VANGAARD
A dieselpunk, dark fantasy setting for D&D 5e
MERCENARY COMPANIES
Let's take a look at the plethora of options of who's for hire in Vangaard. This handy catalogue let's you know what services are on offer, what you can expect to pay, and who you need to reach out to.
The Steel Legion PMC
Leader:
Legate Bianca Zungu
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
White and Silver
Numbers:
6000
Description:
The oldest and most renowned mercenary group in Vangaard. If you're in need of an exemplary force to help you take over an ancestral home, or force a dictator out of commission by sheer overwhelming firepower, welcome to the party. A well trained, wel equipped, and numerous military force that can get pretty much anything done.
The Cardinal Companies PMC
Leader:
General Horatio Nunes
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Crimson Armour
Numbers:
5500
Description:
Military firepower just looks better in red. It's that simple. Specialties include arriving in red, and making enemy forces match by the time the battle is over. Worth keeping in mind that red paint isn't cheap, so they aren't either. Worth every single coin.
Silversworn Brigade PMC
Leader:
Countess Celine Rousseau
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Silver and Maroon
Numbers:
5000
Description:
Shiny armour means shiny coins. This crew will only operate in echange for electrum pieces. Now, normally, that would indicate black market dealings, but they're owned by the family who produces electrum, so that's just standard capitalism. They also usually take government contracts, so they can be hard to get hold of, but when you're on government payroll, you know it's good stuff.
Fairweather LLC
Leader:
Fergail Mac Suibhne
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Very good
Cost:
Colours:
Green and Gold
Numbers:
4300
Description:
Vangaards second most well known private miltary force. Not quite got the numbers of the other higher end competitors, but what they lack in numbers they make up for in quality. Top of the range military equipment in almost every aspect, tanks and power armour included. You can expect to spend a fortune in cogs, but I'm fairly confident they could make gods weep at the drop of a hat.
Kill Count LLC
Leader:
Champion Farhann Madan
Expertise:
Very HIgh
Equipment:
Exquisite
Cost:
Colours:
White Fur Cloaks
Numbers:
80
Description:
Two words. Heavy Artillery. If you've ever seen something on a map that you want to not appear on the next map that you buy, you hire these people. Tanks, cannons, mortars, aerial bombardment... if it goes boom, they've got the facilities to make it happen.
Rainmaker LLC
Leader:
Admiral Valentine Horowitz
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Black and Pink
Numbers:
3800
Description:
If you want a siege to go your way, or you want a fleet of ships sent to the bottom of the ocean with knowledge that your troops are going to stay safe, this is who you want on your side. Air support is always the best way to go. Best in class airships going to the highest bidder. If you see something in the sky that looks like it's a miracle that it even exists, it probably belongs to them.
Wounded Bear LLC
Leader:
Commandant Francois Van Wyk
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Exquisite
Cost:
Colours:
Black Fur
Numbers:
25
Description:
A select elite unit, exclusively compromised of special forces soldiers from a variety of nations. If you want it done, it's going to get done. They've also recently come into posession of a Walker Mech. Go to town.
White Flame Inc.
Leader:
Shiguru Miyatami
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Pure White
Numbers:
120
Description:
Zealotry is nice, right? Right? Ok, maybe not, but if you're looking to have something, eh... purified? Cleansed, maybe? Let's go with sanctified. Things don't get a whole lot more sanctified than this.
Advanced Procurement Operations (A.P.O)
Leader:
Dr. Amalia Bošnjak
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Tan
Numbers:
230
Description:
A archaeological group backed by serious firepower that guarantees you get your hands on what you're looking for first. As long as they don't want it more.
The Mindslayers
Leader:
Thrallmaster Sigurður Halvorsen
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Teal
Numbers:
10
Description:
Bladesingers are impressive. Dancing with weapons in hand is compelling. Doing that to kill people is honestly, awe-inspiring. There's something about them that makes me feel on-edge, and I can't quite put my finger on it. No, wait, it's the hive mind. They've somehow figured out how to become a hive mind.
Homefront
Leader:
Colonel Mubarak Al-Issam
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Deep Red
Numbers:
40
Description:
A force of formiddable hobgoblin warriors with the goal of founding a new township in the heart of the Frontier. Most of these guys are retired from active service, but they've lived pretty long lives, and throughout those lives, have accumulated a hefty amount of nice stuff.
Ronin
Leader:
Ryojin Satakashi
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Straw Hats
Numbers:
220
Description:
Elven warriors who have taken steps away from the monarchy, feeling that it's system is corrupt. They take work on private contracts to help fund their efforts in the civil war at home
The Pit Fiends
Leader:
Ingrid Bellamy
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Black and Sky Blue
Numbers:
9
Description:
Pit fighters and gladiators who fought to earn their way to a better life, and once they got there, found out a better life was pretty damn boring. They love a challenge, and taking on work that is just skewed in favour of the target. They love a good capture mission
Rook's Ravens
Leader:
Jeremiah Rook
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Black and Navy
Numbers:
9
Description:
They wear bird skulls and feathers. That's just really damn neat. Also, they're absolutely terrifying. I once thought of hiring them for a contract and one was in my office before I even picked up the radio. I've brought spare underwear to work ever since.
The Faithbound Hunt
Leader:
Magnus Ursinus
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Brown Fur
Numbers:
8
Description:
A squad of paladins who've all sworn an oath to rid the world of as many monsters as they can or die trying. Can't say I've ever heard of any of them dying, so that's nice for them. Bad for monsters. Oh, they've got a lion too, which is fun.
Goldpact Adjudicators
Leader:
Adminstratus Lexington Caldwell
Expertise:
Very High
Equipment:
Exquisite
Cost:
Colours:
Black Cloaks and Gold Armour
Numbers:
320
Description:
Man, these guys scare me. If you're willing to take up arms against lawlessness in a lawless place, you've got a certain level of crazy that just needs to be noted. They roam the country, doling out justice to bandits, highwaymen, gangs and thieves... for a price. If you have a crime problem, and that problem needs a judge, jury and executioner, consider that problem solved. Watching these in action, honestly, a little terrifying.
The Hagmen
Leader:
Major Priyanka Rajaan
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Deep Green Cloaks
Numbers:
650
Description:
If you need a person with powerful magical abilities detained, you absolutely cannot go wrong with The Hagmen. Bounty hunters of the highest order, and capable of dealing with all but the most powerful mages in the continent. Magical monsters are all part of the repertoire as well, so if needs to be hunted, or put in chains, they should be first port of call.
Dreadnought
Leader:
Krom Gakkar
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Black and Silver
Numbers:
8
Description:
If you thought of bringing a battering ram to get that gate open, that is simly the dumbest thing I've ever heard. They have a pal that loves nothing more than ripping down structures, and will get it done twice as fast. I honestly thing he'd tear it down just for the hell of it, but transportation costs are expensive when you weigh that much.
The Outriders
Leader:
Lady Melanie of Witherbrook
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Silver and Blue
Numbers:
400
Description:
With technology growing at an exponential rate, you'd think that good old fashioned horse mounted cavalry would be a tad outdated? Well, yeah, but it comes with it's own advantages. Horses are faster than tanks! They still aren't bullet proof, but I'm a lot more ethically opposed to shooting a horse than I am a person. Don't act like you don't feel the same!
Snakebite
Leader:
Hiss
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Vibrant Green
Numbers:
9
Description:
Pirates with Snakes. Yup, a small crew of Yuan-Ti who once took a whole military spec airship by filling it with snakes and coming back later. I'm fairly confident that the fee includes the removal of the snakes after the fact, but you may need to enquire. I was too intimidated by all the hissing.
Hendrik's Brightest
Leader:
Hendrik Neumann
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Exquisite
Cost:
Colours:
Gold
Numbers:
5
Description:
Five Dwarves. Ok, ok, five dwarves with genius level intellect. Still? Alright, hear me out... five dwarves with genius level intellect, that harnessed that intellect to encase themselves in power armour, and outfit themselves with crazy experimental weaponry. Want in yet?
The Howl
Leader:
Ingo Horn
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Dark Grey Fur
Numbers:
15
Description:
Do you like animals? Do you like highly trained, fiercely loyal, and viciously brutal animals? Fantastic! It's mostly wolves and their masters, but there's also a couple of Owlbears and rumours are abound that they've got a drake. That one's off the books, though.
Iron Tortoise
Leader:
Lieutenant Astrid Hartmann
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Violet
Numbers:
100
Description:
If you want help ensuring a place that belongs to you, stays belonging to you, these are your best pals! There's not been a siege that they haven't managed to break, and with good reason. Top shelf strategy, and magical fortification ensures that you get to keep calling it "your place".
Ivar's Reavers
Leader:
Ivar the Terrible
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Vibrant Red
Numbers:
30
Description:
Shock and Awe. Two words that encapsulate the methods, and results provided by these... fanatics. If you want something to make an impact, and people to never, ever forget what they just saw, ask for an invoice today!
The Banished
Leader:
Marcin the Bannerless
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Orange
Numbers:
215
Description:
A group of knights who have been relieved of their stations, usually through dishonourable means seeking a purpose on the battlefield. If you ask me, discharge as a result of what would be considered war crimes in more recent times, just means efficient.
Praying Mantis
Leader:
Thistle
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Green and Yellow
Numbers:
20
Description:
Specialised in single target elimination, these are who you want on the radio when you want one specific person to have their last experience with day light. Messy or clean, the job is going to get done. Very much done. They prefer things public, because public assassinations get you more press coverage, but they'll do it quiet for a premium fee.
Ruaidhrí's Ruthless
Leader:
Ruadhrí Ó'Dalaigh
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Red and Black
Numbers:
40
Description:
Barbarian Outlanders from all over. If you can manage to get them to stop arguing amongst themselves, and point them in the right direction, whatever is in that direction is getting absolutely brutalised. Life or death combat is considered a fun pass time.
The Black Tower
Leader:
Lieutenant Henry Mardelle
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Very Good
Cost:
Colours:
Solid Black
Numbers:
60
Description:
Stuck outside a city wall with no way to get in? Here's your answer. Exo suits, bombardment cannons, tear gas, you name it. If it gets you in, or makes people inside want to be outside, they've got it in the inventory.
The Forlorn
Leader:
Hood
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Dark Brown
Numbers:
70
Description:
Hermits, exiles, outlanders, freaks and deserters. You'll find all them here. If you want someone to draw attention, by sheer force of strange, you've found who you need here. An occult ceremony outside of a castle so that you can sneak in with minimal resistance might be just what you need!
The Spellblades
Leader:
Sir Victoria Renauld
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Sky Blue
Numbers:
40
Description:
If you need some heavily armoured back-up, you're in luck. If you also need that back-up to be their own magical artillery, then you're in really good luck!
The Reborn
Leader:
The Mouth
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
Maroon
Numbers:
9
Description:
Whatever the hell these people were before, they're something else now. Sickos. We don't even know what they really do, but if you want some seriously messed up intimidation on your side, this is the way to go. If you aren't squeamish.
The Pride
Leader:
Hammer
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
Green
Numbers:
5
Description:
5 Half-Orc Barbarians who have rejected the progress their peoples have made over the course of generatons. They want to bring Orc savagery back to the forefront of pop-culture. They all started out by killing their human parent. Yikes.
Vit VIlka (White Waves)
Leader:
Captain Sonja Ødegård
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
White and Blue
Numbers:
600
Description:
The premium crewmates for your ship, or theirs. Especially if you're in need of an armed water vessel, they've got it. Treading water and feeling safe and secure is pretty much a given.
The Coinbound Division
Leader:
Stefan Perić
Expertise:
Medium
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Blue and Green
Numbers:
9000
Description:
There's no problem with being the point of reference is there? This is your point of reference. Solid all round. Nothing special, nothing wrong. Jack of all Trades, Master of None. Reliable, dependable, affordable. Most populous group on the continent. If for whatever reason you needed to field an entire rank and file army that has as much combat training as your average footsoldier, this isn't a bad bet.
Moonblades
Leader:
Vikram Rana
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Purple
Numbers:
150
Description:
Night Raiders. If you need a frontier town cleared of guards while all of the folk in it are still asleep, these guys are the ticket. Pretty good at infiltrating a place and clearing it from the inside, or a forceful sweep are both options. Who doesn't love options?
Tattered Cloth
Leader:
Reverend Kathryn Botha
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Good
Cost:
Colours:
White and Yellow
Numbers:
238
Description:
Mainly healers, actually, but those healers come with their own retinue. 34 healers of various skillsets, who roam the lands healing wounded in exchange for donations, accompanied by 6 armed guards each. They can be hard to track down, because they don't stay in one place for very long, but nice to bump into if you need the help.
The Bitter End
Leader:
Warden Norbert Lawman-Highcliff
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Black and White
Numbers:
460
Description:
This one has me conflicted, but it's one of those things that weirdly just makes sense. Every single member of this company has been handed a death sentence, and in exchange for keeping their lives, it's mercenary work until they finally drop dead. They're cheap, but you need to be aware that half of what you hired could try to escape at any time.
The White Infantry Corps
Leader:
Major Ishani Ní Ruairc
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
White and Orange
Numbers:
4300
Description:
The choice of every leader trying to put down an uprising. Not quite a professional soldier, but more suited to deal with a situation than your average town guard. Bolstering a standard military force with some sturdy backbone. Filter these in with some more experienced squads and you're pretty much good to go
The Dogs
Leader:
Sir Wulfgar Knight-Highcliff
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Brown and Yellow
Numbers:
1200
Description:
This is the next step up from entry level. They've got some tenure, and if you need a legion that isn't just sligthly better trained security guards, this is what you need. They could appropriately police a metropolitan area, if the need arose. The kind of crew you want around if you want the right people to feel a little safer, and the wrong people to feel just that bit deterred.
The Grimm
Leader:
Sergeant Major Fiachra Nakano
Expertise:
High
Equipment:
Standard
Cost:
Colours:
Dark Grey
Numbers:
350
Description:
Typically, the life of a soldier isn't one that lasts long. A thing to note when you're in a profession where men tend not to grow old, is that men who grow old are worth something. If you need to bolster a force, and just need that little bit of a strategic advantage, sometimes you want the old dog.
The Red Wind
Leader:
Captain Lynette Seafarer-Medingsport
Expertise:
Low
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
Red
Numbers:
250
Description:
Need a crew to man a vessel? This is just who you're looking for. Now, if you need the vessel for them to man too, that's going to cost you extra! Also, seafaring vessels only. The skies weren't meant to be sailed
Harold's Haymakers
Leader:
Harold Campbell
Expertise:
Very Low
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
No Uniform
Numbers:
110
Description:
Farmers specialising in Guerrilla Warfare. If you're planning an ambush, get these folk in a few days early and make it look like they work the lands. What was previously a terrified farmer is now a sickle in the back of would-be occupier.
The Bellringers
Leader:
Galen Cryer-Greenvale
Expertise:
Very Low
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
Black and Green
Numbers:
90
Description:
Thugs. That's pretty much it. If you need some muscle to make your protest a little harder to quash, or need a little extra weight behind your Roller Jousting Ultra Group, these smack first, ask questions later types are for you.
The Lantern
Leader:
Jasper Hamilton
Expertise:
Very Low
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
Yellow
Numbers:
70
Description:
Not typically combat oriented, but the ranks are populated with people who are familiar with lands all over. If you need help finding a location, and help getting there, open your coin purse.
The Journeymen's Brigade
Leader:
Captain Mikael Simic
Expertise:
Very Low
Equipment:
Basic
Cost:
Colours:
Brown and Green
Numbers:
4200
Description:
Entry level hirelings compromised almost entirely of folk too green to get work anywhere else. A glorified training camp for those looking to get into the industry, or the ultimate goal of someone looking to be the most armed and authorative person at a dinner party.