Bloodclaw

In the shadowed recesses of the Ironedge Mountains, the Bloodclaw Warband, led by the infamous Chief Gruznak the Ruthless, has formed a dark alliance with a cabal of Beholders known as the "Eyes of Tezra." These otherworldly entities, each a floating spheroid with a large central eye and multiple smaller eyes on stalks, are revered as gods by the Bloodclaw. The Beholders' insidious influence has seeped into the very fabric of the warband's society, elevating their brutality to new, terrifying heights.

Chief Gruznak, a hulking orc with a penchant for brutality, has gained particular infamy for his insidious practice of capturing human women to serve as slaves. These unfortunate souls are not only subjected to a life of servitude but are also forced to bear half-orc children, who are then raised as child-soldiers within the warband. This grim cycle ensures a steady influx of new warriors, indoctrinated from birth in the savage ways of the Bloodclaw. Gruznak's methods are as effective as they are horrifying, and they have made him a figure of dread throughout the region.

The warband's elite members, known as Eye-rippers, led by a high priest known as the "Oculus of Tezra." This high priest is keeper of the "Maze of Tezra," a labyrinthine structure filled with deadly traps and illusions, designed by the Beholders themselves. The maze serves as both a proving ground for aspiring Eye-Ripper members and a sacrificial altar where captives are offered to the Beholders. The Eyes of Tezra, in turn, provide the Bloodclaw with arcane knowledge and dark prophecies, including one that foretells a coming war and the return of the Black Fire.

The Bloodclaw Warband is not merely a horde of mindless brutes; it is a complex and hierarchical society with its own twisted sense of honor and tradition. They believe that their violent raids are a form of tribute to their Beholder patrons. The warband is divided into several smaller clans, each led by a chieftain who owes allegiance to Gruznak. These clans compete for the Chief's favor, often through feats of strength, duels, and the presentation of spoils from their raids. The internal politics are a bloody affair, and it is not uncommon for a chieftain to be usurped by a more ambitious or cunning rival. However, when it comes to external threats or opportunities for conquest, the warband unites under the fearsome banner of the Bloodclaw, a flag adorned with the fanged and horned Red Eye of Tezra.

The Bloodclaw Warband is known for its berserker warriors, The Frothing Maws, fearsome orcs who enter a trance-like state of fury in battle. These berserkers are often the vanguard in any assault, their howls of rage demoralizing foes even before the clash of steel. They are both a weapon and a symbol of the Bloodclaw's ferocity, embodying the warband's ethos of relentless aggression.

The Bloodclaw Warband is a formidable and horrifying force that represents a constant threat to the stability and safety of the Kanonos Region of Nolavor. Their practices may be abhorrent, but their effectiveness is undeniable, making them a grim reality that cannot be easily dismissed or defeated. Yet, behind their savagery lies a dark and complex relationship with the Eyes of Tezra, a relationship that not only amplifies their power but also ties them to prophecies of apocalyptic wars and cosmic calamities. The Bloodclaw are not just marauders; they are harbingers of a dark future, guided by the malevolent visions of their Beholder masters.