History
Like any other Arcane Gnome, Hishik, was given plenty of freedom to explore and discover the Prime – above and below ground. Throki, his father, was an accomplished ‘rogue’, capable of extraordinary stealth, priding himself on his ability to go unseen wherever he desired. As a young man, Throki had ‘eavesdropped’ on many assemblies, including private meetings between Yagrik and his immediate family. Indeed, Throki was key in shedding light on the dark motives of Yagrik and his sons, and the ultimate breakup of the House. Yewl was capable of cunning dweomer; making others believe in the existence of the non-existent was her specialty. She had often come to Throki’s rescue (not that he would admit it). Both parents passed on their skills to their offspring, and Hishik was a fast learner.
As is the Gnomish custom, Hishik was paired with a ‘pet’ which, more normally, would have been something of the Prime and found in the deep. These ‘pets’ are raised from birth and live closely with the adolescent gnome until they are outlived. Whilst fleeing to Ruergrim, the mountain range to the south of Locklastar, accompanying his family in its escape from Guerin and the Duergar, Hishik discovered a Pseudodragon. Possibly by divine intervention, Muersat, as he is known, is much more than a pet and has lived a good deal longer than his species would normally allow. He is stronger too, and possesses a wider range of spells than others of his species.
Hishik also befriended many spirits and high-dwelling sylph, enjoying their playfulness. In the foothills of Ruergrim, he came across the halfling domains of Puddlemire, Sugwas (pronounced suggas), Amerry and the twinned villages of Littleover and Greaterunder. Welcomed by the hobbits, the Gnomes restored long-forgotten bonds, establishing trade and defence relationships. There were always minor skirmishes with other mountain dwelling beings, such as Goblins, Orcs, Wargs, and even the odd nomadic Giant. Hishik himself found fame when he returned a treasure hoard to the Mayor of Amerry, which had been stolen by Gurtbollock the Bold, a particularly unpleasant Ogre who had settled in an odorous, subterranean leir nearby. Gurtbollock’s (named for obvious reasons) nocturnal endeavours had caused a good deal of strife amongst the small folk until Hishik stole into its leir, re-appropriated the loot, and tied the beast up as it slept.
At 35 years old, in the first flourish of youth, Hishik heard of Guerin’s defeat at the hands of his acolyte, Malor, in the far north of Amarsland. Malor took control of much of Amarsland and raised the once powerful wizard as his servant Lich, bringing him through the ancient Egyptian pathway connecting the Prime with the underworld at the Pikes of Arnur. His transition to the Prime was facilitated by Gro-ûn, now head of Yagrik’s house of Duergar and believed to be a symbiont with a Flore of Set’s creation. (Quorone had not been gifted longevity like his father and had passed away at Locklastar.)
Walorin, a powerful Mage, who had led the free folk against Guerin, decided his task was complete and returned to the Efferendil, handing control of the allied armies to his Queen, Nenye, (Sorien’s mother). Many gnomes, dwarves, halflings, elves and men returned home and, with no unifying purpose, descended swiftly into squabbling about their own individual rights. Indeed, even Hishik’s own parents engaged in petty arguments about territory, predominantly with the neighbouring Sugwas halflings. Returning gnomes swelled the numbers in the south, although none of the Cloakshadow Clan accompanied them.
In his 46th year, Hishik heard of Malor’s occupation of Vorsaykarai and the decimation of the loosely bonded human clans, known as the Men of Farass, as well as his siege of Findorsveldt. The battle lines ebbed and flowed, east and west across central Amarsland, largely without impacting on the gnomes and halflings of the Ruergrim. It was rumoured that a mighty human had brought an army of well-disciplined warriors out of the east to answer Nenye’s call for help. Slowly the forces of good drove Malor back.
Relations between the southernmost races improved over the next 40 years, and Hishik developed strong bonds with his wider family and the halfling communities that became well established in the Ruergrim. Hishik saw his first oriental human when he was 87, whilst he was hiding from a particularly large troll from whom he had ‘liberated’ a handsome bounty the night before. The men rode tall horses, wore strange armour, and carried peculiar weapons and many colourful banners. Following them over the next few weeks, Hishik realized that they were part of the army that had come from the East to help free the folk of Amarsland from Malor’s tyranny, under the Lordship of Yagitamo.
Eventually, Hishik made himself known and guided the men clear of the halflings towards the easternmost mountains of the huge Ruergrim range, where they quickly settled. They built stone fortifications, using the mountainous landscape cleverly to secure key points and provide security. They farmed the lower, sun-drenched slopes and used dams and irrigation to flood terraces to grow rice. Vastly more sophisticated than the gnomes initially would have believed, these oriental peoples organized themselves superbly - trading, learning, and developing at an astonishing rate. The gnomes overcame their dislike of these ‘primitives’ and helped them grow. Hishik accompanied many of their more adventurous people during their exploration of the Ruergrim, clearing gnolls, kobolds, hobgoblins and the odd troll from land they wished to develop. He found them to be excellent warriors and enlightened company, but far too disciplined and serious to stay with for long.
Over the next 15 years, the gnomes helped the oriental folk finish their walls and build an enormous keep, which they named Oshika. They were introduced to the halflings and all three races began to trade and cooperate on all matters – agreements were drawn up (as was the human desire) and all disputes settled without conflict. The three races – gnome, halfling and human – thrived, exploring and settling widely across the Ruergrim and beyond: east, to the sea; west to the vast savannah known as the Grass Sea; and south to the boarders of the deep jungles of Hournhime, where disease, terrain and diabolical beasts halted expansion.
However, peace in the south of Amarsland did not seem to last long. At age 120, Hishik learnt from the humans that the mighty Yagitamo had given up searching for his daughter, who had been kidnapped by Malor some years earlier, and was leaving Amarsland. Many of the families living in Oshika travelled to the eastern harbours to follow suit. Shortly afterwards, the Gith arrive in Efferendil and Gro-ûn, increasingly aligned with Malor, brought creatures from the underworld to threaten Amarsland’s prosperity. Just when Orcus was burning the Efferendil, the army of the underworld came to the foothills of Ruergrim. Without warning, there was little the three races could do but take refuge behind the walls of the oriental fortifications. Hishik’s family never made it and, at 123 years old, he was alone.
Sneaking out of Oshika in the dead of night, avoiding the enemy forces, Hishik travelled north in search of assistance. Keeping his distance from the marauding packs of creatures from the lower planes, he skirted towards the northeast, aiming to get to Findorsveldt - where he hoped to find friends. The wild lands were quiet but many were suspicious of strangers: the towns and villages (Summerdale, Minegold, Boatlake, Grafmire, and Hernfall) that survived were fortified and barred. Overall, the enemy had not found its way that Far East, and certainly not to the sea, so travelling was relatively unimpeded. Hishik stole from the fell creatures he found on the way and paid handsomely for food and shelter where he could get it.
Eventually he came to the once mighty fortified port of Findorsveldt, only to find it in ruins - smashed, rent, torn and scorched. Survivors told him that forces loyal to the Demon Prince, Orcus, had come out of the West destroying everything in their path, before turning north for Fontainver. His plan in shreds, Hishik cautiously headed towards Efferendil, hoping to find anything that might be left of the Sylvan elves. His travels brought more bad news: Sorien and Walorin were dead, slain by the Demon; and Fontainver was likely to be surrounded, caught between Orcus and Malor.