Factions of the Trial-Woods Conflict
The situation in the Trial-Woods is a complex web of competing interests, each with their own motivations, resources, and tactics.
The Blackthorn Rebellion (Renard Blackthorn's Band)
Overview
- Leader: Renard Blackthorn, a charismatic leader of displaced refugees.
- Base of Operations: Fey Ruins, hidden deep within the Trial-Woods.
- Forces: 50-100 trained fighters, plus refugees (families, artisans, and outcasts).
- Allies: Blackthorn Rebellion has been trading supplies and equipment with the Bogwood Dragonborn. He likely has other trade partners.
- Enemies: Estellian merchants, mercenaries, bounty hunters.
Tactics and Strengths
- Guerrilla Warfare: Blackthorn’s warriors know the terrain intimately and use ambushes, sabotage, and deception to counter numerically superior forces.
- Fey Ruin Defenses: The ruins grant natural defenses, with ancient enchantments protecting the core of their hidden camp.
- Popular Support: Many displaced commoners aid Blackthorn’s group.
- Fey Magic: Some remnants of the Fey power still linger in the ruins.
Goals
- Most likely protect his encampment and continue to raid the Estellian merchants.
- Resist Estellian dominance in the Trial-Woods.
Marque Trade Consortium
Overview
- Leader: Claudia Marque, an ambitious merchant.
- Base of Operations: Estellian Trade Outposts south of the Barony.
- Forces: 150-300 mercenaries, plus bounty hunters drawn by her 10,000 gold bounty on Blackthorn.
- Potential Allies: Estellian nobles, Summer Fey
Tactics and Strengths
- Wealth & Influence: Claudia can hire assassins, bribe officials, and manipulate supply lines.
- Private Mercenaries: Her handpicked enforcers are trained to hunt fugitives.
Goals
- Eliminate Renard Blackthorn and stop any raids on her trade routes.
- Probable goal of maintaining a monopoly on trade in the area.
The Bogwood Dragonborn
Overview
- Leader: Valtharix the Scaled Tyrant, a Dragonborn warlord.
- Base of Operations: The Bogwood, a fortified swamp settlement.
- Forces: 200+ Dragonborn warriors and enslaved halflings working under duress.
- Allies: Renard Blackthorn’s faction (trade partners), potential rogue necromancers, and alchemical smugglers.
- Enemies: Halfling resistance and Estellian merchants.
Tactics and Strengths
- Fortified Swamp Base: The natural defenses of the Bogwood make it difficult to siege.
- Iskandral the Frost Maw: A powerful white dragon enforcer ensures loyalty and fear.
- Alchemical Resources: The Bogwood is rich in bog iron and rare medicinal herbs, providing them with valuable trade goods.
Goals
- Maintain control of the Bogwood and expand influence into the Trial-Woods.
- Continue trading with Renard Blackthorn’s forces for mutual benefit.
- Exploit alchemical resources for military and magical advantages.
The Summer Court Fey Hunters
Overview
- Leader: Sir Faelric Dawnshade, a seasoned and cunning eladrin warrior.
- Base of Operations: A hidden encampment near the Estellian trade routes.
- Forces: 25-50 elite Fey Hunters, specialized in tracking and eliminating rogue Fey and those using fey magic.
- Allies: Claudia Marque (primary employer), certain Estellian nobles, and Summer Court emissaries.
- Enemies: Renard Blackthorn’s faction and potential Fey allies.
Tactics and Strengths
- Elite Fey Trackers: Specialized in identifying and countering Fey magic, illusions, and guerrilla tactics.
- Magical Equipment: Wielding enchanted weapons and tools designed specifically for combating Fey beings.
- Rapid Deployment: Their small, mobile forces allow them to operate effectively in the dense forests.
Goals
- Hunt down and eliminate Renard Blackthorn and his Fey-aligned forces. This is likely an opportunistic goal related to the payment received.
- Likely wishing to retrieve lost Fey artifacts and secure them for the Summer Court’s interests.