Do you want to be a warrior without resorting to crime or getting involved in all those nasty politics? Here's your chance. The Lions of Mercator are a group under the Mercator conglomerate dedicated to providing safety and security wherever we go. The main task of the Lions is taking on those who choose a deviant playstyle, both in defensive and offensive roles, from defending caravans, warehouses and VIPs to raiding bandit camps and pursuing criminals with large bounties on their heads. On top of that, the Lions can be deployed to hunt down dangerous creatures or to support our king in times of war. However, aside from supporting our kingdom we will not be involved in any political conflicts. Essentially, as a Lion you can be hired to protect anyone who needs to be protected in this hostile world, from the merchant and his wagons who have to face the bandit-infested wilderness to the shopkeeper in the big city who sees thugs and thieves trying to ruin his business.
Our headquarters will be located in the duchy of Asebe’ia Thunar, in the kingdom of Nirath, but we plan to expand our services throughout the kingdom. Below is a list of the locations for which an permanent branch has been agreed upon. Moreover, chapters will be attached to the major offices of Mercator Inc.
• Wenport
Our warriors will be separated in two very different departments, the Vigils and the Venatori.
The Vigils will be the common warriors and soldiers, and are attached to the offices of Mercator Incorporated. While by no means inferior, the demands for this job are relatively low, allowing casual players and those looking for a part-time job to join us as well. You could even sign up your OPC for the boring jobs to make a quick buck while you are offline. Meanwhile, dedicated members can quickly rise through the ranks and become either Vigil Captains or members of the Venatori. The Vigils will protect merchant caravans and guard warehouses and offices in the towns and cities. Equipment can be provided by the company, but this will be deduced from your salary over time and you might be asked to leave something valuable with us to prevent scamming. As a Vigil, you get paid for each job and contract you complete. Aside from that, you’ll be granted access to our training facilities where you will be taught basic combat skills and, more importantly, group tactics and formations that’ll allow you to fight enemies who, individually, are more skilled than you. As a Vigil, you will be our first and last line of defence against deviants.
The Vigils also allow for on-call employees to fill out our ranks when necessary. We plan to set up a system in which those who are interested in the job register themselves at the nearest office. Once we need additional manpower somewhere, all registered warriors in the surrounding area will be notified that a contract is available. They can then decide whether they can and want to take up this contract. However, they will be removed from the list if they decline too many contracts in a row.
As a Vigil Captain, your job is to manage the Vigils in your designated area and to take care of the system described above. This job requires a bit more dedication and effort, but also comes with additional benefits and status. On top of that, this path allows you to make a career in the management of Mercator Inc. if you wish for that and can show us you got what it takes. This job would also be a good option for older characters. As their physical skills decrease, they can switch to training Vigils and applying their skills and knowledge in a more theoretical manner, while still commanding the Vigils in large operations. In fact, we expect many of our older Vigils to end up in this position, if not higher.
The Venatori will be a dedicated group of highly trained, well-equipped warriors, the mere sight of whom will send common deviants on the run. They are an independent organisation within Mercator Incorporated and they will be tasked with dangerous raids, protecting high-value transports and chasing the most feared criminals. Being a member of the Venatori requires dedication, loyalty and honour. Save for exceptionally skilled and trustworthy applicants, they are exclusively selected from the best of the Vigils and form the elite troops of Mercator Inc. Being a Venator is a full-time career. You are provided with good housing, advanced training facilities and direct access to the best crafters under the Mercator conglomerate, which amounts to a significant discount by removing store premiums.
As a Venator, you will be part of a unit of 4-6 warriors under a Decurion. Unlike the random assignments of the Vigils, you will always fight together and be able to develop a bond with your comrades and to tune your fighting styles to each other. Through this, the unit becomes far more capable and powerful than its individual members. Because of this, these units are sent on the most dangerous missions. As a Venator, you can be one of the most trained and disciplined warriors in the kingdom. You do not give up, but persevere until the mission is completed. You are the nightmare of deviants and you will be a force to be reckoned with, even among professionals.
