Licit Combatants

		Institutions
Guilds and Unions	Licit Combatants	Miscellaneous	Vigilante Groups	Criminal Entities

Overview
The following groups are those which - though not belonging to any army or military - possess the legal authority to fight. Their work can vary, from simply hired mercenaries, and expert monster hunters, to airborne scouts, and holy warriors. Some will admit anyone who is capable, and are willing to accept outside help, whereas others can require years of training. Though localised combatant groups exist, the following are by far the most recognised.

Battlehire Corps. "We at the Corps strive to provide clientele with troops suited to both their cause, and their coin." Mercenaries, sellswords, and bodyguards, hired for protection or to bolster a military presence.
Emblazoned with House Gavienne's crest, their banners bear a heart-shaped, clenched, red fist.
Operating from the aforementioned house, they conduct business along the Dragonclaw shores. Created during the 4th Era, as a means to politically benefit from conflicts between lesser houses.
Their for-profit nature has lead to a negative reputation, for escalating tensions and conflicts.
Hiring a troop of the Corps involves meeting the Grand Commandant, Ranvier de Gavienne.

Grey Riders. "Mess up, and prepare for stacks of paperwork. Being a Rider means being held accountable." A mobile vanguard of giant-ram cavalry and musketeers, who respond to various concerns.
Rider apparel is typically ram-themed, with a myriad of badges and medals to indicate service.
Stationed in the Greyhral region, they are directed through the Dwar-Kindred's consensus vote. The order evolved in the 2nd Era, from the tradition of giant-ram herding on the mountain slopes.
With the Kindred's vote at an outside authority's request, they also aid those in other regions.
Units are tight-knit and elect a captain from their number, reporting to Kindred representatives.

Lustrous Aegis. "The resolve required to locate our temple shows devotion. Let us truly see how deep it runs." Roaming paladins, clerics, and monks, acting independently, but all in service to Bahamut.
Clad in blue cloth and silver armour, they often incorporate imagery of dragons and shields.
Traveling the globe, the temple where acolytes train is hidden among the Sky-Bridge Citadels. It is unknown how long the Aegis has existed, due to the ever-relocating nature of their work.
Requiring a decade of training to be ordained, their members are heavily respected globally.
The Dragonborn High-Paladin - Aussiroth Scaleblade - is said to have lead them for centuries.

Merchant-Privateers. "Fine, Requisitor, inspect my cargo. Keep in mind how apt pistols are at removing sticky fingers." Sailors, pistoleers, and black-powder technicians, who deliver and sell high-value commodities.
A pistol-manufacturing monopoly means that almost all who carry one are among their ranks.
Quartered in Zangbe and its Estran colony, Privateers can be found in most major port cities. Formed mid-current era, their rapid proliferation is due to the local invention of compact firearms.
Though largely unfettered, conflict often arises due to accusations of transporting illegal wares.
Considered the pride of Zangbe, they are commanded by generals of the Primarch-Emperor.

Sunscour Gladiatorial Elite. "We aren't in the arena anymore, recruit, but I'll be damned if this isn't going to be a spectacle!" Expert monster hunters and matadors, chosen through gladiatorial combat against vicious foes.
The Elite can be recognised by a single spiked pauldron, wearing their own signature colours.
Performing in Alkyos's Sunscour Coliseum, they also venture to slay monsters on the Savannah. During the Time of Strife, they arose from a rebellion against the dragons of the Gith occupation.
Gladiatorial performances subsidise their monster-hunting, so they aid citizens without payment.
The Sunscour has no leadership, though the longest-surviving members garner a strong respect.

Zephyrous Watch. "Blaggards spotted en route north to Crosscamp. Requesting a Rider unit to assist. Over and out." Scouts, couriers, rangers, and escort parties, monitoring the skies for danger over Apocrypha.
From gliders, skycutters, and balloon-craft, to wyvern and griffon riders, they are easily spotted.
Most common in Asa-hiir, they can be found spanning the Bloodroot Mesa to the Anvil Plateau. The Watch finds their origins in an ancient Asari practice, of fitting kite-sails with lookout posts.
A complex network of sending-stones allows them to quickly relay information across the sky.
Communication officers are trusted with confidential matters, by authorities in various cities.