War Hounders
As of 4720 AR, the War Hounders, sometimes written as Warhounders,12 are a gang of anarchists and criminals operating in Absalom who answer to the leadership of Nessian.32
History
The street urchin Nessian founded the War Hounders at some point around 4708 AR.4
Black Echelon
In 4708 AR, the War Hounders were accomplices to Nessian's plan to unleash the undead Black Echelon against Absalom.53
The scholar Yargos Gill had acquired a centuries-old codebook once used by the Black Echelon to infiltrate and weaken Absalom's defenses in preparation for the Silent Tide. Gill unwittingly set into motion the operatives' plan,5 and Nessian had Gill kidnapped from the Soggy Piper tavern in order to take the book from him before throwing him from the nearby cliff of Torsen's Maw, nearly killing him.3 Gill enlisted the Pathfinder Society, which helped end the threat.6
Goal
Since at least the 4710s, the gang has primarily operated protection rackets that threaten businesses in the Puddles district, and the Muckruckers—the Puddles' district guard—have been unable to stop them.7
Members
The War Hounders' leader Nessian is young, yet cunning and ruthless. He shows favor to the most effective and loyal War Hounders by gifting them a magical hell hound tooth.7
Initiation
New members must survive a minute in a cage with Marrow Chomper, the gang's canine mascot, without being bitten and without harming the dog.2
Sites
The War Hounders are renowned as brutal thugs most active in the Puddles and the village of Shoreline, and are based in the ruined siege castle called the Pyramid of the Dog in Absalom's outskirts.7
Relationships
The Muckruckers have proven ineffective against the War Hounders for more than a decade. In one instance, Nessian decapitated the Muckrucker Theirmias and lobbed his head into a crowd before escaping.2
As of 4720 AR, the Soggy Piper's proprietor Yelmo has held a grudge since against the War Hounders—particularly Nessian—and has banned them from his bar and threatened to poison their drinks for their actions against Gill, Yelmo's favorite customer.3
References
- ↑ . “Absalom” in Absalom, City of Lost Omens, 25. Paizo Inc., 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 . “Gangs of Absalom” in All or Nothing, 73. Paizo Inc., 2020
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 . “NPC Glossary” in Absalom, City of Lost Omens, 382. Paizo Inc., 2021
- ↑ All or Nothing, set in 4720 AR, describes the War Hounders' founding as occurring "a decade ago". Since they were active in 4708 AR for the events of Silent Tide, they are assumed to have existed since at least 4708 AR barring a publication or clarification providing a more specific founding year.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 . Silent Tide, 3. Paizo Inc., 2008
- ↑ This refers to the events of Silent Tide and confirmed as canon in Absalom, City of Lost Omens.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 . “Absalom” in Absalom, City of Lost Omens, 31. Paizo Inc., 2021