Many knightly orders play lip service to women, but few take it seriously, and even fewer would allow women to join their order and ride in the ranks with them as equals. Yet the Knights of the Lady, it seems, truly do think of women as equals and have done this.

Sing a song of sixpence
Pocketful of rye
Four and twenty blackbirds
Baked in a pie

Mercenary companies are usually little more than bands of low-level thugs. This one is a much more sophisticated organisation, with its own history, regulations and culture.

The deployment of the Lord of the Waste’s army.

The Ambassador’s bodyguard quaked at the sight of the uniformed skeletons guarding the main gates of the royal palace. "Don’t be afraid," the Ambassador said. "They are King’s Bones, the monarch’s personal bodyguards, and are no threat to us unless we were to do something stupid like trying to attack His Majesty."

Exiled from their home this elite military force is adrift in a foriegn land. All these people have ever known is war so they put themselves for sale as mere mercenaries at the same price as any other sword slingers. But these men have brought a new type of type of warfare to the northern lands and the fields of battle will run red with their enemy’s blood.

Quest

‘‘Is not the emir himself a slave of the Allmighty? Everyone should be a slave. Unchecked freedom is a terrible curse and burden that will destroy us if we are not subject to the will of our natural superiors that have it in themselves to elevate all that is noble and proud in their slaves, while stifling that which is head-strong and foolish. Unfortunate is the free man who has no master to rule over him’‘.

Seen by some as warriors for the gods, and by others as mere mercenaries drapped in a priests robes.

And now the day was here, and the people had gathered for the spectacle of my punishment for show throughout the arena the bodies of those about to perish had led off a procession of their own death. My master was sitting there piling up favor derived from our blood. Although no one could know my fortune, my family, my father, because I was separated from my homeland by the sea, among certain spectators nevertheless one thing made me pitiable, that I seem inadequately prepared; truly I was destined to be a certain victim of the arena, no one had caused less expense for the giver of the games than I. One thing they do not know, while I may be inadequate in preparation, the fear of a cornered man knows no bounds.

-Agustine, prisoner of war and Gladiator

“...And you, Human, must follow our words, lest we summon up every curse that lies buried beneath these sands and pour them upon you and your children, and their children, and in turn their children, for so many generations that your blood will surely never survive.”

Also known as the Oathbreakers Legion, or the Forsaken, this company is often the last stop for criminals, vagabonds and vagrants before the headsman’s ax.

Many noble lords offend people of equal or greater rank as themselves.  In the kingdom of Aoh Chiane, these offenses are dealt with in duels.  But, of course, the nobility of Aoh Chiane do not fight their own fights…

The Gryphon Knights are the commanders of the Sovereign’s Finest, the King’s loyal advisors and bodyguards.

The Sovereign’s Finest is The Crown’s Personal Unit. They are not only elite fighters who have distinguished themselves in service to the Country (Caladania), but they are trained to be envoys of the crown and capable of special duties.

This is an unofficial order of the King’s Guard, those charged with protecting the castle, the king, and any holdings. The Red Hand are the elites of the prisioner guards.

The Order is a stanch defender of The Crown, despite that he has turned his back on traditional ways. They try to council him in “proper ways” to handle things. They are known for their motto “Tradition is my Shield”.

The children of some of the murdered City Guards formed the “White Knights”, their stated aim being to help the City Guards crack down on crime.

An elite unit dedicated to The Queen.

The Society of Blood is much more benign than its name sounds. Initially created as an award of valor for common foot soldiers, membership. The SOBs decided to make themselves a benevolent, protective order for all veterans. They quickly united informally and, without any bloodshed or even any overt threats, restored order and fairness for veterans through all the lands.

The Order of the Iron Gauntlet is the oldest in the Kingdom. They are the order of the King’s Guardian Knights. Though they are Generals and Warriors of note, they act as the King’s bodyguards in battle and interesting situations.