+Khorne
Free City of Essen - Men of the Ravenclaw
Left to right: First Company Schütze, company appraiser, sea captain, Second Company Schütze x2, Seemann x2
Established in 623, the Essener Ostterra Handelsbund (Essian East Terra Trade League) united part of the Free City’s guilds and merchant houses into a single venture aimed at colonizing the New World. With Essen lacking the power of larger nations, the City Council saw fit to consolidate its resources, creating a chartered company capable of matching the influence of its larger rivals - not through force of arms, but through enterprise, organization, and shrewd diplomacy.
Through the clever reading and creative interpretation of old treaties, the Handelsbund serves more than merely commercial aims. While Essen’s official military may be limited in size - a legacy of the civil war and its heavy peace - the Handelsbund is permitted to maintain its own forces for the defense of its holdings abroad. Called the Schutztruppe, or 'protective troop', these troops, drawn mostly from outside the City, across Carno and beyond, form a disciplined and well-equipped small army, nominally independent, though clearly benefitting from Essen’s martial expertise and supply lines.
Outsiders and foreigners mostly refer to the Handelsbund as 'Ravenclaw' or the 'Ravenclaw Company', due to its use of raven claw symbology, which is linked to one of its founders: Rupprecht Ravenclaw.
Sailors and soldiers of the Ravenclaw wear dark blue uniform, often marked with the emblem of the company. In the early days of the Bund, soldiers were supplied with leftover black uniforms of Essen's military, which are gradually being phased out to deny any links between both organizations.
Free City of Essen - Men of the Ravenclaw
Left to right: First Company Schütze, company appraiser, sea captain, Second Company Schütze x2, Seemann x2
Established in 623, the Essener Ostterra Handelsbund (Essian East Terra Trade League) united part of the Free City’s guilds and merchant houses into a single venture aimed at colonizing the New World. With Essen lacking the power of larger nations, the City Council saw fit to consolidate its resources, creating a chartered company capable of matching the influence of its larger rivals - not through force of arms, but through enterprise, organization, and shrewd diplomacy.
Through the clever reading and creative interpretation of old treaties, the Handelsbund serves more than merely commercial aims. While Essen’s official military may be limited in size - a legacy of the civil war and its heavy peace - the Handelsbund is permitted to maintain its own forces for the defense of its holdings abroad. Called the Schutztruppe, or 'protective troop', these troops, drawn mostly from outside the City, across Carno and beyond, form a disciplined and well-equipped small army, nominally independent, though clearly benefitting from Essen’s martial expertise and supply lines.
Outsiders and foreigners mostly refer to the Handelsbund as 'Ravenclaw' or the 'Ravenclaw Company', due to its use of raven claw symbology, which is linked to one of its founders: Rupprecht Ravenclaw.
Sailors and soldiers of the Ravenclaw wear dark blue uniform, often marked with the emblem of the company. In the early days of the Bund, soldiers were supplied with leftover black uniforms of Essen's military, which are gradually being phased out to deny any links between both organizations.