Vânători
Vânători are mercenaries unique to the Duchy of Trasnia. Stemming from the city of Seval, the Vânători rose to prominence among the more capitalist, meritocratic beliefs that rose there. Vânători are nobles and common folk who eschew their traditional role in society to become mercenaries, treasure hunters, hunters, and thieves for the highest bidder. They are usually localized, but for the right price, can be hired for inter-duchy jobs should they want to take the risk. Vanator groups are split between two castes: Bastards and Strays.
Bastards
The Bastards are made up of nobility who have set aside their titles to pursue a different course. Some of these are legitimate bastards of noble houses, but the majority are sons or daughters of lesser houses with few prospects. The Bastards treat themselves like an unofficial knightly order, claiming an honorable code of conduct for their dealings - whether true or not. These vânători can be identified by their abstract, almost masquerade-style masks sometimes designed to look vaguely like noble birds and beasts, and fine clothing.
Strays
The Strays are common folk who have taken up the mantle of Vânător for fame, money, or influence. Some hope to make a name for themselves and earn a place at a noble’s estate, others have grown to distrust the nobility and only take jobs from peasants in an effort to show that they do not need their lords to take care of them. These vânători can be identified by their animal inspired masks, often in the shape of domesticated or farm animals or pests, and common or utilitarian clothing.
Career
Payment & Reimbursement
Vanatori, like many other mercenary-types elsewhere in the world, usually work for coin. Some work for valuables or exchange a bit of their fee for standing with a noble house or guild within the city of Seval. The fee to hire a Vanator or a group of them greatly depends on the group, the employer, and the job. There have been those vanatori who have taken jobs free of charge, which is seen by some as potentially dangerous, especially if the potential hireling has a vendetta. "Beware the vanatori who take a job out of the goodness of their hearts" has become a saying within the city, because there is a decent chance what they do will come back to bite you.
Other Benefits
Since the vanatori became an accepted aspect of life within the duchy of Trasnia, several have grown in popularity and fame. Coin is the payment for any vanator, but social credit, fame, and recognition are the ultimate goals. Because of this, many new vanatori do not last long, attempting to go above and beyond to live up to some other member to their own doom. Then there are those who fail and have become infamous, succeeding in their goal of notoriety by making their name synonymous with fear and villainy; though this doesn't stop some from seeking them out for jobs as well.
Perception
Social Status
Despite some of the vanatori rising to some semblance of fame among the populace, the nobility still tends to look down on them, even the ones who hire them to do the work they don't want their own people to do. Among the commoners they are either seen as breakers of tradition - usually among the older or more strict people - or heroes and subjects of exciting tales.
History
It is difficult to say when the first venator became known as such. For a time, especially around the city of Seval and the Dragmire, there were a small group of individuals who traveled from settlement to settlement taking jobs and bringing their own sense of justice. These are believed to be former members of the Oathkeepers that had disbanded, but there have been others who try to make their living in such a way. In most cases, these mercenaries were overlooked by the nobility if not outright punished and thought of as odd by the rest of the populace. Acceptance of vanatori has coincided with the rise of the Society of Immortal Visions in the last two decades, who lack the formal military and resources of a traditional noble family despite their authority over a growing city.
Operations
Tools
In many cases, vanatori work with what they can. If they are a Bastard, they likely have decent gear or coin to purchase such. If they are a stray, they have a harder time coming up with gear but find a way. Better contracts tend to come from the Society of Immortal Visions, and with them comes the potential of new contraptions they are creating. Some of the most skilled or called upon vanatori may boast experimental technology invented by the Society that they earned through their work. Other vanatori may not even have proper weapons, instead using scrap metal or clubs with threadbare clothing.
A Bastard (top) and Stray (bottom) Vanator
A Stray Vanatori with a grudge
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