Overview

The Northern Claw Company is a formidable trade organization established by Arn Kull, a powerful merchant and monster hunter from the icy wastes of Icewind Dale. The company has built a reputation as the premier supplier of rare and enchanted pelts, sought after by nobles, mages, and guilds as far as Kara-Tur. Known for its ruthless business practices and near-monopoly over northern resources, the Northern Claw Company is as feared as it is respected, wielding significant influence along the Sword Coast and beyond.

Structure and Leadership

At the head of the company is Arn Kull, who personally oversees high-stakes operations and enforces strict discipline. The company employs a network of skilled hunters, trappers, and mercenaries, organized into distinct factions:

• Hunters and Trappers: Local experts familiar with the land, specializing in capturing and preparing high-quality pelts.
• Mercenary Guards: Hardened warriors tasked with protecting caravans and outposts from raiders, beasts, and rival traders.
• Envoys and Negotiators: Representatives stationed in Luskan, Waterdeep, and other major cities, brokering exclusive deals and maintaining Arn Kull’s network of allies.

Though Arn Kull controls the company with an iron fist, he relies on trusted captains to manage day-to-day operations and ensure loyalty within the ranks.

Trade and Influence

The Northern Claw Company’s trade network is vast, stretching from the icy tundras of Icewind Dale to major cities along the Sword Coast. The company’s goods are coveted for their rarity and utility, including enchanted pelts, which are prized for their warmth and magical properties. By securing exclusive contracts with influential merchant guilds and nobles, the company has established a virtual monopoly on northern trade goods, allowing them to set high prices and control distribution.

• Primary Trade Goods: Winter wolf pelts, yeti hides, whale bones, ice crystals, enchanted metals
• Key Trade Routes: Icewind Dale → Luskan → Waterdeep → Kara-Tur
• Alliances: Merchant guilds in Luskan and Waterdeep; select nobility who benefit from exclusive access to northern goods

Practices and Reputation

The Northern Claw Company is known for its relentless business practices, often using intimidation and financial leverage to eliminate competition. Arn Kull’s influence in the northern territories allows the company to operate with minimal interference, enforcing its own rules and taking swift action against rivals. While highly effective, the company’s methods have drawn criticism from local tribes and independent traders, who accuse the Northern Claw Company of monopolizing resources and exploiting the land.

Despite this, the company maintains a strong reputation for quality and reliability, ensuring that each shipment arrives intact and meets the high standards expected by its wealthy clientele.

Goals and Motivations

The Northern Claw Company is driven by Arn Kull’s ambition to expand its reach and solidify its status as the premier supplier of rare, magical resources. Long-term goals include forging exclusive trade routes, expanding into new territories, and establishing a permanent foothold in southern cities.

• Primary Goal: Maintain control over northern resources and expand market influence along the Sword Coast
• Secondary Goal: Secure exclusive trade rights in foreign markets, particularly in Kara-Tur
• Long-term Ambition: Establish the company as a dominant force in Toril’s exotic goods market, capable of challenging major trade organizations

Notable Relationships

• Local Tribes: Relations are tense, as the company’s operations often encroach on sacred lands and traditional hunting grounds.
• Merchant Guilds: The company maintains lucrative contracts with influential guilds in Luskan and Waterdeep, though these alliances are not without occasional conflicts over tariffs and territory.
• Southern Nobility: Some nobles have special arrangements with the company, gaining priority access to rare goods in exchange for their support.