Gargun Lodge "Kremshak"

Location: Anadel Hills [L7] Population: 260

Kremshak is a Gargun Hyeka lodge of the semi-nomadic Chindra tribe. The Chindra are divided into four different sub-tribes, only two which have a queen. The Kremshak Chindra are the smaller of the two sub-tribes that protect a queen. Being the result of a swarming in the major tribe, the tribe established Kremshak in 719 TR. The population is growing rapidly and the hunting ranges are continually expanded.

The colony has spend most of what remained of the year 719 settling its internal disputes (by removing those who argue). This changed in 720 when the first offspring of the new king led to an explosion of the population. At the moment, roughly one third of the population can be counted as "veteran" warriors, while the remainder are mostly youngsters who have not yet reached adulthood. Given the high birth rates of the Hyeka, Kremshak is likely to become a serious threat for all other living beings in the region if the colony is left alone for another year.

Local Map Notes

1. to 5. Gates

The large number of gates reflects the aggressive defense concept of the complex. Each gate has a guardroom attached to it where one or two dozen youngster Gargun are stationed under the supervision of their veteran commanders. Whenever a gate is attacked, the guards defend the entrance while the alarm is raised and the Gargun swarm out of the other gates to attack the intruders from behind and block their escape.

6. Bubrak's Point

The Gargun have build a small lookout in one of the trees here that is manned by a sentinel at all times. The name derives from the first king of Kremshak who built the lookout before Vrarmuk's dagger ended his reign.

7. Nedieth Island

This small island in the creek is used for fishing by Kremshak's inhabitants. The Gargun are neither effective nor enthusiastic fishers, but have supplemented their diet with speared fish on occasion.

Interior Map Notes

1. Tunnel To northwestern entrance and sleeping quarters.

2. Great Hall This is the place where the elite of the community feasts, chats and brawls. There is no kitchen since the Gargun like their food to be as fresh as possible, preferably still screaming while it is eaten. Human captives are usually tortured for a while before they become part of the meals. Misbehaving Gargun also join the diet on occasion.

3. Guardroom and northeastern tunnel The guardroom in front of the door to the king's quarters is manned with a few handpicked veteran Gargun. While they are considered to be loyal to Vrarmuk, the next king is likely to come from their group. The tunnel leads to several sleeping quarters and the northeastern entrance.

4. King's Quarters Vrarmuk's room is spartan compared to other colonies, which is mainly due to the fact that the lodge is still young. Vrarmuk plans to decorate his room more lavishly if he can loot appropriate objects in the raiding that he intends to start.

5. Treasure Chamber & Armory Vrarmuk's treasury is unimpressive, as he only has a few valuables. He also stores newly crafted weapons here and hands them out as rewards for loyalty.

6. Queen's Room Queen Gliddash resides in this chamber. Like many Gargun Queens she is becoming bloated and almost immobile from laying eggs.

7. Princess' Chamber The Queen's guard consists of four princesses. These females are considered the most fierce fighters of the tribe.

8. Egg Pits and Hatchery All the eggs are brought to one of the three egg pits, filled with organic offal, until they are ready to hatch.

9. Sleeping quarters These quarters are used by veteran Gargun.

10. Workshop The tribe's smithy is not yet fully functional and iron is in short supply. Nevertheless, this workshop is used to produce weapons and armor.

11. Sleeping Chamber Another sleeping quarter for the veteran Gargun.

12. Southwestern Tunnel This tunnel leads to more youngster's sleeping quarters and the two southwestern entrances.

King Vrarmuk

Vrarmuk is the second king of Kremshak. He became king in the power struggle that arose immediately after the lodge was built. Vrarmuk's predecessor had successfully led the tribe through the turmoil of the swarming and the capture of a princess, but underestimated the internal conflicts that came when the tribe's position seemed secure.

Vrarmuk is a fierce fighter, but prefers to send others into danger ever since an encounter with a human yeoman gave him his two scars that are the reason for his nickname. Vrarmuk is not particularly bright but sly. He prepares raids on the human settlements in the west and plans to attack trapper's camps as well. He knows that humans are dangerous, but has not considered that his actions might provoke a full scale attack on Kremshak. Otherwise he would wait until his colony is stronger.

Gargun Age Groups

The Gargun in Kremshak differ according to their age and stage of development. As a rule, the older the Gargun is the better equipped and skilled he is. The dominant group are the veterans, who are usually at least three years old. The average Gargun can be assumed to be between one and three years old. Gargun younger than one year are referred to as youngsters, while those of less than three months age are considered freshlings.

Veteran Gargun

The Gargun who survived the swarming are now hardened and scar covered veterans with high skills (for Hyeka standards) and good equipment. They enjoy a privileged position in the tribe. Twenty of them serve as captains, each leading a group of roughly a dozen younger Gargun. The rest form the king's guard. They usually wear a plate or ring helmet in addition to a mail hauberk and leather boots.

Average Gargun

The normal Gargun Hyeka warrior is older than one year, which means adulthood. They usually possess the standard equipment and skills of their kind. Most of the average Hyeka warriors wear a leather cap reinforced with iron strips, a studded leather tunic (both count as ring armor) and leather calf boots. There are almost no average Gargun at the beginning of 720 TR, but 73 of the youngsters, born in 719, will reach adulthood by the end of spring.

Gargun Youngsters

The Gargun youngsters of less than a year are poorly equipped and not as skilled as the veterans. Their axes and spears tend to have stone heads which is reflected in the weapon impact and reduces the Quality by 3. They usually try to make a leather or hide tunic and cap from meat animals. If they live long enough they scrape metal pieces from the smithies and gradually reinforce the leather to ringmail.

Gargun Freshlings

The gargun of less than three months of age are called freshlings. Their skills are low and they have little equipment. While they won't participate in raids yet, they will throw themselves on any intruder entering the lodge. When defending their sleeping area these Gargun are especially likely to go berserk.

It should be noted that these Gargun are not "children" and that they are just as brutal and aggressive as their older kin.