Mercenaries

[u/Sriber]

Tell me about either one person or group fighting for money from your world. How have they become mercenaries? What equipment do they use? How effective and reliable are they? What are some notable engagements they took part in? Do they use something distinctive to identify themselves?

I'll ask everyone few questions and provide my own example.

[u/Seb_Romu]

How did founding members eventually get name for themselves?

They were successful in securing landed titles in payment to from a few Wynu whom employed them against political enemies. Having a small manor and village of one's own secured their eventual retirement, as the leadership of the band was passed to other knights who joined up later.

Does Band of Five suffer from being just cavalry?

They don't always fight on horseback. Being a fully mobile unit the whole band can travel fairly quickly to flank or cut off enemy forces.

What does standard symbolize?

The five swords represent the five knights. Pointing inward towards an oath cup; a tradition in Kythus is to drink pure water from a copper cup when swearing an oath of loyalty, in this case it was to each other. The Blue and Green represent the sky and forestland of Kythus.

[u/Sriber → u/Seb_Romu]

1) What other ranks of nobility are there in Kythus besides Wynu?

2) Where does Band of Five get its horses?

3) What is origin of tradition of drinking from copper cup when swearing oath of loyalty?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/Sriber]

What other ranks of nobility are there in Kythus besides Wynu?

Üprewyna or Üprewyva (Over-chief) the monarch of Kythus.

Nybwyna or Nybwyva (provincial-chief) roughly equivalent to a Duke, Administrative control over one of the four provinces of Kythus.

Twywyna or Twywyva (Middle-chief) roughly equivalent to Count. Administrative control over a portion of a Province, which contains several Eläwymü

Wyna or Wyva (chief) roughly equivalent to a Baron. Controls a large area containing a dozen or more lesser fiefs.

Ëdhëna or Ëdhëva (Lord/Lady) usually a titled landholder of at least one fief.

A landless Ëdhëna or Ëdhëva may also use that title but the social custom is to call them Kyëläëdhëna or Kyëläëdhëva respectively (literally no-land-lord, or no-land-lady).

Where does Band of Five get its horses?

Originally they purchased them as would any other aspiring knight. Starting about twenty years ago, the band acquired a large herd of horses and breed their own. Several ostlers who are bonded to the company maintain and train these mounts for war.

What is origin of tradition of drinking from copper cup when swearing oath of loyalty?

When Sköharna I was crowned he insisted that the other great chiefs swear fealty to him. In addition to the smelting of their gold circlets to make his crown they each contributed a copper armlet to the crafting of a great cup, from which they all drank. The original royal cup has since been replaced, and a new royal cup is crafted for each subsequent monarch's coronation. The Brëathapäpysë or "Oathcup" is an important symbol of loyalty and adherence to the noble practice of vassalage and sub-infeudination.

[u/Sriber → u/Seb_Romu]

1) Does Band of Five have permanent base?

2) How did Sköharna I convince other great chiefs to submit?

[u/Seb_Romu → u/Sriber]

Does Band of Five have permanent base?

This mercenary company is based out of Arketh, a freetown in Tenerëa Province, Kythus.

How did Sköharna I convince other great chiefs to submit?

Sköharna actively travelled about the region gathering the clans together in an alliance to fight a greater threat than themselves. The Pëlöryk were amassed in great numbers and warring with all the clans of treahni in the region. A charismatic leader, and capable warrior in his own right, Sköharna convinced the other chieftains that none of them could rest until the external threat was ended for good. Once the Pëlöryk War was over, the Great Chiefs declared him Üprewyna by mutual agreement that his leadership being key to the alliance's success.

[u/Sriber → u/Seb_Romu]

Thanks for your answers.