The Tards-Venus
Peace? Bah. At least with war, one generally knows where the armies are and under whose flag they fly under. Its times of peace you have to watch out for. Take these mercenary companies. When they are being paid, they march under a flag. Do they kill, rape and loot? Of course, but so do the regulars. But when the treaty is signed and there's nothing for them to do? Keep paying them a fortune to stand around? Send them home to drink in peace? Of course not. They wander around sacking cities and hassling travelers, adding to their coffers and satisfying their base desires. Chivalry and professionalism mean nothing to mercenary in peacetime. And who is there to stop them? The nobles won't do anything, they just got out of a war. Another mercenary company? The treatment is the same as the disease. So keep your damn peace. I'll take a proper war any day.
Yonec Tyrodel
Structure
The makeup of Mercenary companies, such as the Tards-Venus, varies greatly, ranging from loose gangs of roving thugs to incredibly well run units capable of besting even the most well provisioned proper army. The overall company is led by Captain, Seguin Badefol, who oversees the organization as a whole, both administratively and militarily. Seguin also directly leads a hand-picked unit of the most skilled men-at-arms in combat. Beneath him, at least officially, are a number of lieutenants, each leading their own units and answering directly to the Captain and paying a portion of their revenues and spoils to the Company for upkeep and distribution. In reality however, these units operate more-or-less autonomously outside of a proper battle. On paper, all units are equal, with none claiming precedence above the others in the distribution of wealth or assignments. In practice however, the favor and influence of individual lieutenants and their companies rises and falls constantly, leading to a continuous jockeying for preferential assignments, clients and influence.
The organization and level of discipline of these smaller units varies across the company, but in general all men answer to their lieutenants, aided by selected officers and administrative posts.
Public Agenda
Mercenary companies like the Tards-Venus serve as major aspects of official military campaigns, such as the war for the crown of the Duchy of Breizh The Tards-Venus take part in the war, virtually indistinguishable in most regards from the proper knights or conscripted fighters in terms of battlefield deployment.
When direct pay requires subsidization, the companies are allowed to freeboot and live-off the land, taking food, shelter and resources from the local populace in exchange for "protection" from the opposing forces. The actual fealty or interest of the people in a freebooting region is generally irrelevant. In extreme cases, freebooting can lead to full-scale sieges and raids against cities as an excuse to extort or pillage the wealth inside, regardless of allegiance in the overall conflict. This behaviour is especially true in times of "peace", when treaties between belligerents have stopped the open fighting, but conflict is expected to resume at any moment. During this time, the Companies are cut free to make their own wealth until they are called back to service.
The loyalty of the mercenaries is generally only as good as the coin they are being paid. It is not unheard of for a mercenary company to receive payment for the protection of a city, only to turn around and sack it themselves. Changing sides in a war, sometimes in the midst of combat is an expected risk with hiring the mercenary companies. To ensure continued loyalty, most employers do little to collect on tributes or exert control from companies in their employ, instead granting them free-reign and little reason to resent them directly.
Assets
Their unique nature and constantly shifting situation leaves the Tards-Venus with few permanent assets like castles and fortifications. Headquarters are temporary, usually based in the region that a given unit is operating in. Occasionally, a unit will commandeer or build small fortifications or towns to operate as bases.
That is not to say that the Company is not wealthy. On the contrary, their coffers are usually filled with gold as a constant stream of plunder and costs keeps their assets liquid. They tend to be well equipped, but the quality of provisions and supply chains varies based on location and the competence of a unit's commander. This is usually subsidized with pillage of the local populace.
The Tards-Venus have the distinction among mercenary of being a heavily mounted force, and most members have at least one horse to their names. These are often brought in by nobles who join the Company, or commandeered from local sources. Conscripts of Foot-Soldiers and logistical support often supplement these groups.
The Tard-Venus have acquired, by coin and by sword, a small fleet of warships. The fleet consists of about 15 permanent ships of varying sizes and martial capabilities. Additionally, the Company supplements their fleet with 5 small skyships, including Badefol's personal flagship, the Kraken's Fury
Estimates place the number of combat members across the company at around 15,000, although specific makeup and accuracy is difficult to properly ascertain. Administrative and support staff increase this number further, but many positions are filled by active combatants, making a proper count impossible.
History
The Tards-Venus were formed in the Crusader Kingdoms of Outremer , brought together as parts of volunteer companies. When the Crusades ended, they were left to their own devices, some clinging to petty kingdoms in the sands of the Rhub a Khali, others returning home to hang up their swords. Still others, their bloodlust and greed not sated, sailed for the merchant cities of the Golden Sea , where they offered their services as Conditerri or operated as roving bandits. The tensions between the Kingdom of Logres and the Kingdom of Gallia has turned their swords northwards.
There are several noteworthy members in the Company's ranks.
Seguin "the Kraken" Badefol - The captain of the Company, and its most successful member. Sequin personally leads a unit of 2,000 mercenaries. A noble by birth, he is an exceptional swordsman and lancer and has won distinction on and off the battlefield. He has a reputation for brutality and efficiency, and is often used by Charles of Navarre in the latter's schemes in Duchy of Normaundie and Breizh.
Talbart Talbardon - A Burgundian squire from the Kingdom of Arle, who left his noble liege to join up with the Company. Wielding a large double-headed ax, the half-Formoriian rarely leaves Badefol's side, operating as his personal bodyguard and aide-de-camp.
Guiot du Pin "the shadowstrike" - A weaselly assassin from Akitania with a penchant for knives, specializing in killing key personelle in sieges behind enemy lines.
"Blessed" Francois Hennequin - Originally garrisoned at Karaez, Hennequin fell ill and was cured by "Saint" Charles Blaez. Awestruck with a spiritual experience, the mercenary began a barefoot pilgrimage to honor his saviour, which ended in bloodshed when he killed another pilgrim in an argument on the steps of the Abbey. He promptly joined the Company to escape punishment by Ecclesiastic authorities.
Camus "Firebringer" Bour - One of the most ruthless lieutenants of the Tards-Venus, Bour will take prisoners in any engagement. Building a large fire in a pit outside the city walls and threatens to throw them in. If a ransom cannot be paid, the prisoners are casually tossed into the inferno.
Bour Lesparre - A Formorian Lancer of great reknown from Arle. Sick of the "soft" rules of hastiludes and tournaments, he joined the company to get "real combat." Favouring one-on-one combat, he will call out commanders or champions to such contests, displaying remarkable chivalry during these contests and obeying the result without fail.
Bour "Matchsticks" Breteuil - A Korrigan underling of Camus Bour, known for his savagery.
Naudon of Bageran - A soft-spoken, dour academic turned mercenary, serves as the primary tactician, quatermaster and torturer of the Company.
Lamit - A swordswoman pirate of Logres.
Hagre of 'Escot A rare Fae commander, a Redcap hailing from a Faerie Isle north of Logres.
Ourri the German - A Formoriian from the Black Forest beyond Arle.
Bernard de la Salle A master thief turned mercenary captain, De La Salle specializes in infiltration, assassination and sabotage. Once single-handedly took a castle, having scaled the wall by hand using only steel hooks.
Robert Briquet - A mercenary with a proclivity for sacking churches.
Amanieu Ortigue Garciot Castel A disgraced noble from Gallica.
Guyonnet Pau
Bascot de Mauléon
Petit Meschin
Forward in Unity
Founding Date
890 SI
Type
Military, Mercenary Group
Alternative Names
Routiers, Mercs, Free-Company, the Late-Comers
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Veteran
Leader
Location
Notable Members
Comments