Sunday, December 11, 2011

The Mercenary Brotherhood of Yam

In the camps outside the walls of Yam stands a massive wooden post with several notched rusty swords thrust into it. Known as the Mercenary Post, where the members of the Mercenary Brotherhood of Yam congregate when they are seeking work.

The members of this guild are all capable fighting-men and they are unyielding in their demands when negotiating with adventurers, patiently explaining that they can always do safe easy work for aristocrats or caravans instead and they are free to refuse any offers.

They all communicate their experiences with their clients with their brothers, and adventuring parties can quickly develop a bad reputation and even be blacklisted by the Mercenaries if they exhibit excessive disregard for the well-being their members.

They will insist on receiving a one-half share of non-magical treasure for every Mercenary Brother hired; if the party has a dangerous reputation it instead becomes a full share per Mercenary.

If a Mercenary dies during a delve his share of treasure is explicitly not void, and will be given to either the surviving Mercenaries of the Brotherhood itself for distribution to the Brother's spouse and children.

The Brothers expressly do not provide any services other than guarding and fighting. They are not bearers or servants or labourers or slaves. They will not bear any baggage or supplies, aside for their share of treasure, provisions, arms, and such. They do not open doors or chests or sacks or anything else. They do not search through rubble or garbage or bodies or anything else. They do not drink strange liquids or read strange writing or go first into unknown or potentially hazardous regions.

They will provide stalwart and valiant service, but will not or battle overwhelming odds when retreat is an option, attack giant or otherwise excessively dangerous monsters, or otherwise throw their lives away.

They are a democratic and egalitarian organization where every member has a say in their policies and regulations, although they have a Secretary-Steward-Treasurer, Brother Mustafa "The Mountain" Musharaf, who speaks for the Brotherhood when necessary.

2 comments:

  1. In the camps outside the walls of Yam stands a massive wooden post with several notched rusty swords thrust into it.

    If a Mercenary dies during a delve his share of treasure is explicitly not void, and will be given to either the surviving Mercenaries of the Brotherhood itself for distribution to the Brother's spouse and children.

    It is also traditional (though for practical purposes not required) to retrieve the fallen mercenary's weapon to be thrust into the Post.

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