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[[Image:Gnaag entrance2.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Archlord Gnaag about to confront Lone Wolf in Lone Wolf 12:The Masters of Darkness]]
 
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'''Gnaag''', also known as '''Darklord Gnaag''', is one of the chief [[villain]]s in the fictional world of [[Magnamund]] in the gamebooks series [[Lone Wolf (gamebooks)|Lone Wolf]]. He arrived in that world in the year 3072 after the creation of the [[Moonstone]] ([[Moonstone (Lone Wolf)|MS]]) along with the 19 other [[Darklords (Lone Wolf)|Darklords]].
 
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[[Image:Gnaag entrance2.png|thumb|right|250px|Archlord Gnaag about to confront Lone Wolf in Lone Wolf 12:The Masters of Darkness]]
 
[[Darklord]] of Tyranny. '''Gnaag''', also known as '''[[Darklord]] Gnaag''', is one of the chief villains in the world of [[Magnamund]] and one of [[Lone Wolf (character)|Lone Wolf]]'s greatest enemies. He arrived in that world, along with the nineteen other [[Darklords]], in the year 3072 after the creation of the [[Moonstone]] ([[Moonstone|MS]])
   
Gnaag was noted in the series as the most intelligent of the Darklords and the master of Darklord politics. Through careful manipulation, and the murder of two fellow Darklords, he became Archlord of the [[Darklands (Lone Wolf)|Darklands]] in [[Moonstone (Lone Wolf)|MS]] 5058.
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Gnaag was noted by his peers and [[Carag]] as being the most intelligent of the [[Darklords]] and a master of Darklord politics. Through careful manipulation and the murder of two fellow Darklords, he became Archlord of the [[Darklands]] in [[Moonstone|MS]] 5058.
   
After leading a campaign to conquer Magnamund, the character nearly defeated the protagonist [[Lone Wolf (character)|Lone Wolf]] by attempting to destroy three of the [[Lorestones]] of [[Nyxator]] he was questing for, and then by sending Lone Wolf into the shadow world of the [[Daziarn]]. In the final book of the Magnakai series, [[The Masters of Darkness]], Gnaag was defeated by Lone Wolf in the year [[Moonstone (Lone Wolf)|MS]] 5070 and was condemned by the dark god [[Naar (God)|Naar]] to an eternity on the Plane of Darkness for his failure.
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After leading a campaign to conquer [[Magnamund]], Gnaag nearly defeated [[Lone Wolf (character)|Lone Wolf]] and the forces of good by attempting to destroy the last three [[Lorestones]] of [[Nyxator]], which Lone Wolf was seeking, and then by sending Lone Wolf into the shadow world of the [[Daziarn]]. In [[Moonstone|MS]] 5070 Gnaag was finally defeated by Lone Wolf in single combat and was condemned by the dark god [[Naar]] to an eternity on the [[Plane of Darkness]] for his failures.
   
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==Characteristics==
In the year 3072 [[Moonstone (Lone Wolf)|MS]], the Darklords were sent to Magnamund by [[Naar (God)|Naar]] to conquer the planet for evil. Because of their corrupt and evil nature, the Darklords could not breathe the "sweet air" of Magnamund, and so they destroyed most of northeastern Magnamund and created a realm known as the [[Darklands (Lone Wolf)|Darklands]] which had air that "corroded a mortal's lungs".<ref name="kai">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:Eclipse of the Kai| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12314-6}}</ref> Originally the ruler of the Darklord city of Mozgoar, a Darkland city-fortress to the west of Gazad Helkona, Gnaag was often seen in the capitol [[Helgedad]] walking on foot, in contrast to most of the then 16 living Darklords who flew on Zlanbeasts.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> He was also noted for his "flowery language" and his vast intellect, which was shown by the physical form which Naar chose for him.<ref name="dark">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Dark Door Opens| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12439-8}}</ref> His gestures were "fey", and his body evoked "fragility", but some considered this a mask of his true strength.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
 
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===Physical and spiritual attributes===
 
Gnaag resembled "a monstrous fly," with "gleaming multi-faceted eyes."<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref> He was "slight," with an "insectile form." His outer flesh was mostly invisible, revealing green, wet internal organs. Blood oozed in waves from the dome of his bald head, and his narrow feet had claws.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> His mind was his own, but his intellect and his soul were simply repositories for the infinite evil of the dark god [[Naar]], which was revealed when [[Vonotar]] entered the mind of Darklord [[Zagarna]].<ref name="kai"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:Eclipse of the Kai| publisher=Burkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12314-6}}</ref> For sustenance, he sometimes tore apart live Giaks.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
 
[[Image:Gnaag banner.jpg|left|150px|thumb|War banner with the emblem of [[Darklord]] Gnaag]]
   
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===Personality===
Gnaag "resembles a monstrous fly", with "gleaming multi-faceted eyes".<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref> He was "slight", with an "insectile form". His outer flesh was mostly invisible, revealing his wet and green internal organs. Blood oozed in waves from the dome of his bald head, and his narrow feet had claws.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> His mind is his own, but his intellect and his soul are just repositories for the infinite evil of the dark god [[Naar (God)|Naar]], which was revealed when [[Vonotar]] entered the mind of Darklord [[Zagarna]].<ref name="kai"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:Eclipse of the Kai| publisher=Burkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12314-6}}</ref> To eat, he sometimes tore apart live Giaks.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
 
 
One of the most intelligent of the Darklords, Gnaag was also the most politically astute, making sure to distance himself from [[Zagarna]]'s failed invasion of Sommerlund in [[Moonstone|MS]] 5050.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> Gnaag had distrusted Zagarna's partner, [[Vonotar]], and he disagreed with [[Vonotar]]'s status as an equal of the Darklords.<ref name="dark">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Dark Door Opens| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12439-8}}</ref> Gnaag controlled the contest for Archlordship between Darklords [[Haakon]] and [[Slutar]] after [[Zagarna]]'s death. <ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
[[Image:Gnaag banner.jpg|left|150px|thumb|War banner with the emblem of [[Darklords (Lone Wolf)|Darklord]] Gnaag]]
 
   
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==Career==
One of the most intelligent of the Darklords, Gnaag was also the most politically astute, making sure to distance himself from Zagarna's failed [[Moonstone (Lone Wolf)|MS]] 5050 invasion of Sommerlund.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> Gnaag had distrusted Zagarna's partner [[Vonotar]] the wizard, and disagreed that he should have equal status with the darklords.<ref name="dark">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Dark Door Opens| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12439-8}}</ref> Gnaag controlled the contest for archlordship between darklords Haakon and Slutar after Zagarnas death. <ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
 
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===Arrival on Magnamund===
 
In the year 3072 [[Moonstone|MS]], the Darklords were sent to [[Magnamund]] by [[Naar]] to conquer the planet for evil. Because of their corrupt and evil nature, the Darklords could not breathe the "sweet air" of [[Magnamund]], and so they destroyed most of northeastern Magnamund, creating a realm known as the [[Darklands]], which had air that "corroded a mortal's lungs."<ref name="kai">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:Eclipse of the Kai| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12314-6}}</ref> Originally the ruler of the Darklord city of [[Mozgoar]], a Darkland city-fortress to the west of [[Gazad Helkona]], Gnaag was often seen in the capitol [[Helgedad]] walking on foot, in contrast to most of the nineteen surviving Darklords, who flew on Zlanbeasts.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> He was also noted for his "flowery language" and his vast intellect, which was shown by the physical form which Naar chose for him.<ref name="dark">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Dark Door Opens| publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1989 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-12439-8}}</ref> His gestures were "fey," and his body evoked "fragility," but some considered this a mask of his true strength.<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref>
   
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===Campaign for Archlordship===
He also manipulated the competitors Glurch and Unc during the contest for control of the [[darklands (Lone Wolf)|darklands]] following the death of Darklord [[Haakon]].<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> Gnaag ensured that things would escalate into a civil war, and right before it began, Gnaag, with the help of [[Nadziranim]] sorcerers of many Darklords, destroyed both of the Darklords in a colossal display of power,<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> and after five years of civil war, Gnaag assumed the Archlordship of the Darklands.<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Burkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref>
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Gnaag also manipulated the competitors Glurch and Unc during the contest for control of the [[Darklands]] following the death of Darklord [[Haakon]].<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> He ensured that events would escalate into a civil war, and just prior to the commencement of the battle between the two rivals, Gnaag, with the help of numerous [[Nadziranim]] sorcerers, destroyed both Darklords in a colossal display of power,<ref name="war">{{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=Grant, John| title=Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings| publisher=Red Fox | location=London | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-09-915191-X}}</ref> ending the five years of civil war and allowing him to assume the position of Archlord.<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Burkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref>
[[Image:Gnaagappearance (2).jpg|right|200px|thumb|An earlier interpretation of the darklords look from the eighth Lone Wolf book, The Jungle of Horrors]]
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[[Image:Gnaagappearance (2).jpg|right|200px|thumb|An earlier interpretation of the Darklord's appearance from the eighth Lone Wolf book, The Jungle of Horrors]]
   
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===Gnaag's war===
Gnaag launched an enormous campaign to conquer Northern [[Magnamund]], sending his huge armies against the freelands therein. He also sent Helghasts and other monsters to block [[Lone Wolf (character)|Lone Wolf]] from retrieving the [[Lorestones|Lorestone]] of Herdos from the Danarg swamp.<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref> Gnaags Darklord armies conquered the southern [[Sommerlund]] province of Ruanon, and thus nearly prevented Lone Wolf from continuing his quest, were it not for Sommerlunds King Ulnar who requested that he continue.<ref name="tahou"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Cauldron of Fear | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10848-1}}</ref> Darklord armies began to converge on Tahou with the help of the Vassagonian empire which was allying with them. Lone Wolf had raced there to gain the Lorestone before Gnaags armies arrived, but as he emerged victorious, he found the city in the middle of a huge siege by Darklord armies. Through the main gates came the Zahkan Kimah, the ruler of Vassagonia, who engaged Lone Wolf in combat and was defeated. Demoralized, and now surrounded by human reinforcements, the Darklord armies were decimated. This could have turned the tide in the wars against the Darklords. Gnaag then appeared before Lone Wolf in Tahou, promising to destroy him and the three remaining [[Lorestones]] Lone Wolf was searching for on his Magnakai quest.<ref name="tahou"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Cauldron of Fear | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10848-1}}</ref> It was feared by Lone Wolf and his councilers that with the [[Nadziranim]]s help, Gnaag could achieve his goal. Lone Wolf set out for Torgar, the place that had been revealed to be holding the Lorestones, but it was an elaborate trap set by Gnaag. As Lone Wolf climbed the scaffolding of the underground chamber to reach the lorestones, Gnaag appeared in the room and cried "Vengeance is mine, Lone Wolf!" He destroyed the scaffolding holding the Lorestones, and sent Lone Wolf and the lorestones into the [[Daziarn]] through a shadow gate.<ref> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Dungeons of Torgar | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10930-5}}</ref>
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Gnaag launched an enormous campaign to conquer Northern [[Magnamund]], sending his massive armies against the free lands therein. He also sent [[Helghast]] and other evil creatures to block [[Lone Wolf (character)|Lone Wolf]] from retrieving the [[Lorestones|Lorestone]] of Ohrido from the [[Danarg]].<ref name="gnaag"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10484-2}}</ref> Gnaag's Darklord armies conquered the southern [[Sommerlund]] province of [[Ruanon]], and thus nearly prevented Lone Wolf from continuing his quest, were it not for [[Sommerlund]]'s King Ulnar, who requested that he continue.<ref name="tahou"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Cauldron of Fear | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10848-1}}</ref> Darklord armies began to converge on Tahou with the help of their ally, the Vassagonian Empire. Lone Wolf raced there to gain the Lorestone before Gnaag's armies arrived, but as he emerged victorious, he found the city under siege by the evil armies. Through the main gates came [[Zakhan Kimah]], the ruler of [[Vassagonia]], who engaged Lone Wolf in combat and was defeated. Demoralized, and now surrounded by human reinforcements, the Darklord armies were decimated. Gnaag then appeared before Lone Wolf in Tahou, promising to destroy him and the three remaining [[Lorestones]].<ref name="tahou"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Cauldron of Fear | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10848-1}}</ref> It was feared by Lone Wolf and his counselors that with the [[Nadziranim]]'s help, Gnaag could achieve his goal. Lone Wolf set out for Torgar, the city-fortress revealed to be containing the Lorestones, but it was an elaborate trap set by Gnaag. As Lone Wolf climbed the scaffolding of the underground chamber to reach the Lorestones, Gnaag appeared in the room and cried, "Vengeance is mine, Lone Wolf!" He destroyed the scaffolding holding the Lorestones, sending Lone Wolf and the Lorestones into the [[Daziarn]] through a Shadow Gate.<ref> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Dungeons of Torgar | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1987 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-10930-5}}</ref>
   
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===Gnaag's final defeat and afterlife===
Once Lone Wolf had fallen through the Daziarn shadow gate, Gnaag proclaimed the death of Lone Wolf and his own invincibility. The allied human armies were quickly ejected from Torgar, and the Darklord armies losses ceased. Using the tanoz-tukor that allowed for the Darklords to use a magical breathing device, they were able to survive outside the Darklands and wage war themselves, to devastating effect. In the next eight years, the Darklords, allied with Vassagonia, succeeded in conquering most of Northern Magnamund and building a huge blockade between Sommerlund and their close ally Durenor. It was thought to be only a matter of time, with no Durenese reinforcements, that Sommerlund and the rest of the planet would fall to the Darklords.<ref name="MOD"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Masters of Darkness | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1988 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-11718-9}}</ref> Secretly, Lone Wolf, having returned from his exile in the Daziarn after eight years, succeeded in finding his way into [[Helgedad]] and confronting the Darklord in the Tower of the Damned in final combat. Using the [[Sommerswerd]], the Darklord was reduced to atoms. If Lone Wolf fights with another magical item, Gnaag's combat skill is 50, and his endurance point total is 70. Gnaag wields Nadazgada, or "Dark Burn", which was forged of black steel in [[Helgedad]] and imbued with magical spells by the [[Nadziranim]]. <ref name="MOD"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Masters of Darkness | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1988 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-11718-9}}</ref>
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After Lone Wolf had fallen through the [[Daziarn]] [[Shadow Gate]], Gnaag proclaimed his own invincibility and the death of Lone Wolf. The allied human armies were quickly ejected from Torgar, and the Darklord armies' losses ceased. Using the [[Tanoz-Tukor]], a device that allowed them to survive outside the [[Darkland]]s, The Darklords personally led their armies into battle to devastating effect. In the next eight years the Darklords succeeded in conquering most of Northern Magnamund and building a huge blockade between [[Sommerlund]] and [[Durenor]]. With no Durenese reinforcements, it was thought to only be a matter of time before Sommerlund and the rest of the planet would fall to the Darklords.<ref name="MOD"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Masters of Darkness | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1988 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-11718-9}}</ref> Having returned from his exile in the Daziarn after eight years, Lone Wolf secretly made his way into [[Helgedad]] and confronted Darklord Gnaag in the Tower of the Damned. Using the power of the [[Sommerswerd]], he reduced the Darklord to atoms. (If Lone Wolf fights with another magical item, Gnaag's combat skill is 50, and his endurance point total is 70. Gnaag wields Nadazgada, or "Dark Burn", which was forged of black steel in [[Helgedad]] and imbued with magical spells by the [[Nadziranim]].<ref name="MOD"> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Masters of Darkness | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1988 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-11718-9}}</ref>)
   
Lone Wolf later discovered Gnaag being chased by Tzor, keeper of Evil souls, on the Plain of Despair outside of Naars fortress on the Plane of Darkness in the book [[The Curse of Naar]].<ref> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Curse of Naar | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-15193-X}}</ref>
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While on the [[Plane of Darkness]], Lone Wolf discovered Gnaag being chased by [[Tzor]], Keeper of Evil Souls, on the [[Plain of Despair]] outside [[Naar]]'s fortress.<ref> {{cite book | first= Joe | last= Dever| authors=| title=Lone Wolf: The Curse of Naar | publisher=Berkley Books | location=New York | year=1993 | editor= | id=ISBN 0-425-15193-X}}</ref>
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
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<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
 
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>
   
==External links==
 
   
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== Internal Links ==
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* [[How to Meet Gnaag in The Jungle of Horrors]]
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==External links==
 
[[Category:Creation of Naar]]
 
[[Category:Creation of Naar]]
 
[[Category:Darklord]]
 
[[Category:Darklord]]
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[[Category:Lone Wolf featured articles]]

Revision as of 02:10, 13 April 2016

Featuredlonewolf



Gnaag entrance2

Archlord Gnaag about to confront Lone Wolf in Lone Wolf 12:The Masters of Darkness

Darklord of Tyranny. Gnaag, also known as Darklord Gnaag, is one of the chief villains in the world of Magnamund and one of Lone Wolf's greatest enemies. He arrived in that world, along with the nineteen other Darklords, in the year 3072 after the creation of the Moonstone (MS)

Gnaag was noted by his peers and Carag as being the most intelligent of the Darklords and a master of Darklord politics. Through careful manipulation and the murder of two fellow Darklords, he became Archlord of the Darklands in MS 5058.

After leading a campaign to conquer Magnamund, Gnaag nearly defeated Lone Wolf and the forces of good by attempting to destroy the last three Lorestones of Nyxator, which Lone Wolf was seeking, and then by sending Lone Wolf into the shadow world of the Daziarn. In MS 5070 Gnaag was finally defeated by Lone Wolf in single combat and was condemned by the dark god Naar to an eternity on the Plane of Darkness for his failures.

Characteristics

Physical and spiritual attributes

Gnaag resembled "a monstrous fly," with "gleaming multi-faceted eyes."[1] He was "slight," with an "insectile form." His outer flesh was mostly invisible, revealing green, wet internal organs. Blood oozed in waves from the dome of his bald head, and his narrow feet had claws.[2] His mind was his own, but his intellect and his soul were simply repositories for the infinite evil of the dark god Naar, which was revealed when Vonotar entered the mind of Darklord Zagarna.[3] For sustenance, he sometimes tore apart live Giaks.[2]

Gnaag banner

War banner with the emblem of Darklord Gnaag

Personality

One of the most intelligent of the Darklords, Gnaag was also the most politically astute, making sure to distance himself from Zagarna's failed invasion of Sommerlund in MS 5050.[2] Gnaag had distrusted Zagarna's partner, Vonotar, and he disagreed with Vonotar's status as an equal of the Darklords.[4] Gnaag controlled the contest for Archlordship between Darklords Haakon and Slutar after Zagarna's death. [2]

Career

Arrival on Magnamund

In the year 3072 MS, the Darklords were sent to Magnamund by Naar to conquer the planet for evil. Because of their corrupt and evil nature, the Darklords could not breathe the "sweet air" of Magnamund, and so they destroyed most of northeastern Magnamund, creating a realm known as the Darklands, which had air that "corroded a mortal's lungs."[3] Originally the ruler of the Darklord city of Mozgoar, a Darkland city-fortress to the west of Gazad Helkona, Gnaag was often seen in the capitol Helgedad walking on foot, in contrast to most of the nineteen surviving Darklords, who flew on Zlanbeasts.[2] He was also noted for his "flowery language" and his vast intellect, which was shown by the physical form which Naar chose for him.[4] His gestures were "fey," and his body evoked "fragility," but some considered this a mask of his true strength.[2]

Campaign for Archlordship

Gnaag also manipulated the competitors Glurch and Unc during the contest for control of the Darklands following the death of Darklord Haakon.[2] He ensured that events would escalate into a civil war, and just prior to the commencement of the battle between the two rivals, Gnaag, with the help of numerous Nadziranim sorcerers, destroyed both Darklords in a colossal display of power,[2] ending the five years of civil war and allowing him to assume the position of Archlord.[1]

Gnaagappearance (2)

An earlier interpretation of the Darklord's appearance from the eighth Lone Wolf book, The Jungle of Horrors

Gnaag's war

Gnaag launched an enormous campaign to conquer Northern Magnamund, sending his massive armies against the free lands therein. He also sent Helghast and other evil creatures to block Lone Wolf from retrieving the Lorestone of Ohrido from the Danarg.[1] Gnaag's Darklord armies conquered the southern Sommerlund province of Ruanon, and thus nearly prevented Lone Wolf from continuing his quest, were it not for Sommerlund's King Ulnar, who requested that he continue.[5] Darklord armies began to converge on Tahou with the help of their ally, the Vassagonian Empire. Lone Wolf raced there to gain the Lorestone before Gnaag's armies arrived, but as he emerged victorious, he found the city under siege by the evil armies. Through the main gates came Zakhan Kimah, the ruler of Vassagonia, who engaged Lone Wolf in combat and was defeated. Demoralized, and now surrounded by human reinforcements, the Darklord armies were decimated. Gnaag then appeared before Lone Wolf in Tahou, promising to destroy him and the three remaining Lorestones.[5] It was feared by Lone Wolf and his counselors that with the Nadziranim's help, Gnaag could achieve his goal. Lone Wolf set out for Torgar, the city-fortress revealed to be containing the Lorestones, but it was an elaborate trap set by Gnaag. As Lone Wolf climbed the scaffolding of the underground chamber to reach the Lorestones, Gnaag appeared in the room and cried, "Vengeance is mine, Lone Wolf!" He destroyed the scaffolding holding the Lorestones, sending Lone Wolf and the Lorestones into the Daziarn through a Shadow Gate.[6]

Gnaag's final defeat and afterlife

After Lone Wolf had fallen through the Daziarn Shadow Gate, Gnaag proclaimed his own invincibility and the death of Lone Wolf. The allied human armies were quickly ejected from Torgar, and the Darklord armies' losses ceased. Using the Tanoz-Tukor, a device that allowed them to survive outside the Darklands, The Darklords personally led their armies into battle to devastating effect. In the next eight years the Darklords succeeded in conquering most of Northern Magnamund and building a huge blockade between Sommerlund and Durenor. With no Durenese reinforcements, it was thought to only be a matter of time before Sommerlund and the rest of the planet would fall to the Darklords.[7] Having returned from his exile in the Daziarn after eight years, Lone Wolf secretly made his way into Helgedad and confronted Darklord Gnaag in the Tower of the Damned. Using the power of the Sommerswerd, he reduced the Darklord to atoms. (If Lone Wolf fights with another magical item, Gnaag's combat skill is 50, and his endurance point total is 70. Gnaag wields Nadazgada, or "Dark Burn", which was forged of black steel in Helgedad and imbued with magical spells by the Nadziranim.[7])

While on the Plane of Darkness, Lone Wolf discovered Gnaag being chased by Tzor, Keeper of Evil Souls, on the Plain of Despair outside Naar's fortress.[8]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Dever, Joe (1987). Lone Wolf: The Jungle of Horrors. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-10484-2.  Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "gnaag" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "gnaag" defined multiple times with different content
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Dever, Joe (1993). Legends of Lone Wolf:The Tellings. London: Red Fox. ISBN 0-09-915191-X. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 Dever, Joe (1989). Legends of Lone Wolf:Eclipse of the Kai. New York: Burkley Books. ISBN 0-425-12314-6.  Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "kai" defined multiple times with different content
  4. 4.0 4.1 Dever, Joe (1989). Legends of Lone Wolf:The Dark Door Opens. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-12439-8. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Dever, Joe (1987). Lone Wolf: The Cauldron of Fear. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-10848-1. 
  6. Dever, Joe (1987). Lone Wolf: The Dungeons of Torgar. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-10930-5. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Dever, Joe (1988). Lone Wolf: The Masters of Darkness. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-11718-9. 
  8. Dever, Joe (1993). Lone Wolf: The Curse of Naar. New York: Berkley Books. ISBN 0-425-15193-X. 


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