The Mailed Fist

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 that wish to join, though most are fighters.
• Level: Any. The Fist take on raw recruits just as readily as battle-hardened veterans.
• 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.
• 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).
• Deity: Any, though Jancassis, Wardd and Pantheon are probably best represented.
• 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.
• 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.

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.
• 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.

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:

• 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:

• 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.

A Dragoon Fist by: Wolf Regiment. Hurricane Company. Cromwell's Dragoons.

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.

• 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.
• 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.

Regimental hierarchy follows the standard military path, as follows. Pay for each rank is included.

• 1 Recruit = 5 gold
• 2 Recruit Proficient = 6 gold
• 3 Trooper = 8 gold
• 4 Lance Corporal = 10 gold
• 5 Corporal = 12 gold

Noncommissioned Officers

• 6 Sergeant = 15 gold
• 7 Color Sergeant = 18 gold
• 8 Master Sergeant = 20 gold
• 9 Quarter Master = 25 gold

Petty Officers

• 11 Warrant Officer = 35 gold
• 12 Knight of the Fist = 50 gold

Junior Officers

• 12 Under Knight Lieutenant = 60 gold
• 13 Knight Lieutenant = 75 gold
• 14 Knight Captain = 85 gold

Senior Officers

• 15 Commandant = 100 gold
• 16 Under Colonel = 125 gold
• 17 Colonel = 175 gold

General Officers

• 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.
• Squad Leaders receive an extra 3 gold per month
• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Benefits:

• 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.

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.

• 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.
• 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.