13 Red Ribbon Mercenary Group
"The Red Ribbon Mercenary Group." Mark stated proudly.
"Very well then." Eduardo replied, "We'll head to Runetown immediately and be back on the morrow."
Eduardo, Gan Ning and Tsubotai headed towards the stables to grab some horses and head in to town, back through the forest they had just come through. If they departed soon they would have ample daylight to make it in time, Mark's room at the Rupert's Rage was still booked in his name for these occasions. Mark entrusted Gan Ning with a large portion of gold for his purchases.
Mark turned to Boudica and Little Tai.
"Let's recruit us some troops to the Red Ribbons!" Mark enthusiastically exclaimed.
Boudica rolled her eyes, whilst Little Tai looked inspired. They left the headquarters and headed towards the warehouse where everyone was gathered.
They walked past the bunkhouses that had seen better days, Mark estimated that he could fit 24 men in to each house, and there were atleast 8 similar buildings that he had noticed. They also headed past some open space between the warehouse and bunkhouses that Mark felt would be an ideal space for an armourors and blacksmiths.
As they reached the warehouse, a couple of Edward Teech's men were waiting.
"Good afternoon, they are all inside." The first one offered. There was a level of respect in his voice, and he felt lucky that he had Little Tai and his history with him. If not, it would have been a pretty stupid idea to buy a fort with only 5 men. Mark thought hard and realised he had massively jumped the gun, he should have bought a small warehouse or shop, not an entire fort, with such a small force. He needed to get more men and soon, for the mission but also for his own security.
"Thank you." Mark replied, before heading through.
The warehouse doors were open and there was around 40 people of varrying styles inside. There were a few men and women animal fur, some in armour and some in pirate gear.
Mark walked to the centre of the warehouse and the people inside parted as he walked through, Little Tai and Boudica at his sides.
"I am Mark, leader of the Red Ribbon Mercenary Group." He announced. "This is Zhou Tai one of my mercenary captains and Princess Boudica another of my captains. They are both extremely talented warriors who I trust with my life."
"This recruitment is for the first batch of warriors, I will take any that pass my tests. There are two tests." He continued, "The first is a blade clash with Zhou Tai or Boudica is you can stay standing after three exchanges you pass the first round. The second round is a chat with me, if I deem your answers good enough, you will be handed a red ribbon and will join us. Any questions?"
There was silence in the room for a moment, Little Tai was a renowned fighter and Boudica was an unknown, but her gaze was terrifying.
"I have a question?" A man in fur asked. Mark looked at him deeply.
Character Information
Name - Coyotl
Position - Bandit Warrior
Age - 25
Relationship Status - Neutral
Level - 3
Additional Information - In a past life, Coyotl was an Aztec Jaguar warrior, who fought in the early 1400s against other Aztec tribes. He died after his leg was cut and caught infection, during his recovery an actual jaguar tracked him and killed him.
Skills - Tracker, Warrior Code, Axe Thrower, Weapons Expert.
Potential - 3 stars *Congratulations on your new information, potential shows peoples potential level growth, the higher the potential, the higher they could get. Higher levels equal higher skills. 5 stars is the best, 1 stars means they have reached their peak.*
More information upon level up.
"What is your question?" Mark asked politely.
"What are the benefits of joining the Red Ribbon Mercenary Group?" Coyotl asked.
"Simple, we will earn good gold and have lots of fun on the way." Mark replied, causing a cheer from amongst a lot of the would be recruits. Coyotl eyed Mark suspiciously before stepping forward.
"I feel there is more than that, but regardless I will step forward first. Captain Zhou I challenge you first." He replied.
Little Tai stepped forward to meet him, drawing his Saber like Katana rather than his longer Tachi. This was a test of strength rather than a battle to the death.
Mark stood and watched as they approached each other, hoping there would be no bloodshed today.
Coyotl drew a sword from his belt and rushed towards Little Tai. He slashed at him, But Little Tai reacted quickly and easily met it and pushed the blade away. Little Tai then swung his Katana at Coyotl, who quickly reacted with his sword barely partying it, there was a lot of force behind Little Tai's simple strike, sending ripples up Coyotl's arm.
One more strike to survive! Coyotl thought to himself. He intended to counter attack after the parry, but his arm was still ringing. Little Tai followed up from his strike and struck down quickly. Coyotl raised his Sword above and caught the strike. The sword rang and dropped from his hands, he stepped back and looked at Little Tai. Fear was in his eyes, if this was a real fight, he would be dead.
"Passed" Little Tai said with a slight smile. Coyotl nodded his head in thanks and headed towards Mark.
"You did well, brave to step forward first and to be standing after three strikes." Mark commented. "Come sit to this side and watch the rest, I'll ask my questions at the end."
Coyotl sat on the floor behind Mark, deep in thought, where all of the Red Ribbon warriors this strong? He thought to himself.
"Next!" Mark ordered, proud at Little Tai's show of strength.
There was a slight pause before a woman in fur stood up, heading towards Boudica.
Character Information
Name - Hilda Halfheart
Position - Bandit Warrior
Age - 23
Relationship Status - Neutral
Level - 2
Additional Information - In a past life, Hilda was a Viking shieldmaden, she was heavily involved in the invasion of Scotland by early Viking raiders. Her battle successes were sung for years after exploits, around fires and gatherings. She eventually died in her late 40s from an infection on an old wound
Skills - Shield Maden, Battle Cry, Sheild Wall Expert, Professional Drinker.
Potential - 3 stars
More information upon level up.
"I am Hilda, I challenge you." She declared in a thick accent, pointing her sword at Boudica.
"Very well." replied Boudica, drawning her bastard sword and walking forwards to the duel.
Hilda moved similar to Coyotl and charged quick to get the first strike. She swung her sword down towards the approaching Boudica. Boudica saw the blade coming and span quickly out of the way, slashing her blade low towards Hilda's stomach. Hilda was too late to stop the momentum and felt the cold of the iron pressing against her stomach.
Boudica did not continue her slash and pulled her blade back, causing a sigh of relief from the crowd. Hilda looked down at her exposed stomach and exhaled, she should be dead.
Boudica put her blade at her side "You loose the first clash, but your movements are quick. Come let's exchange again."
Boudica was clearly excited for the chance to train her blade and did a quick sideways slash towards Hilda who lifted her blade to parry. Her parry was successful but she didn't follow with a counterattack, instead she pulled her blade back awaiting a second slash. Instead Boudica turned her blade and went for a quick stab, causing Hilda to jump back, slashing away at the incoming sword.
Boudica stood back and smiled wickedly. "She is still on her feet, she passes."
Hilda breathed a sigh of relief and headed next to Coyotl. Mark smiled at her knowingly, he knew that if he thought either Little Tai or Boudica he would loose. He needed to train himself after he finished with the recruitment.
soon after more fur armoured men and women challenged the group, with a further 4 passing the challenge, 6 however had been unsuccessful, but waited patiently to see if any if their bandit friends would be joining. They may not get in themselves, but being friends with a high tier mercenary faction still made it worthwhile. So far no one had died, but there had been some minor bloodshed.
When those in fur had finished, A tall man in iron armour stood up, his armour was damaged in parts, but you could see he was a seasoned soldier.
Character Information
Name - Bertrand Du Guesclin
Position - Exiled Knight
Age - 33
Relationship Status - Neutral
Level - 4
Additional Information - In a past life, Bertrand was a famous knight and general in the French army during the 100 years war. He came from a poor background and was often ridiculed for his bad looks and poor heritage, he defeated many knights from better families in completion and led troops to fight against the English armies. When he finally died of old age, he was buried alongside french royalty.
Skills - Chivalry, Jousting Champion, Capable Knight, Heavy Armour wearer.
Potential - 4 stars *Oh a good one!*
More information upon level up.
"My name is Bertrand, I challenge Sir Zhou." He stated. From his profile alone, Mark knew he would hire this man urgently, his second test was all based on his opinions from their profile and his initial gut instinct to them, none that had passed the first test would fail the second if not for some major character flaws.
Little Tai stepped forwards, this time drawing his Tachi, taking the battle seriously from the start, Bertrand looked fearless and gave Little Tai a worrisome feeling from the start.
Bertrand drew his two handed long sword and paced slowly forwards, stopping when in reach of Little Tai's tachi which was over a metre long. Little Tai swung his sword towards Betrand, who easily caught it with his blade, he then stepped forwards and went to shoulder barge Little Tai.
Little Tai span to the side, allowing the shoulder barge to pass, he then slashed his tachi down at Bertrand, who once again caught it with his sword. Bertrand then swung his sword at Little Tai, who quickly had to block and step back, a devilish grin appearing on Little Tai's face.
Both warriors quickly stepped back and raised there swords for another strike.
"Stop!" Mark shouted, "Three clashes have been completed. You have passed"
Bertrand nodded respectfully at Mark and headed over to the others after bowing slightly to Little Tai, who returned the bow.
Soon after the remaining warriors had thought, a few more in armour and the rest in light pirate clothes. In the end, of the 40 or so who tried, 18 had passed the first round, which was a higher number than Mark expected.
