Across the Border

Another reason for superior morale in the county is that the forces of Iuz do not appear so strong across the northern border. The enemy's soldiers, a rabble of mixed humanoids including Horned Society hobgoblins, seem poorly armored and equipped compared to those to the west. Nothing like the monster raids or thassaloss guardian seen in Kalinstren have yet appeared here. Skirmishing is actually more common, due to the poorer organization of the goblinoids, but there are fewer losses to these weaker troops. However, this may be deceptive. Rumors abound that Grabford is a charnel house compared to which Crockport is almost a haven of respite. A vampire-mage is said to command Iuz’s forces from this conquered town, and two raiding parties have both reported seeing yeth hounds flying around Grabford. Human slaves have likewise been seen here.

East of the Veng, the forces within the old Horned Society lands are predominantly hobgoblins, with a significant smattering of human leadership. These include priests of Iuz, cynical and evil scum from the Bandit Kingdoms who defected to Iuz. There are regular reports of fiends stalking east of the river.

Molag, the “summer palace” of Iuz, is home to High Priestess Althea, one of the most eminent of the Boneheart. It is garrisoned by over 3,000 humanoid soldiers, and is a city awash with fiendish and malefic presences (see Iuz the Evil). As yet, bow fire from across the river, and rare forays by a fiend or a handful of goblinoids have been the only incursions into Furyondy. This border gives Jakartai more anxiety than the northern front despite the natural defense of the river, and he is always eager to hear news from Fendrelan. Molag is. certainly the most powerful city and troop base within very short distance of Furyondy.