Mercenary Company

by Scott A. Story

Black Lances, Brotherhood of

Composed of dismantled knights, outlaws, robber knights, landless noble and gentle sons, defrocked priests, mounted men-at-arms, vavasseurs, and other soldiers of this ilk, this is a mounted company of heavy lancers, and their specialty is the massed, chivalric charge. This group went into temporary abeyance after being wiped out by ghosts (supernatural kind) and and then Kirths in 1228 in Old Karmithia. They are operational throughout Old Karmithia and West Aorlis. Their crest is a mounted black knight with a lance.

by Scott A. Story

Corvidae, Brotherhood

Active in the Marcelle, and into Gwyfned and Allyn, the Corvidae exemplify the ruthless mercenary ideal. They are not above buying their way into local gentry, securing titles and property, extortion, and racketeering. They have been known to compete in tournaments but rig the outcome in their favor. Traditionally, they are standard heavy cavalry and lancers, but they love comfort and living in style. Despite their shady reputation, they are excellent fighters and much sought after. As one would expect, they fly the crow banner.

Iron Brotherhood

Originally from Hempton, this force is composed of heavy infantry arbalesters. They wear good armor, kettle helms, and use portable mantlets matched with heavy crossbows. They ride to battle, but fight on foot. They are capable melee combatants, but that is not why they are hired. For every arbalester, there are one to two serjeants to reload and trade off crossbows. They are active throughout Aorlis’ lowlands. Their loyalty goes to the highest bidder, their services being for sale even as the battle is underway. They are not above cutting losses and retiring from the field, but only if the situation is dire. They fly the arbelest banner.

Ursus, Brotherhood of

This infantry is composed of pikemen, augmented by auldkniff fighters and crossbowmen. Their deadly pike formations have made them both feared and sought after. They are sourced from Allyn, but they take mercenary service throughout Aorlis. Their demand is such that they often don’t return home to Allyn for years on end. They wear cuir-boulli or padded gambesons, and they are noted for neither asking for nor granting mercy, nor do they take prisoners for ransom. They fly the grizzly bear banner.