Post by DM Hawk on Jul 4, 2013 9:19:49 GMT -5
Mercenary companies are common throughout the dangerous and mysterious tracts of Faerun. These organizations rise and fall based on their performance and in a sense represent survival of the fittest as few would invest precious gold or silver on mercenaries who lose more often than they win. For mercenaries, defeat often means the death of an organization's reputation and its membership. Mercenary companies in the Forgotten Realms may very significantly with some units being especially adapted to operate within a region or realm, others govern their behavior by faith or creed, while others still offer special talents not found any where else. At least, that's what they'll say.
Famous Mercenary companies include the Golden Legion of Amn, six hundred strong, who made a legendary (infamous) expedition to the western continent of Maztica. The Flaming Fists of Baldur's Gate, 1,600 men and women, serve one of the city's Duke's and offer security and stability to the region. One brutal mercenary company of five thousand swords, the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, was recently brought to its knees during the events surrounding the restoration of the Myth Drannor.
In Cormyr, mercenaries are typically regarded with wary suspicion following the events of Gondegal's Rebellion. Seated in Arabel, Gondegal collected a host of mercenaries who traded serverice in promise of loot from the spoils of victory. The Usurper King won a series of swift and stunning victories at the onset of his campaign in 1352 DR claiming Immersea, Hultail, Thunderstone, and Wheloon by conquest. Young King Azoun IV, steady Duke Bhereu, and brave Baron Thomdor won great fame and the confidence of the kingdom by meeting and defeating Gondegal. The King's victory was made all the more sweet by his bloodless victory in Arabel, offering the rebellious city forgiveness if they renounced fealty to Gondegal and returned to their place in the kingdom.
Since the rebellion, Cormyrians have distrusted mercenaries and the King made it so that large groups of mercenaries could not form within the kingdom without the consent of the Crown.
One company of mercenaries has earned a different reputation in Cormyr and has served for a number of years on an extended contract. The Red Raven Mercenary Company was founded by the warrior woman Rayanna Rose, a celebrated vetaran and heroine of Azoun's Crusade against the Tuigan Horde in 1360. The Red Ravens operate out of Arabel and Rayanna has maintained good standing for her enterprise with the city's ruler Myrmeen Lhal and the Purple Dragon garrison stationed in the city. The Ravens maintain a normal headcount of one hundred swords with allowance to increase ranks three fold in times of need.
The primary obligation of the Red Ravens is to clear the Stonelands of threats to Cormyrian citizens. In addition, the Red Ravens also bolster the defense of Arabel when called upon and maintain a few outposts throughout the Kingdom to offer stability to local rulers and councils, especially in small settlements distant from the power and protection of Suzail or Marsember. Towards this end the Red Ravens will also pursue bounties raised against criminals to remove dangerous elements from the kingdom while filling their purse. The Red Ravens are also known to subcontract adventurers to make use of their wide array of talents to help fulfill agreements.
In the Summer of 1377 DR, Rayanna Rose has been observed leading most of the Red Ravens' strength south and east from Arabel. Thus far the Red Ravens have not spoken about this sudden march and tavern-goers can only speculate as they trade tales about the orderly column marching down The Way of the Manticore...
Famous Mercenary companies include the Golden Legion of Amn, six hundred strong, who made a legendary (infamous) expedition to the western continent of Maztica. The Flaming Fists of Baldur's Gate, 1,600 men and women, serve one of the city's Duke's and offer security and stability to the region. One brutal mercenary company of five thousand swords, the Red Plumes of Hillsfar, was recently brought to its knees during the events surrounding the restoration of the Myth Drannor.
In Cormyr, mercenaries are typically regarded with wary suspicion following the events of Gondegal's Rebellion. Seated in Arabel, Gondegal collected a host of mercenaries who traded serverice in promise of loot from the spoils of victory. The Usurper King won a series of swift and stunning victories at the onset of his campaign in 1352 DR claiming Immersea, Hultail, Thunderstone, and Wheloon by conquest. Young King Azoun IV, steady Duke Bhereu, and brave Baron Thomdor won great fame and the confidence of the kingdom by meeting and defeating Gondegal. The King's victory was made all the more sweet by his bloodless victory in Arabel, offering the rebellious city forgiveness if they renounced fealty to Gondegal and returned to their place in the kingdom.
Since the rebellion, Cormyrians have distrusted mercenaries and the King made it so that large groups of mercenaries could not form within the kingdom without the consent of the Crown.
One company of mercenaries has earned a different reputation in Cormyr and has served for a number of years on an extended contract. The Red Raven Mercenary Company was founded by the warrior woman Rayanna Rose, a celebrated vetaran and heroine of Azoun's Crusade against the Tuigan Horde in 1360. The Red Ravens operate out of Arabel and Rayanna has maintained good standing for her enterprise with the city's ruler Myrmeen Lhal and the Purple Dragon garrison stationed in the city. The Ravens maintain a normal headcount of one hundred swords with allowance to increase ranks three fold in times of need.
The primary obligation of the Red Ravens is to clear the Stonelands of threats to Cormyrian citizens. In addition, the Red Ravens also bolster the defense of Arabel when called upon and maintain a few outposts throughout the Kingdom to offer stability to local rulers and councils, especially in small settlements distant from the power and protection of Suzail or Marsember. Towards this end the Red Ravens will also pursue bounties raised against criminals to remove dangerous elements from the kingdom while filling their purse. The Red Ravens are also known to subcontract adventurers to make use of their wide array of talents to help fulfill agreements.
In the Summer of 1377 DR, Rayanna Rose has been observed leading most of the Red Ravens' strength south and east from Arabel. Thus far the Red Ravens have not spoken about this sudden march and tavern-goers can only speculate as they trade tales about the orderly column marching down The Way of the Manticore...