Yonlok

Hot-headed Bugbear member of the Dragul Alliance, eventually rising to the rank of general. Was once friends with Dobrik, but estranged due to differing political beliefs.

“Why cause all this? We were friends.” - Dobrik - Arcazion Pit (GS-ADV7)
“For honor and freedom. Some things are bigger than us all.” - Yonlok - Arcazion Pit (GS-ADV7)

Yonlok and Dobrik were once friends, before the conflict between Queen Gimnax and the Dragul;

“You’ve sat in my home. Eaten at my table. How can you serve a tyrant?” - Yonlok, Servants of Azema (GS-ADV2)

At one point in his life, Queen Gimnax offered him a seat on the council during her rule. He turned her down.

Following his death, his son and daughter trained under the Gnoll Awook. Eventually they both become generals in the Dragul army.

In Sabek, as you exit Queen Gimnax's tent, you notice a crowd of agitators gathering outside. Dobrik points out their leader, a Bugbear named Yonlok.

• You take the side of Yonlok and the Dragul:
  • You buy Yonlok enough time to get away, garnering Dobrik's mistrust.
  • Dobrik bests you, but Yonlok manages to go free.
• You fight in the name of the queen:
  • You successfully drive off Yonlok, who dashes into an alley.
  • Yonlok deals you a blow before making his escape.

Yonlok is among the Bugbear that you encounter at their encampment. Depending on your previous decisions, his welcome may or may not be the friendliest.

He is not pleased with your acquaintance Nayo. He is convinced she is a spy.

• Show strength to gain Yonlok's trust.
  • Impress him and you will be welcomed by the camp.
  • Fail that and he will humiliate you as the others chase you away.
• Draw your steel against him.
  • You chase them off.
  • You are soundly beaten and chased from the camp.

“We go to hunt! And then into the Frozen Expanse to kill Gulpax the Crafter!” - Yonlok - Ascending Kethra's Steppe (GS-ADV4)

You will encounter Yonlok and a raiding party of Bugbear as they travel the wastelands. - Explorer's Guide (GS-Guide-ADV5-3)

• If you were responsible for the death of Dobrik, Yonlok will challenge you.
  • You prove yourself worthy.
  • Yonlok exacts his revenge.

“Dobrik was my dearest friend, once. Even though we were on opposite sides of this conflict, he deserved to be slain by the best. So now, we must see if the best is you.” - Yonlok - Explorer's Guide (GS-Guide-ADV5-23)

• If instead, you had impressed Yonlok while in Lorkheim, he will appear to be pleased to see you. He and those with him present you with a wooden chest. It is clearly trapped. - Explorer's Guide (GS-Guide-ADV5-27)
  • You dismantle the traps and earn their respect.
  • You fail to safely open the chest and are the target for their laughs and jeers.
• Otherwise, Yonlok decides to test you. A giant Bugbear, Nork, the son of Brimlough, steps forward to challenge you. - Explorer's Guide (GS-Guide-ADV5-24)
  • Win and gain Yonlok's respect.
  • Lost and give the Bugbear's a good laugh at your expense.

Yonlok is intent to thwart the queen's plans during the Battle of the Arcazion Pit. You may or may not choose to join him. As the intensity of the battle increases, he may even face off with his former friend Dobrik.

The stories about Yonlok's death are shrouded in mystery and conflicting accounts.

• His death at the Battle of the Arcazion Pit spurred the Dragul to fight with increased intensity. For some, he is a sacred figure and martyr for the Dragul cause.
• Surviving the battle, he is eventually slain by a group of Dwarves while visiting Dobrik's grave. Their deaths started a blood feud between the Dwarves and Bugbear.