Storm-Eyes Clan
The Storm-Eyes Clan is a hardened and pragmatic orc tribe that has survived relentless war, treachery, and devastation. Originating from the eastern Fens of Tor , they have weathered the destruction of their former rivals and emerged as one of the most resilient orcish factions in the region. Once devoted to the god Hextor , their faith and way of life were nearly extinguished by the Temple of Elemental Evil and its favored orc allies, the Howling Moon. Despite these setbacks, the Storm-Eyes continue to endure, their lightning-bolt-marked banners still flying over the fens and forests they call home.
Origins and History
The Struggle for Survival
- Originally a small orcish tribe inhabiting the middle and eastern Fens of Tor.
- Unlike many orc tribes, they abandoned the traditional orcish pantheon and converted to Hextor’s worship generations ago.
- When the Temple of Elemental Evil arose, the Storm-Eyes were approached by cult envoys seeking their loyalty.
- Initially receptive, the tribe quickly grew disillusioned when they saw that the Temple’s favored orcs, the Howling Moon, were nothing but honorless brutes.
The War with the Temple and the Howling Moon
- The Storm-Eyes resisted full conversion and were instead forcibly conscripted into the Temple’s ranks.
- At The Battle of Emridy Meadows , they were used as frontline fodder against the Furyondian and Velunan forces, suffering massive casualties.
- Their previous chieftain, Ulgurk, was slain, and the remnants of the tribe retreated into the fens, attempting to recover.
- A vicious blood feud erupted with the Howling Moon Clan, who had been empowered by the Temple’s dark gifts, particularly lycanthropy.
The Rebuilding and the Second Temple War
- Under the leadership of Tuelk, the Storm-Eyes took in refugees from the Green Axes, Burning Skulls, and Bloody Fangs—all tribes devastated by the Howling Moon and mercenaries.
- Adopting guerrilla tactics, they targeted Temple-aligned forces, Howling Moon raiders, and goblinoid warbands.
- When the Second Temple of Elemental Evil sought their loyalty, Tuelk and his right-hand warrior, Pintark, refused.
- As punishment, the two were captured and tortured in the dungeons of the Temple.
- They escaped with the help of adventurers, vowing vengeance against the cult and their werewolf rivals.
The Clan’s Structure and Beliefs
Tuelk, Chieftain of the Storm-Eyes
- A hardened warrior, Tuelk is known for his keen tactical mind and sense of orcish honor.
- Wears storm-marked war paint, signifying his clan’s unyielding resolve.
- Deeply suspicious of humans, but willing to trade and negotiate with those who prove their strength.
- Keeps a tight leash on his warriors, ensuring they fight against other warriors, not peasants or helpless woodsmen.
Pintark, Storm-Eyes Warlord
- Tuelk’s trusted second-in-command, leading raids against the Howling Moon.
- A master of hit-and-run tactics, favoring ambushes and sabotage.
- Has sworn a blood oath against the werewolves of the Howling Moon.
Nulgrin, The Shaman
- Last of the Storm-Eyes' Hextorian priests, but now leaning towards The Old Faith .
- Guides the tribe through rituals honoring both war and nature, blending traditions.
- Advocates for alliances with neutral forces rather than blind conquest.
Tactics and Current Activities
Guerilla Warfare in the Fens
- Utilize hit-and-run skirmishes against the Howling Moon Clan, avoiding direct battles.
- Set traps and ambushes along known warpaths and caravan routes.
- Prefer to raid goblins and rival orcs, rather than attack human or elven settlements.
Trading and Tribute
- Have cautious dealings with certain foresters and merchants.
- Some merchants leave tribute rather than risk being raided.
- Their warriors occasionally hire themselves out as mercenaries to experienced commanders.
Conflict with the Howling Moon
- The Storm-Eyes remain at war with the lycanthropic orcs, seeking to destroy or drive them out.
- Have raided the Howling Moon’s lairs, recovering stolen orc captives and supplies.
- Actively seek allies who will help them finish the fight against their werewolf rivals.
Clan Forces of the Storm-Eyes
The Storm-Eyes, once a dwindling tribe, have managed to rebuild their numbers through sheer resilience and tactical adaptability. Their warriors are well-trained and disciplined compared to most orc tribes, with a strong martial tradition derived from their historical worship of Hextor, the god of war and discipline. While not as numerous as other orc warbands, they make up for it with strategy, superior training, and a rigid hierarchy that ensures each warrior knows their role.
Total Strength
The Storm-Eyes number roughly 220 members, but only half are combat-ready. The rest include elderly orcs, artisans, hunters, and children who support the war effort through various means.
Breakdown of Military Strength:
- Veteran Warriors (Heavy Infantry): 30
- Raiders (Light Infantry & Scouts): 40
- Elite Guard (Personal Retinue of Tuelk): 12
- Rangers (Skirmishers & Hunters): 15
- Spellcasters (Shamans & Adepts of the Old Faith): 6
- Warg Riders (Mounted Cavalry on Dire Wolves): 10
- Sappers & Builders (Trapmakers & Fortification Experts): 7
- Non-Combatants (Elders, Women, & Children): 110
Adventure Hooks
The Lightning Pact
- A Storm-Eyes emissary approaches the players, offering an alliance against the Howling Moon.
- If the players accept, they must prove themselves in a ritual duel to gain the Storm-Eyes' trust.
Warriors’ Justice
- A Storm-Eyes patrol captures a suspected traitor, accused of spying for the Howling Moon.
- The players must investigate and judge the captive’s fate—or fight the Storm-Eyes to free them.
Ruins of the Suel Temple
- The Storm-Eyes lair is built upon the ruins of an ancient Suel temple, rumored to hide powerful relics.
- A rival force seeks to take the ruins, and the players must defend or seize them first.
The Storm vs. The Moon
- The final battle between the Storm-Eyes and the Howling Moon is approaching.
- Players can choose a side—or take advantage of the chaos for their own ends.
Conclusion
The Storm-Eyes Clan are an anomaly among the orc tribes of the Fens of Tor. Not simply bloodthirsty marauders, they fight with purpose, honor, and intelligence. Though they are still ruthless warriors, their pragmatism, discipline, and desire for stability make them a fascinating faction for adventurers to interact with. Whether as allies, adversaries, or wary neutrals, the Storm-Eyes offer a complex, morally gray force within the tangled conflicts of Nulb and beyond.
"The storm watches, the storm strikes."
Tuelk, Chieftain of the Storm-Eyes
Medium humanoid (orc), lawful evil
Armor Class 19 (scale armor +3, ring of protection +1)
Hit Points 80 (10d10+20)
Speed 30 ft.
STR 18 (+4) | DEX 12 (+1) | CON 14 (+2) | INT 15 (+2) | WIS 14 (+2) | CHA 10 (+0)
Saving Throws Str +8, Con +6, Wis +5 (adv. vs fear)
Skills Athletics +8, Intimidation +6, Perception +5, Survival +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages Orc, Common, Undercommon
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)
Traits
Brutal Commander. Tuelk has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) checks when issuing commands to orcs. Orcs under his command gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls while within 30 feet of him.
Relentless Endurance (1/Day). When reduced to 0 hit points but not killed outright, Tuelk drops to 1 hit point instead.
Warrior’s Instinct. Tuelk may use a reaction to make a weapon attack against a creature that misses him with a melee attack.
Actions
Multiattack. Tuelk makes two melee attacks.
Orcbane Shocking Heavy Flail +1. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 12 (1d10+7) bludgeoning damage plus 3 (1d6) lightning damage. Against orcs, the weapon deals an additional 7 (2d6) damage.
Javelin. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 30/120 ft., one target.
Hit: 8 (1d6+4) piercing damage.
Disarming Strike (Recharge 5-6). When Tuelk hits a creature with a melee weapon attack, the target must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or drop one weapon or shield it is holding.
Legendary Actions (Optional for stronger encounters)
Tuelk can take one legendary action, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time, and only at the end of another creature’s turn. He regains spent legendary actions at the start of his turn.
- Bark Order. One allied orc within 30 feet may immediately make a melee attack.
- Defensive Stance. Tuelk gains +2 AC until the start of his next turn.
Equipment
- Orcbane Shocking Heavy Flail +1 (Deals extra damage to orcs)
- Scale Armor +3
- Ring of Protection +1
- Gauntlets of Ogre Power (Strength increased to 18)
- Amulet of the Eye of the Storm (+2 bonus to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma)
- Javelins (2)
- Potion of Bull’s Strength, Bear’s Endurance, Barkskin, and Cure Light Wounds (2)
Iron bites, the weak will fall, Blood runs black in the battle’s call. Blades in hand and fire high, We strike, we kill, we watch them die! Storm and thunder, fang and blade, Burn their homes, leave none afraid. Ride the wind and drink their cries, Storm-Eyes feast when the strong man dies!
Veteran Warriors (Heavy Infantry) – 30 Orcs
These are the most disciplined fighters of the Storm-Eyes, trained from youth in the art of war. They wield heavy flails, longswords, and shields, donning scavenged chainmail or scale armor. Each warrior has fought in multiple skirmishes, and some are old enough to remember the battles against the Temple of Elemental Evil.
- Equipment: Chainmail, Heavy Flail, Shortbow
- Notable Figures: Gronk Ironjaw, Tuelk’s most seasoned warrior, a one-eyed brute known for single-handedly defeating a Howling Moon werewolf in battle.
Raiders (Light Infantry & Scouts) – 40 Orcs
These orcs form the backbone of the Storm-Eyes' raiding parties. They are fast, brutal, and lightly armored, favoring ambush tactics and hit-and-run skirmishes. Unlike the bloodthirsty orcs of the Howling Moon, Storm-Eye raiders rarely attack civilian targets, preferring to prey on bandit groups, goblinoid warbands, and enemy tribes.
- Equipment: Leather armor, Handaxes, Javelins
- Notable Figures: Drakk Redfang, a young but promising scout who once led an ambush that wiped out a Howling Moon hunting party.
Elite Guard (Tuelk’s Personal Retinue) – 12 Orcs
The most fearsome warriors of the Storm-Eyes, handpicked by Tuelk himself. Each of them has survived the brutal trials of the tribe, proving their strength, loyalty, and intelligence. These orcs serve as bodyguards, enforcers, and champions in battle.
- Equipment: Plate armor, Greataxes, Tower Shields
- Notable Figures: Pintark, Tuelk’s right hand, an orc as cunning as he is deadly, with a burning hatred for the Howling Moon.
Rangers (Skirmishers & Hunters) – 15 Orcs
The Storm-Eyes boast a small but deadly ranger unit, trained in the art of tracking, survival, and long-range combat. These orcs are stealthy and precise, using the cover of the Fens of Tor and Gnarley Forest to strike unseen before vanishing.
- Equipment: Longbows, Shortswords, Camouflage Cloaks
- Notable Figures: Korrash the Swift, a half-orc scout trained by human rangers, who has been known to hunt down and kill Howling Moon warriors one by one.
Spellcasters (Shamans & Adepts of the Old Faith) – 6 Orcs
While the Storm-Eyes were once devoted to Hextor, many of their current spellcasters have embraced the Old Faith, blending druidic magic with orcish war traditions. These shamans act as spiritual guides, healers, and battlefield controllers, summoning nature’s wrath to aid their warriors.
- Equipment: Wooden staves, Totemic Charms, Hide Armor
- Notable Figures: Nulgrin the Stormcaller, the tribe’s shaman and spiritual leader, known for his ability to call down lightning and control the weather in battle.
Warg Riders (Mounted Cavalry on Dire Wolves) – 10 Orcs
These ferocious orc warriors ride massive wargs into battle, striking fast and hard before retreating into the wilderness. The warg riders are the pride of the Storm-Eyes, having survived the harsh training required to master their savage mounts.
- Equipment: Spears, Scimitars, Light Shields
- Notable Figures: Ruhg the Fang, a fearless rider known for taming the infamous dire wolf “Blacktooth”, said to be the largest warg in the Fens.
Sappers & Builders (Trapmakers & Fortification Experts) – 7 Orcs
Unlike most orc tribes, the Storm-Eyes recognize the importance of defensive structures and battlefield traps. Their sappers and builders construct hidden defenses, spike pits, and barricades, ensuring their lair is a nightmare to invade.
- Equipment: Picks, Hammers, Tripwires, Explosives
- Notable Figures: Gronk “The Wall”, an orc who survived the Siege of Emridy Meadows and has since dedicated himself to fortifying the Storm-Eyes’ new home.
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