Val'Nal'sarkoth

((The Nal'sarkoth were created by ShadowOTM and QueenGodzilla as the winning entree of the clan creation contest. As the Nal'sarkoth are so sparsely seen in the comic their concept document was referenced for much of the information in this article))

The Nal'Sarkoth clan symbol.

The Nal'Sarkoth clan animal.

Unrivaled in the fields of business practices and interspecies interaction, The Nal’sarkoth are a dominate supplier of goods and services to Chel'el'sussoloth. By fostering lasting relationships with the goblin empires above and remaining dwarven kingdoms below they have commanding access to the valuable resources these ties provide them. They are equally unique for their army of goblin mercenaries that live beside them in their fortress.

History

At several hundred years old, the Nal’sarkoth rose to Val status by garnering wealth through mercantilism. By forging strong trade ties with other races they were able to provide goods and services normally unavailable to the people Chel'el'sussoloth, generating the massive profits with which they fill their coffers.

It is recorded that at one point the Nal’sarkoth drew the envy of another great clan, leading to the devastation of their original fortress and forcing the Ill’haress and her subjects to flee. On the brink of defeat she hired an army of goblin mercenaries to her side, forcing the aggressive clan into submission through clever tactics and sheer force of numbers. With their old fortress lost, dwarven architects were hired to construct their new fortress in a cavern to the southeast of Chel'el'sussoloth proper. To this day the Nal’sarkoth harbor a standing army of mercenary goblins for their protection.

During The District War, the Nal'sarkoth suffered a reduction in property in the Eastern Districts, due to increasing Sarghress presence. Also during this time, when the Vloz'ress caused a city-wide blackout at the end of the war, the clan saw the death of its great Illhar'ess. Now, the Val'Nal'sarkoth are a fractured group, led by several prominent leaders.

Culture and Politics

The Nal’sarkoth are no more politicians than businessmen. Money, they believe, can solve most any problem. This mantra rings true in the very nature of the clan’s role in Chelian society: they are one of the foremost providers of surface goods to the city, and their broad connections afford them the ability to provide services that no other clan can muster.

Their emphasis on surface trade has seeped into the fabric of the clan’s culture. Their attire and properties are dominated by green and earthy brown tones, drawing heavy inspiration from the old world. Nal’sarkoth warriors are rare; why raise arms or don armor when there are goblin mercenaries to fight for you? As such most of the clan consists of merchants and pencil pushers.

The Nal’sarkoth have labored hard to foster lasting business relations among their fellow Vals and they are in decent standing with most of the clans of Chel'el'sussoloth. Of particular interest is their association with the Illhar’dro. Seeing as how both clans derive much of their wealth through trade, the two would logically be at each other’s throats in competition. Yet the Nal’sarkoth and Illhar’dro seem to have a very strong alliance, pooling their resources for the occasional combined initiative. It is not uncommon for a trade outpost to bear the seals of both clans.

Clan Fortress and Properties

Val'Nal'sarkoth Fortress

The fortress of the Nal’sarkoth resides in a side-cavern in Chel’el’sussoloth’s south-eastern corner, built from a great vertical pillar of stone by duergar contract workers. The interior is said to be adorned in wood and filled with countless wonders imported from the old world.

Other properties of the Nal'sarkoth exist in nearly every drow settlement that dots the Underworld and a number of outposts reside upon the surface world as well, such as a outpost jointly owned with the Val'Illhar'dro.