Free companies, mercenaries, and Private Military Companies are all terms for a rather simple concept: a group of people (typically former military, but not always) who fight for money, without having allegiance to any cause or nation.

According to my research, these groups started in the early medieval period (the 12th century) and have evolved since then. But the basic concept is always the same.

In the nations of Zaria, this concept exists as well.

The Legions of Rhon

Perhaps the most well-known mercenaries in the world are the Legions of Rhon.

After many of the tribes of the Rhonish plains moved into the XX Basin and settled what would become the first of the Rhonish city-states, they needed a source of revenue. So the first Legions were formed as independent entities only loosely affiliated with their host city.

Originally, they found each other for land and resources, but as the city-states grew and evolved, the influence of the Legions spread and they began finding work in Welos and Istivan.

The success of the Orcish Legions inspired the Elvish tribe of Sidori to follow suit and shortly after the human cities of Venosh and Demosh also incentivized the formation of their own free companies.

Although they have continued a tradition of success and lucrative contracts, most of the Rhonish city-states have recently begun discouraging their support of the Legions. Increased taxes and regulation have lead to the collapse of nearly half of the Legions and the rest are either on their way out, or have sought homes elsewhere.

The Tribes of Galten and Thayer

Less wide-ranging, but no less intimidating, the city-states of Galten and Thayer separated from the nation of Franta nearly a millenia ago over the Hordes they offered up as raiders to the highest bidder and took a cut of the lucrative treasure.

Because of their proximity to western Ansgar, the neighbor was nearly always the target and the diplomatic pressure was mounting on the Frantan government to stop the raids.

As firearms developed and raids became less lucrative and the resistance by their targets became more fierce, the Hordes have largely dropped off, though a few have reformed themselves as Mercenary Companies and offer their services as guards and escorts.

Largely speaking, the world of Zaria frowns on the use of mercenaries, but they exist for the moment and have their ardent supporters.