Innoruuk's Curse

By Ferrel

Preface

"The story I wish to tell is one that has been lost for quite some time. At points, it can be inconsistent and one thing is clear, the time frames do not match up. Yet there is one thing that can be known as a truth. Lucine the Darkmane did exist and perhaps still exists. No one is certain how or why he came into being, but the fact is, he did. I relate the story to you as it was related to me. In addition to that, I add what I know through my research. I ask only one thing, do not judge the myth so harshly and do remember, be it right or wrong, he did exist!"

- Artellious the Bard

Chapter One – The Abomination

During the Age of Enlightenment, when Norrath was young and no one knew of the lands of Kunark and Velious, it is rumored that an abomination was born. As the mother would never speak of how the child was conceived, no one can ever be certain how it occurred. Most believe that a strange pairing of a werewolf and a gnoll caused it. Others, however, believe that it was Innoruuk's doing all along. In either case, a male child was born to a gnoll woman named Murrel.

Murrel had no one in her life. No mate, no family and no friends. She had always lived on the outside of gnoll existence. The others paid her no mind, and she went on her lonely way. When she discovered she was going to give birth, Murrel was overjoyed. She would have someone to love and call her own.

As with most gnoll children, Murrel's boy was born quite soon after she realized she was with pup. The birth was long and hard, the gnoll maid having to go through it alone. It was obvious to her, even in her weary state, that the pup was not normal. Murrel, did not care, however, she had a son!

Lucine, as the pup would be named, was unlike any gnoll pup Murrel had ever seen. His fur was white like hers, but much brighter and pure. His eyes matched her violet ones and he was definitely a gnoll of some type, but that is where the similarities ended. Lucine was quite large for a pup, his young paws busy and strong. He had a tail, something that no gnoll before him had ever had! Finally, true to his namesake, his muzzle was quite feral. It resembled that of a wolf's more then it did that of a gnoll's. Still, Murrel did not care. She had a son!

Much to the joy and excitement of Murrel, Lucine grew quickly and strong. All of the other gnoll maids glared at the pair in anger. Murrel's boy had out shown all the others. He was faster, stronger and taller, yet he was no brute; he could out think them as well. Many claimed him to be a creation of witchcraft, but the shamans could find none. Lucine was simply an abomination, but a favorable one.

As Lucine got older, he grew and grew. At only ten, he was as big as any gnoll adult was. Eagerly, the gnoll warriors took him under their wing and began to teach him the ways of the sword. Murrel, because of her son, had had her life turned around. She no longer had a want for friends and often enjoyed the privileges of the gnoll elite. Among these privileges was the right to visit the sacred forest where the shamans collected their herbs. This forest no longer exists, but is rumored to have been quite lush and mystical. It was in this forest that Murrel and Lucine's lives would change forever.

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