Teeth of Tarthvalon

The Teeth of Tarthvalon has become a notorious group across the isles. Known for their mercenary endeavors, the faction is utilized by villages, warlords, and empires. They are placed into situations where no other might be willing to tread and for that they come at a heavy cost. The Teeth hold no loyalty to nations, or other groups. They simply do the job they are hired to do, and do it well. There isn’t much they wouldn’t be willing to take on, but one hard rule they have is that they will never face their own in battle. This tenet has sparked quite the bidding war in the past as two potential clients sought the might of Tarthvalon in battle against the other.
Members of the faction are usually part of warbands-a large group of soldiers who fight for the bidder. However, sometimes special and highly capable individuals might be allowed to act solo or in small groups to further progress the goals of the faction. These particular individuals might be bounty hunters, bodyguards, or investigators tasked with an important directive directly from the leadership of the faction.
Retired members make up many of the isle’s warlords, bandit captains, and masters. They use the training and structure they learned while in service and adapt it to their own use. It is also not uncommon to find previous members who have been kicked out for bad behavior as part of roving bands of brigands and cutthroats.
Although they have field offices all over the isles, the headquarters of the Teeth of Tarthvalon, known as The Maw  is located in The Scorchlands, a harsh and unforgiving area known for its volcanic activity and treacherous terrain. The faction's base is situated near a series of active volcanoes, and is protected by a network of fortifications and defenses. The base itself is a sprawling complex of buildings and training grounds, where members of the Teeth hone their skills and prepare for their next mission. It is also home to a large number of warbands, who reside in barracks and other structures scattered throughout the base.
Despite its reputation as a ruthless and mercenary organization, the Teeth of Tarthvalon is known for its strict code of conduct and its commitment to upholding its principles. Members of the faction are expected to be disciplined and professional, and to always put the interests of the group first. Gum-da and his leadership team enforce these rules rigorously, and anyone who breaks them is likely to be severely punished or even expelled from the faction.

Structure

The Teeth of Tarthvalon is organized into a hierarchical structure, with Gum-da, The Flameheart at the top as the leader of the faction. Below Gum-da are the warlords, who are in charge of leading the warbands and carrying out the orders of the faction. The warlords are assisted by lieutenants, who help to manage the day-to-day operations of the warbands and ensure that they are carrying out their missions effectively.
Beneath the lieutenants are the individual members of the warbands, who are organized into smaller groups or squads, each led by a squad leader. These squad leaders are responsible for the training and development of their squad members, and for ensuring that they are ready for battle at all times. The faction also has a number of specialized units, such as the bounty hunters, bodyguards, and investigators mentioned earlier. These units operate outside of the regular warbands, and are tasked with carrying out specific missions or objectives on behalf of the faction.
At the same time, there is separate group of individuals who are responsible for managing the finances and supplies of the Teeth of Tarthvalon. This consists of skilled merchants, accountants, and logistics experts who are tasked with ensuring that the faction has the resources it needs to carry out its various missions and contracts. This group works closely with the leadership of the faction, and are responsible for negotiating contracts, managing the faction's finances, and procuring the necessary supplies and equipment for the mercenaries.
Overall, the organization of the Teeth of Tarthvalon is designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the faction to quickly respond to changing circumstances and carry out a variety of different missions on behalf of their clients.

The Flameheart

Core to the function of the Teeth of Tarthvalon is the idea of the Flameheart. It is rumored that ever since the founding of the faction each leader has passed down their knowledge in some sort of ritual. This passing of knowledge is commonly spoken as the passing of the Flameheart. The exact meaning and details of the tradition is a well guarded secret.

Culture

The culture of the Teeth of Tarthvalon is one of strength and independence. Members of the faction pride themselves on their ability to survive and thrive in any situation, and value their ability to take on challenging tasks and emerge victorious. This culture is reinforced through the strict hierarchy and training within the faction, as well as through the shared experiences of its members on the battlefield.
Members of the Teeth are expected to be strong, both physically and mentally, and to always put the interests of the faction above their own. This can sometimes lead to a competitive and cutthroat atmosphere within the faction, as members strive to prove themselves and rise through the ranks. However, there is also a strong sense of camaraderie and loyalty within the Teeth, as members rely on each other to survive and succeed in their missions.
Ex-members of the Teeth of Tarthvalon are seen in various ways depending on how they left the faction. Those who left on good terms and retired are often respected for their experience and skills, and may even be called upon for advice or assistance by current members. These individuals may also use their training and experience to establish their own mercenary groups, or to take on leadership roles in other organizations. On the other hand, those who were kicked out of the faction for bad behavior are often viewed with suspicion and mistrust. These individuals may be seen as unreliable and untrustworthy, and may struggle to find work or allies in the world. Some ex-members who have been kicked out may turn to a life of crime, forming bands of brigands and cutthroats who prey on the weak and vulnerable.

Public Agenda

The public agenda of the Teeth of Tarthvalon is to provide their services to those who are willing to pay for them. They do not care about the morals or motivations of their clients, as long as they are paid well and their conditions are met. Their focus is on completing the tasks they are hired for, and they are known for their efficiency and effectiveness in battle. They do not have any political or ideological goals, and they do not seek to influence the politics of the Dragon Isles. Instead, they are simply a mercenary force that can be hired by anyone who can afford their services. However, some speculate that their private agenda might involve much more than that.

Heart & Might

Founding Date

355 DF

Type

Guild, Fighter / Mercenary

Leader

Gum-da, The Flameheart

Location

The Scorchlands

Controlled Territories

• The Maw

Notable Members

• Gum-da, The Flameheart