Free Companies

Overview

In the perilous landscape cloaked by the Crimson Veil, Free Companies offer their services to those willing and able to pay. These groups of mercenaries, bound by an internationally recognized charter known as the Blades' Accordance, operate with a distinctive autonomy that sets them apart from traditional armies. Known commonly to venture out beyond the civilized lands and protective fires, they keep small jars of tinderbugs at the ready - little fiery beetles that, when crushed, burst into flames to drive back the deadly miasma, but only for an instant.

The stern and structured Principality of Eisen has a streamlined method of engaging these Free Companies. Rather than burden their citizens, they manage a centralized fund solely devoted to paying the mercenaries. Contrastingly, the tribes of the Warder Free States value freedom and cooperation. Their hiring of Free Companies is a community effort, with villages pooling their resources to ensure the safety and prosperity of all.

Kalt, the frost-bitten isle in the Everflow Sea, offers a different dynamic. A land of hardened warriors, Kalt sees many of its citizens joining the ranks of the Free Companies. The wealth and bounties these mercenaries earn in their travels are often sent back to Kalt, contributing significantly to the island's economy.

The settlements in the Frontier, straddling the line between untamed wilderness and civilization, turn to Free Companies for protection and prosperity. Whether it's warding off menacing beasts, recovering precious artifacts, or protecting their communities, the settlers heavily rely on the services of these seasoned mercenaries.

Contracts taken up by the Free Companies cover a broad spectrum, shaped largely by the terrifying omnipresence of the Crimson Veil. Their assignments range from acting as overnight sentinels against the Veil, safeguarding trade caravans, to daring expeditions into the wilderness, unprotected by the omnipresent miasma at night, in search of valuable resources. Their operations are characterized by a striking blend of caution and bravery, forever on guard.

Across different nations, cultures, and landscapes, they stand as versatile entities that constantly adapt, survive, and triumph. Their exploits, whether whispered around campfires or lauded in grand halls, are a testament to the resilience of those who dare to venture out under the Crimson Veil.