HAMADA, THE REAVER
Despite her beastly sobriquet—“the Reaver”—Hamada’s nature runs contrary to the untamed savagery of most gnolls; Hamada possesses an orderly mind, and is a student of careful, calculated military stratagem. Hamada’s raids are always a means to an end—they are designed to test the enemy’s responses and gauge their prowess and tactics in preparation for the larger battles to come.
Despite her beastly sobriquet—“the Reaver”—Hamada’s nature runs contrary to the untamed savagery of most gnolls; Hamada possesses an orderly mind, and is a student of careful, calculated military stratagem. Hamada’s raids are always a means to an end—they are designed to test the enemy’s responses and gauge their prowess and tactics in preparation for the larger battles to come.
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Appearance. Gnoll, rusty brown fur, dresses in well-maintained armor, knightly demeanor.
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Abilities. Military history, warfare.
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Traits. Patient, always three steps ahead.
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Ideal. Unite the encampments of Cinderheim into a kingdom that she alone rules.
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Bond. Wishes to fulfill her husband’s ambitions.
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Flaw. Has difficulty adjusting when her plans go awry.
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Warband. Yrkala boasts the most well-trained warband of all the encampments of Cinderheim.
SPECIAL
FOLLOWERS
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The Honor Guard. The Honor Guard is a squadron of seasoned flind warriors sworn to protect Hamada. They fight using flails, glaives, and bone-whips.
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The Ghostwise. The Ghostwise are a unit of stealthy desert halflings employed by Hamada to act as scouts, riflemen, and snipers for her warband. Their ability to approach unseen and unheard is legendary.
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Nysana. Nysana is a pureblood serpentfolk sorceress who believes that her position and wealth will rise with Hamada’s as she conquers the other encampments. She has a natural talent for shadow magic.
YRKALA
Before
Hamada the Reaver deposed the prior leader of Yrkala, it was a
chaotic encampment whose population was prone to infighting. Hamada’s
reign has ushered in a period of militaristic reform; Yrkala’s
warband now drills daily, and the encampment is forging itself anew
as a disciplined war machine.
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Population. Gnolls make up three-fifths of the population of Yrkala, with lizardfolk, humans, catfolk, and dragonborn comprising the rest of the populace.
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Aesthetic. Rounded buildings of sandstone and marble, decorated with ornate, colorful ceramic tiles.
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Supplies. Pottery, weapons, leather, salted meat. Yrkala’s plentiful water supply comes from mountain runoff collected in cisterns.
NOTABLE
FEATURES
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The Temple of Yrkal. The Temple is a place of profane worship dedicated to Yrkal, the Demon Lord of War and Conquest. Hamada’s supporters have infiltrated the temple to insinuate that she is the demon's mortal daughter.
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The Chattel Market. The Chattel Market is an open market where slavers buy and sell people captured in raids. Hamada’s agents buy any promising warriors.
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The Fated Obelisk. The Fated Obelisk is an obsidian spire at the center of Yrkala. Residents believe that it brings good luck if offerings are placed at its base.
ADVENTURES
IN YRKALA
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Copy Hamada’s war plans on behalf of another warlord.
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Convince Nysana, the shadow sorceress, to turn on her master when she least suspects it.
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Kidnap Naimir, Hamada’s husband, to use as a bargaining chip to insure peace in the region.
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Liberate a slave from the Chattel market.
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