that assisted in his extensive calculations. Sabio’s withered hands glided over the dozens of wooden beads stung along wires within the dark, aged wooden frame of the artifact. In all of his time as alpha Vorahr had never known Sabio’s calculations to fail.
“How long do you predict we can continue to wait before we begin the hunt then, wise one?” Vorahr growled. His deep voice vibrating the heavy canvas of their tent.
“Long or short, perhaps...no,” Sabio shook his thinning mane, as the beads on the artifact flashed along its frame. “Not long now Alpha. I estimate it is gaining upwards of 500 points a day. It has already outleveled Kree'arra. Normally I would suggest waiting another week as such an opportunity is priceless, but...ehm.”
“Fimbul Hide,” Vorahr rumbled, naming the troublesome skill that the behemoth possessed.
“Indeed! Indeed. Fimbul Hide prohibits assaulting it with numbers. Coupled with its natural regeneration and it may become difficult sooner.”
Vorahr growled, low and angry. Such was the risk of allowing the zone boss to level. If it grew beyond their ability to tame, then they would eventually be pushed out of the zone. Without a zone boss to tame, their strongest warriors would stagnate. Without powerful warriors, they would fail to repulse the raids into Gnollan by the other zones. Such a prized monster would only spur their neighbors to accelerate their attacks on their land.
That could not happen. His peoples continued existence depended on it.
On the other hand, if they waited just a little longer and managed to tame the Behemoth then he would have the power to conquer Hielo or Avion all on his own. Controlling a second zone would bolster his people’s population and strength and make him known as the single greatest Gnoll in their long history.
“Vorahr, son,” Sabio set aside his artifacts to look upon his alpha with clouded eyes. There was a note of warning in his tone. As if he had caught on to the hidden thoughts circling within Vorahr’s mind. “I urge you to act swiftly. It is rare indeed for a zone boss to fall so swiftly. I fear the Hartebeast Behemoth somehow slayed the Stone Shelled Clinger upon its spawn and acquired a hidden experience boosting skill of sorts.”
“Hidden skills belong in the land of myth and legend, wise one. It is rare for you to muddy your thoughts with such impossibilities.”
“Is it? I suppose. Perhaps. But the numbers never lie. What we see before us is an impossibility. A perversion of the natural order. I fear it, revered alpha.”
Vorahr growled, acknowledging the wisdom. Despite the pull of waiting just a little longer, he was not so foolish as to wait for the beast to level unmonitored. His scouts should arrive back any time now to provide a detailed report.
“Alpha,” a deep growl sounded from outside. “Scouts return.”
“Let them in, Polette,” Vorahr called and a second later the tent flap flashed open and two panting pups slinked in.
“Revered alpha,” the pair crouched in unison.
“Report on the Behemoth.”
“We found it crawling to the south of the Infernal Crater. It seems to be patrolling the outer border of Gnollan while consuming any monster or tree in its way. We approached from the north and managed to get close enough to read its status. It leveled again, revered alpha. Before our very eyes. We swear it had not defeated any monster before the upgrade. It was as if the gods themselves decided to empower it. ”
“And,” Vorahr rumbled when the pair hesitated. “How tamable is it?”
“It’s defensive stats are even higher than before. We saw it possess 65,095 health with 1,559 armor and 535 magic resistance and,” the pair glanced at each other. “21,013 health regeneration.”
“Sixty-five and, pass the three...yes,” Sabio mumbled, his hands flashing over the calculation artifact even before the scouts finished speaking. “That is over one-million physical burst health, Vorahr. Four-hundred and...ten thousands magical burst health. I estimate its effective health regeneration is 96 health per second against physical damage, and 37 health per second against magic damage.”
“That is still well within our warrior’s abilities,” Vorahr drawled.
“Fimbul Hide—”
“Can be mitigated by using the Shieldbreaker augment, but yes. You have convinced me. We shall clear the surrounding monsters to prevent it triggering its shields with melee attacks. Then dps it down with magic ranged damage. With Engulf at a ten second cooldown, its shield won’t regenerate fast enough to protect its primary health pool.”
“A wise choice, revered alpha,” Sabio stooped low in a bow. “Future generations shall mark this moment as the one that prevented catastrophe. Your name shall be spoken with reverence for all of time, as the one capable of conquering even a million health monstrosity.”
“Thank you, wise elder,” Vorahr smiled, revealing his canines. He stood and placed a hand on Sabio’s shoulder. “I will tame this beast and lead our people to prosperity with its might. Now, let us go and prepare for the coming battle. Gather the hunters. We leave in an hour.”
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“Revered alpha?” one of the scouts raised a paw hesitantly. “There is more.”
Vorahr slowly turned to face the scout, a deep scowl settling over his face. “Speak.”
The scout shrank down low, his snout nearly touching the ground. His partner gulped and took over the report. “The Hartebeast Behemoth gained more than health and regeneration since the last report, revered alpha. It gained 36% in both lethality and ruin, 88% ability haste and...” the scout gulped. “309% area of effect.”
A deathly silence settled over Vorahr’s tent.
“Did you say 309% area of effect,” Sabio broke the silence.
“Yes, wise elder. Engulf now has a 4 second cooldown and a range of 33 feet.”
“It is now a midrange skill,” Sabio rasped. “There will be casualties if we engage now.”
“I’m aware,” Vorahr grit his teeth.
“What of its attack damage and ability power?” Sabio asked the scouts.
“664 and 434 respectively, wise elder.”
“That, in conjunction with its lethality will make its charge slay the young Fashta in fewer than four hits.” Sabio commented dryly. “Engulf is certainly a death sentence now.”
“I’m well aware,” Vorahr growled, feeling as if his teeth would snap with how hard he was grinding them. “Is that it, or is there more information you’ve withheld, scouts?”
“No, alpha! That is all,” the pair of scouts bowed again.
“Then out with you. Gather the hunters. We leave now.”
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Vorahr stood at the top of the Infernal Crater. Below, the Hartebeast Behemoth dragged its massive bulk over the smoldering ground. Its thick reptilian hide easily deflected the meager heat of the volcanic rock as its oversized maw crunched on the Alabaster Junipers. The few Rolling Stones crashed into the Behemoth’s flanks, but their attacks glanced off like rain off a cliffside. The Behemoth continued placidly chewing on the Junipers, as if it didn’t even notice the distractions.
“Begin,” Vorahr growled. The order fanned through the hunters and a contingent of Gnoll riders raced into the Infernal Crater. The riders and their tames crashed into the occupants of the crater with a massive crash, and ripped them to pieces. They neared the Behemoth, but just before reaching it, they swerved around it, to clear the rest of the life from the crater.
The Behemoth turned on its eight clawed legs to focus its slitted lids on the riders. It opened its oversized jaw, and an enormous convulsion pulsed up its body. The riders barked out the signal, and as one they blurred forward as what looked like the entire digestive tract and cardiovascular system of the Hartebeast Behemoth erupted from its mouth.
Black, red, and gray organs — including the seven colossal hearts that were the beast’s namesake — missed the blurring riders and splayed across the molten earth of the crater. For a moment, the slimy organs pulsed beneath the midday light, and then the Behemoth sucked them all back into its maw, uprooting two Alabaster Junipers as it went.
“Fire,” Vorahr growled, unphased.
The monstrous line of various companions stepped up at their master’s command. Spittle, fire, spikes, and many more different projectiles erupted from their various forms. The long range assault darkened the sky as it descended on the Behemoth.
It roared as its thick hide was pierced in over two dozen locations. Thick maroon ichor oozed from the injuries, but even from a distance, Vorahr could see the injuries sealing up in real time.
“Midrange combatants. Let’s go!”
Kree’arra roared as she and two dozen more Fashta raced down into the crater. Vorahr raised his recurve bow and snapped out a shot as they entered his range. A second later, the Fashta buried the massive beast in Air Chains.
One-million effective physical health was an awful lot to chip through however. Even with the barrage of long range attacks raining down on the beast, and all of the attacks from the riders, the Behemoth barely seemed to be taking damage. Its hide bounced back all minor strikes, and the few that managed to get through only barely scratched the surface before its abominable healing sealed the wounds.
The Hartebeast Behemoth lunged forward a pulsing glow lighting up its legs as it charged. Air Chains snapped as the unstoppable giant shook the earth. The Fashta riders scattered, but Vorahr charged the beast head on. Just before they collided, Kree’arra leapt. She flew above the monsters massive maw landing on its back and sinking her scythe-like claws into its spinal ridge.
Black blood gushed from between her claws and it roared. It turned on one of the nearby riders and vomited its internals at him. The rider tried to dodge, but such an enormous mass of flesh crashed into him like the fist from a god. Foot long hooks along the Behemoth’s tongue dug into the gnolls body before both the Fashta and Gnoll were sucked back into the Behemoth’s open maw.
Vorahr shuddered as he felt the crunch through the beast’s scales. At his feet a pale blue barrier formed all along the Behemoth’s hide and deflected all attacks flying at it, including Kree’arra’s claws. Kree’arra roared and slammed down with four glowing claws that left afterimages in the air. All around the beast, dozens of companions used skills augmented with Shieldbreaker on the beast and with the sound of cracking glass, the pale barrier shattered. Vorahr grinned and shouldered his bow, before he leapt of Kree’arra’s back and assisting his companion with his grandfathers Jade Glaive.
Blood hissed on the steaming volcanic soil, but barely a moment passed before the terrible gurgle of Engulf sounded again and another scream sounded. Once more a pale blue shield protected the beast, only to be broken by a round of special attacks. The Behemoth triggered stampede, breaking the Air Chains, and Vorahr was forced to abandon ship as he and Kree’arra were launched from the creatures back.
They landed smoothly on the volcanic soil and raced after the wounded beast. It reached the edge of the Infernal Crater and began to climb out. Several steps up it Engulfed a Grasping Mauler and Fimbul Hide flashed once more around it. By the time the shield shattered the Behemoth was out of the crater.
The Gnolls raced after the Behemoth as it lumbered through the forest. Attacks and skills fired in a dizzying display of force as more and more Behemoth blood drenched the parched earth. In the forest however, there was plenty of wildlife. Stampede shook the earth and critters small and large were flattened in the Behemoth’s passing. Fimbul Hide flashed, coating the Behemoth again and again. Each time the shield grew larger and brighter. Shieldbreaker augments throughout the gnollish force triggered again and again, but with the shear number of animals in the forest, they couldn’t break through the decaying shield.
Seeming to realize this, the Hartebeast Behemoth spun around. It’s eight legs dug furrows in the dense earth as it took the life of another Gnoll and their mount with Engulf. Vague indentations could be seen in the Behemoth’s cheeks as its victims struggled within its pelican-like mouth. They weren’t dead yet, but there was little that could be done for them either.
Fimbul Hide shattered, and the Behemoth turned back to the forest. In seconds its shield regenerated completely and it repeated its assault on its pursuers. This repeated two more times, before Vorahr called for a halt.
The two sides stared at each other for several moments before the Hartebeast Behemoth turned and lumbered deeper into the forest. Its huge reptilian tail swished almost smugly as it left a trail of broken trunks in its wake.
“We can’t fight it in the forest. We have to clear the monsters,” Vorahr said, not sure who he was talking to. He sat on Kree’arra, stunned. Disbelieving that they had failed.
“The Voidborne Skyshades aren’t able to clear the wildlife fast enough, revered alpha,” Polette said at his side. His beta towered over even him as he stared after the retreating monster. “The Fashta are most suitable to clearing the forest, but we need them for mobility.”
“Back to Cazador,” Vorahr snarled, spinning Kree’arra and racing back to town. Pollette easily kept pace beside him, and directed the rest of the hunters to join behind them.
“Almost got it though,” Pollette growled. “Think we got two in three health points before it managed to get to the forest. If we get it back into the Infernal Crater or maybe the Accursed Fields we could get it next time easy.”
Vorahr only grunted as they filed into their mobile tent city. He was about to leap off Kree’arra and storm to meet with Sabio to make further plans when he saw four gnolls carrying another injured gnoll on a stretcher. He narrowed his eyes and raced over, only to freeze as he saw that the injured Gnoll’s left hand was pulped like ground meat, as if an explosion originating within the meat had torn through the flesh.
“What happened here!” Vorahr raced up.
“It’s Kayete, revered alpha!” one of the stretcher bearers said. “He returned from the Adaka like this. We were going to take him to the healers as soon as possible, but he said he needed to speak with you as soon as possible.”
Vorahr blinked, then moved to Kayete’s head. He gently cradled the younger gnoll cheek as he moved in.
“I’m here, brother. Speak. What foul magic forced you to forsake your crystal?”
“Alpha,” Kayete rasped. His eyes where glazed with pain as he looked up at the strongest of his kind, but a desperate need kept them open. “A traveler has come...He’s...human. He ruined Adaka b-by...giving levels to the monsters...”