Guards and Soldiers

[FrankL]

Re: Guards and Soldiers

 

The Dogs of War

 

If you are looking for warriors, leave these mercenaries alone. They are soldiers, pure and simple. Founded and led by Vriedrich Bonderson, he instilled in them the same discipline and training that he instilled in his soldiers when he led the armies of Gunther. He still hasn’t figured out how he was beaten in that last war, but he suspects betrayal. The alternative, that the enemy armies were better than his men, is unthinkable to him. His unit is small (about 30) and joining is by invitation only. The Dogs host a tournament on a semi regular basis (when they aren’t on a job). The tournament has three divisions: unarmed combat, armed combat, and archery. The winner of each division is invited to join (on top of receiving the prize purse). All races and religions are welcome, as long as the individuals are good fighters and show discipline. Dwarves, elves, humans, and Sachalin fill the ranks.

 

The Dogs charge highly for their services but they get the job done.

[Enforcer84]

Re: Guards and Soldiers

 

The Snow Queen's Teeth: In the last great war, the marauding horde of humanoids were rightly crushed and sent scurrying for the furthest corners of the continent. So it was only natural that the human lead alliance of the "good" races, now bored and without an enemy to unite them fell to petty internal squabbles. to this end minor wars were waged and armed skirmishes became common place.

 

It's a good time to be a mercenary. It's a great time to be a mercenary captain. Ingrid Kaltstein is one such mercenary lord. She chose to form her ranks from the captured war prisoners, slaves, and gladiatorial "beasts' from the once great hordes, orcs, gnolls, hobgoblins, minotaurs, ogres, trolls, they all swore fealty to Ingrid, the Snow Queen. Her troops stand out and strike fear in to all who see them riding into view. Including her employers.

 

The Teeth are highly regimented, each has been taught the proper human tongue, and are unfailingly polite and respectful (at least in public) of their former enemies. They respect their leader and unswervingly loyal. Most of the troops wear chain or heavier armor over which they wear white tabards with their company crest, a white mask with feminine features in black. The larger troops tend to wear piecemeal armor or leathers. Their weapons, armor, mounts, and clothing are impeccably maintained.

[Kraven Kor]

Re: Guards and Soldiers

 

Might as well add some flare to my newly started FH Campaign.

 

Janction City Guard

 

(Replace Janction with your own town name) The Janction City Guard, currently led by Captain Halfa Untere, is more than just a local constabulary. Tasked with maintaining order in the fortress city and the extensive farmlands to the south is no simple matter. On top of the usual threats of crime or the occasional bandits or raiders on the outskirts of town, the Guard must also maintain a constant readiness in case Ulohen forces try to once again reclaim the city. As such, the guard consists of over 250 standing soldiers, organized into 10 squads of 25 men, each of those squads being able to operate in 5 man teams for day to day patrols or "brute squad" duty. Each man is trained in the use of a Pike, Halberd, Falchion & Shield, and Rifle (or Crossbow if your setting has no firearms.) For day to day operations, they generally wear a simple chain hauberk and open face helm, but for war or any planned heavy fighting, each man has a set of full lamellar and visored helm. They can supplement the forces of the city in time of war, but are primarily keepers of peace and order. While the personalities and backgrounds of the members vary greatly, all are from families native to Janction, and all have a great deal of pride and loyalty to their home town. Additionally, most have a great mistrust of northerners and non-humans.

 

Fiana Draig Company

 

The Fiana Draig, founded about 80 years ago during the last war with Ulohi, is one of the premier caravan guard companies in Noordmar. Originally tasked with protecting supply lines between Liramor and Janction, and later between Janction and Druath, after the war ended they began hiring out to protect caravans along the war torn roads of northern Noordmar. Eventually, the company grew, and they now have multiple crews, generally with one crew operating along each major stretch of road. Each crew is 20 to 50 men depending on the size of the caravan they guard, with any men not needed stationed at some waypoint town along the road they work. Fiana are generally cavalry men, most with former military service. The renown they have gained over the last 80 years has made the unit quite wealthy and thus well equipped - they have well trained mounts, quality weapons and armor, and extensive training in mounted combat, observational skills, wilderness lore, and survival. They have not had a complete loss - full caravan looted or killed - in over 20 years. While each man chooses his own weapon for the most part, all are trained in long spear and rifle or crossbow, making them formidable opponents at range or up close. They primarily work for profit, but most of their members see themselves as protectors of those who travel the roads of Noordmar, and will gladly go above and beyond the call of duty if necessary.

[Shadowsoul]

Re: Guards and Soldiers

 

A couple more. One low end normal unit and one exotic elite unit.

 

Blackeye’s Hillmen.

The hills and mountains of northern Manos are home to several tribes of dirt-poor hunters who sometimes look down with envy upon the green and fertile lands of the South. Life is cheap amongst the hill-folk and they often raid each other or the villages of the lowlanders.

 

Recently an enterprising Hillwoman called Blackeye has gathered together a band of veteran raiders and led them into the lowlands, seeking employment as mercenaries. The Hillmen, (and women), are poorly equipped and lack formal training but will fight for little more than booze, board and looting rights.

Most of the Hillmen are lightly equipped with sword, dagger and buckler. A few carry hunting spears, bows or great two handed swords which have been handed down in their families for generations. Lacking civilised tactics such as shield walls and proper formations, the Hillmen rely on breaking their enemies’ ranks with a single brutal charge and tend to die in droves if that charge is stopped.

The Monkey Warriors of Numahan.

Most dismiss the claims that the temples of the Monkey God in the tropical land of Numahan are guarded by baboon warriors as mere travellers’ tales. The people of Numahan know better.

Each priesthood in Numahan has its sacred protectors, to ward off demons, non-believers and thieves, but few are a match for the Monkey God’s warriors; baboons which stand almost as tall as men and carry powerful longbows that no mundane archer could string. Like any worthy temple guardian, the baboon warriors are utterly obedient to the priesthood of their patron and will fight to the last monkey in defence of his sacred ground. They are often seen during festivals and holy times, marching in loping step with their colourful uniforms glinting in the hot Numahanian sun.

The Monkey Warriors wear lacquered leather armour that is painted in bright colours and adorned with the feathers of tropical birds. Their main weapons are mighty longbows but although they also carry ceremonial clubs, carved with scenes sacred to the Monkey God, they will usually fight bare-handed if caught in a melee. Though not trained for close combat the Monkey Warriors are as vicious as their wild cousins, tearing enemies limb from limb or savaging them with dagger-sharp fangs when cornered. Tactically speaking the Monkey Warriors are excellent jungle fighters, ambushers and, (unlike mundane baboons), climbers; many an enemy of the Monkey God has perished beneath a hail of arrows without even seeing the simian warriors lurking in the treetops above them. Divine creatures are not numerous, however; most temples cannot muster more than a dozen Monkey Warriors and it is rare indeed to see these scattered squads gathered into a larger force.