Revaaran: Bandersknecht: History
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The armies of the Bandersknecht have been a part of the Zirrini mercenary workforce for longer than any of them can remember, since shortly after the Ancient’s Exodus. They took to raiding and banditry after the fall. They were once logisticians, transporting resources across the continent. You could say that the Bandersknecht were the ones worst hit by the Exodus. All of their vehicles shut down, leaving them without their purpose and without any industry or infrastructure to fall back on. This, inevitably, led them to begin raiding neighbouring territories for valuable resources, food and other necessities to survive.
Once a continental trade network had started to form, they opted to raid the neighbouring Zirrini Theocracy, a gold mining complex that still had stockpiles left. This left the Zirrini with only one option; set up a tribute system in exchange for them to not attack. This worked for almost 15 years, but then one day the tribute stopped. After sending an army to “Gently remind” them about their agreement, they found a towering citadel where a small mining town once stood. The Zirrini opted to send out a lone messenger, with an offer. Instead of Tribute they offered Open Employment. Work for them as their bodyguards and as freelance mercenaries. With very little direction of their own, they took them up on this opportunity. This also became the fate of the Solaris Collective who were in a very similar situation. They became the left and right hands of the Zirrini
Along the way, a common nickname and moniker for them was the “Attack Dogs of the Zirrini”. Instead of an insult, they took this as a sign of respect and even started to adopt it into their identity. They formed 7 Armies, each taking on a different purpose, and took to the continent to look for work and additional income thanks to the security of their new masters. The Attack Dogs of the Zirrini made their mark wherever there was a conflict, The Gulldahn Wars, the campaigns of the Revaaran Empire, the Incursions of the Caizzano, even the Warlords of the Northern Wastes have hired them at one point or another.
This was the status quo until very recently, when the Bandersknecht had heard vague rumour that the Zirrini had started to run out of gold and were hiring them out on increasingly more dangerous missions in order to recuperate costs. With this, the Bandersknecht decided to switch their alleigances to their most recent and respected employer, the Revaaran Empire, with the aid of the Heroes of the Fast Response Legion. These hounds could always sniff out which side would be the winning one, is this an indicator of things to come?
Appearance and Approach
The Bandersknecht take a very loose approach to their look. They take slashed, damaged clothing as a badge of honour. Even to the point of slashing their own equipment in interesting patterns as decoration. A common feature found on Bandersknecht soldiers is the brimmed hat with one side turned up, made of either leather, felt or structured wool. (This would preferably be a slouch hat or smaller cavalier hat). If the fighter wants to be a bit sneakier or lighter in equipment, a long-tailed or slash detailed balaclava will also suffice.
Another often key piece of equipment is a shoulder cape or half cloak, mostly made out of water resistant canvas or wool in dark colours, this is often made out of military green or black material, sometimes salvaged from a wrecked tent if the soldier is poorer or new
Civilians go for loose, light clothing and enjoy jewellery to show their success as mercenaries but keep the colours dark and easy to maintain on the move through warzones.
(The main military look to the Bandersknecht is that of the Australian Expeditionary force from WW1. The uniform has a lot of parallels to Landsknecht apparel and the iconic “Duellist” look, the Slouch hat is very close to the Cavalier hat and often features a feather very similar to Landsknecht hats. The cape can be done as either a weatherproof cape/Cloak or an off the shoulder coat with inversed sleeves.
Civilian/NCO look is similar to 19th century European Romani but without as much colour as is typical. A good frame of Reference for the design is the Romani characters in Sherlock Holmes that take a darker more industrial colour palette.)
Names are a mix of Germanic names and dog breed/reference. Eg Willhem Mutt, Otto Schnauser, Albrecht von Dane
Their military are lifelong mercenaries so they are used to acting of their own accord so long as it fits in with the overarching battle plan. They take a loose approach to following orders from anyone but their own but they fight harder than anyone to see it to fruition.
Their military have adopted the idea of being “Attack Dogs” literally, as much as a point of pride as much as mocking those who looked down on them as mere pawns. This literal approach means that naming structures and military layout all appear like dog roles and pack mentality. Here are some examples
Pack – Unit
Alpha – Officer,
Gundog – Range specialist/Trooper,
Bully – Melee specialist/Lancer,
Seeker – Specialist (Engineer or Medic),
Kennel Dog – Logistics Officer
Pup – Recruit
Names such as Runt and Mongrel are also used as derogatory names, sometimes as insults, sometimes in compassionate jest. “Alright mongrels, listen up….” Isn’t uncommon coming from an Alpha to their troops.
Customs and Traditions
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Grooming
Bandersknecht tend to their equipment as a point of pride. It is common for them to sit and polish or maintain their equipment during meetings, gatherings or briefings. Another thing they may do is tend to the equipment of those they consider kin as a show of unity and respect. “Squiring”, or helping someone don their equipment/regalia, is considered the highest honour of grooming to bestow on those not of the Bandersknecht, even if it is a simple straightening of the uniform or a brush down
Baring Teeth
Upon engaging the enemy, or even strangers and those they don’t like, the Bandersknecht snarl and bare their teeth, growl and make it very obvious they are in danger if they make any wrong moves. Upon engaging the enemy, they will also bark at the enemy when they first approach them to intimidate enemy and psyche themselves up
Celebrations
Running Free, May.
A new celebration to commemorate the Independence of the Bandersknecht from the Zirrini. This celebration has never happened before so the exact details and traditions have yet to be set in stone but expect much revelry!
Military Details
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There are 7 Armies total belonging to the Bandersknecht. Of those, 5 Armies have dedicated to the Revaaran Cause fully. 2 Armies are still considered roaming armies, selling their services to the highest bidder and sending this profit back to the Homebase. Though they may end up facing the Revaarans in battle if it comes down to it, they still are welcome in Revaaran lands once they are on Shore leave. It’s purely business. That, however, doesn’t stop the Revaarans potentially hiring them short term themselves. It’s rare that the armies ever act as one, mostly they train together then hire out Unit or Battalion at a time. (Anyone joining the game can claim that they were recruited to the Panzerhudt or Fast Response Legion from any of the other 4 Armies)
The 7 Armies are:
1st Bloodhounds – Bounty Hunters, V.I.P Capture/Eradication
2nd Krieghundt– Core Soldiers, Bulk of the Bandersknecht fighting forces
3rd Guard Dogs – Homebase Guardians (Considered the Elite Guard)
4th Wagon Hounds(Light vehicle/Cavalry)
5th PanzerHundt – Newly formed Tank division (This Army was originally The Geldcollars, The Appointed Guard to the Zirrini. They were captured wholesale after acting as a distraction during the removal of Homebase from Zirrini lands. They are under House Arrest after the coup, the Revaaran Diplomats attempted to have them freed under Attraxan Law but a loophole in their contract means they are permanently bound to them until they are released.)
6th Rescue Dogs – Support Auxilliaries – (Law enforcement, Medical Assistance)
7th Sea Dogs – Naval
The Bandersknecht fight like dogs. They bark wildly when encountering the enemy to intimidate and to ready themselves for battle. The Alpha/Officer will lead the forces in from the front until they give the orders. They favour raw power over defensive line fighting, often charging headlong into the fray. (Units consisting only of Bandersknecht can have a unique order bestowed similar to Charge called 'Sic 'Em!', they can resist more during the charge by barking wildly as they charge)
