Naelin

Naelin is the notorious leader of the feared bandit group known as The Hangmen, operating primarily out of Nulb and its surrounding territories. This article delves into his history, motivations, and the dark reputation that precedes him.

Background and Rise to Power

Naelin’s journey from a condemned prisoner in Veluna to the leader of the most feared bandit gang in Nulb is a tale of cunning and brutality. His escape during execution, thanks to a covert pact with the druid Stonebridge, marked the beginning of his dark ascent.

Motivation and Goals

• Power and Control: Naelin’s primary motivation is to expand his control over Nulb and surrounding areas, using any means necessary.
• Challenge the Status Quo: Influenced by Stonebridge, Naelin seeks to disrupt the existing order to create a balance more favorable to their views.

Personality

• Charismatic and Ruthless: Naelin is known for his charismatic leadership and ruthless enforcement of his rules.
• Strategically Minded: Always planning several moves ahead, he is a tactician who uses his surroundings and alliances to maximum effect.

Political Relationships

• Alliance withDruid Tarn Wildthorn: Shares a deep, strategic alliance with Tarn Wildthorn, aimed at disrupting the regional balance.
• Tenuous Ties with Lady Lmag: While they operate in the same region, Naelin maintains a cautious relationship with Lady Lmag, marked by mutual suspicion and minimal direct conflict.
• Hostility Towards Law Enforcement: Maintains a hostile stance towards any form of official law enforcement and rival criminal factions.

The Hangmen's Influence

• Operations: The Hangmen are involved in various criminal activities, including raids on merchant caravans and the slave trade.
• Reputation: Their brutality is well-known, often leaving a trail of violence and fear that bolsters their fearsome reputation.
• Economic Leverage: By controlling key trade and smuggling routes, Naelin ensures The Hangmen are economically indispensable to Nulb's underground economy.

Current Endeavors

Exploration: Naelin, alongside Druid Tarn Wildthorn, is currently investigating ancient ruins in the southern swamp, hoping to uncover powers or treasures that could elevate their standing. 

DM's Only: Secret Alliances and Plans

Involvement with the Temple of Elemental Evil

• Alliance with the Earth Faction: Naelin has established a working relationship with High Preist Romag of the Earth faction of the Temple, providing them with slaves and captured enemies.
• Supply Chain: He ensures a steady flow of supplies and information between his band and the Temple, strengthening both parties.

Strategic Relationships

• With Stonebridge: The alliance with Stonebridge is central to Naelin's strategy, giving him access to druidic magic and intelligence.
• Internal Dynamics: Within The Hangmen, Naelin fosters loyalty through fear and reward, ensuring his captains are both competent and completely aligned with his vision.

Naelin's Operational Dynamics with Dick Rentsch and the Earth Temple

Collaborative Operations
Naelin's strategic alliance with Dick Rentsch at the Waterside Hostel exemplifies a calculated effort to maintain and expand his influence within Nulb while coordinating with the Temple of Elemental Evil.

• Operational Base: The 3. Waterside Hostel of Nulb, under Dick's management, serves as a semi-official base for The Hangmen, providing a crucial nexus for Naelin’s operations within the town.
• Information and Resource Sharing: Dick and Naelin share information that is crucial for the execution of their respective roles – Dick as a local businessman and spy, and Naelin as a bandit leader with deeper connections.

Connection with High Priest Romag

Naelin’s indirect collaboration with High Priest Romag through Dick enhances his strategic positioning within the Temple's broader schemes.

• Covert Recruitment: Both Naelin and Dick are involved in covert recruitment efforts for the Temple, identifying and enlisting potential members under the guise of employment at the hostel or within Naelin’s ranks.
• Directives and Updates: Regular communications with Romag ensure that both Naelin and Dick align their local actions with the Temple's objectives, particularly regarding the manipulation of political and economic levers in Nulb.

Goals and Secrets

• Expansion Plans: Naelin's ultimate goal is to dominate the trade routes through the Verbobonc, Viscounty, using both force and political manipulation.
• Hidden Agendas: Unknown to many, Naelin seeks to discover artifacts of power within the ruins of Qalnossk, which could potentially change the balance of power in the region.

Key Point

• Naelin is a legendary figure with a complex past and ambitious future.
• His relationship with the Temple of Elemental Evil is pragmatic but shrouded in secrecy.
• The Hangmen, under his command, are more than mere bandits; they are a growing power in the region.
• Naelin's strategic use of alliances and manipulation ensures his grip on his followers and his influence in the underworld.

Current Operations at Qalnossk

Exploration of Qalnossk
Naelin, along with his trusted lieutenant Druid Tarn Wildthorn and a select group of The Hangmen, is currently engaged in a significant operation at Qalnossk, the site of ancient ruins within the Fens of Tor. Known to be the remnants of an old lizardfolk city, the area presents both rich historical value and strategic advantage. (see: I2 Tomb of the Lizard King)

• Archaeological Significance: The ruins at Qalnossk are believed to hold crucial artifacts and ancient secrets that could empower Naelin and his band.
• Strategic Exploration: The exploration is meticulously planned to ensure every corner of the ruins is scrutinized for traps, hidden paths, and potential treasures.

Clearing Hazards

The primary focus for Naelin’s group is to secure the area by clearing out any dangers that could threaten their longer-term occupancy or operations within the ruins.

• Danger Management: The ruins are fraught with remnants of lizardfolk defenses and potentially undiscovered magical wards or traps.
• Environmental Challenges: The swampy terrain adds a layer of difficulty to the exploration, requiring careful navigation and constant vigilance against the natural predators and harsh conditions.

Team Composition

Naelin has assembled a robust team for this expedition, chosen for their skills and loyalty. The team’s composition is critical to managing the multifaceted challenges of Qalnossk.

• Farkas Soma, Lieutenant: A seasoned (Level 5 Fighter) with extensive experience in handling hostile environments and leading combat operations.
• Borbély and Bognár, Sergeants: Both sergeants (Level 3 Fighter) are responsible for maintaining order among the group and ensuring that the camp defenses are always operational.
• 12 Guards: These lower-ranked (Level 2 Fighter) provide necessary manpower for excavations and security, ensuring the group’s perimeter is secure against any external threats.

Objectives and Goals

The expedition is not merely an archaeological venture but a strategic move to establish a new base of operations that could serve broader purposes for The Hangmen.

• Artifact Recovery: Any artifacts or relics found could potentially enhance Naelin’s power or be traded for other resources.
• Establish a Forward Base: Given its strategic location and difficulty of access, Qalnossk could serve as a forward base for operations deeper into the swamp or for controlling the region.
• Expand Influence: Control of the ruins would enable Naelin to extend his influence over the surrounding territories, potentially making it a pivotal point for regional dominance.

Long-Term Implications

The successful establishment at Qalnossk could shift regional power dynamics significantly, giving The Hangmen a fortified position from which to operate and project power.

• Strategic Foothold: Control over the ruins would offer a defensible position against both rival factions and law enforcement efforts from neighboring regions. The Mounted Borderers are unable to scout and cause a threat this deep in the Fens of Tor.
• Resource Hub: The site could potentially become a hub for gathering and dispatching resources, including stolen goods and recruited forces.

This venture into Qalnossk, while fraught with dangers, could mark a pivotal turn in The Hangmen’s operations, potentially elevating Naelin’s status from a regional threat to a significant power broker in the area.

Naelin, Leader of the Hangmen

Fighter Lord 13

• Armor Class 17
• Hit Points 96 (13d10)
• STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
• 16 (+2) 16 (+2) 16 (+2) 13 (+1) 13 (+1) 16 (+2)
• Languages Common, Elven, Orc

Possessions

• 1000 gp.
• Large well-done wool tapestry (600 gp).
• Fire opal pendant on a fine gold chain (2000 gp).
• Silver comb with moonstones (800 gp).
• Fire opal pendant on a fine gold chain (2000 gp).
• Silver-plated steel longsword with jet jewel in hilt (800 gp).
• An ornate, electrum-trimmed steel scabbard worked in swirl-patterns (50 gp).
• A miniature (3 inch) silver gauntlet, trimmed in mother-of-pearl (40 gp).

Alignment

Lawful evil

Species

Humans of Greyhawk

Ethnicity

Oeridian Oerid

Other Ethnicities/Cultures

• Suloise Suel

Year of Birth

542 34 Years old

Sex

male

Eyes

dark hazel

Hair

long unruly blonde with trimmed beard

Height

6'2"

Aligned Organization

The Hangmen

Ruled Locations

• Rock Gardens

Hangmen Icon by 3orcs