Mercenary Organizations
Black Soil
A brutal mercenary band that operates in the northwest, Black Soil can typically be found in Skavr, Eryndor, and Ruptaea, though they occasionally operate in Fjordenhaven as well. This mercenary band is utterly unscrupulous, enjoying the more violent jobs with unsettling glee. They burn, loot, and pillage towns with reckless abandon.
Black Soil also has strong cult elements and has been known to perform horrifying chants and dances in homage to the dark spirits that live in Nachtskog. Indeed, some folk whisper that the evil of Nachtskog inhabits the mercenaries of Black Soil, giving them additional strength and menace.
The Gentleman Brigands
In the troubled lands of the Thunderhead Vale and the Kosia Rainforest, corruption runs rampant in most governmental institutions from the top down to local administrations. While many common folk are able to scrape together a modestly comfortable life despite this, there are many others who suffer under this inequality. The Gentleman Brigands seek to help those who cannot fend for themselves under such circumstances. They rob from the wealthy, keeping a cut to fund their own crusade and giving the rest of their spoils to those who they believe need it the most. They travel throughout the Rainforest and the Vale, willing to sell their services to the rare honest noble in exchange for better wages for the noble’s subjects. The Brigands are something of a legend throughout this region, celebrated by the poor among the society and reviled by many of the rich - especially the corrupt. The Gentleman Brigands are always led by a person known as the Hood, who passes their title on to their successor when they believe it time to lay down their own blade. The current Hood is a kleppin with the features of a red-tail fox, and his best friend and bodyguard is a grizzled Urkou named Big Butch.
Reserves
An order of hermetic zealots, the Reserves can be found in small monasteries throughout Gathandia. They are self- sufficient communities that maintain their own sustenance farms and spin their own clothes from sheep’s wool. Besides sustaining themselves, the Reserves train rigorously for the world’s hour of need. They believe that one day, ancient threats or new foes will arise and threaten the planet’s very existence, and on this day, the Reserves will stand ready to protect existence as they know it.
The Iron Riders
Equestrians skilled at mounted combat and horseback archery, the Iron Riders roam the north and west of the Great Chasm. Although it is uncommon, they can be seen as far south as Nalathesh and as far east as Derk. They primarily operate in Bishal, southern Noord, Kandif, and Lesmishan. The Iron Riders are highly competent in desert environments and have learned how to ride their steeds such that they produce little dust, allowing them to sneak up on unsuspecting merchants. Following the basic practices of most mercenaries, the Iron Riders will leave alone those who pay their shakedown prices and will fight on behalf of those who reward them more significantly.
The Sea Serpents
The Sea Serpents are an armada of pirates who prowl the eastern coast of Gathandia, from Vel in the south to Derk in the north. The Sea Serpents nominally agree that other vessels under the same flag are off-limits for piracy, but in practice, as long as there is no evidence remaining, then anything goes. Bloody ocean battles between the Sea Serpents will leave one ship sinking and in flames while the other makes off with its loot. When they feel that they are facing existential threat, however, the Sea Serpents will set aside all of their internal rivalries to take on whatever might threaten their way of life.
The Sea Serpents are based in a vast oceanic cave on the coast of Muskshir. Most Muskshiri do not condone the Sea Serpents, but are not militarily powerful enough to oust them. Aside from generalized piracy, a Sea Serpent captain and crew will take on virtually any job for well-paying clients.
Individual Sea Serpent captains will have personal flags, and the Sea Serpents’ shared flag is a white serpent on an emerald-green banner.
Typhoon
A rowdy armada that prowls the southern seas, Typhoon is a pirate guild that will take on any job for wealthy clientele.
They escort, plunder, or sink merchant vessels as asked and are not above changing sides mid-assignment if the price is right. Typhoon ships strictly do not battle one another - a rule that is maintained successfully, unlike the Sea Serpents on the east coast. Typhoon ships often clash with Roshallan’s navy and with the WGC.
As is common for seafaring folk, captains affiliated with Typhoon will fly both their personal flags and the Typhoon colors: a pale blue vortex on a black flag.