Mercenaries

Maintaining a standing army of any size can be cost prohibitive. Militia can often be used to fill ranks, but they aren't necessarily the most capable of fighting men. Besides, a domain's peasants are needed to keep crops and otherwise keep a domain running, so their utility has an opportunity cost that often exceeds that of a military adventure. Often, when a lord is faced with these practical considerations, they hire a Mercenary band.  Such bands can specialize in services such as archers, light cavalry, or infantry, although many provide a spectrum of martial capabilities, including (but not limited to) a magic corps.

Warmagi could hire into a band or find itinerate work. Before Spellmonger, it was against the Magical Bans for the Warmagi to form their own military companies.

## Crinroc

First appear in **Spellmonger**. The Crinroc are a northern Alshar tribe. Three brothers were exiled from their tribe so along with their men and families they took up the mercenary trade.

> *"...Since they were short, smelled bad, talked funny, painted their faces in lurid designs, they were generally viewed as poor troops.  They fought with axe and mace and shield and sometimes went to battle buck-naked, though most wisely wore waxed leather armor.  Not the kind of warrior the Wilderlords liked to represent them even though they were ferocious fighters."*
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When Minalan hired the Crinroc brothers to fight gurvani in Boval Vale, he got about 1,000 Crinrocs, including their wives and children. The wives would often fight right along with the men. The Crinroc were fiercely loyal to Minalan and backed him in the 'peasants revolt' against Sire Koucey. The fought the gurvanin valiently and escaped through the portal along with the rest of the people of Boval Vale.

## Hellriders

First appear in Warmage. Captain Kaddel of Wenshar commanded five-hundred light horse fighting with spears and swords, well-armed and horsed and used to hard work. A red stallion is their standard.

## Kavial’s Company

First appear in Warmage. A thousand-strong company of well-mounted sergeants and a few knights, equipped to travel light. And, they carry their own baggage train. The company is led by Sir Kavial of Kelaer.

> "He was the other major contender for the post of Lord Marshal, and he hasn’t quite gotten over it.  He has a company of well-mounted sergeants and a few knights, equipped to travel light and encamped not ten miles from here.  I would be forever in your debt if you took him into Alshar and gave him a chance to win glory and maybe die a heroic death.” - Count Sago (Salgo) to Minalan
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 Count Sago later admitted that Sir Kavial is an adept leader of men and wise on the battlefield. However, Kavial thinks tactically, not strategically.

## Nirodi Free Mounted Archers

In Warmage*,* the Nirodi Archers are a component of the 3,000 man unit that Minalan leads into Alshar from Castal. Minalan and Lord Salgo hired 500 Nirodi Free Mounted Archers, captained by Rogo Redshaft.

> Redshaft’s men took their craft seriously.  They were excellent archers, either sniping or volleying in formation.  The Nirodi boys begin practicing at the butts at age seven and keep it up daily until they’re full grown.  It was how they remained a Free Town amongst a knot of greedy nobles.  The Nirodi weren’t mercenaries, strictly speaking – Nirod owed service to the Duchy for their free status, and this was how they were paying it.
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#### Rogo Redshaft

Rogo "Redshaft" of Nirod is the captain of the Nirodi Free Mounted Archers, a group of some of the best Bowmen in Castal. He is described by Minalan as "*Lean and Dangerous-looking*", and at the beginning of the events of Warmage, is wearing red leather covered by a well-made but unadorned green cloak. He is about 20 years older than Minalan and carries himself in a way that says he doesn't need to brag.

## Order of Gobarba

The Order of Gobarba is a fanatical cult of warrior monks dedicated to an old Imperial war-god*.* They first appear in Spellmonger when Minalan recruits mercenaries in Tudry. Brother Edund commanded the Alshar Chapter of the Militant Order of Gobarba and brought 300 war brothers.

> The Brothers were stalwart, and they would bring three hundred well-armed, well-trained infantry to Boval.  Their specialty was the pike, which was an unusual weapon, but the pike had been Gobarba’s ritual weapon.
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*See also: Order of Gobarba*
## Orphan's Band

First appears in *Warmage* but reappear in several other books, too. The field light infantry and support, half archers, excellent sentries and pickets.  Their standard is a boar’s head and their captain is Bold Asgus. Lieutenant Sardkis, Ancient Fargal, Ancient Raric, Warbrother Caudel – Priest of Duin

See also Orphan's Band

## Warbirds

So far only appear in *Warmage*

500 Warbirds – Five hundred heavy infantry, led by Sir Pendolan of Kayfier. They fly a raven standard.

## References

1. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Spellmonger: Book One Of The Spellmonger Series (p. 249). Kindle Edition.
2. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Warmage: Book Two Of The Spellmonger Series (p. 173). Kindle Edition.
3. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Warmage: Book Two Of The Spellmonger Series (pp. 16-17). Kindle Edition.
4. ↑ Mancour, Terry. Spellmonger: Book One Of The Spellmonger Series (p. 194). Kindle Edition.