Eiðbundinn (ˈei̯θ.bun.dinː)
The Eiðbundinn are the last of the old Dragonslayer Companies still operating, and provide a unique set of services not offered by most mercenary companies. They deal with the kind of problems that require special training and skills, and an Eiðbundinn unit will have specialists in a wide variety of areas, far beyond what most soldiers will involve themselves in. They can be contracted to perform bodyguard duty, pull off a heist, or clear out a problematic nest of Dungeon Squirrels. And if you have a dragon problem? They'll take that job too - but it isn't cheap.
The Eiðbundinn were founded during the Age of Warlocks when a group of Eyjamaður prisoners convinced their captors to exchange their freedom for a five-year oath of service. Their name is Eyjamannaræða for 'Oathbound' and they take those oaths very seriously. Their first employers used them as monster-slayers, considering them to be more expendable than other troops. They surprised everyone by surviving and succeeding, and began to build a reputation. Soon, they had people looking to join them, hoping for a share of the glory and the legend. When the initial five-year terms ended, the company transitioned to operating as a mercenary company that would take on any monster a client needed them to. New recruits still swore the oaths of service, but now it was to the company itself, not to any particular person.
As dragons and other monsters grew rarer, the Eiðbundinn expanded their portfolio to include other services, building their reputation on being versatile and creative. They began to expand beyond their skills beyond combat, and a modern Eiðbundinn unit will include people skilled in lockpicking, stealth, Folk Magic, and other more esoteric things.
The Eiðbundinn are headquartered in the city of Dunwulf, in the kingdom of Bernicia. They have long-standing contracts with several organizations, including the Kendari Couriers and the Lorekeepers of Foxbridge. They were also contracted by the House of Klüpfuchs to provide special training to the Young Foxes, a few of whom have even served in the company for a time. They have representatives in all the major cities of the Great Ring. If you have a problem and no one else can help, the Eiðbundinn are often the best choice.
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