1. Overview
The Crimson Marauders are a ruthless mercenary-turned-bandit company feared across Western Siar’Morrin for their brutal raids and unrelenting pursuit of plunder. Once respected as hired swords, they have devolved into a predatory force preying on trade routes, exploiting political instability to operate with impunity. Their reputation as disciplined fighters now mingles with the infamy of outlaws, blurring the line between soldier and brigand.
- Type: Mercenary Company / Bandit Syndicate
- Base of Operations: Fort Albazin
- Core Purpose/Focus: Profit through combat, intimidation, and the control of key trade routes.
- Reputation: Once respected, now widely feared; regarded by most as lawless marauders.
- Symbol: A heart pierced by two crossed sabers, with chains wrapped around their hilts.
2. History
The Crimson Marauders emerged in the aftermath of the collapse of several small kingdoms within the Shattered Kingdoms. Bands of displaced soldiers, stripped of homeland and command, came together under the promise of mutual survival and profit. Initially, they offered their services as mercenaries, providing skilled protection for merchants, nobles, and warlords.
However, the lure of heavily laden trade routes between East and West proved too tempting. Over time, the Marauders’ contracts became a façade for opportunistic raids. As wealth flowed in through robbery and extortion, their moral boundaries eroded, and their reputation shifted from disciplined sellswords to predatory raiders. Today, they straddle the line between hired muscle and criminal syndicate, taking whatever work—or spoils—they can claim.
3. Structure & Organization
The Crimson Marauders operate under the absolute authority of Captain Brax, whose blend of battlefield cunning and raw brutality keeps the company both feared and united.
- Captain: Brax the Ironfisted – Former knight and founder, respected for his strategic mind and feared for his iron-clad rule.
- Lieutenants: Command individual squads, each responsible for a specific region or set of trade routes. Promotions are earned through loyalty, skill, and success in raids.
- Rank-and-File Marauders: Veteran fighters drawn from across the continent, operating in tightly knit squads trained for rapid strikes and ambushes.
This strict chain of command ensures discipline during operations, but also fosters a competitive culture where success is rewarded with spoils, status, and choice assignments.
4. Culture & Practices
The Crimson Marauders value strength, cunning, and loyalty to the company above all else. Their origins as professional mercenaries gave them a soldier’s discipline, but years of opportunistic raiding have shifted their priorities toward survival and personal enrichment.
An unspoken hierarchy exists within the group, with the original veterans from the Shattered Kingdoms—those who fought together in the company’s earliest days—holding an enduring position of superiority. These founding members form a close-knit core whose shared history commands respect and influence. New recruits are welcomed and given the chance to prove themselves, but the camaraderie and unshakable bonds of the original band create a quiet, ever-present divide. Outsiders may rise in rank, but the veterans’ influence is felt in every decision, raid, and campfire council.
Despite their descent into lawlessness, the Marauders maintain an internal code—loyalty to comrades in arms and deference to the chain of command. Yet this loyalty is conditional; failure, cowardice, or betrayal is met with swift and brutal consequences. Success, however, is rewarded with a share of plunder, status within the company, and the grudging respect of one’s peers.
5. Key Figures
- Captain Brax the Ironfisted: Founder and leader; a tactician who balances military precision with ruthless opportunism.
- Lieutenant Garrick Voss: Oversees operations along the northern passes, known for his cruelty toward captured enemies.
- Lieutenant Marra Deyne: Specialist in ambushes and river-based raids, favoured by Brax for her efficiency.
6. Geographic Influence
- Areas of Operation: Predominantly Western Siar’Morrin, with activity stretching into parts of the east. Known to target rural roads, strategic passes, and vulnerable settlements, with heavy activity along major trade arteries.
- Allies & Enemies:
- Allies:
- Rivals:
7. Resources & Capabilities
- Military Strength: Highly mobile squads of veteran fighters, trained in both battlefield tactics and guerrilla-style raids.
- Economic Power: Funded through plunder, extortion, smuggling, and occasional paid contracts.
- Special Assets: Fort Albazin as a fortified base, a network of informants along key trade routes, and corrupt officials under their paycheck sprinkled through Western Siar’Morrin.