Black Heart Warband
 | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 855 TA |
| Size | Minor Kingdom |
| Ruler | Grarg Dwarfstomper |
Led by the foul-temeperd Grarg Dwarfstomper, the Black Hearts live in the Vile March and are at constant war with the Goblinsbane Dwarves to the east. The Black Hearts came to prominence by retaking the Pass of Lar from dwarves and humans in the Battle of the Broken Skull in 855 TA. Although they have no cavalry, Grarg has a large number of ogres under his command. The settlements in the Vile March are wealthy by orc standards because of the extremely high tolls that Grarg collects for movement over the Pass of Lar.
Nearby Places of Interest
Bleak Hills
This offshoot of the Shadowyarn Mountains slowly decreases into a series of rugged ridges and steep hills. The Bleak Hills are said to contain small deposits of copper and gold. Numerous monsters roam this area, and many ogre bands make it their home.
Clovenbeck
Running south from the great lakes of the Bramblewood across the Barrens and into the Dourmoor, the Clovenbeck is cold, clear and swift. The banks of this river are lined with tall thick grasses that are said to have healing powers. Wildlife teems near the river, and its banks are frequented by many orcish hunters.
Crooked Burn
Twisting its way down from the Shadowyarn Mountains, the Crooked Burn runs along the northern edge of the Vile March joining the Clovenbeck south of the Bleak Hills. The river is named for its myriad of twists and turns caused by huge boulder fields west of Stonefist. The boulder fields are rumored to have been the practice grounds of the giant gods in the early days of the First Age.
Vile March
The richness of the Vile March comes not from its soil, although game and water are both abundant, but from the tolls collected here by travelers moving through this area to the Pass of Lar. The Black Heart Warband have numerous ambush parties moving throughout the area at all times. The southwestern edges of the Vile March near the Dourmoor are particular dangerous as this is the home to a large population of catobleapas.