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The Kreehold Mercenaries
Much like the Ministry to which they are attached, the Kreehold serve as a manner of swiss-army-faction: their services are not only wide and varied but available to the highest bidder. Loyalty within the faction is noticeably strong between Kreehold soldiers and frequent training fosters a synergy between the beasts, though they are reputed for their pragmatic approach to work. Personal opinions regarding employers and morals are left at the door.
Kreehold services by and large may not be as skilled nor possess equal resources to alternative factions, but discretion and availability serve as their calling card. If you cannot afford, trust or risk the notice of other beasts, the Kreehold are always available to take your work...provided you can pay.
History
Were the general citizen of the Imperium familiar with the concept of a phoenix, they might consider the tradition of the Kreehold Mercenaries one of constant rebirth, ever-flourishing from defeat or disappearance to be born anew for the next generation. As it stands such citizens, lacking as they do both a poetic lean or particular affection for the faction, would like as not describe the Kreehold as more akin to a hardy weed in the garden of Bully Harbour. Each winter you believe it defeated, it will return, somehow, come the spring.
In times long-past and nigh lost to faded history, the Kreehold was itself a large army - sprawling, in fact, with several ships of their own to boast of and a threatening reputation. Exactly what sparked the conflict between the Kreehold army and Ministers Verdeloth and Monteroy is lost to time, but the Ministers proved successful in the ensuing conflict, so much so that the impressive Kreehold army was all but destroyed down to the last beast.
Why he chose the name is unknown, but in the early 1720’s Varen S. Verdeloth, then Minister of Commerce, elected to reform the Kreehold he had defeated not as an army but as a mercenary operation alongside its first Captain, the fox Dead Eye Trueflight.
The Mercenaries operated as normal until the Ministry of Commerce changed paws to Calria Eagle. The Kreehold, then under Captaincy of Keinruf Wright, ducked out from under Commerce's wing only to find it couldn't fly, and in 1726, when Mayor Gordon Freemont, declared Martial Law on Bully Harbour, Wright abandoned the Kreehold.
What followed was a succession of Kreehold Captaincies as the Ministry continued to evolve, from Tess Darkstar to Majorie Shune to Padraig Kesey. In this time the Kreehold was reformed, abandoned, re-established and demolished on multiple occasions. One such notable event in Kreehold history details a massacre in the streets. Flowers were blooming, platycodons specifically. It is believed that, a few days after the fight, the last Kreeholder placed the flowers upon the chest of his fallen comrades just prior to dying of his own wounds. Since the Kreehold's (then) demise and rebirth, the flower has been chosen to remember that date - the date which is not remembered anyhow - and to make a statement: The Kreehold will not die.
The Kreehold remained at this time a mostly-defunct operation until 1730 when then-Minister of Commerce Jeshal the Ironclaw began funding more suitable barracks and provision of equipment for potential Mercenaries. These efforts began to gain traction but were short-lived with his departure: Vito Furotazzi, upon assuming role of Minister of Commerce, began absorbing the remnants of the Kreehold into the Furotazzis. Those few Kreehold members remaining loyal to the concept were so in name and badge only, once again a husk of its former glory.
With the recent ascension of Callisto Bluemoon to Minister of Commerce the decision has been made to reinstate the Kreehold proper, with a new barracks and some re-structuring. The flowers are blooming in the garden once more.
Ranks
In its newest formation the Kreehold Mercenaries have been expanded into two streams: the Kreehold Mercenaries proper and the more casual Artisans. Below explains their roles, ranks, and uniforms.
Kreehold Mercenaries
Kreehold Mercenaries form the bulk of employment within the faction and anybeast with deep enough pockets is permitted to approach to take out a contract with them, which individuals can accept from a noticeboard in the Barracks. Larger, formalised operations requiring squads are handed out on orders of the Kreehold Captain or MinoComm.
Duties might include security, armed escort, peacekeeping or rescue operations. The majority of work, however, is also directed by Commerce itself to perform such duties for their own offices, banks and stock exchange, to ensure that Bully’s money stays where it should: in Commerce’s coffers. More subtle roles for smaller teams may involve intelligence gathering or bounty-hunting, for those with the talents for it.
Members of the faction have access to the full range of the Barracks and training grounds, as well as some special dispensations from Commerce itself. Enquire within.
There are several notable ranks and specialisms within the Kreehold Mercenaries, and they are as follows:
Minister of Commerce: The Kreehold's main boss, whose word is the only law they abide by because he writes their paychecks.
Captain: The leader of the Kreehold. the only beast able to keep the rest of the rabble in check. Point of contact for interested parties looking to hire Kreehold services and the beast to issue new contracts.
Master-at-Arms: What the Bosun is to a ship, the Master-at-Arms is to the Kreehold. They keep the Mercenaries well-trained in a variety of weapons and defences.
Accountant: The beast responsible for making sure the MinoComm’s Kreehold funds aren't wasted on grog and other unhealthy things... too much. They monitor the Barrack’s supplies, payroll, and the cashing-in of noticeboard contracts.
The Preserver: The Kreehold's cook, poisons expert, and forensics; often all at the same time. Heads the lesser-advertised side of the Kreehold’s work, working closely with the Captain.
Kreehold Doctor: Because "Master of Torture" sounded too ominous...
Condottiere: Higher than regular soldiers, placed in charge of squads or training.
Kreehold Regular: The Kreehold's main force of soldiers.
Kreehold uniforms are kept casual for the day-to-day, each beast permitted their own wardrobe provided they display an embroidered platycodon patch on their chest alongside their ranking bar.
For formalised events where Kreehold are an advertised presence, the accepted uniform is as follows: a black tunic over a white or tan shirt, black breeches or skirt, black hobnail boots, a dark brown or green oiled cloak with hood and high neck, a crimson beret, and the platycodon patch.
If one can afford the formal gear, or represent the higher ranks within the Kreehold, they would be expected to wear as follows when on duty: a black waistcoat with epaulettes to show rank over a light brown shirt, dark brown breeches and black boots, along with the patch. Tucked into a pocket at the left breast, a beast is expected to wear a platycodon flower. Those that are fancy wear a light brown bicorn hat.
The colour-ranking of the epaulettes matches that of the ranking bar a beast should display and is as follows:
Captain - Gold
Master-at-Arms - Silver
Accountant - Yellow
The Preserver - Blue
Kreehold Doctor - White
Condottiere - Black
Kreehold Regular - Red
Kreehold Artisans
Since expanding their reach, the Kreehold now also looks to employ beasts of any discipline. Rather than full-time employment as with the Mercenaries, Artisans are signed onto the Kreehold’s books and called upon when the appropriate contract requires their skills. These skills could range from locksmiths to carpenters; those skilled in forgery to tailors; sailors with small crafts to public speakers and everything in between. Obtaining Artisan status is not particularly strenuous, though earning preferential clients and higher pay requires a sustained display of loyalty to Commerce’s values.
All Artisans are welcome to make use of the amenities of the Barracks, though spaces such as the bunks, armoury and training grounds remain reserved for the Mercenaries. Artisans answer to the Kreehold Captain and work closely with the Accountant, but on the field may be required to answer to relevant ranking officers such as the Preserver.
Kreehold Artisans are not expected to wear any uniform, but instead wear (or be able to present upon request) an official pin as proof of employment. This simple silver bar is stamped on one side with a Kreehold mark and inlaid with one to three square-cut amethysts to denote rank:
One gem: Journeybeast or apprentice of the trade. Hired for smaller jobs and quick work.
Two gems: A skilled craftsbeast in their trade. Hired for the bulk of work.
Three gems: Exceptional or leaders in their trade, known for their discretion. Hired for the most sensitive or complex tasks.
