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The Blackshield Company

Summary
Mercenary Company The highest bidder
  • Captain Sigurd Ulfson
  • Captain Agatha
  • Cato
  • Khulan Altan
  • Dahlia Blackthistle
  • Wulfere
  • Nugai
Geography
Wherever the Cohorts happen to find themselves
Out-of-character information
Link the source of your character's image (use a reverse google image search if you are stuck) 25/05/23





Hierarchy

The Blackshield Company is broken up into four cohorts named thus: The Unlucky First, The Second, Third, and Bloody Fourth. They are commanded by four individual Captains. Sigurd Ulfson leads the First, Agatha the Second, Cato the Third and Khulan Altan the Fourth.

Normally, depending on the current captain’s preferences, a cohort is further broken up into centuries of eighty men, with eight “tent parties” -or squads- of ten men per century. Centurions command these groups and have two sergeants to help keep the men in line. Captains often turn to these officers should they seek advice on matters concerning the company, but regardless of words shared, what the Captain says goes.

Captains are voted in by the cohort they serve with. Polls are taken when a Captain falls in battle or are forcibly removed from command by those who take umbrage with their “command style”. Selection usually boils down to who is the most popular at the time though veterancy goes a long way towards securing one’s place at the top. You don’t want a greenie leading the cohort, after all, even if their jokes do tickle.

Rules

The level of discipline varies depending on the cohort, but there are a few rules they all abide by:
  1. Don't compete over contracts - Should two cohorts find themselves chasing the same prize, they are to come to a compromise. Failing that, the contract is to go to whomever scented it out first. There're plenty more prizes to be had elsewhere.
  2. If a cohort calls for aid, answer - Since the conception of the Company, this has always been the way. Should a captain refuse to go to another cohort's aid, they are to be removed from command immediately. Exceptions will be made if there are extenuating circumstances keeping a cohort from answering, though, any serving captain should make damn sure they have their affairs in order should it be proven otherwise.
  3. Do NOT work with or for slavers - Sure, the current Blackshields might not remember what their ancestors went through, but they still honour their wishes. Any and all slave owners are to be treated as the vermin they are. If any company men are found to be working with said vermin, they can expect a swift ass-kicking... followed by an even swifter execution.

Intent

To make money though it’s never as simple as that, is it?

Lore

The Blackshield Company originated in Amol-Kalit well over three hundred years ago. A land of Kings, Conquerors and death, the Blackshields started out -somewhat unsurprisingly- as slaves. Human, for the most part, these slaves were largely comprised of soldiers taken during the endless wars that ravaged the desert nations that live, or rather lived up and down the Baal-Asha and Baal-Duru rivers.

Subjected to innumerable hardships, and tormented daily by their masters, it was not long before these soldiers rose up in rebellion against their overlords. Bound by a common goal, these men and women banded together to form a new, well-armed, well-motivated fighting force that could rival most others in this corner of the world.

The Amol-Kalit does not play favourites, however, and despite starting off well the thousands-strong force soon started haemorrhaging manpower and resources as they struggled to stay free of the shackles that loomed ever-present in the backs of their minds. As such, and with great sadness, the leaders of the slave revolt agreed to break off into smaller, easier to manage groups they called cohorts.

Raiding where they could, fighting when they were forced to, the cohorts made to flee the desert. Their homes no longer existed, after all, and as slaves they were seen as the lowest of the low. Scum who deserved neither kindness nor mercy. Who had no future. Not in the desert, at least.

Striking out on their own, the cohorts did what they did best: fought. For money. Food. A future. United by shared struggle, the cohorts would often march to the aid of their fellows. It remains unclear who among them coined the term “blackshield” but it was a name the desert warriors adopted with glee. Bearing a black shield implied one was masterless, after all. Considering what they had been through, most found the name to be quite fitting.

Now, hundreds of years later, the Blackshields have all but forgotten their company’s history. A few grey-bearded annalists persist in keeping records up to date but for the most part they ply their trade with the sword, not the pen.

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