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Wherever there is conflict, there can be found mercenaries. Some bands are principled and highly disciplined; others are little more than roving bands of thieves and bandits. Most fight only for money, caring little for glory or a specific cause.

Outside the Lair

Obvious tracks of many iron-shod feet lead to and from the camp.
Trees in the camp’s vicinity have been cut down for firewood and to improve the sentries’ sight lines.
Pennants spaced around the camp’s perimeter display this mercenary band’s heraldry.
Latrine pits pierce the ground behind a small wooded hill near the camp. A noisome stench hangs in the air.

What’s Going On?

The sound of laughter and conversation rises from the camp. The inhabitants seem relaxed and at their ease.
The camp is part-deserted; most mercenaries patrol the area or are otherwise engaged. Only the injured, the sick, and the band’s camp followers remain.
The clamour of weapons practice fills the air.
This silver standard bearer’s pole is beautifully wrought with scenes of combat and the like. The company’s resplendent banner hangs from the pole’s crossbeam.

Major Lair Features

A rough, man-hire wooden palisade surrounds the camp. Small, regularly-spaced platforms provide the sentries somewhere to stand and watch.
The camp’s tents are set in neat rows; a campfire stands outside each tent. This is a disciplined band.
The camp surrounds a ruined stone-walled manor house; the mercenary captain’s tent stands within.
A shallow ditch surrounds the camp; the earth from the ditch has been thrown up to create a small berm around the company’s tents.

Minor Lair Features

Drying clothes, blankets and the like hang from thin lines strung between tents.
Small children—the offspring of several of the mercenaries—roam the camp looking for mischief.
The smell of cooking rises from the centre of the camp. Here works the company cook.
Warriors—off duty or recovering from injuries—sit around the camp; they are bored and have nothing to do.

Mercenary’s Appearance

Grizzled and middle-aged, this warrior wears their hair short. A scar runs down the left side of their neck.
Heavily armed even for a mercenary, this warrior’s belt is laden with three daggers, a short sword and a small mace. They carry a battleaxe slung over their shoulder.
This hulking warrior is over seven feet tall. Although ugly, the warrior’s face is free from scars, bruises, and the like—few opponents can reach that high.
Whip-thin, blond-haired with a swagger, this youth moves with the dangerous grace of a born warrior—a smug, confident grin plasters their face.

Treasure

This silver standard bearer’s pole is beautifully wrought with scenes of combat and the like. The company’s resplendent banner hangs from the pole’s crossbeam.
Carefully wrapped in a soft brown cloth, this ornate spyglass fills a specially-sized pouch.
The company’s iron-bound pay chest holds a great mass of copper, silver and gold coins.
This sheaf of parchments shows the defences of various nearby towns, cities and citadels.

Trinkets & Trash

Patched and fraying, this tent looks like it would blow down in a stiff breeze. It also, probably, offers little in the way of protection from decent rain.
Suits of leather armour fill an old sack. Several of the suits are merely old and frayed; three bear large bloodstained holes.
This poorly-drawn map shows the band’s movements over the last few years. It is wildly inaccurate and bears little resemblance to the surrounding locality.
Old clothes fill this travel-stained pack. An empty pouch is hidden among the clothes.

Credit

This is a short system-neutral extract from Monstrous Lair #93: Mercenary Camp by Robert Manson.

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