I figure a significant number of brigands and bandits may actually be out of work mercenaries. They prey on the peasantry and merchants if nobody hires them to fight in the wars of lords and cities.
Robber knights lead many of these bands.
An adventuring party that routinely accepts commissions is indistinguishable from a mercenary group. 'Adventurer' is a polite term that encompasses sell-swords, dungeon-delvers, monster hunters, and other necessary but dangerous types.
But what about famous mercenaries? Infamous ones? Canonical bands and companies?
The pregens from Mordenkainen's Fantastic Adventure: Mordenkainen, Riggby, Bigby, Yrag. I can imagine them appearing as a rival adventuring party for player characters adventuring in that era, trying to clear out ruins before the PCs can.
The pregens from Isle of the Ape: Agath of Thrunch, Reynardia Yargrove, Franz Torkeep, Rowena of the Silverbrow, Warnes Starcoat, Rakehell Chert.
There's the Fellowship of the Torch, described in City of Greyhawk and From the Ashes: Natassia Aiareni Nightstar, Geren Laraith, Kirilarien Allavesse, Marie Sennefort, Grimmri Fischer.
The pregens from WG10 Child's Play: Karmyn, the Professor, Scotty, Coeur, Yahscha von Nurvie, Atienne, Alan of the Sunset, Wolf.
The pregens from WG11 Puppets: Larissa, Sir James Hardwicke, Rashaman, Kelth, Ignatius.
The pregens from WGS1 Five Shall Be One: Helden Stormfist, Baern Barraeth, Fenestir "Swifthand" Galander, Ingrid Hashandir, Sabrala Starbreaker, Mallon Fer'Asque, Stumred Barduran.
The bandit gang from WGS1: Ingrin Mulsever, Anneka Folksjan, Hanna Blackhand.
The pregens from A1 Slave Pits of the Undercity: Elwita, Ogre, Freda, Karraway, Blodgett, Dread Delgath, Phanstern, Eljayess, Kayen Telva.
The pregens from G1 Steading of the Hill Giant Chief: Gleep Wurp the Eyebiter, Cloyer Bulse the Magsman, Roaky Swerked, Frush O'Suggill, Fonkin Hoddypeak, Flerd Trantle, Redmod Dumple, Faffle Dwe'o-mercraeft, Beek Gwenders of Croodle.
Gord and his friends: Gord, Chert, Gellor, Curley Greenleaf, Deirdre, Oscar, Leda, etc.
The cast of Paul Kidd's novels: Justiciar, Escalla, Cinders, Henry, Enid, Polk.
The cast of the comic strip SnarfQuest: Snarf, Aveeare, Telerie, Prince Raffendorf, Geezel, Willie, Etheah of the Woodland. Not really Greyhawk, but what the hell.
The cast of the comic strip Nodwick: Nodwick, Yeagar, Artax, Piffany.
I'm thinking of adapting the brigands and thugs from Polyhedron #145: The Men of the Fox and the Guild of Blades.
I just need to decide where to place them.
Probably wherever fits that is also close to the starting point/center of my next campaign,
The Bronze Band are a mercenary company. Known to work for good guys fighting against the Horned Society, Iuz, and Bandit Kingdom forces. Wrote them up a bit for a protracted campaign, but that never came to fruition. _________________ - Moderator/Admin (in some areas)/Member -
The Alliance of Defiance took down the ToEE according to TSR's collector cards.
Gnarley Men and The Golden Scimitar in FtA.
The 3e Iconics (Lidda, Jozen, et al) show up everywhere, in the Scourge of Worlds, Dungeon of the Fire Opal/Wedding Bells, TH Lain books, Xbox D&D Heroes, LG flavor text, etc.
Basically every GH novel features an adventuring company.
The LJN toys and heroes have become part of GH through a couple different channels.
If you consider pirates brigands, then The Savage Tide AP from Dungeon Magazine lists several hailing from Scuttlecove including the leader of the Crimson Fleet, Cold Captain Wither.
Pharoh Longspar (The Peacock) and his crew make an appearance in Agnosco Adventum in The Canonfire! Chronicles.
The Citadel of Eight was an adventuring party of yore. Members included Mordy, Bigby, Rigby, Robilar, Serten, and others I am unSerten of. 😋
The Alliance of Defiance took down the ToEE according to TSR's collector cards.
Ooh!! Good one!
I adore those cards, and the Alliance of Defiance specifically.
So much so, in fact, I'm writing an article about them for the Winter issue of the Oerth Journal (#31), which has a theme of "Factions"!
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Canonfire! is a production of the Thursday Group in assocation with GREYtalk and Canonfire! Enterprises
