Mercenaries of Juhnvechteya

Part of Culture of Juhnvechteya
Part of Armies of Juhnvechteya
Among the armies of Juhnvechteya, a mercenary is defined as any soldier who fights for pay, rather than out of feudal obligation. Thus, a professional soldier who is not beholden to any single lord is considered a mercenary, This has been known to confuse outsiders to the region, wherein a mercenary is a free soldier who fights on his own accord, and is generally not considered to be part of a regular army. By contrast, a mercenary in Juhnvechteya may do this, though he may also fight as part of a professional army raised by and loyal to a state or nobleman. 
This seeming oxymoron has generated some confusion as to the status of many forces in Juhnvechteya. Some, such as the White Army of Stribrna Joraje, is considered a professional force of mercenaries, despite it's being loyal to a state. It is considered a mercenary army as the men within fight for pay rather than obligation to their lord. However, there are some forces which are both comprised of mercenaries and are mercenary in nature. Armies of this type, such as the Cinelli Free Companies, are instead referred to as auxiliary forces, as they fight under the command of their own leaders and under their own banner.
That said, even in Juhnvechteya are found “true mercenaries”. Groups such as the Grobbenditz guild based in Schirgen will hire out groups of professional armed men to various parties in various numbers, ranging from several hundred to warring states, to less than a dozen to protect caravans and homesteads. Indeed, these mercenaries are highly sought after across eastern Juhnvechteya for their loyalty, professionalism, and nonpartisan ethics. They are often hired to protect high-value individuals who wish for protection in dangerous regions, and they are even hired to train the retinues of lords and knights.
Category:Armies of Juhnvechteya
Category:Culture of Juhnvechteya