# ### **Basic Information** - **Name:** The Blades of Exile - **Alias/Nicknames:** The Exiles, The Banished Blades, The Outcast Swords - **Type:** Mercenary Company/Exiled Swordlords - **Symbol/Emblem:** A broken sword crossed with an intact one against a crimson field, surrounded by seven silver stars - **Headquarters/Base of Operations:** A fortified compound outside Mivon in the River Kingdoms - **Scale & Reach:** Regional influence throughout the River Kingdoms, with operations extending into southern Brevoy and northern Pitax ### **Purpose & Goals** - **Primary Objective:** To provide elite mercenary services while building enough power and influence to eventually reclaim their positions in Rostland society - **Core Ideology:** Skill and honor in combat transcend political allegiances; exile is temporary for those with the strength to forge their own destiny - **Methods & Operations:** Military contracts, specialized combat operations, training of elite units, and strategic political alliances - **Notable Activities:** - Providing security for merchant caravans through dangerous territories - Training local militias in frontier settlements - Conducting specialized military operations for paying clients - Gathering intelligence on Brevoy's political situation - Maintaining a network of contacts among other exiled Rostlanders ### **Structure & Leadership** - **Leader(s):** Captain Vassik Redblade, former Aldori Swordlord exiled from Rostland - **Hierarchy & Ranks:** - **The Captain** – Vassik Redblade, supreme commander and founder - **The Seven** – Senior officers, each commanding a specialized division - **Blade Lieutenants** – Veteran fighters who lead smaller units - **Sworn Blades** – Full members who have proven their worth - **Blade Recruits** – Probationary members undergoing training - **Associates** – Non-combatant support staff and specialists - **Recruitment & Membership:** - Primarily composed of exiled Rostlanders and disaffected Brevoy nobles - Rigorous combat trials required for admission - Oath of loyalty to the company and its code of conduct - Advancement through demonstrated skill and service - Approximately 100 full members with various specializations - **Key Figures:** - **Captain Vassik Redblade** – Founder and leader, a masterful duelist with a personal vendetta against certain Brevoy nobles - **Lyra Steelblade** – Master of Arms and second-in-command - **Darius Thornvale** – Chief strategist and diplomatic liaison - **Mira Swiftstrike** – Head of reconnaissance and intelligence - **Gregor Ironheart** – Quartermaster and logistics expert ### **Influence & Power** - **Allies & Affiliations:** - **Select merchants** who benefit from their protection services - **Certain exiled noble families** from Brevoy - **The Aldori Swordlords of Mivon** – Distant cousins in exile with whom they maintain cautious relations - **Various frontier settlements** that rely on their protection - **Enemies & Rivalries:** - **House Surtova** – Whose political machinations led to many members' exile - **The Aldori Council in Restov** – Who they feel betrayed Rostland's independence - **Rival mercenary companies** competing for contracts - **Bandits and river pirates** they regularly clash with - **The Black Harlequins of Pitax** – With whom they have territorial disputes - **Reputation & Public Perception:** - Respected for their combat prowess and professionalism - Viewed with suspicion by Brevoy authorities - Considered reliable if expensive by those who hire them - Known for honoring contracts to the letter - Seen as dangerous political dissidents by the Surtovas - **Military/Magical Strength:** - Elite fighters trained in the Aldori dueling style - Small but well-equipped force with superior arms and armor - Several members with magical capabilities, primarily battle magic - Specialized units for different combat situations - Extensive training in both individual dueling and unit tactics ### **History & Lore** - **Founding & Origins:** - Formed approximately 10 years ago following political upheaval in Brevoy - Founded by Vassik Redblade after his exile from Rostland for opposing Surtova influence - Initially a small band of loyal followers who refused to abandon their leader - Gradually grew by incorporating other exiles and skilled mercenaries - Established their current headquarters after a successful campaign against river pirates - **Major Historical Events:** - **The Red Night** – When Vassik and his supporters were forced to flee Rostland - **The Battle of Broken Ford** – Their first major victory as a mercenary company - **The Mivon Accord** – Formal recognition by the Swordlords of Mivon - **The Riverford Campaign** – Successful operation that established their reputation - **The Thornkeep Defense** – Recent victory against overwhelming odds that has become legendary - **Scandals & Secrets:** - Captain Redblade maintains a network of spies within Brevoy's noble houses - The company possesses several ancient Aldori artifacts smuggled out of Rostland - Some members were involved in assassination attempts against Surtova allies - They secretly support resistance movements within Brevoy - The true reason for Vassik's exile involves a forbidden romance with a Surtova noble - **Current Struggles:** - Maintaining independence while operating in politically complex territories - Balancing mercenary work with their long-term political goals - Dealing with infiltration attempts by Brevoy agents - Competition from other mercenary companies for lucrative contracts - Internal disagreements about their ultimate goals regarding Brevoy ### **Culture & Traditions** - **Core Values & Ethics:** - Excellence in combat as the highest virtue - Loyalty to the company and one's sworn companions - Honor in fulfilling contracts and obligations - Independence from political manipulation - The right to forge one's own destiny regardless of birth - **Rituals & Initiations:** - The Blade Oath – Formal induction ceremony for new members - The Duel of Proving – Combat trial to demonstrate skill - The Night of Remembrance – Annual ceremony honoring fallen members - The Captain's Challenge – Opportunity for advancement through skill - The Exile's Toast – Ritual drinking ceremony commemorating their banishment - **Notable Sayings/Mottos:** - "Sharp in blade, sharper in honor" - "Exile forges the strongest steel" - "We are the blades that cut our own path" - "Neither king nor council commands our swords" - "In exile, we find true freedom" - **Symbols of Authority:** - The Captain's Blade – Vassik's distinctive red-hilted dueling sword - The Seven Stars – Badges worn by the senior officers - The Company Standard – Battle flag carried in formal operations - The Exile's Ring – Token given to full members - The Command Medallion – Symbol of field leadership during missions ### **Additional Notes** - **Vibe & Inspirations:** - Exiled Musketeers meets professional medieval mercenary company - The honor and skill focus of samurai combined with pragmatic mercenary outlook - Political exiles maintaining their identity and traditions while building new power - The tension between mercenary practicality and idealistic long-term goals - **Adventure Hooks:** - Hired to provide protection for a dangerous journey - Investigation of a possible Surtova spy within their ranks - Recovery of an Aldori artifact from Brevoy territory - Diplomatic mission to forge an alliance with another exile group - Defense of a frontier settlement against bandits or monsters