Iron Shepherds

The Iron Shepherds are a group of slavers from Shady Creek Run in Wildemount.

Location
The Iron Shepherds seem to target travelers on the roads near Shady Creek Run. The Mighty Nein first encountered the Iron Shepherds when Fjord, Jester, and Yasha were ambushed by them during an overnight watch at camp after leaving Hupperdook.

The remaining members of the Mighty Nein (Mollymauk, Nott, Beauregard, and Caleb) attempted to counter-ambush the Iron Shepherds when they crossed paths at the Glory Run Road.

Current

 * Lorenzo: A human "fighter-type" who is the leader of the Iron Shepherds.
 * Rusa: A half-elf bard. Initially thought to be a sorcerer based on information gleaned from Keg while she was under the influence of Caleb's Suggestion spell.  She has a short, ashy-blonde, pointed pixie cut.
 * Prado: A halfling rogue. Described by Keg as being a "shitty little halfling."
 * Dwelma: A half-orc druid. Killed by Beau during the battle at Glory Run Road.
 * Wan: A human barbarian. Killed by Caleb during the battle at the stronghold.

Former

 * Keg

Background
Keg was a former member of the Iron Shepherds who left them.

The Mighty Nein made camp on their journey to Shady Creek Run. Whilst on watch, Yasha, Fjord and Jester wandered away from the group. Suddenly, all sound was silenced around them and the Iron Shepherds surrounded them and ambushed them in the darkness. Unable to call for help due to the magical silence, they struggled but were soon overpowered by the Iron Shepherds. Lorenzo inspected their new captives, remarking that it was a good haul to find two divine-bloods and a half-beast and that the trio would bring their cages to full capacity.

They tossed the trio into the cages in their wagons and drove away, unaware of the four remaining members of the Mighty Nein sleeping a small distance away.

The Iron Shepherds made good progress towards Shady Creek Run but as they traveled along Glory Run Road, a tree blocked half their path between two hills. Funnelled into the road a second tree toppled down, hitting the front of the cart and barely missing Prado. They realised they were being ambushed by Keg, Beauregard, Caleb, Nott and Mollymauk.

In the ensuing fight, Dwelma was killed by Beauregard. In retaliation, Lorenzo murdered Mollymauk, claiming he had to make an example of what happened when someone killed one of their own. With the odds turning against them, Keg begged for their lives and offered herself up for Lorenzo to make an "example" out of. He dragged them away from the wagons and told them he'd let them live to increase the notoriety of the Iron Shepherds and dissuade anyone else from trying to ambush or attack them in the future. He warned that if he saw any of them again then he would kill them.

The Iron Shepherds arrived in Shady Creek Run and retired to their hideout in the woods. Nila infiltrated the hideout as a mouse and scouted out the area. She spotted Prado and Wan in the mess hall discussing recent events. Further in she found a trap door where it sounded like the prisoners were being kept and the sound of cruel laughter drifting upwards.

Heading upstairs she found the bedrooms of the Iron Shepherds. In Lorenzo's room she found a plate with a small child's skull on it, implying the leader had eaten one recently. Scurrying back downstairs, she narrowly avoided being spotted by Lorenzo as he headed upstairs. She proceeded to escape and report back to the Keg and the remnants of the Mighty Nein. As the group considered spreading out and exploring the perimeter Keg tripped and made a loud noise, alerting the guards to something beind close by and forced the group to flee before they could investigate the area further.