Den Warden

Field Experience: Candidates must have extensive experience as active hunters, typically with a rank of Houndmaster or higher.

Leadership Training: Completion of leadership courses offered by the Kennel, including crisis management, team coordination, and advanced monster strategy.

Proven Record: A demonstrated history of success in the field and contributions to the guild.

Must be a member of the Crimson Hounds for at least 10 years.

Minimum rank of Houndmaster at the time of nomination.

Endorsements from at least two other Den Wardens or Houndmasters.

Den Wardens are appointed by the High Warden after consultation with the council of senior Houndmasters.

The appointment ceremony, called the Binding Howl, involves the presentation of the Warden’s Cloak and a ceremonial oath to protect and lead their Den.

Maintaining morale and discipline within their Den.

Upholding the traditions and values of the Crimson Hounds.

Providing mentorship and guidance to recruits and veteran hunters.

Administrative Oversight:

• Assigning jobs and contracts to Packs operating under their Den.
• Ensuring the Den’s resources are adequately stocked and maintained.

Operational Command:

• Leading or coordinating large-scale hunts or missions in the region.
• Managing the safety and security of their Den and its members.

Diplomatic Liaison:

• Maintaining relationships with local rulers, merchants, and other guilds.
• Representing the Crimson Hounds in negotiations or disputes.

Monetary: A significant stipend reflecting their leadership role.

Material: Access to the best equipment, weapons, and armor available in the guild.

Political: Influence within the guild and with local powers, as they represent the Crimson Hounds in their region.

Warden’s Cloak: A distinctive crimson cloak with silver embroidery representing their Den.

Warden’s Seal: A personal emblem used to authenticate guild documents and contracts.

Ceremonial Armor: Specially crafted armor worn during formal events or major guild gatherings.

A Den Warden can be removed under the following circumstances:

• Misconduct: Actions that dishonor the guild or endanger its members.
• Incompetence: Failure to fulfill their duties, leading to harm or decline in the Den’s performance.
• Procedure: Dismissal requires a formal inquiry conducted by the High Warden and a majority vote by the council of senior Houndmasters.

Cultural Significance of the Den Warden Role

The position of Den Warden holds deep cultural importance within the Crimson Hounds Guild, symbolizing leadership, resilience, and the unwavering dedication to the guild's mission. The Den Warden is more than just a leader—they are a living embodiment of the values and traditions that bind the guild together.

Symbol of Leadership

• Guiding Force: Den Wardens are seen as mentors and protectors, embodying the guild’s motto, “Protect the Pack.” Their decisions shape not only the Den’s success but also the safety and morale of its hunters.
• Inspirational Figures: Hunters often look to their Den Warden for wisdom, courage, and the strength to persevere in the face of overwhelming odds.

Connection to Guild Legacy

• Preservers of Tradition: Den Wardens are custodians of their Den’s history, responsible for maintaining its unique customs and lore. They ensure the legacy of the Crimson Hounds is passed down through generations.
• Honoring the Founders: Many Den Wardens are directly inspired by the guild’s founders—Rogar Ironfang, Sylwen Moondrift, and Thyric Blackvein—and strive to emulate their heroic qualities.

Regional Icons

• Local Heroes: In regions where a Den operates, the Den Warden is often regarded as a protector of the local populace. Townsfolk respect and revere them for their role in keeping the area safe from monsters.
• Diplomatic Role: Den Wardens frequently act as liaisons between the Crimson Hounds and local rulers, bridging the gap between guild operations and regional politics.

Camaraderie and Unity

• Focal Point of the Den: The Den Warden serves as the heart of the Den, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among its members. Their presence during gatherings, such as the Grand Hearth’s feasts, reinforces the bonds between hunters.
• Moral Compass: By exemplifying the guild’s principles, the Den Warden reinforces the shared values of trust, honor, and mutual support that define the Crimson Hounds.

Rituals and Honors

• Ceremonial Oaths: The Binding Howl ceremony, in which a new Den Warden takes their oath, is a deeply respected tradition that reinforces the guild’s ideals.
• Monuments: Some Dens maintain plaques or statues honoring past Den Wardens, symbolizing their lasting impact on the guild and the region they served.

Sylara "Steelthorn" Thornveil

• Current Den Warden of Thornhold Den
  Sylara "Steelthorn" Thornveil is a tall, imposing half-orc known for her tactical expertise and commanding leadership style. Her name reflects both her connection to the wild lands surrounding Thornhold and her unyielding resolve in the face of danger.
• Key Achievements:
• Reinforced Thornhold Den's defenses with strategic fortifications, making it one of the most secure outposts in Skarnhold.
• Successfully coordinated the defense of the region against multiple large-scale monster incursions, including a venomspitter infestation that threatened nearby trade routes.
• Introduced new training protocols focused on defensive tactics, ensuring Thornhold hunters are among the best-prepared in the guild.

Rogar Ironfang

• Founder and First Den Warden of Thornhold Den
  Rogar Ironfang, one of the three founders of the Crimson Hounds, personally oversaw the establishment of Thornhold Den as part of his broader vision for regional safety. Known for his charisma and tactical mind, Rogar laid the foundation for the Den’s enduring reputation.
• Key Achievements:
• Personally slew the infamous Blackthorn Behemoth, a corrupted treant that terrorized the region, clearing the way for Thornhold’s construction.
• Established the guild’s iconic motto, “Protect the Pack,” which remains central to its values.
• His leadership style is still studied by aspiring Den Wardens.

Vaelrik Stormclaw

• Former Den Warden of Thornhold Den, Later High Warden of the Crimson Hounds
  Before becoming the High Warden, Vaelrik served as Thornhold Den’s leader, where his sharp intellect and bold strategies earned him renown. His tenure is marked by a shift in the guild’s approach to handling magical anomalies in the region.
• Key Achievements:
• Pioneered the use of enchanted traps to safely contain mutated monsters near the Gloomreave.
• Spearheaded the Iron Pact, a treaty with neighboring regions to ensure cooperative efforts in handling large-scale threats.
• Elevated Thornhold Den to one of the most respected outposts in the guild.

Sylwen Moondrift

• Co-Founder and Interim Den Warden of Thornhold Den
  While primarily known for her leadership in other areas, Sylwen Moondrift temporarily served as Thornhold’s Den Warden during its early years. Her deep knowledge of the land and monsters shaped the Den’s initial strategies and infrastructure.
• Key Achievements:
• Designed the Den’s Lorevault, ensuring that vital monster research would be preserved for future generations.
• Initiated the use of Crimsonroot, a local herb, in crafting healing salves still used by Bloodhounds today.

Brynn “Hawkeye” Kaelthar

• Renowned Archer and Den Warden of Thornhold Den (1275–1300 AF)
  Brynn, nicknamed “Hawkeye” for her unparalleled marksmanship, led Thornhold Den during one of its most active periods of monster activity. Known for her calm demeanor and sharp instincts, she was both feared by enemies and revered by her peers.
• Key Achievements:
• Led the Den’s hunters to victory against a venomspitter infestation that claimed dozens of lives in the region.
• Developed innovative tactics for dealing with aerial threats, including the use of ballistae mounted on Den towers.
• Instituted a tradition of annual Hunter Trials, a competitive event that fosters skill development and camaraderie.