1. Overview
The Rat Pack is a mercenary guild of Ratfolk origin, once celebrated as a shining example of honour, loyalty, and Ratfolk valour. Founded by the legendary Virag Greytail and his companion Boris Whiptail, it sought to prove the worth of Ratfolk on the battlefield and dismantle the stereotypes that plagued their people. For a time, it succeeded—earning prestige across Western Siar’Morrin for its efficiency and discipline.
In recent decades, however, the guild has strayed from its founding vision. With leadership passing into less scrupulous hands, the Rat Pack has taken darker contracts—assassinations, sabotage, and covert operations—that have stained its reputation. Today, many see it less as a proud guild and more as a gang of mercenaries-for-hire
- Type: Mercenary Guild
- Base of Operations: Flown
- Core Purpose/Focus: Originally to elevate Ratfolk through honourable service; now more profit-driven, taking both legitimate and underhanded contracts.
- Reputation: Once admired as a guild of valour; now infamous for ruthless pragmatism.
- Symbol: A stylised rat’s head encircled by two crossed swords.
2. History
The Rat Pack was established by Virag Greytail at the height of his fame. Seeking to prove Ratfolk competence and loyalty, he assembled a band of skilled mercenaries, creating a collective able to take on larger and more prestigious contracts. Under Virag and his closest companions, the guild grew rapidly. Their reputation for reliability, discipline, and integrity attracted contracts from cities, kingdoms, and trade guilds across Western Siar’Morrin. A portion of their earnings was funnelled into Furrowton, laying the foundations for the Ratfolk city that thrives today.
When Virag passed leadership to his trusted ally Boris Whiptail, the guild continued to thrive, though its tone began to shift—less idealistic, more pragmatic. After Boris’s death the guild fell into a cycle of unstable leadership, plagued by mysterious circumstances often cutting the many guild masters rule short. Successive guildmasters pushed for profit and expansion, accepting contracts of increasingly questionable morality. Over time, the Rat Pack’s name became synonymous with ruthless efficiency rather than noble service.
3. Leadership and Structure
The Rat Pack is structured with a guildmaster at the top, followed by lieutenants who manage different squads based on the nature of the contracts. Virag was the original guildmaster, respected for his leadership and moral compass.
- Guildmaster: The supreme authority; currently Skadin Blackfur, a sharp but controversial leader whose rule reflects the Pack’s pragmatic, profit-driven turn.
- Lieutenants: Commanders responsible for overseeing specific squads, specialising in fields such as bodyguard work, sabotage, or assassination.
- Squads: Operational units of Ratfolk mercenaries, tightly knit and often bonded through long service together.
- Agents: ISkilled individuals deployed for contracts requiring discretion, precision, or specialised talents. Agents often work alone or in small cells, excelling in subterfuge, assassination, or delicate negotiations where a full squad would draw too much attention.
4. Culture and Beliefs
Originally, the Rat Pack held a strong belief in honour, loyalty, and the showcasing of Ratfolk valour. The guild celebrated its successes by directing a percentage of all rewards towards the funding of Furrowton, in the name of expanding Ratfolk influence and integration into the wider world. with festivals in Tanglethorn, which reinforced community and mutual respect among its members.
The religious beliefs within the Rat Pack were significantly shaped by Virag’s personal devotion to Eris. This reverence influenced the guild’s early principles, emphasising righteous conduct and the pursuit of just causes. However, as is typical of mercenaries, worship also extended to the worship of Riero, Kakurcia, and uniquely amongst Ratfolk mercenaries Theri’an.
Today, much of that spirit has faded. Under current leadership, the Pack’s culture is increasingly secular and transactional. Loyalty is still valued (although rare), but contracts and profit often come before principle. Among the rank-and-file, there remains pride in Ratfolk resilience, but the grand vision of honour has been replaced by a reputation for ruthless efficiency.
5. Key Figures
- Virag Greytail (Retired): Founder, revered by many as the embodiment of the Pack’s original vision.
- Boris Whiptail (Deceased): Virag’s companion and first successor, whose era was marked by pragmatism and expansion.
- Skadin Blackfur (Current Guildmaster): A shrewd but divisive leader, credited with maintaining the Pack’s relevance but criticised for embracing questionable contracts.
6. Geographic Influence
- Areas of Operation: Originally founded on the edge of the Paloto Swamplands, the guild later relocated its headquarters to Flown for greater access to major contracts. Today, its influence extends across much of Western Siar’Morrin, with networks reaching as far as Avatolika.
- Allies & Enemies:
- Enemies:
7. Geographic Influence
- Military Strength: Numerous squads of seasoned Ratfolk mercenaries, renowned for cunning, adaptability, and fierce loyalty to their comrades.
- Economic Power: Significant, though tied to mercenary contracts rather than independent wealth. Their willingness to take almost any job ensures steady income.
- Special Assets: Stealth, subterfuge and agents embedded in virtually all corners of Western Siar’Morrin.