Dark Lords

In the vast Blasted Wastes to the east of the Jernspeak Mountains dwell the Dark Lords. Beings of pure spite and devilment, they hunger for the treasures of Upper ArcWorlde.

Although kept at bay for many years by the mountains and the peoples who guard them in the Vauhaemian states, recent events have given the Dark Lords the golden opportunity they needed to break through to the continent. Accompanied by the hordes of Hobgoblins that carry out their every whim, the Dark Lords delight in laying waste to all in their path.

Fortunately for the peoples of ArcWorlde, the Dark Lords are just as likely to focus upon waging war amongst themselves, as jealousy and envy burn within them just as fiercely as their insatiable lust for power.

## Forces of the Dark Lords

### Dark Lord

Dark Lords are terrible creatures, whose sole and unwavering goal is to conquer all of ArcWorlde. They are incorporeal beings of pure malignant magic, plotting and scheming for thousands of years entombed within mighty blackened iron armour.

The pure megalomania of a Dark Lord is almost unfathomable. Each believes themselves to be the supreme ruler of ArcWorlde, and each regards themselves as the only one worthy of that title. Alas, this attitude is shared by the many hundreds of Dark Lords in the Blasted Wastes, resulting in a state of unending conflict amongst their kin. Any perceived victory is jealously usurped and torn down by their vindictive brethren, who spend most of their tireless will fighting amongst themselves. This constant bickering means that ArcWorlde remains decidedly unconquered, at least for now...

Each Dark Lord has a unique combination of obsessions, grudges and fevered goals that make up their twisted personality:

* Fell Warriors - These Dark Lords are infamous for their skill in martial combat and seek nothing more than the defeat of their enemies by the might of their sword.
* Dark Warlock – These Dark Lords have dedicated their existence to the study of magic and crave nothing more than the increase of their arcane power.
* Master of the Horde – These Dark Lords have amassed a great army and take great pleasure in seeing them destroy all who stand in their way.
* Beast Master – These Dark Lords have many pacts with the monsters of ArcWorlde, who march by their side into battle.

### Hobgoblins

Within the Blasted Wastes dwell the Hobgoblins, gangly and malnourished relatives of the Ourks, Gremlins and Boglins of Upper ArcWorlde. They live a roaming, hungry existence, picking a meagre living from the blackened landscape and the spoils they claim from raids against other Hobgoblin clans.

These sickly creatures are often enslaved by the Dark Lords, who use them as disposable, if not particularly reliable, minions. A Hobgoblin’s aptitude for petty cruelty makes them perfect henchmen for the Dark Lords, who muster whole hordes of them for their raids against other Dark Lords and expeditions into Upper ArcWorlde.

### Underlings

Dark Lords are beings of pure magic, and oftentimes they portion off a modicum of their essence to create small, firey minions to carry out their bidding. These Underlings are cheeky, carefree creatures, free from the malice of the Dark Lord whose malignant essence they are formed from.

Underlings go about their work with glee, running around the lair, doing errands and even fighting on raids. Although they can be useful to the Dark Lord, he is bitterly jealous of their carefree frolics and delights in detonating them in a burst of flame when their usefulness has ended.

### Hellbeast

There are many horrible things flapping about the Blasted Wastes. One must only look to the skies to see a plethora of hungry, winged monstrosities swooping around looking for their next meal. Some of these creatures grow to monstrous sizes, and the denizens of the Blasted Wastes must be wary, lest they are carried aloft by grasping talons.

The Dark Lords often bind the largest of these to their immeasurable will, sending them into battle as beasts of war. Sometimes their talons are put to a different use, and many a brave Hobgoblin is borne into the air to fire down from above.

### Hobgoblin Honcho

It’s a full-time job keeping a horde of raucous, undisciplined Hobgoblins in any semblance of order, one that most Dark Lords see as beneath them. As such, the largest and meanest of the rabble are promoted to Honchos, whose role it is to keep the Hobgoblins in line.

Armed with cruel whips, the Honchos ‘encourage’ their fellow Hobgoblins into battle, making sure that their paltry courage doesn’t falter when the swords are drawn. And if their charges are too cowardly for even a good lashing to make them fight, the Honchos will more than happily use those whips upon the enemy.

### Hobgoblin Firestarter

In an exceedingly volcanic landscape like the Blasted Wastes, it’s not surprising that some of its denizens have a particular fascination with fire. Some Hobgoblins are so consumed by their passion that they dedicate their lives to starting fires, spreading fires and watching in rapture as it consumes everything around them.

These highly dangerous individuals often find themselves enthralled by Dark Lords, who, as beings of magical flame, they worship as gods. Fuelling the fires of the Dark Lords’ rampant egos, Firestarters are kept as pets and thrown into battle to cause chaos.

## Famous Hobgoblins

### The Grim Goblin

The Grim Goblin is a mythical figure amongst the Hobgoblins for being the only one of them insane enough to tame and ride a Helbat. His cackles of glee can be heard over many a battlefield, throwing exploding bombs that devastate those below.