Iron Circle

This organization of cruel and mysterious mercenaries hails from lands south of the Nentir Vale and has become a growing threat to the region, particularly the southern settlements. The Iron Circle is a powerful band of mercenaries under the control of the inscrutable Lord Vhennyk, who hails from the city of Sarthel, to the south of the Nentir Vale. Lord Vhennyk and his followers worship Asmodeus, but few Nentir Vale inhabitants are aware of the mercenaries’ true affiliations. Lord Vhennyk’s sweeping plans to conquer civilization in the name of his diabolical god are genuine, however, and he has set his sights on the barony of Harkenwold. (The Iron Circle’s invasion of Harkenwold is chronicled in Reavers of Harkenwold™, a two-part adventure in the Dungeon Master’s Kit™ boxed set. The Iron Circle is presented here at full strength, prior to the events of the adventure.)
The Lord’s Lieutenants: Since the Iron Circle is largely unknown in the Nentir Vale, few of the vale’s inhabitants have heard of Lord Vhennyk, though that state of affairs could eventually change. However, southern settlers who deal more regularly with the Iron Circle might soon hear the names Nazin Redthorn and Val Esed.
Redthorn is a brigand captain recently tasked with launching overt operations in the southern Nentir Vale. A muscular human in his mid-thirties, he is a brute who relishes violence, but he is also shrewd and patient. Redthorn’s overconfidence often drives his plans and actions. (Redthorn plays an important role in Reavers of Harkenwold and is best used sparingly and distantly until the events of that adventure unfold. Until then, the captain is more interested in planning the invasion of Harkenwold, with occasional covert visits to other Nentir Vale locales.)
Esed is Lord Vhennyk’s spymaster and chief information gatherer. She secretly lives in the Harkenwold region, assuming a variety of aliases. She has a strong physique and long, pitch-black hair, which she typically keeps braided. A tough human, she is part spy, part thief, and all mercenary. The Iron Circle’s leadership appreciates her acumen and pays her well enough to secure her loyalty. Esed’s primary task is to gather information about territory, community politics, and potential defenses, paying special attention to the barony of Harkenwold. The master spy has cultivated a swath of contacts, most of whom do not know her real mission or employer. She has access to funds and is willing to pay others for choice bits of information. (Esed’s efforts prepare the way for the invasion of Harkenwold, but she does not appear in the Reavers of Harkenwold adventure.)
Iron Circle leaders prefer clandestine reconnaissance missions to bold interactions, learning as much as they can about the lands, citizens, and threats to the area before exposing the organization or its intentions. They are interested in the political structures and military prowess of local baronies and assorted power groups, including the Harken Forest elves (page 63) and the Daggerburg goblins (page 38). Leaders are also keen to discover the locations of lost treasure hoards. Even though the rare mission can be brutal and aggressive, most are simple observe-and-report assignments. (The closer to Reavers of Harkenwold events, the more these efforts focus on Harkenwold and Harken Forest.)
Low Profile: It’s uncommon for Iron Circle members to travel openly through the Nentir Vale. Those who do are apt to be taking care of personal business or on minor Iron Circle missions. Such encounters are likely to occur in the southern lands or along heavily traveled roads and waterways Iron Circle members are primarily human, though like-minded individuals of other races can be found in the organization’s ranks. Enlistees are evil and aggressive. Many rise from the ranks of common thugs, thieves, and cutthroats, but some are elite fighters who are capable of planning and carrying out sophisticated operations. The Iron Circle also employs powerful sages and dark adepts that animate constructs to guard its bases and important figures, among other tasks.
Tar Devils: Infernal pacts forged with the Nine Hells enable the band’s most powerful adepts to summon and command tar devils, further darkening the group’s reputation. A tarlike substance oozes from a tar devil’s skin, dribbling down its body and leaving thin trails of tacky sludge in its wake. A tar devil is humanoid in shape with short horns that emerge from, and curve over, its humanlike head. It has haunting, pupilless eyes, beastlike feet, and a strong, lizardlike, nonprehensile tail. A tar devil