The Howling Carrion-Eaters are a savage tribe of gnolls inhabiting the upper reaches of the Caves of Chaos (typically found in Cave H). Standing over 7 feet tall with hyena-like features, these creatures are the physical embodiment of gluttony and malice. Unlike the organized military of the Order of the Iron Bastion, the Carrion-Eaters are driven by a supernatural hunger and a devotion to the demonic forces of Evil Chaos.
The tribe’s history is a bloody trail of opportunistic scavenging. Originally nomadic hunters in the Wilderness, they were drawn to the ravine by the concentration of death and the dark influence of the Hidden Temple. They earned their name during the "Great Attrition," where they thrived by feeding on the remains of orc and goblin skirmishes. They eventually seized the higher, more defensible caves, using their height and strength to displace lesser tribes.
The Pack Lord: A massive, 3-Hit Die chieftain who rules through sheer physical dominance. He is often accompanied by a personal harem and elite bodyguards.
The Carrion Seer: A shamanic figure who interprets the "will of the feast." The Seer ensures the tribe remains aligned with the dark cultists in the lower levels, often trading captives for "blessed" meat or trinkets.
The Carrion-Eaters rely on the natural verticality of the Caves and their superior nocturnal senses:
High Guard: Their lair is located high in the ravine, forcing attackers to climb steep, exposed slopes under a hail of heavy crossbow bolts.
Littered Bone Fields: The entrances to their territory are often filled with the remains of past meals, acting as a grisly early-warning system that slows movement and warns of intruders.
Ferocious Morale: They have a high morale ($ML 9$) when defending their larder, fighting with a frenzied desperation that few other tribes can match.
The Cult of Chaos: They serve as the Cult's primary "heavy infantry." They are frequently bribed with fresh meat and loot to guard the path to the inner sanctums.
The Orcs & Goblins: The gnolls view the smaller tribes as "walking emergency rations." While they occasionally cooperate for raids against the Keep, the alliance is incredibly fragile.
The Order of the Iron Bastion: The gnolls are a high-priority target for the Castellan, who offers significant bounties for gnoll ears to discourage their growth.