Dolmenwood Factions #13: House Murkin

06 Sep, 2024

Beneath Lord Simeone Murkin’s brutal reputation lies a shrewd and capable leader. His ambition to conquer the High Wold could spark a full-scale civil war.

Goals

Lord Simeone Murkin's ultimate ambition is conquest. He believes the political stagnation caused by his father has left House Murkin in decline, bordering on insignificance within the High Wold¹. He intends to change that, starting with his neighbor, Lord Nodlock, whom he despises for his lack of ambition and cowardice. By conquering House Nodlock, Lord Murkin plans to absorb their poorly trained army into his forces², bolstering his strength.

Despite his brutal reputation, Lord Murkin is a strategic thinker who understands his limits. He will strike when the time is right, ensuring any potential revolts are swiftly crushed before they can spread. Though his methods are often harsh, he can employ subtler tactics when necessary.

The biggest obstacle is House Ramius. House Murkin needs to grow stronger while avoiding direct conflict for now³. Exploiting the animosity between the two half-brothers, Lord Ramius and Lord Malbleat, will be key to weakening both houses and creating an opening for Murkin’s conquest⁴.

• 🐵 Quench the Brewing Revolt: Punish the peasants who dared to rise up⁵.
  • Brutally suppress any open uprisings.
  • Divide and conquer the rebels.
  • Identify and crush the ringleaders.

• 🙈 Sack Nodding Castle: Finally rid the High Wold of that weakling neighbor¹.
  • Secretly muster enough soldiers.
  • Create or wait for the perfect opportunity.
  • Lay siege to Nodding Castle.

• 🙊 Conquer the High Wold: These arrogant breggle lords will pay for their pride¹.
  • Forge a temporary alliance with House Malbleat.
  • Lure House Ramius into a trap.
  • Betray House Malbleat and seize total control.

Resources

House Murkin’s greatest strengths lie in their military assets and fearsome reputation. The Horns of Kolstoke, a respected retinue of longhorn knights, form the backbone of their martial endeavors⁶. Coupled with a hidden, growing army, Lord Murkin is prepared to challenge neighboring houses⁷. However, their infamous cruelty can work both ways—isolating them from potential allies but also instilling fear in weaker factions.

• The Horns of Kolstoke: A retinue of 12 elite longhorn knights.
  • Lead military campaigns.
  • Provide extra security against coups and assassination attempts.
  • Leverage their feared and respected status.

• Hidden Army: A growing force, low on morale but still capable.
  • Launch surprise attacks.
  • Spread rumors of its size and strength to sow fear.
  • Engage in guerrilla tactics when necessary.

• Fearsome Reputation: Cruelty as a weapon of intimidation.
  • Coerce weaker factions into submission.
  • Discourage revolts and direct opposition.
  • Cultivate infamy to avoid confrontations.

Actions

House Murkin is primarily focused on strengthening its military and addressing domestic threats before launching its larger campaigns. The immediate priority is to suppress the brewing peasant revolt, which could destabilize the region and disrupt their future military plans. Meanwhile, they aim to exploit Lord Nodlock’s paranoia⁸, weakening their neighbor’s defenses through intimidation and psychological warfare.

• 📔 Decrease Morale of the Rebels:
  • 🕵️ Sir Hwardlow Grimsby
  • 📝 Arrest suspected rebels.
  • 📝 Interrogate them for information on other ringleaders.
  • 📝 Crash a secret gathering and raze the location.

• 📔 Prepare the Hidden Troops:
  • 🕵️ Sergeant Crewwin Snidebleat (DCB p198)
  • 📝 Expand recruitment efforts, targeting disenfranchised individuals and outcasts.
  • 📝 Complete basic training and appoint new lieutenants.
  • 📝 Boost morale by promising land, titles, or plunder in exchange for loyalty.

• 📔 Intimidate House Nodlock:
  • 🕵️ Sir Hraggle Thornlope
  • 📝 Openly spy on House Nodlock’s activities to provoke fear.
  • 📝 Sabotage their attempts to seek outside help.
  • 📝 Spread rumors of betrayal among Lord Nodlock’s own people.

Further Thoughts

Lord Murkin is often perceived as brutish, he’s far more dangerous and calculating than many give him credit for. He knows that striking too early would weaken his position, so he waits for the perfect moment to act. Taking down House Nodlock might seem like an obvious move, but it’s a key part of his larger plan. Lord Nodlock is a puppet of House Ramius⁸, and his army keeps House Murkin in check. By eliminating Nodlock, Lord Murkin not only removes a weak rival but also absorbs their forces, gaining a crucial advantage.

If House Murkin fails to suppress the peasant revolt, they are prepared to use more subtle methods, such as infiltrating the rebel ranks to sow dissent. They could also offer certain individuals within the rebellion a chance at power in exchange for betraying their comrades. Of course, Lord Murkin would later retreat from these promises, punishing those who turned on their peers once the revolt is crushed.

After dealing with the revolt, House Murkin will shift focus to a direct assault on House Nodlock. A quick siege of Nodding Castle could prevent Lord Nodlock from rallying his army or calling for help. If the opportunity arises, may consider a covert assassination attempt, either using adventurers or with the assistance of House Malbleat if they are in an alliance.

While an alliance with House Malbleat could accelerate Murkin’s plans, Simeone knows it would be a risky, temporary arrangement. Should the alliance fail, Murkin will bide his time, searching for other opportunities to grow stronger. Recruiting mercenaries like Garnack the Horse⁹ or coercing his cousin, the famous huntress Lady Borrid, into aiding him could further tip the balance in his favor. However, Lady Borrid’s involvement could backfire, as she is unlikely to help willingly and may pose a future threat if not handled carefully¹⁰.

Lord Murkin’s patient, calculated approach allows him to balance internal strife and external ambitions, positioning him for a slow but steady rise to power in the High Wold.

Potential Alliances

House Murkin's ruthless reputation limits their ability to form alliances, but strategic partnerships are still possible when needed:

• House Malbleat: This is the most likely ally, albeit temporarily. Both houses share the goal of taking down House Ramius¹¹, knowing they are stronger together than apart. However, both Lord Murkin and Lord Malbleat are aware that this alliance will be short-lived. Once Ramius is defeated, their interests will diverge, and betrayal is inevitable.

Example

In my campaign, House Murkin has had a rough start. Despite facing no direct disadvantages, their current missions have been progressing slower than expected. Their efforts to expand recruitment have been hampered, likely due to the growing influence of the rebels. This delay could be attributed to Crewwin Snidebleat’s lack of enthusiasm¹², as she hasn’t been putting in her best effort. As a result, House Murkin’s plans for conquest are stalling, giving House Nodlock more time to potentially rally and perhaps even support the rise of Red Gwen as a contender for leadership¹³.

Conclusion

House Murkin is a dangerous and ambitious faction, driven by conquest and ruthless pragmatism. While their reputation for brutality isolates them from many allies, their strategic cunning and careful planning make them a formidable force in the High Wold. Lord Simeone's patience and calculated approach, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, could very well lead to a civil war that reshapes the region.

It would be fascinating to see how the dynamics of the High Wold change if House Murkin successfully ignites a full-scale conflict. How would other factions react? How would the players navigate a war-torn region? Would they ally with Lord Murkin, work against them, or leverage the chaos for their own gain?

The brewing tension in the High Wold offers countless possibilities for conflict, intrigue, and adventure, making House Murkin a compelling faction for any campaign.

This was all for now. Next time we conclude the High Wold saga with House Ramius.

References

#dolmenwood #faction turns #legwork