Mercenaries' Guild
More of a loose association of guilds than a true international one, the Mercenaries' guilds first popped up hundreds years ago as a way for caravan guards to send money home to their families after a long trip. Beginning when two veteran guards along the Trai'dietch Pass route shook hands at Fort Tarick, each agreed to give the other's families two ounces when they arrived at their destinations. Nearly a year later, after having returned home to confirm the success of their partner (not that there was ever any doubt as each was a woman of honor), the pair met up again a tavern in Dar'Reth. Three pints in, as the story states, they hatched a plan to offer a similar service, for a small fee of course, to any registered caravan guard along the route. Each woman set up an office in their respective hometowns - Dar'Reth and Calkara - and the guild was born guild was born.
Over the years, the guild expanded to include branches in other towns and cities along the most popular routes, with chapters in Grennig, Gartcha, and Yaty becoming particularly important. By the middle of the next century, nearly every guard along the route had joined.
After a particularly dangerous trip, when a quartet of guards pulled into Calkara with a caravan's merchandise, its owners dead, were accused of murder and hanged, the Guild took its first unified action. Members all along the route refused to work, demanding justice from the local lords in Calkara. Guards even when so far as to threaten those whose tried to sign on with caravans. Eventually, more interested in the tariff revenue he was losing than true justice, the Baron of Calkara relented and, without admitting anything, paid a stipend to the families of the hanged guards.
A Caravan Guard Lounging Outside of Dar'Reth
The Guild expanded the scope of its duties in 632 AC when, Baron Mattick Von Aladar, found himself in arrears to the Grennig Gaming Commission. Seeking personal protection, he agreed to pay the guild to guard his noble person and the guild made its first of many forays into bodyguarding. When the Baron was unable to maintain the guild's fees, they settled his debts for him, establishing themselves as the noble house of Calkara.
Still headquartered in Grennig, the Guild is one of the largest and most powerful in Tarien with chapters in most cities and towns along the Trans-Rheuthengage Highway in addition to its original route along Trai'dietch Pass. Individual chapters are known as Lodges, named for the barraks style accomdations that they maintain for members. In addition to providing financial and legal services for its members, the guild helps to set the rates for guard duties, with each route having a codified rate based upon distance and danger. The code even specifies the ratio of guards per wagon, steer, or horse required. Finally, part of each members dues are set aside in a fund, paid out upon either retirement or as a benefit to their families in the untimely event of their death.
There is no question about their ability. I can hardly face more danger in a ballroom than they face on the road. Its a question of their civility. One simply cannot have their honor guard belch whilst one converses with a Zennonaize noble.
Guild Membership
Membership in the guild only has two prerequisites. First, the prospective member just be recommended by another member. Second, he or she must pay an initiation fee of 10 gp. The guild will allow up to half of this fee to be garnished from future wages. Furthermore, each year, in order to continue as a member in good standing, the mercenary must pay 5 gp in annual dues. While steep, most willing pay the fees as of each members' initiation fee and annual dues goes toward that member's retirement savings, with the balance serving to fund day to day guild activities.
The guild provides its members with a number of benefits, the most obvious being the ability to work as either a caravan guard or bodyguard along any route or in any settlement in which it has influence. Those who take up this work without membership do so at their own peril. In addition, membership ensures that pay is commensurate with these Guild's standards. Members can take advantage of the guilds financial and legal services. Upon retirement, any guild member receives a payment of half their lifetime dues. Finally, each member designates a beneficiary that, should the guild member die an untimely death, receives their retirement benefit.
Founding Date
323
Type
Guild, Fighter / Mercenary
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Location
Notable Members