scholarship of erenth: Halls

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An Index of the Major Halls of the Four Lands

The modern Fighters Guild has its origins in the Mercenary Houses of the Old Principalities. Once private armies were found in each of the Old Cities. These armies found their way to Westrun from the time of Sylas I to Favian III and were used by the High Throne and vassal monarchs alike to augment their own forces.

With this venerable tradition behind them, the Major Halls across the Four Lands are these:

The Law of the Halls

Learn All Men By These Words Presented,

Now as the Halls have spread from the Free Provinces to Westrun, down to Southrun and even some have appeared in Eastrun. Their growing number necessitates that certain regulations be made as to their conduct and constitution. We, the undersigned monarchs, therefore agree to bind them within our several domains by these strictures herein.

The Hall does a valuable service, it provides free warriors with employment when times are lean, certifies their ability at a certain level and standardizes their training. Most importantly, it provides the members or their widows with retirement income when they are eligible to become retirees... Pensionatos.

In recognition of that good, we have fixed the total number of active duty guild members that was previously set by Provincial custom into law.

Let it be known that the Armata of any Hall may number no more than 200 fighting men. In addition, a Hall may have as many as 600 Riservista, or men in reserve. These Riservista may have permanent or temporary employment elsewhere, with ranks and honors equivalent to those of the Armata, and subject to recall as necessary.

The Riservista, however, are hereby prohibited from lodging within the recognized Hall; and must be found wearing the Hall's Tabard or flying the Hall's colors while training, but must not go about armed or marching under those colors, nor gathering in strength with their Colonello, or Commander, at any time.

Moreover the so-called sigil of the Hall must be sparse and not easily confused with that of the recognized nobility or gentlemen. It shall be kept plain on a circular device and not presented with laurels, crowns or other devices which would not give the pretense of those high born.

Failure to comply with these strictures gains the penalty of death for the commander of said Hall and his followers.

So it is written, now let it be done.

Steffan, High King of Westrun
Ong Bat, Emperor of All Shu
Mushadin, Satrap of Tradestop

Dark Men of Orasia

The Dark Men are a Provincial Guild and still very much involved in the defense of Orasia. They are loyal to House Panfilo and managed to avoid any outright confrontation with the Army of Westrun during the Taming of the Serpent.

The Dark Men are primarily a heavy infantry company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, an archer company and a pike company.

The Guildhall of the Dark Men is located in the City of Old Horus.

Demanes Despoilers

The Despoilers are a Fighter's Guild that is active in and around Treft. They have seen much of the action between Rath and Saklan and have been known to fight on both sides of that conflict.

The Despoilers are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

The Despoilers are headed by Demanes -- a fighter of some reknown. He is most famous for having slain a Minotaur at the Battle of Wanderhalt during Rigel's rise to the throne of Collonia.

The Despoiliers Guildhall is in Treft.

Partisans of Sardioria

The Partisans are all that remain of a former Hall called the Swordsmen who were defeated during the Taming of the Serpent. The Guild went underground only to re-emerge as the Partisans and continue as they had once the Armies of Westrun were gone.

The Partisans are primarily an Irregular company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, a heavy infantry company, and three archer companies.

Their Guildhall is located in a wilderness enclave in the Free Province of Sardioria.

Qindar of Byza

Among the most famous of the mercenary guilds are the Qindar.

The Qindar are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

Colonello Hamiza runs his hall out of the City of Byza in the Kingdom of the same name.

Tortoise of Aqilia

The Tortoise can draw their lineage back to the founding of the Principalities of Vyruma Serpentis and the end of the Sixth Age. A true mercenary house, they can trace customers on four continents on every side of nearly every conflict ever fought.

The Tortoise are primarily a heavy infantry company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, an archer company and two pike companies.

The current Colonello of the Hall is Lundini of Lakeside.

The Guildhall is located on the shores of Lake Agno in the Province of Aqilia.

The Unloved

The Unloved are a famous infantry guild in an area known for its cavalry culture. For this reason, they are often hired to do the tasks considered beneath the proud mounted soldier. There is also the matter than most of the members are non-citizens, in many cases drawn from the castaway children the harsh culture of Balduren produces.

The Unloved are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

The Colonello is Firan.

The Guildhall is located in Balduren.

Angels of Aladinus

Aladinus was a famous Colonello in the Provinces before the Taming of the Serpent. He was loyal to Agronar the Conqueror and one of those who would not fight against him during the War of Subjection. Aladinus set sail from the Principalities and landed in Watersedge, where his guild was first headquartered. The current Aladinus is almost certainly not the same one as the Hall is very old, numbering its age in centuries. Either some magic protects Aladinus from aging, or he is a demi-human, or the current Aladinus simply continues to take the name of predecessor.

The Angels are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

The Angels have a guildhall in Watersedge of Talir, and Wanderhalt of Collonia.

Villains of the Dark

All members of the guild are proficient in blind fighting. The Villains are considered masters of night operations and are sought after above other guilds for their subterfuge. Members of the guild are often spotted wearing a mask or piece of cloth over one eye. Some members have been known to tattoo their bodies with deep blue or blank inks in order to increase their ability to hide in darkness.

The Villains are primarily an irregular company when fighting in formation.

The Colonello of the Villains is Chet McGrath. Rumor has it that he was a street urchin that grew up in the under city and did not see the light of day until he was 14.

The Guildhall is located in the city of Bolden with limited access from street level. Most of the hall is located underground and has many secret passages.

Warriors of Westrun

The Warriors are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

Xanthin Blades of Mirsia

The Blades are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

Young Lion's Roar

The Young Lions are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

Eastrun Raiders Alliance

The ERA are primarily a light cavalry company when fighting in formation.

Armed Champions of Leccia

The Champions are primarily a heavy infantry company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, three archer companies and a pike company.

Guardsmen of Marcia

The Guardsmen were formed by Vineo the Subtle who was known to have opened the gates of Marcia before Agronar the Conqueror. He was awarded the Crown of the Walls which is born on his sigil and the title of White Prince of Marcia. His rule was fraught with administrative mishaps and monetary mismanagement. All that retains his name in that province is the symbol of the Guildhall he started.

The Guardsmen are primarily a pike company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, an archer company and a light infantry company.

Band of the Mailed Fist

The Band is primarily a heavy infantry company when fighting in formation.

Coffer Corps

The Corps are primarily a light infantry company when fighting in formation.

Zealots of the Purse

The Zealots are primarily an archery company when fighting in formation.

Bastion of Basonia

The Bastion are primarily a pike company when fighting in formation abroad. Though, as they are charged with the defense of their home province, they are also composed of two light infantry companies, two archer companies, a light cavalry company and a pike company.