The continent of Panagaia
Most of the continent of Panagaia is made up of City states. Each city state governs an area of around 50 miles surrounding the city, though this can vary depending on the size of the state. The south West of Panagaia is the most densely populated and has the most advanced civilizations, the largest City is Bridge City with its smaller satellite City Launders.
City states have small standing armies, mostly militia to keep order within their boundaries, help with tax collecting and enforcing the law. During times of conflict mercenary companies are hired by either side, this hiring often takes place in moots where all mercenaries looking for employment gather in one place. Representatives from either side are also present and the hiring, bribing and negotiations take place, usually a person of good standing with a large estate will independently host these moots, these can be dangerous meetings with old feuds being settled between different companies and often new ones started. These moots can carry on for days usually ending in a battle between the warring sides, that is if the diplomats can’t find a better solution, underhand dealings, bribery, assassinations and trickery are as much a part of these moots as the battles between the sides. A good company can make a reputation and earn good money at a moot.
As a result Mercenary companies roam the lands looking for work and to gain in reputation (higher the reputation the higher the price). Companies can range in size from a dozen or less to a hundred or more each led by a Captain all tho some large company Captains have felt the need to call themselves generals and appoint staff. All are treated the same by the states who will only negotiate with a Captain terms of a contract.
Most companies are democratic with the Captain being elected but this is not always the case and reputations are not only sought by mercenary companies but individuals themselves looking to increase their standing and chances of leading their own company.
Companies are not just made up of fighters, this is a land of magic and Gods and it is quite common for more than one mage to be attached to a company, there are even some mage's that are Captains. Clerics and Druids can often be seen as well, not just for their healing skills but also for their ability to deal with enemies that are not always human.
Not every job that a Mercenary company can be hired is a straight forward fight and those with other skills than standing tall with sword and shield are required.
There are certain codes and traditions that mercenaries stick to, no company will turncoat- that is turn leave the side that hired them and join the opposing side.
Unless a contract states no quarter, captains will offer quarter to opposing companies, the enemy in one battle can easily be a friend in the next.
Companies will carry their own banner, unique to them this is so they can be seen on the field of battle and duly earn any renown that is theirs. Some of the larger organised companies also sport matching tabards or shields denoting who they are.
A mercenary cannot leave one company and join the other without being released by their captain, when this happens it often causes feuds and bloodshed and therefore traditionally it is avoided.
The lands between the City states are generally lawless tho the inhabitants can look to the Knight orders for protection; alas they are few and are rarely seen. For this reason many settlements are fortified and employment can be gained in helping protect a settlement.
Caravan folk travel between settlements and states transporting trade goods, information, gossip and the occasional traveller (Clerics, bards, merchants and diplomats). Employment as guard with these caravans is an option that many take, especially those without a mercenary company.
Bounty hunters are used by some states and wealthy individuals who have stolen from them or wronged them in some way, these hunters use their contacts and investigative skills to track down and capture/kill depending on the bounty, due to some of the large bounties on offer it is not unusual for a bounty hunter to hire a mercenary company to work on their behalf.
There is another class of person that travels the lands, often going to places that any sensible man/woman would stay away from. These often eccentric individuals search for fame, glory and riches but are often disappointed. These adventurers are seen as madmen by many, but some see advantages in employing them to take on tasks that most wouldn’t touch, and that they are cheap compared to hiring a mercenary company. Some adventurers, the ones that survive make a name for themselves by killing great beasts, uncovering forgotten myths and ever so occasionally becoming rich.
