Fancy Men

Also called schickeleute in their homeland of Vilstrung, the Fancy Men a widely renown and respected mercenary band found frequenting the wilderness of Western Vilstrung. They are also called the band of Fancy Men and Lovely Lasses.   The Fancy Men earn their name from their ostentatious clothing and taste for theatrics. They're a company that romantacizes the adventuring life and are famously appreciated as local folk heroes. Despite that, the Fancy Men are still mercenaries at the end of the day; and drive high prices when levied by nobility.

The Coat of Color

Fancy Men are known for being granted a cream coloured doublet the moment they enter service as a fancy man. Uniforms aren't repaired in the traditional sense; all equipment is stitched and patched up with brighter threads that add more color to the uniform to mark its place as a former wound.   A colorful fancy man is said to have weathered many ordeals, their coat a patchwork that marks all the former wounds they've received. Many fancy men are also known for using their loot as status symbols; either by reusing weapons they've pilfered from their enemies or parts from beasts that they've slain to wreathe necklaces.

Common Equipment

The Flamberge is practically synonymous with the fancy men; no short in thanks to their head of command, a well known swordsman that wields a long, wavy blade that's said to lop the legs off giants. All fancy men are fond of using long ranged or heavy weaponry; even their melee weapons are heavier, with pikes and greatswords being their weaponry of choice. For ranged weapons, the Fancy men flaunt their wealth; they often use heavy firearms for long ranged support, and prefer crossbows over bows.  

Life as a Fancy Man

Becoming a Fancy Man means living life entirely on the road. They travel by foot and beasts of burden, and are known for their easily distinguished flags that bear their coat of arms; a dancing man on a green field. Bright flags also mark the perimeter of their camps.   Like many other mercenary companies, the Fancy Men follow wherever it's most profitable for them to wander, but almost never settle within the walls of a city. They roam close to the edges of towns and migrate between Burgomeisters in search of gold.   Cherished as local folk heroes, the Fancy Men are known for keeping their prices low towards the poor -- and even assist wandering wayfarers in finding their home. Their bright coloured flags and tapestried tents are welcome invitations to the lost and the needy, and they are more than happy to lend their blade towards those that are caught in crisis.   In the eyes of a real Fancy Man, gold is one of the most important things in the world -- but more important still is fame, and what is worth more fame than being the hero in a story sung by the fireside?