Gorgynei

The Gorgynei is a sect of lycanthropes who use hemocraft to tame the curse. As of 843 PD, they live in the Gloomed Jungles of Aeshanadoor in Marquet, within the secret commune of Barinak. The Gorgynei swear not to pass their lycanthropy on to others and, according to ally Ajit Dayal, their beliefs regarding lycanthropy are additionally considered "eccentric" by some. Though the Gorgynei seek to use hemocraft to control lycanthropy, not all of its members develop enough skill to practice it; blood hunter members are "the Gorgynei proper".

Description
The Gorgynei is group of lycanthropes who use hemocraft to tame the curse. However, not all of its members develop the skill to practice hemocraft; the blood hunter members of the group are "the Gorgynei proper". Those who are not skilled in hemocraft manage their transformations through other means, such as meditation and physical restraints. They also venerate the spirit Sahyaadon and embrace the nature of the hunt under her guidance.

The Gorgynei swear not to pass their lycanthropy on to others. Some consider them "eccentric" for the way that they think about living with lycanthropy. Ajit Dayal, an ally, describes them as doing "many misunderstood but good things for the people and societies around them that shun them".

Individuals of the Gorgynei locate one another by moving far from the cities at dusk and howling as loudly as possible once the sun set low enough to touch the mountains.

Before Campaign 3
The Gorgynei were originally founded by Ometho, a former member of the Claret Orders.. They began as a small offshoot of the Claret Orders in Wildemount, which developed into their own variant as the traditions of the Orders mingled with the cultures and beliefs of the people of Marquet. The clan had settled in the Oderan Wilds by the early 830s PD. Gurge Kisgregg, who was bitten by a werewolf in Wildemount, sought their aid around 833 PD. Some time later, they rescued Ajit Dayal and his wife from vine monsters in the Oderan Wilds while the two were traveling from Evishi. In return, Ajit provided them with equipment and supplies for a time after and spoke with them regularly about lycanthropy. Gurge left the group in about 836 or 837 PD after a falling out with its leadership. Afterward, the Gorgynei left the jungles of the Oderan Wilds and, finding the open spaces of the Hellcatch Valley unsuitable, moved on to live in the Gloomed Jungles of Aeshanadoor.

The group reached an agreement with the Court of the Lambent Path so that they may settle in the Gloomed Jungles and take occasional jobs. This ended the Gorgynei's nomadic lifestyle, and they established the village of Barinak by 843 PD.

Campaign 3: Bells Hells
In 843 PD, Gurge sought to connect Chetney Pock O'Pea with Ajit in the expectation that Ajit could direct Chetney to the Gorgynei. Gurge encouraged Chetney to find the Gorgynei, though he advised Chetney to not mention him to them. Following Gurge's recommendation, Chetney spoke to Ajit, who told Chetney where to find the Gorgynei, particularly Divaasheela, and how to draw their attention.

Weeks later, Chetney and Bells Hells successfully contacted the Gorgynei and were brought by Divaasheela, truly named Annaline, to their village Barinak. She additionally found Chetney's recent loss of control over his lycanthropy due to a Ruidus flare unusual, having never known of more than an inconsequential itch during flares, and felt that learning to control this was possibly outside of the Gorgynei's training. Though she was uncertain that he was ready, she ultimately decided to have Chetney face a trial at Zha'Vrollo, the temple of Sahyaadon, in the hope that it would help him.

Bells Hells were brought to Zha'Vrollo by Annaline, Manad, Uther, and Yuvello, in a journey that took nearly two days through the Gloomed Jungles. On the first night, Annaline spoke to Chetney about the history of the Gorgynei. At the temple, the spirit of Sahyaadon gave Chetney his trial. During the trial, the Gorgynei were frozen and unable to join in the fight to aid either Bells Hells or Chetney.

Known members
The Gorgynei had 41 members as of 843 PD, including:


 * Annaline, also called "Divaasheela", human weretiger and member of its leadership
 * Manad, orc werepanther
 * Tarad Cornei, gnome lycanthrope
 * Uther, human wereboar
 * Yuvelo, green dragonborn werewolf
 * Fresceo, dwarf werewolf
 * Unnamed werebear

Gurge Kisgregg, human werewolf, was formerly a member, but he left the group in about 836 or 837 PD after a falling out with unidentified leadership.

Trivia

 * "Gorgynei" is from the Persian word for werewolf (گرگینه).