The Putrid Hand

(The tapestries really pull the room together)

 Necromancy is an ancient and dangerous art. Those who practice it are far more widespread than the mages guild could ever conceive. Those without a discerning eye would say there are only necromancers, but there are some that a step above the rabble.

The Putrid Hand are practitioners of necromancy that carry the practice to a new level. Their robes are spun from midnight cloth. Except for those of higher rank, who wear robes as pale as the worm moon.

This cult possesses great power, and there are great and terrible members who know many secrets hidden in the folds of dead flesh and the knobs of  brittle bone. There is great and terrible power - and rumors that the powerful members of the Putrid Hand have powerful relics.

Here are some of their known locations:

Dark Fissure

Sylvan Rangers

(I don't talk much)

Scattered around the Gold Coast are camps with strangely-clad Bosmer who seem intent on the going's on of recently uncovered Ayleid ruins. They are one of many factions in the sprawling quest Shadows in the Struggle for Power.

These are Sylvan Rangers from the deep green forests of Valenwood who have come to do battle with their corrupted kin who have stolen the Heart of the Forest and also seek to reassemble the Dread Armor.

The Rangers will raid ruins that are filled with Corrupted Rangers, and though you can't join them explicitly, you can tag along and help them mop up (or watch them get killed, whatever floats your boat).

(This is just one of several camps)

Narind

As though the dangers of Aylied ruins weren't already manifold, the presence of the corrupted rangers in Narind make it a place to be feared.

(Narind lies South-East of Anvil)

This is the ruin the Heart of the Forest was taken. It is located near the banks of the Strid River. The Heart of the Forest is guarded by incredibly powerful foes (in other words, you may wish to be really high level before delving into Narind).

Shadows in a Struggle for Power

A corrupted ranger takes aim. He's wearing light braided armor.

Those who venture to the Gold Coast are warned against venturing too far from the roads - with good reason. Rangers from the province of Valenwood have been spotted and seem unusually hostile to travellers. They are scouring ruins, that until now, have remained undiscovered by native Cyrods. They seem to be looking for something of immense power.

Adventurers who do explore these ruins will find two factions. The Sylvan Rangers and the Corrupted Rangers. There are various new ruins with these fierce warriors virtually swarming through the halls. Best be prepared, as even if you can take one or two in close combat, they can still overwhelm even a seasoned adventurer with sheer numbers.

The Rangers have stolen a mystical green gem and are holding it in the well-fortified ruin of Narind as part of a larger plot to gather a set of armor that has a dark purpose. You learn of this if you try to don some of the armor from one of the corrupted rangers.

The Sylvan Rangers have made strategic camps and make raids on ruins they think may hold the gem. They won't help the player per se, but you can follow them as they raid nearby ruins.

This quest goes beyond just the Corrupted Rangers and their feud with their Sylvan brethren. The goal of the quest is to reunite a cursed set of heavy armor that will allow the wearer to wield the weapons of the undead. It is said that members of the Putrid Hand understand the workings of this fell armor and know where it the last piece might be.

Another player in the game is Hlorfor, the Arctic Bear who is holed up in Dasek Moor (just off the road to Anvil). He is the leader of the formidable Raiders.