Bandits
Travel outside of the clans can be dangerous. Although the lands
have their share of honest farmers and ranchers living outside the
clans, danger lurks along the roads and trails. Criminals who choose
to earn their coin at the end of a sword often waylay travelers. The
desert of the interior is notorious for housing these bandits as few
constables are willing to chase them into the wastelands.
Banshees
Banshees are spirit-like creatures with blood-curdling screams
that are feared wherever they are heard, and they roam everywhere in
the Wildlands. It is said that these spirits were so torn by
their grief that they roam the land forever. The banshees become
enraged when they encounter large groups of people, hurling
themselves into them to cause havoc and death. Banshees seldom
enter inhabited buildings, temporary structures, or go near active
junctures, but have been known to do so to attack those foolish
enough to taunt them. While they rarely venture forth into the
sunlight, they have been seen in the day in deep woods and crypts.
Feygold Archers
Living primarily within the dense Feygold Forest, the Feygold
Archers spend their time honing their skills with the arts of
archery. Precision longbows, sharp arrows, and an aura of
magic are marks of pride among this group, and they are often seen
traveling the lands demonstrating their keen skills, especially
among gladiatorial events. Sometimes the archers can be seen
meditating in preparation of an event, and their marksmanship is
unrivaled.
Ghost Wolf Clan
An honorable group of undead barbarians rumored to inhabit Onyx
Hollow. They appear only at night and always give a warning before
attacking. They seem to be protecting something but what it is and
where no one knows.
Gorki Mob
Scattered throughout the towns of the Wildlands are small gangs
that all give their allegiance to Boss Gorki. The Gorki Mob engages
in almost every aspect of criminal activity, from simple theft to
extortion, kidnapping and murder. Boss Gorki himself is said to be a
goblin, and goblinoids make up the majority of the leaders of the
gang. No score is too big or too small, so long as the Boss gets his
cut of the action.
Imchie Trading Company
Once a thriving merchant house in the Wildlands, the Imchie
Trading company came out on the losing end of a trade war that they
allegedly started. Due to a recent change in leadership, they have
refocused and became more of a building company. Their goal is to
institute a network of trading roads thought-out the Wildlands for
all to use, for a nominal fee of course.
Order of the Eye
A dedicated order of historians who travel the lands recording
what they see. Easily recognized by the golden eye they wear, the
Order of the Eye keeps a meticulous history of the lands and takes
its work very seriously. Many a popular hero has been created by the
Order recording their courage.
Paladins of the Rose
"Glory in battle, Honor in Deed, Heroism in Death" is the motto
emblazoned across the banners of many a Paladin of the Rose. The
elite striking arm of House Roarke, the Paladins are a dangerous
opponent for the foes of the clan, and for any creature or force
that the clan feels threatens the Wildlands as a whole. Members of
the Paladins are expected to be the ideal of the Roarke tradition.
Honor, Loyalty, and Courage are foremost in the mind of a Paladin.
Despite their tendency to expect others to follow their lead,
they are welcome on most battlefields, as long as they are on your
side.
The Proven
A band of gladiators who travel the Wildlands testing themselves
against all who would take their challenge. The Proven’s nickname
for themselves is the “Bears who eat bears” referring to their
ability to defeat even the strongest of warriors. It is said that
some of the greatest warriors in the lands are members of this
troupe and the only way to learn their secrets is to defeat them in
fair combat in the arena.
The Scourge
Slavery is not unknown in the Wildlands. Those who practice
slavery often purchase their “products” from the Scourge, a
dangerous band of slave traders who have been known capture the
unsuspecting and mark them for servitude. The Scourge trades in
slaves of almost every trade and race, except Humans. Often the
slaves are not captured but merely branded, awaiting their future
“masters” to arrive and give them their orders. Humans have never
been known to be branded by the Scourge.
Servants of Sunrise
A group unknown to the Wildlands until recently, these
individuals fight against all who would raise arms against the Free
Races. They refuse to use Chaos and are known to hate undead. They
refer to all recent history as the Long Night; the period before
that is known as Nightfall. They take their name from their purpose,
which is to lift the darkness of the past centuries and return the
people of the Wildlands to the daylight they once knew.
The Sheyna
A highly secretive organization, the Sheyna will step on anyone
that impedes their goals whatever they may be. While no one knows
who they are, they know the Sheyna have been involved when they find
a symbolic frog at the scene of an incident. They have been known to
interfere with rituals, politics, and even trade discussions.
Unseelie Court
Once nothing more than rumor and speculation, the Unseelie Court
has made its presence known more than once in recent years. A
collection of powerful and elite Unseelie, the local court is lead
by a mysterious masked figure, though ultimately all loyalty is due
to the elusive Queen of Air and Darkness. Most are wary of
dealings with the Unseelie, for they are unpredictable at their best
and malicious at their worst. Little is understood about them,
except that they are always looking for something they will not
mention.
Yellowscar Pirates
Known to harass vessels up and down the Yellowscar River. This
ruthless band of pirates is rumored to not be affected by the poison
found in the Yellowscar River. They are known to do some trading and
always seal their deals with a drink.
