Difference between revisions of "The Mailed Fist"

From Woldipedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Benefits)
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
==Membership Requirements:==
 
==Membership Requirements:==
−
* '''Class:''' Any that wish to join, though most are fighters.
+
* '''Class:''' Any.  
−
* '''Level:''' Any. The Fist take on raw recruits just as readily as battle-hardened veterans.
+
* '''Level:''' Any.
−
* '''Race:''' Any. The Fist do not discriminate, and many of its finest fighters come from the monster races. If you can fight and follow orders, you're in.
+
* '''Race:''' Any.  
−
* '''Alignment:''' Most members tend to be lawful, with the majority of those lawful neutral. Extremes of Good and Evil have little place in the pragmatic world of soldiers for hire. Chaotically aligned recruits tend to have a hard time adapting to the strict discipline of Fist, but are often found serving as hirelings, or occasionally as members of Bear Regiment (see Organization below).
+
* '''Alignment:''' Tend to lawful (the better to fit in with the strong discipline).
−
* '''Deity:''' Any, though Jancassis, Wardd and Pantheon are probably best represented.
+
* '''Deity:''' Any, though Domi is most represented for skill in combat.
−
* '''Deed:''' Joining the Fist requires a physical, and trial by combat. Only those with skill or perceived potential are accepted. Once accepted a new recruit is contracted to stay with the Fist for 3 years. Anyone deserting during that period is hunted down and, if still alive, court martialed. In addition, you must agree to forego membership of any other adventuring organization. You belong to the Fist, body and soul.
+
* '''Deed:''' Sign a Contract.  
 
* '''Oath:''' "I swear to Serve the Fist, Live for the Fist, Die for the Fist"
 
* '''Oath:''' "I swear to Serve the Fist, Live for the Fist, Die for the Fist"
−
* '''Fee:''' None, though the Fist demand any loot taken in action is handed over. This rule is not always followed to the letter.
+
* '''Creed:''' “True Steel for Honest Coin”
 +
* '''Fee:''' See Below
 +
 
 
==Background:==
 
==Background:==
−
* '''Sphere of Influence:''' The Mailed Fist Now have fortresses and training facilities across the Peninsula. Only Aisildur has refused to allow the Fist to carry out its business on its soil.
+
* '''Sphere of Influence''': The Elennian Peninsula with branch offices and temporary unit presence as far as Rum and the Southern Continent.
−
* '''Ethos:''' "You pay, we fight." The Fist are at best morally ambiguous. They will undertake most jobs for money unless they are plainly illegal, and there is a risk of repercussions. They work for whoever is prepared to pay.
+
  
−
However they are not simply mindless thugs (well, not all of them). The Fist upholds iron discipline in its ranks. The penalty for rape or unauthorized looting and pillaging is death. Drunk troops making trouble in local Inns are brutally dealt with. Insubordination, desertion, and theft can all lead to a military execution. It doesn't pay to step out of line in the Fist.
+
* '''Ethos'''': The Fist is a conscientious elite mercenary company that fights on the right side for the right pay. It will not take a job in which the employer is plainly in the wrong. Further, each contract has a morals clause that lets the Fist break the contract if the employer used falsified information to hire the Fist.
−
==History:==
+
−
The Mailed Fist have been around for well over 100 years, but it is only in the last decade that their influence has been felt right across the Peninsula. Started as little more than an adventuring group hiring out their services to protect Fargunian townsfolk from Minotaur raiding parties, the Mailed Fist's early success allowed them to set up a sizeable mercenary outfit, operating exclusively in Fargunia. They existed at a level of between 500 and 1000 swords for several decades, growing into a tightly run military-style outfit. The Fist remained in this state until the rise to power of Thankasis of Fokos, one of the few spellcasters ever to achieve such a position of authority in the Fist. His tactical skills were surpassed only by his organizational and business acumen. Within five years the Fist had expanded well beyond the borders of Fargunia, and soon their services were being offered as far afield as New Elenna and the Emerald Kingdom. Thankasis' principle was simple; offer the highest quality service, buy out or force out competition, and organize to meet the demand created. He met with instant success. Today the Fist number in the high thousands, and are hired by everyone from merchants to governments. They even operate as the de facto standing army of Fargunia, and this service is certainly one which the Fist are keen to push. They dominate the mercenary market, and take a dim view of rival outfits.
+
−
==Organization:==
+
−
The Fist is a mercenary outfit, created to serve all needs. You can hire a single warrior to stand guard over your grain shed for a night, a team of 10 (including warriors and magical support) to protect your valuable caravan as you traverse the infamous Badlands, or even (if you are stupendously wealthy) hire an entire regiment to assist you in the faltering defense of your kingdom. Any fight can be fought, if the price is right.
+
  
−
The Fist is highly structured, and is split into a number of units of varying sizes. These are:
+
The Mailed Fist is a disciplined mercenary outfit. Training is tough, discipline is quick and sure, and morale is high, all of which makes the Mailed Fist one of the best mercenary outfits in the Wold. The Mailed Fist abides by both a kingdom’s local laws in which they operate and the Mailed Fist Code of Justice. Mercenaries accused of crimes involving locals are usually handed over to the local justice system, and breaking the Code is dealt with in the Fist. Justice is swift and sure; rape, unauthorized looting and pillaging, drunk and disorderly, insubordination, desertion, and theft can all lead to a military execution. Whether as a trooper, leader, or a specialist, it doesn't pay to step out of line in the Fist!
−
* Legion Fist: The Legion Fist is the smallest military infantry unit in the Mailed Fist. Each Fist consists of 5 soldiers and is led by at someone holding the minimum rank of Lance Corporal. The soldier in charge of a fist is known as a Thumb Corporal, Thumb Sergeant, or simply Thumb. The Thumb has absolute command over his Fist even if other members hold an equivalent rank. The Thumb reports to the noncommissioned officer in charge of his Squad. Legion Fists are always subordinate to other units, and while Thumbs have a small degree of tactical command in the midst of battle, they have no real ability to make strategic choices.
+
−
* Squad: A Squad typically consists of 2 or 3 Fists (10-15 men). Squads are led by noncommissioned officers. A Sergeant may command, but typically a Color Sergeant or higher is in control. The Squad Sergeant is not attached to any particular Fist in his Squad, and the Squad Sergeant has absolute command over his Squad even if other members hold equivalent rank. He reports to the officers in his Troop. Squads are always subordinate units, and while Squad Sergeants have a fair degree of tactical command in the midst of battle, they have no ability to make strategic decisions. Squads are typically dedicated to either swordsmen, spearmen, or archers.
+
−
* Troop: A Troop consists of 2 to 4 Squads (20-60 men). Troops are led by junior officers. There may be several junior officers in a troop, but there is only one Troop Officer. Other officers serve as the Troop officer's executives. Each Troop also has at least one chaplain who serves as the Troop healer. A Troop is the smallest infantry unit that may operate independently. However, in battle, troops are usually attached to a Company. This gives Troop Officers a minor degree of strategic control and a large tactical responsibility. Troops may be formed from any mixture of sword, spear, and archer squads.
+
−
* Dragoon Fist: A Dragon Fist consists of 5 Knights of the Fist. Dragoon Fists serve as cavalry, and the Thumb of a Dragoon Fist is a Junior Officer who has not yet been given command of a Troop. Since all members of a Dragoon Fist are officers, they do not report to a Squad or Troop. Instead the Thumb of a Dragoon Fist reports directly to the Company Commander. This allows Dragoon Fists to take a variety of independent actions, and the Dragoon Thumb has a minor degree of strategic control and a large tactical responsibility.
+
−
* Arcane Fist: An Arcane Fist consists of 5 arcane casters. These casters may be of a variety of ranks, and the Mage Thumb reports directly to the Company or Regiment commander depending on the experience of the Fist
+
−
* Company: A Company consists of 3 to 6 Troops, 1 to 10 Dragoon Fists, and possibly one or more Mage Fists (100 to 500 men). Typically, a Senior Officer serves as the Company Officer. Companies often act independently on the battlefield, and the officers in charge must understand foot, mounted, and magical tactics. Company Officers report to their Regiment's Officer. Company Officers have a fair degree of strategic control, but their tactical control may only be marginal. Quarter Masters and Warrant Officers typically work at the Company level. They work in the Company Officer's staff and perform mundane supply and organizational functions for the Company while learning the principles of command.
+
−
* Regiment: A Regiment consists of 2-6 Companies plus the necessary supply and support personnel (500 to 3000 men). There are five regiments in the Mailed Fist, each is named for a totem animal: Bear, Eagle, Snake, Tiger, and Wolf. A General Officer always serves as Regimental Commander. Regiments almost always act independently. This gives the Regimental Commander a high degree of strategic command. However, the sheer number of troops in his command severely hampers tactical control. Regiment commanders enjoy a great deal of freedom, but ultimately they report to the Field Marshall Major of the Fist, Thankasis of Fokos.
+
  
−
Unit names follow the following pattern:
+
The leaders of the Mailed Fist recognize that they can be a great hammer, but all problems are not nails. Sometimes, the Fist is hired for more‘ independent-minded’ work, and this is where their Specialist Program comes in. The Mailed Fist trains and maintains connections with adventurers in every region of the Northern Continent of Yrth. In exchange for training and access to information and equipment, a Mailed Fist Specialist pays a retainer fee and may be called upon by any Mailed Fist Officer on an as needed basis. A specialist failing to answer a call is listed as deserted.
−
* Regiments = Animals
+
−
* Companies = weather or weapons
+
−
* Troops = letters
+
−
* Squads = number and type
+
−
* Fists = name of the Thumb.
+
  
−
So a specific Legion Fist could be identified by the following: Tiger Regiment. Storm Company. H Troop. 2nd Archers. Maloy's Fist.
+
The training, the honorable iron word of their contracts, and their ability to augment their local presence with a core of specialists makes the Mailed Fist the most respected and feared mercenary outfit in the Wold!
  
−
A Dragoon Fist by: Wolf Regiment. Hurricane Company. Cromwell's Dragoons.
+
==Benefits==
 +
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"
 +
|-
 +
|+'''Table: Benefits'''
 +
|- style="background:#efefef;"
 +
!Title!!Required PC Level!!GP Cost!!Benefit
 +
|- align="left"
 +
|Specialist||2||200||Armory
 +
|- align="left"
 +
|Specialist 2||4||3000||Team Tactics / Team Feat
 +
|- align="left"
 +
|Specialist 3||8||5000||Team Training
 +
|- align="left"
 +
|Specialist 4||12||3800||Team Feat
 +
|- align="left"
 +
|Master Specialist||16||5000||Team Captain
 +
|}
  
−
And an Arcane Fist by: Eagle Regiment. Dagger Company. Fitzhume's Arcane.
 
  
−
The Fist have grown rapidly in number. Some estimate they may now have up to 10,000 troops spread across the Peninsula. These troops are housed within five fortresses, and each fortress is home to a single Regiment of the Fist. Although each regiments contains a full range of infantry, cavalry, magical and support personnel, the emphasis is different from regiment to regiment.
+
'''Armory: '''The Mailed Fist keeps a great inventory of arms and armor at The Citadel. All Fist posts possess a special magic item that allows transportation of arms and armor to ensure the right tools are at the right place for the job. A Specialist can swap non-magical weapons and armor for any other weapon in the core rulebook. A Specialist 2 can swap magical weapons and armor.  The item swapped must be within like categories of mundane, masterwork, and magical. Magical items swapped must have similar enhancement bonuses, and weapons stored in fist armories never have special qualities. Abusing the system for financial gain is theft (See Background).
  
−
* Bear Regiment: Commanded by Runkuk the Undying, the legendary 7 foot tall hill warrior and greatest of the barbarians of the Grimmash Tribe. He is clearly distinguishable, not only due to his great height, but from the huge shock of unruly black hair on his head, and the immense axe Brainbiter he carries everywhere with him. Based in Condor's Keep high in the Windborne Hills, Bear Regiment is the wild regiment, home to berserkers, monsters and wild huntsmen. Discipline in this regiment, although strict, is somewhat looser than in other regiments, as it is understood these warriors tend to fight best when given some leeway. Regardless, the tactical and support structure is as ruthlessly efficient as any other regiment.
+
'''Teamwork Feat:''' The Mailed Fist are masters at disciplined teamwork and have techniques found nowhere else in the Wold. At Spec 2 and Spec 4, the Specialist gains one Teamwork Feat available from the Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide. Only APG team feats are available. Teamwork Feats “Lookout” and “Swap Places” are not allowed.
−
* Wolf Regiment: Commanded by the dashing Pavillon Nuterius, Wolf Regiment are predominantly a cavalry unit. Housed in the sprawling fortress complex of Ranashir on the Western border of Izen and overlooking Blackbird Lake, Wolf are universally feared for their peerless martial equine skills.
+
−
* Tiger Regiment: Commanded by the aging Gunter Farias, a ruthlessly efficient and no-nonsense career soldier. The New Elennan regiment, recently moved into the purpose-built fortress of Tiger's Eye outside of Edenmoor, are predominantly an infantry regiment.
+
−
* Snake Regiment: Commanded by the beautiful and deadly Merina "Bloodblade" Swain. Based in the fortress of Kranah's Crag outside of Osto, Snake are specialist sappers, engineers, scouts and infiltration experts. although they too have a fully military structure.
+
−
* Eagle Regiment: Commanded by the half-elven mage Torsus Minek, a man short on temper but long on experience, This regiment, based in the cliff top citadel the Eyrie, specializes in martial magics. This is the original Mailed Fist fortresses, based near Wedding City in Fargunia.
+
  
−
In addition to these regiments there is talk of a new regiment under development in Fargunia, though they may ultimately be based at a new fortress that is under construction in Zarthmoor. This fledgling regiment, known as Shark Regiment, is planned as an aquatic force, and will be aimed at providing protection to shipping lines from pirates and sea beasts. Troops and support ships will be available for hire. Considering the sheer tonnage of shipping lost each year it seems likely that Thankasis' unerring business sense will strike gold once again.
+
'''Team Tactics: '''Mailed Fist techniques enable specialists to utilize their training even with an untrained ally, including those who are not Mailed Fist members. As a swift action, a Specialist can treat an ally as if they had a teamwork feat the Specialist knows. This effect lasts one round. (Note: only the specialist benefits from the TW feat. A TW feat that benefits an ally only benefits that ally.) This ability is usable once per Specialist rank per day (2/day Spec 2; 3/day Spec3; 4/day Spec4; 5/day Master Specialist).
  
−
Regimental hierarchy follows the standard military path, as follows. Pay for each rank is included.
+
'''Team Training: '''The Specialist may pay to undergo a 5-day advanced training course at The Citadel. The training provides great insight in leading and helping others in battle. At the start of each day, a specialist can go over the ins-and-outs of a teamwork feat with a single ally (ie, any friendly creature). For the entire day, that ally is treated as knowing one teamwork feat the Specialist possesses, but only for the purposes of the specialist activating his own teamwork feats. The ally chosen can change each day. This does not replace Team Tactics.
−
* 1 Recruit = 5 gold
+
−
* 2 Recruit Proficient = 6 gold
+
−
* 3 Trooper = 8 gold
+
−
* 4 Lance Corporal = 10 gold
+
−
* 5 Corporal = 12 gold
+
  
−
Noncommissioned Officers
+
'''Team Captain: '''Master of teamwork, the Master Specialist gains the following benefits:
−
* 6 Sergeant = 15 gold
+
- Team Training benefits both the Specialist and the Ally can use the trained feat for his own purposes. They both effectively gain the feat with no conditions.
−
* 7 Color Sergeant = 18 gold
+
- Team Training effect lasts until a new ally is trained in a feat.
−
* 8 Master Sergeant = 20 gold
+
−
* 9 Quarter Master = 25 gold
+
  
−
Petty Officers
+
==History==
−
* 11 Warrant Officer = 35 gold
+
−
* 12 Knight of the Fist = 50 gold
+
  
−
Junior Officers
+
The Mailed Fist has been around for more than a century, but their influence grew in the decade before the Year of Ascension. Their origins were as an adventuring group hiring out their services to protect Fargunian townsfolk from Minotaur raiding parties. This early success allowed them to set up a tightly run mercenary company operating in Fargunia for several decades.
−
* 12 Under Knight Lieutenant = 60 gold
+
−
* 13 Knight Lieutenant = 75 gold
+
−
* 14 Knight Captain = 85 gold
+
  
−
Senior Officers
+
Then Thankasis of Fokos, a spellcaster and strategist, became commander. Within five years the Fist had expanded well beyond the borders of Fargunia, and soon their services were being offered as far as the Floating City in the east and Rum in the west. Thankasis' principle was simple; offer the highest quality service, buy out or force out competition, and organize to meet the demand created.
−
* 15 Commandant = 100 gold
+
−
* 16 Under Colonel = 125 gold
+
−
* 17 Colonel = 175 gold
+
  
−
General Officers
+
Today the Mailed Fist is a multi-company organization and is hired by everyone from merchants to governments, and even operates as part of the standing army of Fargunia. They dominate the mercenary market, and take a dim view of rival outfits
−
* 18 Brigadier General = 300 gold
+
−
* 19 General of the Fist = 400 gold
+
−
* 20 Field Marshall = 500 gold
+
  
−
* Legion Thumbs receive an extra 2 gold per month.
+
==Organization==
−
* Squad Leaders receive an extra 3 gold per month
+
While most mercenary outfits are one company, the Mailed Fist is several companies strong! The training an internal organization gives commanders flexibility to serve all needs. A buyer can hire a single warrior to stand guard at grain shed for a night, or the entire regiment to assist in the faltering defense of a kingdom! Any righteous fight will be fought, if the price is right.
−
* Dragoon and Arcane Thumbs receive an extra 8 gold per month.
+
−
* Troop Officers receive an extra 10 gold per month.
+
−
* Company Commanders receive an extra 20 gold per month.
+
−
* Regiment Generals receive an extra 75 gold per month.
+
  
−
In addition to pay, members of the Fist are entitled to other financial compensation such as room & board, arms & armor, and access to healing services.
+
The Mailed Fist is highly structured from the individual trooper to the regiment.
 +
*Trooper: The best asset of the Mailed Fist is the well-disciplined warrior. It takes three years of tough, sometimes brutal training to make a Mailed Fist Trooper, and no Fist leader will use them unwisely.
 +
*Legion Fist: Each Legion Fist consists of 4 soldiers plus leader, usually a Lance Corporal or Sergeant and known as the Thumb. The Thumb has command over his Fist regardless of individual rank. Fists are almost always organized by similar weapons; sword, spear, bow, mounted, arcane, healer, etc.
 +
*Squad: 2 or 3 Fists (10-20 total) led by Sergeants
 +
*Troop: 2 to 3 Squads (20-60 total) led by an Officer, usually Lieutenant.
 +
*Company: up to 5 Troops, some specialty fists like Agents, and support personnel (100-300 total). An Officer serves as the Company Commander and has a staff of Sergeants and Officers that includes Recruiter, Information, Planning, Quarter Master, Beast Master and possibly others for various functions. Companies often act independently. There are five companies in the Mailed Fist, each named for a totem animal.
 +
*Regiment: The entire Mailed Fist. The commander is the Field Marshal Major and has a General Staff of Field Marshals similar to a company but organizes at the regimental level.
  
−
Additional pay may be awarded for hazard conditions, rewards, additional service, reimbursement, or other suitable reasons. Pay may be diminished as a means of punishment for derilection of duty. The Company and Regimental Quartermasters oversee payroll for officers and noncoms alike. The Quartermasters operate under strict guidelines, and overpayment, underpayment, or any other misuse of funds will result in court martial. Promotion is attained through merit; combat prowess, organizational or tactical aptitude determine the path a member of the Fist will follow.
+
Unit names follow the following pattern:
−
 
+
*Companies = Animals (Bear, Eagle, Snake, Tiger, and Wolf)
−
Most members live in barracks in the fortresses, although certain members are given roaming remits. The Fist also take on hirelings for certain specialized tasks. Remuneration is on a case by case basis. It is unknown how many of these hirelings the Fist can call upon. These hirelings must also swear allegiance to the Fist, and are sworn to report to the nearest regiment should a Call to Arms be issued. This only ever takes place during times of war or great crisis.
+
*Troops = Energy Type (Ice, Fire, Thunder, Electric, Acid)
−
 
+
*Squads = Number and Weapon Type (1st, 2nd, 3rd; Archers, Swords, Pikes, Cavalry, Arcane, Divine, etc)
−
Most large towns and all major cities outside of Aisildur have a Mailed Fist office. These small shops serve as recruiting centers and business premises for clients to visit. Only the wealthiest, most important clients will be invited back to a fortress.
+
*Fists = Name of the Thumb.
−
 
+
Example: a specific Legion Fist would proudly announce “Tiger Company, Thunder Troop, 2nd Archers, Malloy's Fist!”
−
==Headquarters:==
+
−
Although the fortresses operate as largely autonomous units, central control is held by Thankasis, the Fist Commander in Chief, based at the Eyrie in Fargunia, an imposing cliff top fortress of black stone.
+
−
==Politics:==
+
−
It has not escaped the attention of even the dullest of Woldian leaders that in the past decade or so a major Woldian player has emerged. Given the size and effectiveness of the Fist, they would make a formidable foe were they ever to unite regiments and launch an assault on a kingdom. These fears have been calmed somewhat by the Fist's unswerving adherence to their creed: "You pay, we fight". The Fist has never, under any circumstances, fought battles in its own self interest. At least not publicly. Even during the pitched battles that marked the Year of Ascension the Fist maintained their position, refusing to fight for either side because neither was prepared to pay. This made a lot of important people very angry, but the wisdom of their decision can be seen in retrospect; they have preserved their air of total neutrality in political events. It is perhaps fortunate for the Fist that the armies of Marteaus never offered to pay for their services.
+
  
−
Even so any leader would be a fool to allow a fortress full of well armed, highly trained troops to exist within their borders without some kind of concrete assurance of non-aggression. It is for this reason that each commander of the local regiment is oath-bonded to never attack or indirectly cause harm to their local government.
+
Regimental hierarchy follows a standard military rank/path. This generally aligns with a range of PC or NPC levels, but there is some skills overlap that accounts for individual abilities. There are also exceptions for elite units…
 +
*Trooper (1-5)
 +
*Lance Corporal/ Corporal (3-7)
 +
*Sergeant [Squad, Master, Staff] (6-10)
 +
*Officer [Lieutenant, Captain] (9-13)
 +
*Regimental Officer [Commandant, Field Marshall] (10-20)
  
−
In this way the Mailed Fist have set up fortresses in a number of kingdoms, and their services are allowed in a number of others (such as the Emerald Kingdom). Only Aisildur completely refuses them access. Their relations with local governments are on the whole cordial and constructive.
+
==Headquarters==
 +
Most large towns and all major cities in the Elennian Penninsula (but not in Aisildur) have a Mailed Fist branch office. Offices can be found in other places as well, even as far away as Rum. These small shops serve as recruiting centers for new troopers, business premises for clients to visit, and training and resupply stations for units and specialists on contract. Shops are usually run by a Sergeant, though Lance Corporals or Officers are possible depending on the situation.
  
−
Even this has not prevented whispers of conspiracy in certain quarters. What is to stop the regiments from swapping over, and attacking governments with whom they have no agreement, it is asked. Imagine if all the regiments grouped together to form a single mighty army. What if they fancied taking over a kingdom for themselves? Of course, this sort of thing would never happen in the real Wold. The Fist's raison d'etre is commercial, and the moment they show political aspirations of their own, their commercial downfall is assured.
+
While there are temporary camps in many places depending on who is paying the Mailed Fist at any particular time, the only permanent facilities are Company Strongholds and The Citadel.
  
−
It is interesting to note that at one point the Chancers' Club's Inner Circle had concerns that Thankasis might be a Shadow Council agent, and that the entire Fist might be nothing more than an elaborate front designed to place standing armies within the borders of governments across the Wold in preparation for a Shadow Council global domination attempt. These fears have been largely discounted by most as being totally without foundation, though there are some who still view the Fist's Commander in Chief with deep suspicion. Why, they ask, has he seemingly not aged a day in the last 15 years? Others argue that he has done nothing wrong, is simply a highly successful businessman, and that keeping one's youthful good looks is hardly a crime.
+
The Citadel, the oldest of all Mailed Fist strongholds, sits on a cliff overlooking the Plactik Ocean between Wedding City and Ham City in the westernmost part of the Elennian Peninsula. The current Field Marshal Major is Pavillion Neutronis, the dashing cavalry commander. The Citadel is also the main base for the General Staff and Recruiter Training.
  
−
The Fist take a dim view of business rivals, and relations with such adventuring outfits as the WLA are frosty. They are not openly hostile, however.
+
Company Strongholds are:
 +
*Wolf Company: Commander: Constance Palance, a tall blond woman who is death with a sword and lance. Housed in The Citadel, the original Mailed Fist stronghold, the Wolf are feared for their prowess at mounted combat.
 +
*Bear Company: Commander: Runkuk the Undying, the legendary 7 foot tall barbarian of the Grimmash Tribe. His great height, unruly black hair, and his immense axe, Brainbiter, make him unmistakable. Based in Condor's Keep high in the Windborne Hills, Bear Company is the wild company, home to berserkers, monsters and wild huntsmen.
 +
*Tiger Company: Commander: the aging Gunter Farias, a ruthlessly efficient and no-nonsense career soldier. The Tiger's Eye Fortress outside of Edenmoor, houses this predominantly infantry company.
 +
*Snake Company: Commander: the beautiful and deadly Merina "Bloodblade" Swain. Based in the fortress of Kranah's Crag outside of Osto, Snake are specialist sappers, engineers, scouts and infiltration experts, though they too have a full military structure.
 +
*Eagle Company: Commander: the half-elven mage Torsus Minek, a man short on temper but long on experience. This company, based in the cliff-top citadel the Eyrie, specializes in martial magics.
 +
*A new company is rumored under development at The Citadel. Known as Shark Company, it is planned as an aquatic force, and will be aimed at providing protection to shipping lines from pirates and sea beasts.
  
−
==Benefits:==
+
==Politics==
−
* '''Prestige:''' Fist members command instant respect. They are recognized as hardy, well disciplined warriors, and though their morals may be questionable the aura of power by association they project is enough to prevent most from making insulting remarks. Those few that do tend to be very drunk, and sometime later, very dead.
+
The Fist has never, under any circumstances, fought battles in its own self-interest and they maintain an unswerving adherence to their creed: "True Steel for Honest Coin”. Even during the pitched battles that marked the Year of Ascension, the Fist refused to fight because neither side was prepared to pay. This made a lot of important people very angry, but the wisdom of their decision can be seen in retrospect; they have preserved their air of total neutrality in political events. Because they are strictly neutral politically, relations with most local governments are generally cordial and constructive. Only Aisildur completely refuses them access. Relations with organized adventuring groups (especially the Woldian League of Adventurers) are frosty but not openly hostile.
  
−
There is also the issue of job satisfaction. Mailed Fist recruiting posters bear the slogan "Join the Fist. See the Wold. Crack some skulls. It's a man's life in the Mailed Fist." There are plenty who find this reason enough to join.
+
Of special consideration during contracts is precedence of jurisdiction; does the law of whatever land supersede the code of the Mailed Fist? This is a political question because if the Mailed FIst can’t maintain understandings with the various governments then they won’t be able to get the jobs! Fortunately, the Mailed Fist has already settled the matter with the major governments in Yrth.
 +
The Citadel. The Field Marshal Major is also Lord of the Citadel in Faragunia, and has the power to judge and sentence anyone in his domain. Because of this, all Mailed Fist capital crimes and executions happen at The Citadel.
 +
Local Governments. Every trooper knows that in any crime involving a local, the local government has jurisprudence. After any local punishment is over, the trooper then has to face the Mailed Fist!
  
−
* '''Information:''' As a senior officer in the Fist there is little in terms of Woldian current events that escapes your attention. Knowledge is power, and power is money. Keeping abreast of events large and small enables the Fist to be in the right place at the right time to provide their services.
+
Non-judicial. Officers are the sole arbiter of violations of the Mailed Fist Code (except for capital crimes). Punishments can include docking pay, restrictions, extra duty, and other hardships. For more minor infractions, the Sergeants usually don’t let it get to the Officers, preferring a right cross and a warning to endless paperwork.
−
* '''Financial:''' As a member of a standing army, members are entitled to pay. This varies by rank (see Organization). Also troops have access to free arms and armour, starting with a chain shirt for lowly new recruits, up to suits of magical full plate for senior officers. New items are granted at promotion ceremonies.
+
−
* '''Training:''' Members are put through a punishing basic training regime. All members that sign up for a tour of duty gain the feat Toughness. Also, upon gaining an officer rank, the Leadership feat is gained.
+

Latest revision as of 19:15, 14 July 2016

The Mailed Fist is the largest mercenary outfit on the Elennian Peninsula. Disciplined, highly trained and tactically astute, the warriors of the Fist are a remorseless foe or a powerful ally... for a price.

Membership Requirements:

  • Class: Any.
  • Level: Any.
  • Race: Any.
  • Alignment: Tend to lawful (the better to fit in with the strong discipline).
  • Deity: Any, though Domi is most represented for skill in combat.
  • Deed: Sign a Contract.
  • Oath: "I swear to Serve the Fist, Live for the Fist, Die for the Fist"
  • Creed: “True Steel for Honest Coin”
  • Fee: See Below

Background:

  • Sphere of Influence: The Elennian Peninsula with branch offices and temporary unit presence as far as Rum and the Southern Continent.
  • Ethos': The Fist is a conscientious elite mercenary company that fights on the right side for the right pay. It will not take a job in which the employer is plainly in the wrong. Further, each contract has a morals clause that lets the Fist break the contract if the employer used falsified information to hire the Fist.

The Mailed Fist is a disciplined mercenary outfit. Training is tough, discipline is quick and sure, and morale is high, all of which makes the Mailed Fist one of the best mercenary outfits in the Wold. The Mailed Fist abides by both a kingdom’s local laws in which they operate and the Mailed Fist Code of Justice. Mercenaries accused of crimes involving locals are usually handed over to the local justice system, and breaking the Code is dealt with in the Fist. Justice is swift and sure; rape, unauthorized looting and pillaging, drunk and disorderly, insubordination, desertion, and theft can all lead to a military execution. Whether as a trooper, leader, or a specialist, it doesn't pay to step out of line in the Fist!

The leaders of the Mailed Fist recognize that they can be a great hammer, but all problems are not nails. Sometimes, the Fist is hired for more‘ independent-minded’ work, and this is where their Specialist Program comes in. The Mailed Fist trains and maintains connections with adventurers in every region of the Northern Continent of Yrth. In exchange for training and access to information and equipment, a Mailed Fist Specialist pays a retainer fee and may be called upon by any Mailed Fist Officer on an as needed basis. A specialist failing to answer a call is listed as deserted.

The training, the honorable iron word of their contracts, and their ability to augment their local presence with a core of specialists makes the Mailed Fist the most respected and feared mercenary outfit in the Wold!

Benefits

Table: Benefits
Title Required PC Level GP Cost Benefit
Specialist 2 200 Armory
Specialist 2 4 3000 Team Tactics / Team Feat
Specialist 3 8 5000 Team Training
Specialist 4 12 3800 Team Feat
Master Specialist 16 5000 Team Captain


Armory: The Mailed Fist keeps a great inventory of arms and armor at The Citadel. All Fist posts possess a special magic item that allows transportation of arms and armor to ensure the right tools are at the right place for the job. A Specialist can swap non-magical weapons and armor for any other weapon in the core rulebook. A Specialist 2 can swap magical weapons and armor. The item swapped must be within like categories of mundane, masterwork, and magical. Magical items swapped must have similar enhancement bonuses, and weapons stored in fist armories never have special qualities. Abusing the system for financial gain is theft (See Background).

Teamwork Feat: The Mailed Fist are masters at disciplined teamwork and have techniques found nowhere else in the Wold. At Spec 2 and Spec 4, the Specialist gains one Teamwork Feat available from the Pathfinder Advanced Players Guide. Only APG team feats are available. Teamwork Feats “Lookout” and “Swap Places” are not allowed.

Team Tactics: Mailed Fist techniques enable specialists to utilize their training even with an untrained ally, including those who are not Mailed Fist members. As a swift action, a Specialist can treat an ally as if they had a teamwork feat the Specialist knows. This effect lasts one round. (Note: only the specialist benefits from the TW feat. A TW feat that benefits an ally only benefits that ally.) This ability is usable once per Specialist rank per day (2/day Spec 2; 3/day Spec3; 4/day Spec4; 5/day Master Specialist).

Team Training: The Specialist may pay to undergo a 5-day advanced training course at The Citadel. The training provides great insight in leading and helping others in battle. At the start of each day, a specialist can go over the ins-and-outs of a teamwork feat with a single ally (ie, any friendly creature). For the entire day, that ally is treated as knowing one teamwork feat the Specialist possesses, but only for the purposes of the specialist activating his own teamwork feats. The ally chosen can change each day. This does not replace Team Tactics.

Team Captain: Master of teamwork, the Master Specialist gains the following benefits: - Team Training benefits both the Specialist and the Ally can use the trained feat for his own purposes. They both effectively gain the feat with no conditions. - Team Training effect lasts until a new ally is trained in a feat.

History

The Mailed Fist has been around for more than a century, but their influence grew in the decade before the Year of Ascension. Their origins were as an adventuring group hiring out their services to protect Fargunian townsfolk from Minotaur raiding parties. This early success allowed them to set up a tightly run mercenary company operating in Fargunia for several decades.

Then Thankasis of Fokos, a spellcaster and strategist, became commander. Within five years the Fist had expanded well beyond the borders of Fargunia, and soon their services were being offered as far as the Floating City in the east and Rum in the west. Thankasis' principle was simple; offer the highest quality service, buy out or force out competition, and organize to meet the demand created.

Today the Mailed Fist is a multi-company organization and is hired by everyone from merchants to governments, and even operates as part of the standing army of Fargunia. They dominate the mercenary market, and take a dim view of rival outfits

Organization

While most mercenary outfits are one company, the Mailed Fist is several companies strong! The training an internal organization gives commanders flexibility to serve all needs. A buyer can hire a single warrior to stand guard at grain shed for a night, or the entire regiment to assist in the faltering defense of a kingdom! Any righteous fight will be fought, if the price is right.

The Mailed Fist is highly structured from the individual trooper to the regiment.

  • Trooper: The best asset of the Mailed Fist is the well-disciplined warrior. It takes three years of tough, sometimes brutal training to make a Mailed Fist Trooper, and no Fist leader will use them unwisely.
  • Legion Fist: Each Legion Fist consists of 4 soldiers plus leader, usually a Lance Corporal or Sergeant and known as the Thumb. The Thumb has command over his Fist regardless of individual rank. Fists are almost always organized by similar weapons; sword, spear, bow, mounted, arcane, healer, etc.
  • Squad: 2 or 3 Fists (10-20 total) led by Sergeants
  • Troop: 2 to 3 Squads (20-60 total) led by an Officer, usually Lieutenant.
  • Company: up to 5 Troops, some specialty fists like Agents, and support personnel (100-300 total). An Officer serves as the Company Commander and has a staff of Sergeants and Officers that includes Recruiter, Information, Planning, Quarter Master, Beast Master and possibly others for various functions. Companies often act independently. There are five companies in the Mailed Fist, each named for a totem animal.
  • Regiment: The entire Mailed Fist. The commander is the Field Marshal Major and has a General Staff of Field Marshals similar to a company but organizes at the regimental level.

Unit names follow the following pattern:

  • Companies = Animals (Bear, Eagle, Snake, Tiger, and Wolf)
  • Troops = Energy Type (Ice, Fire, Thunder, Electric, Acid)
  • Squads = Number and Weapon Type (1st, 2nd, 3rd; Archers, Swords, Pikes, Cavalry, Arcane, Divine, etc)
  • Fists = Name of the Thumb.

Example: a specific Legion Fist would proudly announce “Tiger Company, Thunder Troop, 2nd Archers, Malloy's Fist!”

Regimental hierarchy follows a standard military rank/path. This generally aligns with a range of PC or NPC levels, but there is some skills overlap that accounts for individual abilities. There are also exceptions for elite units…

  • Trooper (1-5)
  • Lance Corporal/ Corporal (3-7)
  • Sergeant [Squad, Master, Staff] (6-10)
  • Officer [Lieutenant, Captain] (9-13)
  • Regimental Officer [Commandant, Field Marshall] (10-20)

Headquarters

Most large towns and all major cities in the Elennian Penninsula (but not in Aisildur) have a Mailed Fist branch office. Offices can be found in other places as well, even as far away as Rum. These small shops serve as recruiting centers for new troopers, business premises for clients to visit, and training and resupply stations for units and specialists on contract. Shops are usually run by a Sergeant, though Lance Corporals or Officers are possible depending on the situation.

While there are temporary camps in many places depending on who is paying the Mailed Fist at any particular time, the only permanent facilities are Company Strongholds and The Citadel.

The Citadel, the oldest of all Mailed Fist strongholds, sits on a cliff overlooking the Plactik Ocean between Wedding City and Ham City in the westernmost part of the Elennian Peninsula. The current Field Marshal Major is Pavillion Neutronis, the dashing cavalry commander. The Citadel is also the main base for the General Staff and Recruiter Training.

Company Strongholds are:

  • Wolf Company: Commander: Constance Palance, a tall blond woman who is death with a sword and lance. Housed in The Citadel, the original Mailed Fist stronghold, the Wolf are feared for their prowess at mounted combat.
  • Bear Company: Commander: Runkuk the Undying, the legendary 7 foot tall barbarian of the Grimmash Tribe. His great height, unruly black hair, and his immense axe, Brainbiter, make him unmistakable. Based in Condor's Keep high in the Windborne Hills, Bear Company is the wild company, home to berserkers, monsters and wild huntsmen.
  • Tiger Company: Commander: the aging Gunter Farias, a ruthlessly efficient and no-nonsense career soldier. The Tiger's Eye Fortress outside of Edenmoor, houses this predominantly infantry company.
  • Snake Company: Commander: the beautiful and deadly Merina "Bloodblade" Swain. Based in the fortress of Kranah's Crag outside of Osto, Snake are specialist sappers, engineers, scouts and infiltration experts, though they too have a full military structure.
  • Eagle Company: Commander: the half-elven mage Torsus Minek, a man short on temper but long on experience. This company, based in the cliff-top citadel the Eyrie, specializes in martial magics.
  • A new company is rumored under development at The Citadel. Known as Shark Company, it is planned as an aquatic force, and will be aimed at providing protection to shipping lines from pirates and sea beasts.

Politics

The Fist has never, under any circumstances, fought battles in its own self-interest and they maintain an unswerving adherence to their creed: "True Steel for Honest Coin”. Even during the pitched battles that marked the Year of Ascension, the Fist refused to fight because neither side was prepared to pay. This made a lot of important people very angry, but the wisdom of their decision can be seen in retrospect; they have preserved their air of total neutrality in political events. Because they are strictly neutral politically, relations with most local governments are generally cordial and constructive. Only Aisildur completely refuses them access. Relations with organized adventuring groups (especially the Woldian League of Adventurers) are frosty but not openly hostile.

Of special consideration during contracts is precedence of jurisdiction; does the law of whatever land supersede the code of the Mailed Fist? This is a political question because if the Mailed FIst can’t maintain understandings with the various governments then they won’t be able to get the jobs! Fortunately, the Mailed Fist has already settled the matter with the major governments in Yrth. The Citadel. The Field Marshal Major is also Lord of the Citadel in Faragunia, and has the power to judge and sentence anyone in his domain. Because of this, all Mailed Fist capital crimes and executions happen at The Citadel. Local Governments. Every trooper knows that in any crime involving a local, the local government has jurisprudence. After any local punishment is over, the trooper then has to face the Mailed Fist!

Non-judicial. Officers are the sole arbiter of violations of the Mailed Fist Code (except for capital crimes). Punishments can include docking pay, restrictions, extra duty, and other hardships. For more minor infractions, the Sergeants usually don’t let it get to the Officers, preferring a right cross and a warning to endless paperwork.

Retrieved from "http://www.woldiangames.com/Woldipedia/index.php?title=The_Mailed_Fist&oldid=14339"