Free Companies

down on mangled heaps with a rustle of dusky wings. Like harbingers of Fate a wavering line of herons flapped slowly away towards the reed-grown banks of the river. No rumble of chariot wheel or peal of trumpets disturbed the unseeing stillness. The silence of death followed the thundering of battle. Welcome to the world of mercenaries in the Hyborian age, with its slowly decaying civilisations beset by corruption from within and rage from without, simultaneously showing us the best and the worst in men. Every person, from a nobleman to the most common peasant can experience wonders that will not appear in the world again for another ten thousand years. Yet, at the same time they act towards one another with the utter lack of regard only available to men who know they will never answer for their actions. These men who would become mercenaries embody this dichotomy in their lives and morals. On one hand they stand as the protectors of civilisation, placing their lives on the line to defend corrupt nations. On the other they indulge their every whim, committing crimes even worse than those that invaders might inflict if they had the chance. Barbarians might act out their basest desires but it takes a formerly civilised man to imagine the greatest perversities. A more brutal bunch of cut-throats, thieves and wretched villains you will never find, and yet, civilised countries pay them to mount a defence against the forces of barbarism ravaging their borders. Within these pages you will find rules for the looting and the destruction of innocent lives. You will also find rules to help a mercenary make the most of his potential by cutting the throats of everyone who might stand in his way. Conan: The Free Companies provides information about the various mercenary organisations feasting on the flesh of the Hyborian kingdoms. These organisations take sacks of gold in return for protecting their client’s goods from outside threats. Each of these companies has its own requirements for admittance, code of conduct and reasons for continuing their current service. Covering how mercenary life can bend, break and change a character, how they come into their service and why they remain as well as detailing a host of new feats and multiclassing options, with Conan: The Free Companies you can create truly unique mercenaries for your Conan setting.