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The Mire Bandits"Travel light... the enemy has all you need." |
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The Mire Bandits"Travel light... the enemy has all you need." |
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Type of Organization |
Criminal |
Type of Members |
Bandits, Wilderness Scouts, Thugs, Mercenaries, |
| Number of Members | 262 |
| Demographics | Saurian 45%, Ogre 25%, Human 15%, Orcish, 5%, Grum 5%, Elvish 3%, Other 2% |
Primary Location(s) |
Trackless Mire |
Leader |
V'shang, ogre male bandit |
| Year Founded | 2630 CY |
| Symbol | A saurian claw print. |
| Group Wealth | Poor |
| Group Stability | Unstable |
This Mire Bandits are a notorious group of outlaws that prowl the lands surrounding the Trackless Mire. This group has been known to venture out as far as 200 kilometers from the edges of that wetland, ambushing caravans on trails and striking at villages in Arkalia, Corvenia and Jannerus. Though they have not yet mustered the courage to attack any major town or city.
The Mire Bandits are known for lightning quick attacks and then vanishing back into the swamp. Within the Mire, the Bandits are completely untrackable and very adept at stealthy movement. Local authorities have made several attempts to dislodge the villains from their sanctuary, but no camp has ever been found.
This group has only recently formed (about a century and a half ago) and has grown slowly over the decades. Originally a very small thieves group, it now boasts over 250 members and has had several illustrious bandit leaders at the helm.
The Mire Bandits feed on the fame and fear that their name inspires. Wealth is always the tangible target whenever a caravan, traveler or village is attacked, but V'shang often leaves a handful of survivors to spread the fame of his group.
The Mire Bandits make at least one attack per month and various other attacks of opportunity whenever a poorly defended caravan wanders too near the Swamp.
The Mire Bandits are fiercely independent and have no allies. They even wage war against other bandit groups. Several farmers in the region are bullied into a fearful cooperation with the Bandits. In exchange for immunity from bandit attacks, they surrounded a portion of their crops to the bandits. Some unscrupulous locals have found it profitable to alert the bandits (via regular visits from them) to caravans traveling through the area.
Anyone good in a fight is welcome to join the Mire Bandits. Of course, certain individuals would be killed outright. Exiled Arkalian knights, Corvenian government officials and the like.
A large proportion of the Mire Bandits (almost half) are saurians. Many of these were recruited from saurian villages in the Trackless Mire.
While the Mire Bandits have no oaths or codes, there is a hazing ritual for new members which involves pit fighting four to one. New members are usually bludgeoned into unconsciousness. This sets their position in the pecking order and allows V'shang to size them up. The weak and unskilled and quickly weeded out with this ritual and killed.
This group is led by V'shang, a half ogre warrior whose battle prowess is legendary. He sways the group through a blend of bullying and charisma. However, his authority extends only so far as his blade. While he surrounds himself with loyal bodyguards, there have been attempts made on his life. V'shang is clever and careful, which is why he has managed to stay in charge for so long.
Beneath V'shang is a veritable pecking order of bullies. The strong dominate the weak. The food, loot, women and ale are divided up among the band based on this pecking order. Small cliques form and dissolve within the group regularly.
None.
This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.