The Red Banded Talons

The Red Banded Talons are a notorious bandit group that has emerged in the aftermath of Markia and Lavonia's Split. Composed of disillusioned soldiers and rebels from the lower classes, they refused to accept the peace treaty negotiated by the wealthy merchants and upper class, feeling that they were betrayed and not properly compensated for their sacrifices. With nothing left to lose and a deep sense of resentment towards the ruling class, the large group turned to a life of banditry, targeting wealthy merchants and nobles on the roads, while leaving commoners and adventuring parties unharmed. They are skilled in ambush tactics and will often kidnap their victims, demanding hefty ransoms for their release.
To sustain their operations, the Red Banded Talons have sympathizers who help them gain supplies from civilization after acquiring money and goods from their ransoms. These sympathizers are often people who have suffered at the hands of the ruling class and see the bandits as champions of the oppressed.
The noble families in government, however, see the Red Banded Talons as a threat to their power and wealth, and the Church spread propaganda to ensure that the commoners and peasants do not align themselves with the bandit group. They paint the Red Banded Talons as elements of Chaos, ruthless criminals who preyed on the innocent, and portray their actions as a threat to the stability of society. The government offers hefty rewards for information leading to the capture of any bandit leaders and promise protection to those who cooperated with the authorities.
Despite these efforts, the Red Banded Talons remain a thorn in the side of both human Kingdoms, disrupting trade routes and striking fear into the hearts of the wealthy.
Talon Scripture:
The Red Banded Talons have developed a secret scripture known as "Talon Marks" that they use to communicate with one another, both inside and outside the main cities. This scripture is a form of coded language that is known only to members of the group, and is used to convey messages and instructions without arousing suspicion from outsiders. The scripture is based on a combination of symbols, with each symbol representing a specific word with a meaning. The symbols are often hidden in plain sight, incorporated into everyday objects such as street signs, graffiti, or even clothing. To the untrained eye, these symbols appear to be nothing more than random markings, but to members of the Red Banded Talons, they hold a deeper meaning.
The group's leaders are responsible for disseminating the scripture to new members, updating the symbols at key points, and teaching them how to decode and use it. This process is rigorous and requires a high degree of intelligence and attention to detail, as even a small error in interpretation can have serious consequences.
The scripture is used for a variety of purposes, from coordinating attacks and ambushes to arranging clandestine meetings and exchanging information. It allows the Red Banded Talons to operate covertly and effectively, even in the heart of enemy territory.
Despite its importance to the group, the scripture is never written down or recorded in any permanent form. Instead, it is passed down orally from one member to the next, ensuring that it remains a closely guarded secret and cannot be compromised by outside forces.

Territories

Although the Red Banded Talons do not control any territory in the traditional sense, they do have a network of secret compounds scattered throughout the countryside where they have established small communities and settlements. These compounds are usually hidden in remote, hard-to-reach locations, such as deep in the woods or high in the mountains. They are fortified with walls and defensive structures, and the entrances are often concealed to avoid detection.
Inside these compounds, the Red Banded Talons have created a makeshift society, complete with their own system of governance and rules. They have built living quarters, communal spaces, and even small gardens to sustain themselves. There are also training grounds where they hone their combat skills and maintain their readiness for battle.
The settlements are typically self-sufficient, with the Red Banded Talons relying on hunting and fishing for food, and using their sympathizers to smuggle in supplies when needed. They are also adept at using the natural resources around them, such as wood and stone, to build and maintain their structures.
The settlements have a rugged and makeshift feel, with buildings made from wood, stone, and other materials salvaged from the surrounding environment. There are no luxury items, and the focus is on functionality and survival. Despite the difficult living conditions, the Red Banded Talons take pride in their communities, seeing them as a symbol of their independence and resilience in the face of oppression.
The Red Banded Talons guard these compounds fiercely, and outsiders are not welcome. They have sophisticated surveillance and security systems in place to detect and deter intruders, and they are quick to respond to any perceived threat. To maintain secrecy, the locations of these compounds are known only to trusted members of the group, and they change them regularly to avoid detection.

Military

The Red Banded Talons are experts in ambush tactics, using their knowledge of the terrain and their adversaries' movements to launch surprise attacks. They lay traps and set up ambushes in strategic locations, using archers and melee fighters to overwhelm their targets. They are skilled in reconnaissance and espionage, gathering intelligence on their targets, including information on their movements, defenses, and weaknesses. They infiltrate their adversaries' camps and strongholds to gather information and sow discord.
The Red Banded Talons are adept at hit-and-run tactics, striking quickly and then melting away into the countryside. They use their knowledge of the terrain to evade pursuit, and are skilled at setting up false trails and decoys to throw off their pursuers.
They are masters of guerrilla warfare, using hit-and-run tactics to disrupt supply lines, sabotage infrastructure, and sow confusion and chaos among their enemies. They attack convoys, burn crops, and poison wells to undermine the stability of the ruling class.
Finally, the Red Banded Talons are highly disciplined and organized, with a chain of command and a code of conduct that governs their actions. They conduct regular drills and training exercises to maintain their combat readiness and have a system for dividing up their spoils of war.

Type

Illicit, Rebel

Training Level

Trained

Veterancy Level

Experienced