THE IRON CIRCLE GUILD

THE IRON CIRCLE
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Membership:
Approximately 150 members.
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Alignment:
Neutral Evil.

Regions of Influence:
The Iron Circle is a mercenary adventuring company that operates within Alliance territories all throughout the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, and Kul Tiras. Most of the Iron Circle members reside in Kul Tiras at the abandoned prison fortress of Tol Dagor, renamed the Iron Citadel after the fall of Lady Ashvane and the liberation of the seas surrounding the prosperous trade city. The Iron Circle was commissioned to hold the prison on behalf of the island nation to secure its interests at the end of the fourth war. In addition to the Citadel, members of the Circle can be found in the Eastern Kingdoms.

Activities:
The Iron Circle conducts active operations on Kalimdor and Kul Tiras, including, but not limited to, strikes on specified military targets or enemy encampments, supply-chain management, expeditionary operations, and additional logistics duties. When not in active service, the members of the Circle are encouraged to pursue other contracts, working for noble families, guilds, and other organizations.

History:
Odo Hadwin had grown disillusioned with the nobility of Gilneas, Greymane and Crowley had led their people to bloodshed fighting over land to build a wall that would ultimately weaken and separate the kingdom from potential allies and trade. Having willingly joined a volunteer militia force during the second war, Odo understood that there was strength to be found in the Alliance. He left his home behind and he and his family eventually made their way south to Stormwind. A plague-ravaged journey that would ultimately, take the life of Odo’s beloved wife. He and his only son found themselves alone and desperate as they arrived at the gates of the city, but a kind stranger offered them a place to rest. Ardwulf Ward, a peculiar sage and robber. Ardwulf and Odo became fast friends and eventually turned to banditry and murder to earn enough coin to scrape by, using the fact that such attacks had become common due to the Defias Brotherhood. Renewed tensions with the Horde offered the two an opportunity: warfare. They gathered hard-eyed men and women from across Elwynn, Redridge, Westfall, and Darkshire and marched to battle on behalf of anyone who would pay them. Nobles, rebel lords, and even the Scarlet Crusade. Their reputation was one of wanton violence and brutality, these were especially apt descriptors when they dealt with Horde. No quarter was given, and they made gruesome examples of any who surrendered to them on the battlefield. Eventually, the hostilities cooled and the Alliance and Horde focused their efforts on Northrend. It was here that Odo and Ardwulf legitimized their band of murderers, forming the Iron Circle. Years passed, and the Iron Circle focused on building a group of warriors, brothers, and sisters in arms who stood for each other above all else, blood and iron would be their path forward. It would also mark each of their ends. Odo died an unceremonious death at the hands of a demonic warrior two years before the beginning of the fourth war. Countless other Iron Circle mercenaries perished during the war, leaving only a few surviving members. Now Ardwulf and Odo’s son, Odothian, must find a path forward for the Circle and come to terms with their past atrocities.

Relationships:
The Iron Circle is a solitary organization, and when not working directly for the Alliance, the Circle is focused on expanding its own power. Logistics in supply, mercantile trade, alchemical experiments, and military training. Odothian has recently made efforts to reach out to other groups looking to forge alliances with pseudo-military and mercantile guilds. Treasure hunting, expeditions into dangerous ruins, and the exploration of unknown or forgotten locations have also become a central part of the Iron Circle’s coin-making operations.

Organization:
Odothian is the unquestioned leader of the Iron Circle, having taken up the mantle of the Iron Warlord after his father's death. Where Odo was a brigand and cruel mercenary, Odothian grew up in Stormwind and became a trained and well-respected knight. The Iron Circle’s militant force consists of New Blood, fledgling troops who must prove themselves on the battlefield before they can be elevated to mercenary status. Mercenaries or Iron Legionnaires, as they are often called, are the core of the Circle’s forces. Well-trained shock troops who are capable of horrifying displays of martial and magical power. Knights and heavily armored soldiers trained by Odothian, are often side by side with shamans and wild, barbaric warriors who still abide by the old principles of the Circle. Together they form a devastating combat force. The Circle pulls recruits from all races of the Alliance, in addition, they are willing to work with Horde operators if they prove to be useful. Anyone who betrays the Iron Circle, or goes against their creed, is hunted relentlessly by the Grim Lawkeepers.

Members:
Members of the Iron Circle are men and women seeking opportunity and coin, at least that’s how it begins. Those who prove themselves to be competent warriors, historians, mages, or merchants will be brought into the inner fold. If they so choose, they can accept the offer of becoming a full-fledged member of the Iron Circle. Once agreed upon, they are entrusted with the sigil of the Circle. Bond by iron and blood.
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Adventure Hooks:

• A fallen member of the Iron Circle betrayed his allies, after being killed in the fourth war, he rose as forsaken. Instead of doing what he knew must be done, he betrayed the position of his fellow brothers and sisters and ambushed them all for the sake of coin. The Grim Lawkeepers have not forgotten.
• A local lord has had trouble dealing with gnolls attacking one of his villages under his charge, Iron Circle members are deployed to discover their position and to annihilate them. Once they arrive, they find out that there are more than just gnolls in the woods.
• Members of the Iron Circle are sent to squash a local rebellion. When they arrive on the scene, they discover that the rebels are local townsfolk and farmers who have been oppressed by their lord. Perhaps more importantly, one of their Old Bloods is among the rebels.
• A local mine has gone silent, a strange fog spills out from the mine every night and lurid fel lights float eerily near the entrance. Some believe they hear voices… The Circle sends soldiers to investigate.