Trott's Marauders (trotz muh-RAW-derz)
'I understand you're upset, m'lord. But, let me be clear, if you hire us, we will raze every town. Every village. Every hamlet. We will take no prisoners. There will be no mercy. Are you certain that's what you really want?'– Condottiere Lucita Nuvala, Trott's Marauders Commander
Trott's Marauders is one of the largest and most successful mercenary networks founded in the Empire. It maintains offices in Reikland, Tilea, Wissenland, and Estalia, and controls over 40 individual mercenary companies across the Old World. It was founded in the Dark Ages in 2004IC by House Trott and swiftly established a reputation for reliability, loyalty, and unrestrained brutality.
CONTENTS
Description
History
Trott's Marauders were formed in response to the initial bouts of conflict that opened the Dark Ages, and were one of the primary reasons House Walfen of Reikland rose to success during that turbulent era. The First Vampire Wars significantly changed how the Marauders took to the field. They soon adopted similar tactics to the Carsteins, offering any opposing army or fortification a single chance to surrender. If they were refused, the Marauders slaughtered any who dared deny them. These brutal tactics were terrifyingly effective, but also extremely unpopular, souring the already poor Trott name in the eyes of the Noble houses of the Reikland.
In 2204, Trott's Marauders joined forces with Nuvala Company, a mercenary outfit from the Principality of Miragliano that was touring the Empire at the time. They shared resources and contacts and refused to work for opposing forces. Their combined might proved to be extremely effective, and the two companies were present in most major conflicts of the era. This became so lucrative that Trott and Nuvala soon brought in more mercenary regiments to significantly swell their numbers.
During the Great War Against Chaos, Trott and Nuvala were on the front lines fighting alonside Magnus the Pious. When that war was eventually won, the powerful mercenary company was appalled to discover that Magnus planned to replace it completely in favour of a new State Army model run by the newly formed Prime Estates. Magnus planned to significantly restrict the ability of nobles to recruit armies to ensure the bitter civil wars of the Dark Ages would never be repeated. House Trott was forced to either abandon their mercenary company or their titles. They chose to transfer the worst of their soldiers to the new State Army of Tahme and sent the remainder of their mercenaries to join Nuvala Company and resite in Miragliano.
After Magnus's death and the schisms that followed, House Trott clandestinely refinanced their mercenaries and re-established ties with Nuvala Company. Soon, Trott's Marauders were seen across the Old World again. A succession of weaker emperors allowed the mercenaries to thrive, redeploying to different realms whenever local politics became too difficult.
In 2451IC, Nuvala Company suffered significant casualties in the Second Battle for Villa Vennia. Trott's Marauders, flush with spoils of war secured in the Border Princes, stepped in and bought out the company completely. This started a new drive by the Marauders to acquire as many mercenary companies under their umbrellas as possible.
Present Concerns
Trott's Marauders are the largest Empire-based mercenary outfit. They have extensive barracks in Reikland, Wissenland, Miragliano, and Bilbali, and also own a small fleet of warships. In recent years, Trott's Marauders have been seen on battlefields in all Old World realms, and have earned a reputation so terrible that many generals simply refuse to fight them for fear of the horrendous casualties they may suffer.
Controversy
Due to laws put in place by Magnus the Pious, it is illegal in Empire law for a titled noble to own a mercenary company. However, this hasn't stopped the dukes of Tahme from not only owning the Marauders, but directly leading them on many occasions. This was tolerated by the Altdorf court because the Marauders never sold their services in Reikland and frequently caused disruptions in other grand provinces, helping strengthen Reikland's dominance in the Empire. For example, in 2482, the Marauders declared war on Nuln after the Elector Count betrayed them, and won. However, the alliance between the Reikland Houses of Jungfreud and Trott in 2512 after the Ubersreik Annexation changed this.
Offices
Tahme – Reikland
Centuries of expansion and renovation ensured the Tahme barracks of Trott's Marauders were their largest. Sited in and around the Tahmenschloss, its maze-like structures surrounded a collection of mustering grounds and had capacity enough for 5000 in addition to extensive kennels and grypheries. However, it was rare to find more than 300 mercenaries in residence in the Tahme barracks at any one time, even in winter months, as the majority of the Marauder companies were deployed elsewhere in the Old World.
Hendorf – Wissenland
The newest Marauders barracks were established in Hendorf to the west of Nuln in 2473IC. Founded by the Nuvala family, the extensive barracks were large enough for 2000 mercenaries and used almost exclusively by Nuvala Company. The vast Nuvala personal fortune and the swift and sudden increase of the Nuvala Company in the late 2400s led many to believe it would once again split from Trott's Marauders and attempt to purchase back Grezzole Villa in Tilea.
Grezzole – Miragliano
The original home of Nuvala Company, Grezzole Villa is over 2,000 years old and was bought from the Nuvalas by the Trotts in 2451IC. The barracks were not large, with space for fewer than 500 mercenaries plus stabling, but the surrounding land was fertile, defensible, and fortified, and Marauder companies seeking employment in the city-states of Tilea often camped there. The ownership of Grezzole Villa by House Trott was a point of deep contention in Miragliano, although that didn't stop the principality from offering several lucrative contracts to the Marauders.
Ligondella – Bilbali
The island-based Marauder holdings near Ligondella in Bilbali were purchased by House Trott in 2104IC. Its long jetties harbour a fleet of six warships, significantly extending the reach of the mercenary outfit. This allowed the Marauders to operate in Estalia, Araby, the Borderlands, Norsca, and elsewhere. The barracks there were extensive, with space for over 3000, and additional lodging for 1500 more in nearby riverside fortifications that also had an impressive stables and kennels.
'It was when we saw the black flags that we knew we were doomed. It was the Marauders. Our officers were boasting that their walls were impregnable, but we knew we had to take action. You have to understand, the Marauders only give you one chance to surrender!'– Sergeant Bernd Alder, the Traitor of Transmere
Marauder Companies
This selected list presents some of the companies that comprised Trott's Marauders in early 2512IC. All companies in Trott's Marauders have the Trott demigryph head heraldry in the top-left corner of their banners.| Company | Commander | Troops | Posting | Banner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agbeiten Armbrustshutzen | Captain Martyn Schwartz | 300 | Black Rock | White crossbow on a black field | Crossbowmen who deserted from Wissenland in 2495; loyal to Nuvala Company |
| Blackhand's Border Spears | Commander Dolf Blackhand | 450 | Black Rock | White spear on a black field | Spearmen with engineering support |
| Dreaded Killers of Men | Gaffer Mercimillidinas Blackgrape IV | 150 | Black Rock | Crossed white forks on a black field | Logistics and support; frequently deployed with Ulfag's Maneaters |
| Fullagar's Companions | Commander Ulthar Fullagar | 150 | Black Rock | White elf skull on black field | Knights; veterans of many Nordland campaigns; known for its love of killing Elves |
| Georg's Gunners | Commander Georg Mansfeld | 450 | Ligondella | 3 Handguns on a black field | Handgunners with artillery support |
| Gravisi's Company | Condottiero Giorgio Gravisi | 600 | Ligondella and Kislev | Gold crown on a black field | Handgunners |
| Hellfire Twins | Chief Engineer Elsina Stoll | 50 | Black Rock | White cannon on a black field | Artillery and engineering support |
| Nuvala Company | Condottiere Lucita Nuvala | 2000 | Black Rock, Hendorf, and several smaller assignments | White skull and crossed pikes on black field | Semi-autonomous; own the Hendorf barracks and rent it to the Marauders; units of pike are supported by handgunners, swordsmen, archers, and artillery |
| Sabres of Glory | Commander Bolar the Wolf | 150 | Black Rock | Five overlapping golden sabres on a black field | Pistoliers and Light Cavalry |
| Ulfug's Mercenaries | Boss Ulfag Blacktooth | 300 | Black Rock | Gold Ulfag on black field | Ogre mercenaries; paid in meat. |
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