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"The winged, dragon-like wyverns are renowned for being unpredictable. Extremely driven, they are considered to be underhand, cunning, and aggressive in their pursuit of their ambitions. Bold, yet sometimes devious, wyverns tend to choose unconventional, and sometimes spectacular, ways to reach goals." — Urszula, The Zodiac Sign of Illarion

Founded in Chos and baptised in the fire and blood of Mas 74, the Black Wyvern Company is a free guild of mercenaries and professional adventurers hailing from all realms of Illarion, lending their swords for coin to those in need of their services. Some follow an ideal of freedom, glory and adventure; others are soldiers of fortune at heart; and some just love fighting.

Be it the culling of dangerous wildlife, serving as bodyguards, retrieving lost treasures or rare materials from the untamed wilderness, or bringing wanted outlaws to justice — the Black Wyverns are open for contracts of all kind, and not afraid to get their hands dirty.

To its members, the Company offers many benefits: The promise of fame and fortune; the opportunity to hone their combat skills; access to affordable, high-quality equipment and provisions; and, most important of all, the companionship of brothers and sisters in arms who can be relied on to have their backs.

The Codex of the Black Wyvern Company

These are the honourable rules by which we, the Black Wyvern Company, conduct our business. Remember and heed these rules, and you will be well-rewarded. Violate them and you will suffer the consequences.

I. Independence: We are free men and serve no one but ourselves and our clients. There is no room for split loyalty or conflicts of interest in the Company, thus you cannot be a member of any other guild nor hold a public office in any realm. Our freedom also means that each of us retains the freedom to choose which contracts and clients to accept, though we stand united in their completion and satisfaction.

II. Discretion: Silence is golden. Discretion is our watchword. Never betray the Company, its clients, or its business secrets.

III. Discipline: We are a professional mercenary company. Order and discipline are of paramount importance. Never disobey or refuse to carry out an order of a Company superior, especially when in battle. The disobedient will be disciplined.

IV. Comradery: The Company are your brothers and sisters in arms. Give them the support you wish to receive. When working together, share your rewards fairly. Never steal from, assault, or act against a fellow Company member.

V. Reliability: Your word and handshake are worth gold. Accept no contract you cannot fulfil, never break your contract, and should you fail, reimburse your client. Those who prove unreliable have no place in the Company.

VI. Respect: Never tarnish the Company's reputation. We are not a gang of thugs, but professionals. When in town, you will respect the local laws.

Hail to the Black Wyverns!

The Company Roster

The captain — The head of the Company, managing most of its affairs such as recruitment, contracts, payments, and procuring equipment and provisions for the Company's armory.

• Captain Malchus: Yours truly. You'll know me when you see me: tall, buff, handsome, fashionable eyepatch. Serinjah clansman, former guard captain of Runewick, now building Illarion's roughest and toughest mercenary company. Master of melee combat and archery, champion of the third One Above All tournament, hobby wrestler.

The sergeant — The captain's deputy. His responsibilities include training fellow Company members, instructing fresh recruits in the basics of life in the Company, and maintaining discipline and order among them. The sergeant is an experienced mercenary who enjoys the trust and respect of his captain and comrades, and is elected by all other full members of the Company. Should the Company grow further, additional sergeants may be elected to meet its demand.

• Sergeant: To be elected yet.

Men-at-arms — These swords-for-hire have proven themselves through reliable service worthy to bear the name and colours of a Black Wyvern, and enjoy all benefits and privileges that come with it. They're the bravest of the brave and the keenest of the keen.

• Lahadrion: An elven ranger whose marksmanship and keen eyes make him a valuable addition to any adventuring party. Lahadrion is a master archer favouring medium armour.
• Orakh: An orc as big and strong as they come, and a master melee fighter favouring the mace and heavy armour.
• Soren: Born to an Albarian family of travelling merchants and having served in his lord's militia, this young sellsword is well-accustomed to the hardships of travel and army life, and has mastered the use of the spear and of medium armour.

Hirelings — It takes more than mere lip service to join our ranks. Hirelings are not considered full members of the Company, but rather prospective recruits on a trial period. Though on the Company's payroll as retainers, these fledgling mercenaries have yet to prove themselves to earn their keep. We will watch their careers with great interest.

• Lins: A young swordsman of Cadomyr.
• Shevelle: Do not be fooled by this young Albarian lassie's unassuming appearance: as a budding magic apprentice, she doesn't need steel to defend herself. Her dabbling in spatial magic makes her a very helpful travel companion.

Ex-Wyverns — Those who resigned, were dismissed, or fell serving under the Company's banner.

• Beerus: MIA. This zealous son of Zelphia was as steadfast in combat as he was in his faith. A veteran heavy swordslizard, his greatest reported feat was the slaying a cursed dragon. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
• Uhuru "Slayer" Pryler: Resigned. Charming and gentle to her friends, and a fierce warrioress to her enemies; Uhuru is a natural protector and adventurous survivalist, right at home in the untamed wilds. Not shying away from donning armour and drawing her dagger or bow, but also knowledgeable in herbalism and the art of potion-brewing, Uhuru proves to be a woman of many talents.

Relations

• The Chamber of Commerce: Cooperative
  The Black Wyvern Company considers the Chamber of Commerce a close business partner and ally. The Company assigns contracts offered by the Chamber higher priority, and the Chamber's merchants and craftsmen enjoy the Company's protection. An agreement with the Chamber affords all full members of the Black Wyvern Company a 50% discount on all purchases from Bernie Bottoms, the Chamber's guildmaster. As such, the Company's men are encouraged to take advantage of this beneficial arrangement by doing their shopping primarily with Bernie Bottoms or other Chamber associates. The Chamber of Commerce's guildhall also functions as the Company's current, inofficial headquarters.

Findos 76 — Having proven their skill and death-defying courage in the crucible of the dragon lair, Uhuru Pryler and Lahadrion are solemnly accepted into the ranks of the Black Wyvern Company.
May they make the Company proud and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies! Hail to the Black Wyverns!

Elos 77 — The dark days of Mas have passed, and the Black Wyvern Company, hired by Bernie Bottoms to bolster Galmair's defence, did its part to hold back the monstrosities which the darkness brought. The new year dawns and already brings change to the Company.

Uhuru "Slayer" Pryler chose to resign from her service under the Company's banner. Her selfless bravery and commitment to her comrades were exemplary and will be sorely missed. Wherever her path leads her, may Zhambra be with her.

Orakh, the orcish warrior, has proven himself worthy to wear the Company's black through his strength, skill, and his service in Galmair's defence during Mas. There is little doubt this orc has the making of a true mercenary. May his mace crush many foes, and may his purse be filled with many coins.

Tanos 77 — The ranks of aspiring Company members have been reviewed. As the wheat is separated from the chaff, two rookies fell short of the Company's expectations; the aspiring mercenaries Krull and Aldric Dart have not been seen nor heard of since, and their names have been scratched off the Company's ledger.

Lins, a young, eager swordsman, voiced his wish to become a mercenary with the Black Wyvern Company. As he has yet much to learn about what it takes to make it as a professional adventurer in Illarion, the Company shall teach him the ropes and give him a chance to prove himself in his trial period. Will Lins prove to have what it takes to become a fully-fledged Black Wyvern mercenary?

Shevelle, a young magic apprentice from Albar, also aspires to join the ranks of the Company. What she may lack in experience she makes up for with enthusiasm. Though no battle-hardened sellsword like most of our members, her arcane abilities can provide invaluable support to any adventuring party. Will Shevelle make it as the Company's first mage-for-hire?

Zhas 77 — Trouble in Galmair and internal reforms.

Trouble in Galmair
Law and order continue to deteriorate in Galmair. A fight broke out between Company member Orakh and local resident Thurm, who were sparring in Galmair's guard room, and the notorious murderer Greum who arrived there together with his clan's chief, Ruk'nar. Whatever may have caused the scuffle, it spilled from the guard room over onto Galmair's streets, where the craven Bloodbanes pleaded the town guard for protection. Things escalated further when Ela'Xandir, another resident of Galmair, joined the fight on the side of the Bloodbane orcs, and together with them mortally wounded Orakh.

It is only thanks to Cherga's mercy that brave Orakh continues to live. Ela'Xandir, realising the grave mistake he made by attacking a Black Wyvern Company member, begged the Company's forgiveness. As Ela'Xandir made a public apology and paid tribute to Orakh and the Company as a sign of his sincere contrition, his transgression shall be forgiven this time. As hostilities and provokations of the Bloodbanes continue, Company members are advised to keep their weapons ready to hand whenever this clan's orcs are around.

Codex amends & new ranks
As the Company grows in size and responsibilities, some changes have been made to its codex and hierarchy. The codex has been amended to include a new rule regarding the importance of discipline and following orders of superiors, especially when in battle. Though this should be needless to say, some recent cases of reckless conduct and disobedience prove otherwise.

The Company's hierarchy is being formalised through the introduction of new ranks, notably that of the sergeant. The Company's ranks are now as follows: captain, sergeants, men-at-arms, and hirelings.

• The captain acts as head of the Company, managing most of its affairs such as recruitment, contracts, payments, and procuring equipment and provisions for the Company's armory.
• The sergeant, a newly created rank, is to act as the captain's deputy. His responsibilities will include training fellow Company members, instructing fresh recruits in the basics of life in the Company, and maintaining discipline and order among them. The sergeant shall be an experienced mercenary who enjoys the trust and respect of his comrades, so he shall be elected by all other full members of the Company. Should the Company grow further, additional sergeants may be elected to meet its demand.
• Men-at-arms form the main body of the Company; all regular members are pooled in this rank. Being full members of the Company, they enjoy all rights and privileges that come with it, and shall be recognised by their black Company cloak.
• Hirelings, formerly known as aspirants, are the Company's lowest rank. They're not considered full members of the Company, but rather prospective recruits on a trial period. Though on the Company's payroll as retainers, these fledgling mercenaries have yet to prove themselves to earn their keep.