Reivers

The Reivers are a band of bandits that plunder towns and rob people along roads. These marauders often offer their services to groups and kingdoms while they are in times of war. Originally forming in Axios, the group's name was not feared until its re-establishment when the tower was erected at the yodeling crossroads. From there on, the raiders would continue to participate in a multitude of conflicts, being hired by the many of the nations of Atlas.

The Reivers' base of operations, c. 1651 The Reiver Highwaymen Active: 1616-Present Type: Bandits for Hire Role: Mercenary troops: scouts, light infantry, and shock units. Size: Approximately 1500. Country: Independent bandits. Garrison/HQ: The Yodeling Crossroads.

History

Founding

The group of highwaymen known as the Reivers were originally formed in the latter half of Axios. In the year 1616, a handful of bandits, namely Wydren Volaren, banded together and founded a semi-organized group of brigands. The group originally lived in secret in the woods next to Aleksandria, capital of the Kingdom of Courland. The bandits focused their raiding efforts on the Sutican people for a few years following 1616, but internal struggle hindered growth and numbers soon began to dwindle. As a result, the Reivers hardly lasted, the group being disbanded only a few years after its formation. A select few were left to travel the roads, robbing people individually or in isolated small groups as a result of the dissolution.

Re-founding

1651, a total approximate of 35 years passed since the original formation of the Reivers. A decade after passing from the realm of Axios to Atlas, the Reivers officially re-established their presence by the construction of a tower in the Yodeling crossroads. The return of many original founders was reinforced by a new generation of brigands joining in. Being at the center between the conflicting nations of the south- mainly Curon and Haense- and the nations of the North-most importantly, the kingdom of Renatus- the bandits became involved in many confrontations. The Reivers continue to raid settlements and rob travelers walking South along the roads, harassing the paths of Atlas.

Organization

Bandits are not particularly known to be organized and the Reivers are no exception. There exists no official ranks amongst the brigands disregarding the exception of the status “bossman”. The boss is the head of the Reivers and is the final opinion in decisions made by the group. Often accompanying these bandits, fishmongers are poor fishermen who locate themselves close to the Reivers. These anglers are granted immunity from the Reivers and are even sometimes seen aiding the brigands in their day-to-day muggings.

Arms and Equipment

Reivers don’t enforce any sort of dress code, but most Reiver highwaymen opt to wear a blue bandana or cloth of some sort on their face. In regard to weaponry, they utilize a large variety of weapons usually being the nicest blade or bow they manage to find for themselves.

Operational History

Atlas Coalition War, c.1657-Present

In the year 1653, the Reivers were hired by a young man donning no banners, to raid and pillage the city of Markev. In which they would do so prompting many large scale raids to take place in which the Reivers would always come out on top. The Reivers were used as a weapon by the Kingdom of Renatus to deal heavy damage to Markev's troops before their own banner men came in to attack. This would leave Markev vulnerable until the man that hired the Reivers neglected to pay. This caused the Reivers to offer their services to the other side which quickly shifted the gears of the war as Haense and it's allies would begin to win the battles that took place between the two nations. This kept on until the disappearance of King Otto of Haense. Consequentially, the Reivers were left without any major contract until the United Southern Alliance-consisting of the Silver State of Haelun'or, the Kingdom of Norland, and the Kingdom of Haense- decided to employ the Reivers to fight on the defensive for the upcoming war for Markev.

• Battle of The Rolling Hills, c.1660

As the main location of the war shifted towards the swamps of Norland, the armies of both the coalitions met midfield. A small force of about 900 Reivers served to support the heavy infantry for control of a large hill where most of the fighting took place. Amidst the start of the battle, a bold charge forward by the brigands at a regiment of Curonites could be considered most noteworthy before the inevitable rout of the United Southern Alliance.

• Battle of The Forkwoods, c.1661

Battered and low on morale, the remaining Reivers combined with Norlandic and Haensetic bannermen held a hil against a horde of Renation troops. The slaughter lead to a near depletion of southern forces, leaving only a handful to fall back to Ruriksgrad.

• Siege of Ruriksgrad, c.1662

The final confrontation in the Atlas Coalition War, a handful of Reivers helped hold the city against the Northern Atlas Aliance. A valiant effort was put forth before the inevitable fall of Ruriksgrad.

Battle of Small Tower

Geography

The Reivers are currently situated at the Yodeling Crossroads located at the borders between the Principality of Curon, the Kingdom of Renatus, the Kingdom of Norland, the Kingdom of Santegia, and the Kingdom of Haense.

Notable Members

• Wydren Volaren, founder and considered the bossman of the Reivers.
• Lyulen Daemyr, a founding member in both Axios and Atlas.
• Lonan Daemyr, a founding member during the group's revival in Atlas.
• Mah’r Volaren, a founding member in both Axios and Atlas.
• Angus Mudd, member during the group's original founding in Axios.
• Luke Dunamis, a legendary and esteemed mercenary who joined the Reivers during its re-founding in 1651.
• Other notable Reivers include but are not limited to Randal 'The Vandal' Ronjon, Eras, Daquan ‘The Destroyer’, Vinnic Daemyr, and William ‘Dirty Mike' Staunton.