The Golden Daggers

Mercenary Troop Extraordinare

Base of Operations: Coranan, Thardic Republic
Regions of Operation: Tharda, Rethem, Orbaal
Motto: Veni, Vidi, Vichi (Came, Saw, Conquered)
Symbol: Golden (Bronze) Dagger (very small blade)

Thadius Asarn, a retired legionnaire, founded the Golden Dagger Mercenary Association in 680TR. The troop consists of roughly 100 members who work as bodyguards, assassins and caravan escorts out of Coranan. The Golden Dagger hires almost exclusively from the legion and the gladiator schools in Coranan and Shiran. Pay scales are similar to those in the legion, with a promise of an equal share of all treasures "found" if the member is part of the group that found it.

Technically, the Golden Daggers do not own land. Since Clan Asarn backs the company, many of landless members spend time in their headquarters in Coranan or at an Asarn residence. In return for a place to recuperate, the Golden Daggers act as bodyguards for the landed Asarns. The few equestrians in the Golden Daggers swear an oath forgoing their own clan upon entry, and thus become landless.

Since, in Tharda, it is illegal for anyone other than the Republican Army (and thus by extension the Senate) to have a standing army, mercenaries are very popular. A certain number of bodyguards either hired directly or through a mercenary company, creates the small private armies…security forces used by most senators, their immediate families and other important clan members. These same security forces guard caravans along the tribal infested Salt Route and along the Corani High Road. In addition, since a mercenary force swears allegiance to its employer and not the Republic, it can enter any foreign country without being called an invasion force.

Company Organization

The Golden Daggers are organized in a similar fashion to the Manus in the legion.

Company Commander
Squad Leader Squad Leader Skirmisher / Archers Calvary
5 man squad 5 man squad 10 man squad 5 man squad

Each Company has 26 members. The Golden Daggers have five companies and 20 individual specialists. The Five companies are called: Golden (led by Grevius), Poison (led by Tuorphir of the Tulwyn), Winter (no leader currently), Spring (no leader currently), and Blue (led by Erkenbarad).

Company Activities

The companies can be hired individually, by the squad, or by the specialist. Occasionally mixed squads can also be hired, but the practice is frowned upon. Each squad practices together. Companies are suppose to practice together for up to 8 tendays each year, but the Golden Daggers are so popular this has become almost impossible to schedule.

Three Company Commanders

The company commander must have been at least a Milities Primus or a Manus in the legion, or have served no less than 8 years in the Golden Daggers. Company Commanders must know how to ride and use a pike or lance. The commanders usually reside at the Coranan headquarters unless on duty elsewhere. By mutual consent all the Company Commanders of the Golden Daggers have given up their clan name.



This page was last updated on July 9, 2001
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