Mercinaries
“Gold before glory. Blood before loyalty.”
DEFINITION
A Mercenary is an independent combatant, not sworn to any noble house, military, or crown. They fight, kill, protect, or sabotage for coin, not cause. Some are ex-soldiers. Others are disgraced knights, escaped slaves, or commoners too dangerous to draft.
They are the empire’s dirty hands—used when a noble wants blood spilled without the blame.
CULTURE & CREED
- No loyalty but the contract.
- No code but survival.
- Many join guilds or bands for protection, reputation, or shared resources.
- Mercenary reputation spreads fast—good or bad. A known name can open doors or paint a target.
TYPES OF MERCENARIES
| Type | Description | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Sword-for-Hire | Generic fighters, often former soldiers | Duels, raids, bodyguard work |
| Monster Hunters | Trained to kill magical beasts, often cursed | Rune traps, toxin knowledge |
| Bounty Hunters | Trackers of fugitives or magical targets | Stealth, interrogation, sigil traps |
| Bandit-Killers | Hired to wipe out lawless groups—sometimes former bandits themselves | Ruthless, tactical |
| Shadow Agents | Deal in sabotage, theft, or espionage | Poison, disguise, daemon pacts |
EXAMPLES IN YOUR WORLD
Riven’s Band
- A loose group of mercenaries turned bandits, hiding in the woods.
- Includes:
- Riven – Strategic, commanding presence.
- Kirae – Knife-wielding fighter, dual-style.
- Ashen – Assassin, likely with trauma and secrecy.
- Sable – Possibly a simulation glitch or rogue AI presence.
Drevan Caer
- Adventurer’s Guildmaster, former high-level mercenary.
- May serve as a recruiter, informant, or mentor to Rein.
PERKS & LIMITATIONS
Strengths:
- Total freedom—no oaths, no oversight
- Unpredictable tactics—fighting dirty, using outlawed tools
- Can grow in infamy—building a feared reputation = power
- Attractive to rebels—useful allies for those like Rein
Weaknesses:
- No protection under noble law—easily scapegoated or executed
- Banned from high society—never truly trusted, even by employers
- Guild dependence—without a group or contacts, solo mercs are vulnerable
- Often betrayed—once the job's done, so are they
NARRATIVE POTENTIAL
Mercenaries are:
- Perfect for grey morality—Rein can hire them, fight them, or lead them.
- Outsiders with secrets—many are ex-nobles, runaways, or cursed.
- Allies that demand risk—they’ll help Rein… but always for a price.
- Mirror characters—cold, survival-driven, doing what Rein might have done if she’d broken earlier.
SAYINGS ABOUT MERCENARIES
- “If you want loyalty, buy a dog. If you want results, hire a blade.”
- “They don’t bleed for honour. They bleed for coin.”
- “When the nobles go to war, mercenaries feast. When peace comes, they starve.”
- “Never turn your back on a sword without a master.”
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