Crimson Confederacy

The Crimson Confederacy is a ruthless coalition of Goblins, Trolls, Orcs, and a few opportunistic mercenaries of other races who band together for mutual profit and survival. Known for their brutality and cunning, the Confederacy thrives in the chaos of war, exploiting conflicts and sowing discord to expand their influence. Their reputation for savagery and greed is matched only by their skill at manipulation and the sheer ferocity of their members.

Operating from hidden encampments, cave networks, and mobile warbands, the Confederacy is a loosely organized but highly effective force, bound together by shared hatred for authority and an insatiable lust for power and wealth. Their emblem—a crimson gauntlet clutching a coin—represents their unrelenting pursuit of profit, no matter the cost.

Structure and Leadership

Despite its chaotic nature, the Crimson Confederacy is governed by a pragmatic hierarchy built on strength, cunning, and intimidation. At its center is the Ironbound Council, a group of warlords and chieftains who manage the Confederacy’s largest operations. These leaders are primarily Orcs, Trolls, and Goblins who have clawed their way to power through sheer force and guile.

• Goblin Saboteurs: The Goblins form the backbone of the Confederacy, excelling as spies, sappers, and scavengers. Their resourcefulness and aptitude for sabotage make them indispensable in both skirmishes and larger battles. Goblin tinkers are often tasked with creating crude yet devastating devices, such as explosives and traps.

• Troll Enforcers: Trolls, with their immense strength and regenerative abilities, serve as the Confederacy’s muscle. Acting as enforcers and bodyguards for the Council, they strike terror into allies and enemies alike, ensuring discipline through sheer physical dominance.

• Orc Warlords: Orcs dominate the leadership and frontlines, bringing raw aggression and tactical skill to the Confederacy. Orc chieftains lead raiding parties, while seasoned warriors manage battlefield strategy and ensure the Confederacy’s military might remains unmatched.

Activities and Tactics

The Crimson Confederacy thrives on chaos, exploiting war and instability to further their goals. Their tactics are brutal and unrelenting, relying on overwhelming force, cunning ambushes, and psychological warfare to achieve their aims.

• Mercenary Warfare: The Confederacy hires out its forces to the highest bidder, offering entire warbands of Goblins, Trolls, and Orcs. They are infamous for their willingness to switch allegiances if a better offer arises, making them both dangerous and unreliable allies.

• Raiding and Pillaging: Confederacy warbands frequently target villages, trade caravans, and border outposts, looting goods and enslaving survivors. These raids are often coordinated to sow maximum fear and disrupt supply lines.

• Black Markets and Slavery: The Confederacy runs extensive black market operations, trafficking in stolen goods, weapons, and slaves. Orcs and Trolls often oversee these grim enterprises, while Goblins handle the logistics.

• Sabotage and Assassination: Goblin saboteurs are deployed to undermine fortifications, disable defenses, and assassinate key figures. Their dirty tactics have left a trail of destruction across countless battlefields and settlements.

Enemies and Conflicts

The Crimson Confederacy’s violent and opportunistic nature has earned them no shortage of enemies. While they thrive on chaos, they are constantly at odds with more organized forces and those who oppose their ruthless exploitation.

• Dwarven Strongholds: The Dwarves view the Confederacy as a scourge, particularly given their alliances with Orc warbands and their role in destabilizing the region. The Confederacy frequently targets Dwarven mines and trade routes, seeking to cripple their economic power.

• The Harpers: This clandestine organization opposes the Confederacy’s tyranny and cruelty, working tirelessly to disrupt their operations and protect the vulnerable.

• Resistance Movements: Local militias and freedom fighters have risen to combat the Confederacy, though most lack the numbers or strength to challenge their larger warbands.

The Bounty System

The Crimson Confederacy is infamous for its bounty system, used to intimidate rivals and eliminate threats. Their bounties often target influential leaders, heroes, or anyone who disrupts their plans. These rewards, typically paid in stolen gold or rare treasures, attract bounty hunters and mercenaries willing to carry out even the most heinous tasks.

The 500 gold bounty on Belnar Axehammer, placed after his pivotal role in the Battle of Karagorn Hold, is a prime example of the Confederacy’s vendetta against those who oppose them. Even after his death, they continue to hunt his body to make an example of him and demoralize the Dwarves.

A Savage Legacy

The Crimson Confederacy embodies the worst aspects of greed, savagery, and opportunism. Driven by a majority of Goblins, Trolls, and Orcs, their alliance is a precarious yet devastating force that preys on the weak and destabilizes entire regions. While their power grows in times of war, so too does the hatred they inspire among their victims. Many believe that the Confederacy’s days are numbered, but until they are stopped, their crimson gauntlet will continue to cast a shadow over the lands, clutching tightly to chaos and conquest.