Minor Clans & Mercenaries

Beyond the great kingdoms of Calradia, there exist numerous Minor Clans. These are mercenary companies, brotherhoods, and tribal groups that do not hold land but play a crucial role in the wars of the continent.

Faction by Faction Breakdown

Each major culture hosts specific minor clans, each with unique troop trees that you cannot find in villages.

The Empire (Legion of the Betrayed, Eleftheroi, Hidden Hand)

• Legion of the Betrayed: Modeled after the old legions. Their Triarius and Hastati units are heavy infantry similar to Legionaries but with a distinct look.

• Eleftheroi: Mounted skirmishers found in the chaotic borderlands.

• Hidden Hand: Light infantry armed with daggers. Generally considered weak in open field battles but interesting for lore.

Sturgia (Skolderbrotda, Lake Rats)

• Skolderbrotda: The "Shield Brothers". These are elite heavy infantry that rival the best Sturgian troops. Their shield walls are legendary.

• Lake Rats: Marsh-dwelling wreckers who specialize in skirmishing.

Battania (Wolfskins)

• Wolfskins: Forest bandits who have organized. Their troops wear wolf pelts and excel in archery and two-handed combat.

Aserai (Ghilman, Jawwal)

• Ghilman: Elite slave-soldiers. They are heavily armored and discipline-focused, often riding camels or horses.

• Jawwal: Bedouin-style nomads. Lightly armored skirmishers and camel riders.

Vlandia (Company of the Golden Boar, Brotherhood of the Woods)

• Company of the Golden Boar: Mercenaries specializing in crossbows and pikes, reflecting Vlandia's combined arms.

• Brotherhood of the Woods: Forest outlaws turned crossbow mercenaries.

Khuzait (Karakhergit)

• Karakhergit: A rebellious clan of horse archers. They are just as deadly as the noble Khuzait lines.

How to Recruit Them

Unlike noble troops or peasant levies, you cannot simply walk into a village and recruit a "Wolfskin."

Method 1: Capture and Convert

This is the hard way.

1. Fight the minor clan in battle.

2. Take their units as Prisoners.

3. Carry them around until they are willing to join your party (requires time and high morale).

   • Note: You cannot recruit the Lords of these clans this way, only the troops.

Method 2: Mercenary Contracts

If you have your own Kingdom, you can hire the entire clan to fight for you.

1. Find the leader of the minor clan.

2. Offer a mercenary contract.

3. They will join your kingdom as a mercenary clan, adding their parties to your military strength.

   • Be warned: They will leave if you don't pay them well or if a better offer comes along.

Summary

Minor clans add flavor and variety to your army. While it is difficult to mass-produce an army entirely of Skolderbrotda or Legionaries, having a core guard of these unique units can set your warband apart from the standard faction armies.

For more on how to manage these relationships, check out our guide on Mercenary Work & Vassalage.