The Black Reiters

[Reiters 20]

 

 

THE REITERS

The Mercenarial Free Company of the Black Reiters

 

---

HISTORY

 

The founding of the Free Company of the Reiters can best be attributed to the global tumult following the waning of the Holy Orenian Empire’s status as a superpower and the ruthless period of conflict following - namely during the War of the Beards. It was then in the year 1636 that the foundations of a formal band began to culminate; a handful of sellswords and once-soldiers wayfaring the land in search of coin and plunder for hired steel. Their exploits on the field of battle gained them immense renown amongst the denizens of Axios, specializing in mounted cavalry and hit-and-run tactics.

 

Having established themselves on Axios, the Reiters erected a fine red fortified bastion on the plains of Calais, having exchanged coin with Savoyard lords for their would be home. After laying the foundations for their operations, the Reiters received multitudes of contracts for their services. The most notable contract which the company received resulted in many giving their lives to the hell spawn known as Mordskov where the Manticore, monster hunters, would find great need for the Reiters experience on the battle-field. They were tasked with procuring the panacea plant, which they did with great sacrifice. Many of these brothers in arms would offer their mettle against a beast of no lesser spite and evil than a demon, the Hydra. It was at the end of this conflict that the survivors would develop their banner and identity, the blackened crimson shield with an embossed Hydra.  

 

This nascent, hard-hearted band of men branded themselves as the Black Reiters, a mercenary company unfettered by the laws of arms and governments of Kings and men. Now at full bearing, the company elects to be recruited on a contract-by-contract basis by private employers during times of war.

 

 

 

ORGANIZATION

 

---

Founders

LANS

First born, eldest brother of three, fathered by Gundred. Spent his entire youth with the brutish Vrakian cavalry in the blistering north, where ice met wind in a maelstrom. It was here that his strength and acumen for battle was cultivated daily, especially his proficiency with spear and shield. At his coming of age ceremony, he declared himself independent and chose to find work as a free warrior, with the hopes to earn fame and coin. It was fate that lured him to the Imperial cavalry during the conflict with Urguan and the Frostbeards, where he fought back to back with Lothaire, fending off the coalition. Several skirmishes later, the pair would find the Azghari twins, Batu and Mongke, with whom they’d come to coin the idea of a mercenary organization, the Black Reiters.

 

LOTHAIRE AF CALAIS

Son of the Merciless, Uhtred Vallberg. A cavalry man by heart, the fourth-born son of Uhtred. He would never inherit his father’s lands nor titles, even coming second to life to his twin, Ewan. Such is why the Vallberg son sought a compromise, joining the imperial cavalry, finding brotherhood in arms and battle. This is where he had been destined to meet Lans. After months of grueling conflict and bloody battles, side by side with his newfound Brother, Lothaire saw no gain from the imperial army; no pay nor glory. Due to this realization, the idea of a private company was hatched between himself and Lans, coming to life upon their discharge from the army and meeting of the Azghari riders.

 

BATU OF THE STEPPES (Deceased)

Son of the Azghari rider, Dogan, Batu found the brotherhood of the core after the collapse of his tribesman. Following with his brother, Mongke, the pair would cross steel with the coalition alongside Lans and Lothaire. Known for his extreme accuity mounted archery, Batu has been credited as the greatest cavalry archer among the Reiters. Shortly after the founding of the Reiters, during a disastrous event in Bastion and due to circumstances unforeseeable, Batu exchanged his life to protect that of the woman he loved most.

 

MONGKE KHAN

Twin brother of Batu and son of the Azghari rider Dogan, Mongke boasts incredible mobility and skill with horse-back lancing. Mongke’s career as Reiter knew no defeat on the soil which he dominated, his steed, a tame, white thoroughbred left his foes sodden and defeated. During the Third Crusade, Mongke displayed valor that would perpetuate the history of men as he commanded a unit of Reiter cavalry, pincering flanking Norlandic forces with a fatal charge.

 

CORE

The leaders of the Reiters; a Brotherhood of equals.

 

Lans

Lothaire af Calais

Batu of the Steppes(Deceased)

Mongke Khan

Lucan

Brann Marwood

Norman

Ifan

 

VETERANS

Experienced Reiters, all have served for many years.

 

               Aldemar               

Renati

Caspar

Berenfroy

Henry

Rhosyn

Vadim

Billy

Simon

Julien

Rudolph

Reginald

 

UNBLOODED

Hopeful recruits, yet untested.

 

OPERATIONAL HISTORY

 

The Company - though partaking in a vast number of minor skirmishes, raids, and attacks on towns - is notable for their involvement in the following battles.

 

• The War of the Beards, c. 1631 - 1636

  • The Battle of Jornheim Fields, c. 1634

  • The Siege of Fort Kovakirr, c. 1635

• The Third Crusade, c. 1638 - 1641

  • The Battle of the Bloody Road, c. 1638

  • The Battle of Rochdale, c. 1640

  • The Siege of Vjorhelm, c. 1641

 

 

 

JOINING THE COMPANY

 

As of the great exodus from Axios, the Reiters are, in moderation, attempting to establish themselves on Atlas. Though not many, the Reiters challenge battle hardened warriors to invest their mettle in the company. Denizens of Atlas would find fighters donning the Reiter lamellar armor in most cities and landmarks of import. Those who seek to earn coin, and of course, fame, would seek the warriors who bear the Reiter’s armor.

 

--OOC--

We do not recruit via forum/skype/discord/teamspeak. Those interested should interact with us in game and roleplay. It’s also important to note that the Reiters have interests in roleplay/events/pvp, those interested should consider this before attempting to join as we expect every Reiter to participate in all activities that the company is involved in.

[Jentos 9422]

Feremyr af Highcliffe smiles at the thought of Reiters, taking another chug of Vodka from one of the many bottles that filled his rowboat, making his way off to Aeldin, hopefully. Only God would say if the lucky little man would ever make it.

[Overland 349]

 

(Credit to CDProjektRED - https://imgur.com/gallery/n7jpn)

Somewhere off in the Atlasian wilderness, the Reiters had made camp. Through night and day they toiled, building supplies of metal, grain and many other commodities. The clangs hammers meeting iron and the cracks of axe meeting wood disturbed the otherwise tranquil wilderness. No cricket or owl could rival the sound of a warband being born again.

 

Simon was no exception, under a moonlit night he toiled to haul ore from the mines. Despite often cursing due to some new blemish nothing would stop him. This life doesn’t matter after all, he thought in vain. But he knew it would all be worth it in the end.

 

For with a new land, comes new opportunities.

[Vamoose 265]

((Credits to @mitch dharma and @_Stigwig!))

[Chaw 964]

Antoine de poulet smiles as he cuts up foie gras 

[TankM1A2 840]

Berenfroy would be sat upon a tree stump; a direct result from clearing trees and setting up camp. He'd be hunched over with several of his comrades, circled around a hastily assembled campfire. "New world, new opportunities." He'd say, taking a swig from his flask.

[JEEGK 1367]

Arthur hummed quietly as he remained at his draconic home chugging down a pint of alcohol, readying for the battles to come with his comrades.

[Ricky 321]

Lucan looks out over the newly constructed palisades at the Whispering Crossing, a new batch of recruits setting off towards the fields to gather the coming weeks' food. The Veterans calling him back to their dice game, a chorus of laughter and merriment flowing from the fireside to his ears. A promise of glory and gold ahead of them. 

[_Stigwig 1510]

 

 

Adelmar shoulders his sack, having returned from his brief holiday to foreign lands, as he sets his gaze on the fort before him. A small wooden construction, hardly able to match the size of Fort Knox nor likely to contain the riches that Calais once had, he was still delighted to call it home. The soft medley of salmon pink and blue that filled the dying sky behind the crossroads made him smile a longing smile - a distant memory of past battles and the promise of future ones to come.

 

For now, though, he was just happy to have a bed to lie in again. Ships were truly awful.

[wolfdwg 2677]

 

It had been a long tiresome ride Spencer had endured. What what his purpose? Why was he riding south bound along the roads of these new lands? What irked him into this spur of southern exploration? It did not matter no longer, simply the long trudge ahead.

 

Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, clouding his vision in damp spots. His mail links chattered and clinked to the tolls and hymns of bells. The leather gambeson around his chest had become straining, tightening around his chest under the blaze of a summer heat. It did not help the fact bulbs of iron and silver decorated the hide's plaster. His soft blue tunic under all the padding and metal had become wet with the bodily fluid of fatigue.

 

The smell was somewhat bearable...

 

A patch of birch now shaded the weary Spencer, ahead of him, his destination and new home...

 

The Whispering Crossroads.

 

((Art by Dominik Mayer))