League of Nil-ith Horn

The Men and Orcs of the League of Nil-ith Horn

The League of Nil-ith Horn is a merchant association formed by an alliance between the cities of Grunevald, Korvald and Kirkisvald, the major cities surrounding the Bay of Nil-ith Horn. Trade in these lands is a dangerous and risky business and the only way for merchants to protect themselves is by traveling together. The impetus for the formation of the League of Nil-ith Horn (LNH) was to protect its merchants involved in trading highly profitable Gautrian hemus potions (made from the healing swamp lotus only found in Gautia), and in the vast slave markets of the Vangen Orcs. While each city has its own merchant association (merchants’ guild) the alliance forms a loose Diet, or parliament, to govern inter-city trade and common policies. The trade between Grunevald, the only human city in the League, and the Valensian Empire (the dominant human empire) provide sea routes to all Imperial cities and the only legitimate port for the orcs of the League to ship any goods through. In most respects the policy of the merchants is protectionist and aimed at producing a Grunevaldian monopoly in the slave markets they supply.

The League of Nil-ith Horn and surrounding lands

The League of Nil-ith Horn Diet meets only infrequently and is filled with divisive politics based on differences in regional priorities. It is more frequent that the regional assemblies, known as ‘Thirds’, meet. There is a Grunevald ‘Third’ based on the internal and sea trades, a Korvald ‘Third’ based on slaves bought out of Kednvald, and a Kirkisvald ‘Third’ based on the hemus trade from Gautria and minerals from the Great Northern mountains. The predominant city in all dealings is Grunevald, which holds a central position as the only human port on the Nil-ith-Horn. The orc cities often complain that the merchants from Grunevald are given advantages over their own merchants.

The Grunevaldians, a race of seafaring men now under the rule of the Valesian Empire, claim the title of Masters of the League of Nil-ith Horn. From their capital city of Grunevald they dominate the other towns and cities of the League. Recently these men have raided and taken Gautrian lands on Lake Kisilev. Led by their famous conquering hero Boyar Gert Theovald the Grunevaldians have established a small kingdom of their own from the keep town of Berwik.

Boyar Gert Theovald and his Grunevaldian heavy infantry

LNH Orc Valdgrafs in the Grunevaldian market at Theovald Hall.

Kirkisvald is the more powerful of the two orc city states within the League of Nil-ith Horn. Its position on the northern most point of Nil-ith Horn bay makes it a wealthy and important trading port in the region. The political and financial interests of this LNH city-state are closely tied to that of their human “masters”, the men of Grunevald. As such many of their orc soldiers (called smerdi or “stinking ones” by the men of LNH) serve in the armies of Grunevald under human commanders. Some of Kirkisvald’s more wealthy and prominent clans have become belligerent recently, often acting autonomously in the LNH frontier regions.  

Graf Gozek and his LHN smerdi

Korvald is an orc city-state situated on the southwestern coast of Nil-ith Horn Bay. Not as important or wealthy as its sister city Kirkisvald, the orc sailors of Korvald are known to plunder the sea ways of Valensia’s great empire, and its greedy merchants are said to smuggle slaves through their own illegal routes. Korvald has suffered damaging reprisals and repudiation as a result. Recently some ambitious orcs of Korvald have devoted their energies to bring the LNH “Temple of The One God” to the neighboring Vangen orcs who have long harried their western borders.

Competing guilds, companies, and families belonging to every city of the League of Nil-ith Horn look for economic advantage and opportunity in neighboring Gautria.  From the lands rich in minerals and peoples, to the hemus lotus native only to its “troll swamps”, the kingdoms of Gautria posses vast and varied wealth to be exploited by the LNH. The League now is focused on control of Ondskap Mere, the great hemus swamp in the contested borderlands of the Vangen and Gautrian Kingdoms.

League of Nil-ith Horn Chronicles #5- Road to Dalthu

Eskander Toshe returned to Rostok Hold with victories from his first mission under Boyar Thonkrik’s command. He and his urog ally Vaak Akarya opened the Mines of Rostok (LNHC #3). Eskander then slew the Upplander hero Valgar Ottarson during Valgar’s failed ambush upon Eskander’s troops on the Silver Road (LNHC #4).

Boyar Thonkrik was pleased, and a bit surprised, at Eskander’s successes.

“Well done!” Thonkrik congratulated Eskander. “You’re the one I need to take our considerations to Hertog Torkag at his fortress of Dalthu.  We’ve got two towers on the road to Kisevald that need to be rebuilt and manned against Bothvar Helgeson and his miserable Upplanders. I need you to convince Torkag to send three units for our final push to rid our side of the river of these savages.

“I’ll have a wagon loaded with gifts of great expense: silver, weapons, wine! Let him know his urog Vaak can run the silver mines for us. Just bring back fighting bodies.

I can only trust a man of your background with this, Eskander. So, no other officers can go, instead take that orc Gazzi you like so much. His valgrafs and Vaak’s orcs will see you through to Dalthu.

And Eskander- leave your horse here.”

The next morning, crates, casks and goods were piled on the wagon for the northern journey to Dalthu. Eskander saw jugs of Grunevaldian wine among the offerings. Boyar Thonkrik was lavishing gifts on this Hertog Torkag.

As promised for Vaak Akarya’s service in slaying the renegade urog at Rostok Mines, a two-handed steel sword was waiting in the armory for her. Eskander gave her the sword, and the news that she would be the urog to hold the silver mines.

Gazzi and his valdgrafs took postition about the yak-drawn cart and the party left. The weather was bad and the roads were worse. The scouts could find no easy way through the swampy trail.

The supply-laden wagon made slow progress on the swampy road.

The supply-laden wagon made slow progress on the swampy road.

 

The wagon frequently bogged down in the mud and needed to be worked free.

The wagon frequently bogged down in the mud and needed to be worked free.

Shapes moved in the trees.

Vaak Akarya's orc captain spotted something amiss off the road.

Vaak Akarya’s orc captain spotted something amiss off the road.

Savage orc screeches were heard from the high rocks.

 

Several wild orcs appeared in the ruins on the cliffs above and hurled javelins at the stopped groups of orcs.

Several wild orcs appeared in the ruins on the cliffs above and hurled javelins at the stopped groups of orcs.

Vaak ordered her orcs to be ready for the ground attack while she went to the wagon.

Vaak ordered her orcs to be ready for the ground attack while she went to the wagon.

A giant urog dropped from the cliffs into the road in front of them.

Vaak closed with the savage urog.

Vaak closed with the savage urog.

 

Vaak's orcs intercepted the wild orcs on the ground.

Vaak’s orcs intercepted the wild orcs on the ground.

 

The steel weapons of the League forces were too mighty for the unarmored wild orcs.

The steel weapons of the League forces were too mighty for the unarmored wild orcs.

The wild urog smashed Vaak to the ground with his massive hammer. As she fell, Gazzi’s valdgrafs stepped into the battle and surrounded the urog. After trading many blows with him, the valdgrafs at last overcame the giant.

With the death of their leader, the remaining savage orcs scattered into the woods. The caravan regrouped and continued the march to Dalthu.

 

League of Nil-ith Horn Chronicles #4 – Ottarson’s Ambush

Eskander Toshe secured another victory for the League of Nil-ith Horn and reclaimed control over the Mines of Rostok. His urog ally Vaak Akarya insisted she and her orcs accompany them back to Rostok Hold to protect against the humans from the Upplands who frequently attacked the caravans and troops on the Silver Road.

The Upplanders spoke many boasts to ready themselves before the League of Nil-ith Horn army marched through their ambush.

Valgar Ottarson made brave boasts to his warriors they would crush the League of Nil-ith Horn forces in their ambush on the Silver Road.

Eskander agreed and they marched together for Rostok Hold. Very shortly, the scouts brought Eskander word of  significant enemies ahead. The Upplanders awaited their army.

The urog Vaak Akarya led 2 units of orcs to bolster the League infantry under Ekander Toshe.

The League of Nil-ith Horn forces deployed ready for a fierce fight through the pass.

Lookouts spotted the League army arrayed for battle on the road.

Valgar Ottarson gave orders for the Upplanders to take position.

The bonders shook their swords and shields.

Valgar’s bonders positioned themselves up the cliffside above the route of march the heavily armored Nil-ith Horn infantry would have to take.

The swift-moving ulfhednar bore down the road towards the pass.

The ulfhednar ran straight towards the pass at the League army, and instead climbed the short cliff by the bonders.

Valgar Ottarson called his elite berserk warriors to his side.

The utvalt men hurled insults at the orcs while Valgar Ottarson summoned a unit of elite berserk warriors from out of hiding.

"Let no orcs through this day!"

Valgar rallied his warriors as the League of Nil-ith Horn troops approached.

Gazzi brought his elite valdgrafs along the ridge while the League of Nil-ith Horn infantry marched into the pass.

Vaak Akarya brought her units up the left flank. The smerdi led the way for the League forces, followed by the League’s Gautrain Guardsmen.

Gazzi and his elite valdgrafs climbed along the ridge while the League of Nil-ith Horn infantry marched into the pass. Eskander and his officer Selibek held their horses to the rear.

Vaak's orcs challenged the berserks.

The League shields proved strong against the javelin fire as the infantry entered the pass.

Shielded bonders rained javelins down on the League of Nil-ith Horn infantry.

Though the bonders had the advantage of height, their javelins failed to drop any League orcs.

The ulfhednar ran through the woods and wrappped behind the slower League infantry.

The ulfhednar passed through the wooded terrain and attacked the rear of the League infantry.

The berserks jumped down to slay the smerdi.

The berserks jumped down to slay the smerdi.

The smerdi fell in numbers to Valgar Ottarson and the berserks.

The smerdi stood strong against Valgar and the berserks.

One resilent smerdi stood against the mighty Valgar and his elite berserks.

While the stoic League smerdi pinned the berserks, the Gautrian Guardsmen fought the ulfhedanr, and the valdgrafs destroyed the utvalt men.

While the stoic League smerdi pinned the berserks, the Gautrian Guardsmen fought the ulfhedanr, and the valdgrafs destroyed the utvalt men.

The last smerdi was slain, and Vaak's orcs crashed into the melee against Valgar.

The last smerdi was slain, and Vaak’s orcs crashed into the melee against Valgar.

Vaak and Eskander joined their strength to bring down the ulfhednar priest.

Vaak and Eskander joined their strength to bring down the ulfhednar priest.

As all seemed lost for the Upplanders, the bonders leapt into the fray.

As all seemed lost for the Upplanders, the bonders leapt into the fray.

The orc reavers overpowered the lightly armored bonders, while the Gautrian Guardsmen stepped over the fallen orcs and hewed at Valgar and the berserks.

The orc reavers overpowered the lightly armored bonders, while the Gautrian Guardsmen stepped over the fallen orcs and hewed at Valgar and the berserks.

Finally, Eskander and Vaak closed with Valgar Ottarson, and the heroes slew the mighty Upplander.

Finally, Eskander and Vaak closed with Valgar Ottarson, and the heroes slew the mighty Upplander.

League of Nil-ith Horn Chronicles #3- Mines of Rostok

Eskander Toshe was sent on his first command by the League of Nil-ith Horn to re-establish control of their road to Rostok Hold. His caravan of troops and supplies was harried relentlessly by savage humans as they traveled north from the fortress of Kisevald to the wooden outpost of Rostok.

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His elite orc captain, Gazzi-Ura, fended off the attacks with proficiency and the party at last reached Rostok Hold.

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They were rudely greeted by Snog, the orc second-in-command.

“Boyar Thonkrik’s up above.” he said. Gazzi-Ura tried to follow Eskander into the tower. Snog shoved him. “The Boyar doesn’t need to see you, orc.”

“I go where Eskander goes,” responded Gazzi, and placed his hand on his sword.

Snog eyed the newcomer coldly. “Fine,” he said. “Thonkirk’ll set you straight. Then I’ll be here when you come down.”

Eskander and Gazzi entered the tower and climbed to the upper floor.

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Boyar Thonkrik looked Eskander over disapprovingly. “You need to keep your orcs in line.” Thonkrik turned to Gazzi. “Get out.”

Eskander nodded to Gazzi, and the orc left.

“You’re another of Theovald’s bastards, aren’t you? Well, at least you got my troops here. Haven’t seen any relief in a long time now.”

Thonkrik went to a hutch in the corner of the room. There he opened a small chest and drew out an envelope. He tossed it on the table by Eskander.

“Your new orders, placing you here under my command. We need more men here of good calibre, Eskander. Show me yours and deal with these Drimgaard orcs. I had one of their local urog leaders in charge of working the mine.

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“Now he’s stopped bringing the silver here. Fix this.”

Eskander nodded and left the tower. He paused outside the palisade and surveyed the compound.

The barracks for the humans were easy to pick out.

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A group of Drimgaard orcs appeared from the forest.

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They were led by a huge female urog wearing a huge iron sword.

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She demanded audience with the man in charge and instead was met by Eskander. Gazzi-Ura spoke the urog woman’s tongue.

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Vaak Akarya was here at Rostok on behalf of her urog king, Hertog Torkag. She pledged to lead the attack on the traitorous urog holding the mines.

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In return, she asked for lands and a two-handed steel sword made for her. Eskander agreed, and they made plans to raid Rostok mines

Later that night, once the human soldiers had turned in to their barracks, Snog found excuse to challenge Gazzi.

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The orcs gathered round, ready for the fight, but the human guards put a quick stop to the affair.

“Another time, orc,” threatened Snog.

The next day Eskander marched his units on the road for a frontal assault on the mines. But he, Gazzi, Vaak and a handful of picked orcs entered the mines from an entrance in the nearby woods.

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They crept quietly through the mine tunnels, coming at last to a hall right below the hertog.

Vaak led the way, leaping with no difficulty to the floor above. By the time all the others had followed her up, the enemy orcs had responded to the noise.

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Vaak hacked through the orc guard and engaged the hertog.

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Vaak was the more determined of the urogs and with a mighty blow removed the traitor hertog’s head.

She held it aloft for all the orcs to see and commanded them to join her. Cowed by the defeat of their leader, and the presence of the League of Nil-ith Horn forces, the renegade orcs surrendered.

Vaak Akarya had fulfilled her oath and opened Rostok Mines. Would the Eskander honor his and deliver lands to the urog?

League of Nil-ith Horn Chronicles #2- Bothvar’s Wolves

After the League of Nil-ith Horn troops drove off the ambushing humans, Gazzi-Ura treated Eskander with a hemus healing potion and the soldiers removed the road obstructions. They continued north, Gazzi-Ura and his orcs scouting.

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Gazzi-Ura picked up tracks of a group of wild men following them. Eskander and his officers gave chase and engaged a few of them. These humans were clad in wolf skins and moved like panthers through the trees. The League soldiers killed one, but the rest vanished into the woods.

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Near dark Eskander had his men and orcs set up camp with heavy guard. There passed a tense few hours until wolf howls were heard and the wild men burst from the darkness. Several ulfhednar went for the command tent. Eskander quickly responded and slew his attackers.

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Gazzi-Ura charged at the shaman on the hill, but was kept from his target by 2 axe-wielding savages. Eskander ordered his officers on horseback and rode to aid Gazzi-Ura.

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By the time Eskander reached the hill, Gazzi-Ura was lying wounded and the shaman had fled.

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The League of Nil-ith Horn soldiers slew several of the wild men while the rest howled and escaped into the forest.

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It was Eskander’s turn to give Gazzi-Ura the healing hemus. They secured their camp and prepared to continue their trek to the wooden outpost of Rostok hold.

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League of Nil-ith Horn Chronicles #1- Road to Rostok

The League of Nil-ith Horn outpost of Rostok Hold has produced much wealth for a few powerful families in the Grunevaldian third. Boyar Thonkrik and his devoted League soldiers had provided a steady stream of slaves and silver. Recently, the Targ leader Bothvar Helgesson has orchestrated many attacks on League of Nil-ith Horn caravans on the road between Rostok and the fortress of Kisevald and made the route impassable. Rather than support Boyar Thonkrik to the north at Rostok, the League of Nil-ith Horn orcs stationed in Kisevald went raiding the tumultuous North Gautrian kingdom west across the lake.

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Boyar Gert Theovald had been conquering the lands on the southeast side of the lake and needed the silver and slaves from his ally Boyar Thonkrik at Rostok Hold. Theovald arranged a commission in the League of Nil-ith Horn army for his bastard son, Eskander Toshe, and ordered him to open the road from Kisevald and deliver men and supplies to Rostok.

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Eskander arrived at Kisevald with a unit of Gautrian Guardsmen, a unit of orc smerdi, and four laden wagons.

The orc commander Graf Gorik was meting out punishment to a unit of orcs who had been routed from their camp at the mouth of Kisilev Lake three nights past. Graf Gorik himself whipped and beheaded the unit’s leader, then took one out of every ten soldiers and executed them in the same manner. Once the grisly affair was over, Graf Gorik promoted the elite infantry soldier Gazzi-Ura to head the decimated unit.

Graf Gorik was irate when Eskander delivered orders instructing the Graf to assign a unit of orcs to escort Eskander to Rostok Hold. Grudgingly, Graf Gorik gave him Gazzi-Ura’s reduced unit, and the next morning Eskander and Gazzi-Ura led their troops and goods up the road to Rostok Hold.

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The road was filled with certain danger from humans and savage orcs, and potential danger from any orc tribe that might not honor their alliance with the League of Nil-ith Horn. The first attack came soon after Eskander and Gazzi-Ura left the protective reach of Kisevald. Their caravan was stopped by large boulders in the road.

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As they moved the rocks, a band of Upplanders burst from the trees with volleys of arrows and javelins. Men set upon the caravan from both sides. The Upplanders inflicted what damage they could against the heavy League armor.

An enormous man sprang out of the woods to chop at Eskander.

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They fought bitterly, until Eskander fell from his horse. Gazzi-Ura charged at the huge man, wounding him severely. The wild men broke away and faded into the forest.