Meet Yelnek Corbeil, Lord of Stonefield.
Technically, Yelnek is an Imperial noble, a lesser member of the House of Ravensgeld (Raven's Gold), but he hasn't been to the capital or court in years. It is, in fact, unlikely that he knows of Cales' coup or who is actually in charge of anything outside of his own territory. Like most members of his house, he has little to no influence outside of his own lands, and little money. Stonefield is not a prosperous area. The land suffices for raising sheep or goats, but crops like wheat do poorly in the stony soil. While Lord Yelnek prefers mounted combat, he's no slouch as a foot soldier, preferring to fight with a heavy, double-headed horseman's flail and shield. Next to him stands Elmond Jerghal. Mister Jerghal has worked with the Corbeil lords for several decades in various positions. At the moment, he is Lord Yelnek's bodyguard and aide, advising him on the few decisions it is in the Lord's power to make. When necessary, he fights with paired hand-axes, carrying extra ones to throw at opponents as opportunity reveals itself.
Like many members of his family, he has allied with the local Brigands to help support himself and his household.
Contrary to popular belief, Brigands, Pirates, Highwaymen, and Bandits are NOT the same thing. Pirates obviously stick to shore or the sea. Highwaymen usually work solo or in small bands. Bandits are perhaps the closest to Brigands, but tend to be disorganized rabble.
Brigands, however, are another story entirely.
The vast majority of Brigands are actually mercenaries of a sort. Often ex-soldiers or peasants who have rebelled against their former masters. They tend to be better equipped than the average group of Bandits, better organized, better trained, and better led. In essence, they are an independent military force, usually allied to nobody but their own purposes. Members of impoverished noble Houses like Ravensgeld will occasionally ally with them and act as minor leaders, but the ultimate command of a group of Brigands is usually with their own officers and NOT those allied minor nobles. Smiley, Gunter, and Three-S (Short Stack Stevens) are three such Brigands often found in the company of Lord Yelnek. They are lower in the ranks, and thus carry basic weaponry and no shields, but honestly, they don't really need shields most of the time.
These Brigands are part of a larger group that have fortified a forested valley several miles from Lord Yelnek's land, controlling one of the local trade routes. They include units of cavalry, spear, archers, and even have access to a few bolt-throwers and the like. As a general rule, they don't harass caravans of traders, but do expect said caravans to pay a toll to pass through their territory. As such, they are fairly well-equipped and fed.
But times are changing. Cales is Emperor now and consolidating his hold on the Empire. Eventually, he may have to deal with the Brigands in one way or another. And it is not unheard of for Brigand groups to take mercenary contracts, pulling the majority of the group away from their camp for weeks on end. Who knows what the future will hold?
love the ragtag look
