Gutterkin

The Gutterkin are the city’s scavengers, born of its decay and thriving in its filth. They are not a warband, nor are they a society. They are the dregs - flesh and rot given purpose by the same malevolence that animates Soroth Kor itself. Do not underestimate them. What they lack in strength, they make up for in numbers and cunning. The Gutterkin are survivors, and that makes them dangerous.

To the untrained eye, they appear to be little more than twisted beggars and vermin. Yet these scavengers have an uncanny ability to adapt, lurking in the shadows of the Warren and other decayed districts, using the city’s labyrinthine structures to ambush or evade their prey. They do not serve the Rust-King, but they often follow in his wake, drawn to his corrosion as flies to carrion.

The Gutterkin are not born - they are made. These creatures are the corrupted remains of those who succumbed to Soroth Kor’s predatory nature. Their bodies twist and degrade, their minds reduced to survival instincts. They infest the Warren, feeding on refuse, decay, and unwary travelers. The Echo’s whispers are said to drive them, further fracturing what little humanity they retain.

While they have no formal leadership, the Gutterkin often cluster near the Rust-King’s domain, scavenging the wreckage his corruption leaves behind. They serve him out of opportunity rather than loyalty, recognizing that his influence creates fertile ground for their survival.

The Gutterkin are an ever-present threat in the Warren and beyond. They prey on the weak, scavenging supplies from fallen warbands or ambushing stragglers. Their presence serves as both an obstacle and an omen - where the Gutterkin thrive, the city’s corruption runs deepest.

Their connection to the Rust-King is practical rather than spiritual. They use his corrosion to sustain themselves, scavenging from his influence without binding themselves fully to his will. In this way, they represent the raw, opportunistic hunger of Soroth Kor itself.

“They are the city’s truest children - feral, opportunistic, and utterly without honor.” – Elix of the Sorrowbound

“Do not mistake their chaos for disorganization. The Gutterkin know exactly what they’re doing.” – Rakkar the Ragged