Crimson Pike

Type: Mercenary Company
Alignment: Neutral (No Permanent Allegiances)
Base: Mobile (currently heading to Neverwinter)
Leader: Captain Rhyla Garron "Red Viper"
Current Status: Active, under contract

Current Status (Session 32)

Leadership

Position	Name	Description
Captain	Captain Rhyla Garron	"Red Viper" - fiery red hair, steel grey eyes, scar across nose, tall/lean/muscular, hardened leather orange tunic

Contract Details

Current Employer: Dukedom of Neverwinter Hired By: Duke Alaric Thorne Destination: Neverwinter (northern Odessia) Status: En route, traveling to fulfill contract

Company Strength

Known Forces:

Unknown total strength
Professional mercenaries
Skilled fighters

Equipment:

Unknown specifics
Professional military gear (presumed)

Core Information

Company Philosophy

No Permanent Allegiances:

Work for highest bidder
Will switch sides for better pay
Professional neutrality (during contract)
Loyalty = temporary (contract duration only)

Code of Conduct:

Complete current contract professionally
But available to highest bidder after
No long-term loyalty
Honour contract terms (while active)

Reputation

Known For:

Skilled fighters (effective in combat)
Unpredictable loyalty (will switch sides)
Professional neutrality
No allegiances beyond gold

Compared to Iron Finch:

Less reliable than Iron Finch
Will switch sides for higher pay
No ethics beyond completing current contract
Dangerous to rely on long-term

Strategic Concern:

Could become enemy if paid more
Worth monitoring
Don't trust beyond current contract

History & Encounters

Session 32 Encounter

Location: Crossroads Inn Circumstances: Sitting alone in corner, party approached Interaction: Tessell introduced himself as "leader of the Riders of the Storm" - she ignored conversation and offered arm for arm wrestling instead Outcome: Tessell won arm wrestling through lucky rolls, she introduced herself as "Red Viper"

Captain Rhyla Garron Observed:

"Red Viper" nickname
Fiery red hair, steel grey eyes
Diagonal scar across nose (sword slash)
Hardened leather orange tunic
Tall, lean, muscular build
Dangerous but professional demeanor
Tests people before conversation (arm wrestling challenge)

Party Impression:

Dangerous fighters (confirmed)
Professional conduct
No immediate threat
Neutral stance toward party
Will work for highest bidder (unreliable long-term)

Strategic Assessment

Strengths

Skilled fighters (effective combat)
Professional training
Organized company structure
Adaptable (no fixed allegiances)

Capabilities

Military combat (professional level)
Unknown specializations
Unknown magical support
Unknown total strength

Critical Weakness

Unpredictable Loyalty:

Will switch sides for better pay
No long-term reliability
Could become enemy at any time
Only bound by current contract

Civil War Implications

Current Position

Hired by Neverwinter:

Duke's forces (northern duchy)
Neverwinter uncommitted in civil war
Could end up supporting either Eagle or Falcon
Depends on Duke's eventual declaration

Dangerous Variable

Could Switch to Falcon:

If Falcon offers more gold
Even during civil war
Even if Duke supports Eagle
Highest bidder wins

Could Switch to Eagle:

If Eagle offers more gold
Only temporary allegiance
Until better offer appears

Could Stay Neutral:

Defensive contract only
Protect Neverwinter, no civil war involvement
Safest option for Duke

Strategic Threat Assessment

For Party (Marshals of North):

DO NOT RELY ON Crimson Pike
Could become enemy at any moment
Even if Duke supports Eagle
Monitor closely
Consider them potential threat

For Eagle Faction:

Could hire them (expensive)
But loyalty temporary
Falcon could outbid
Risky investment

For Falcon Faction:

Same concerns apply
Could hire away from Eagle
But no guarantee of loyalty
Dangerous to both sides

Comparison to Iron Finch

Factor	Iron Finch	Crimson Pike
Reliability	High (honours contracts)	Low (highest bidder)
Loyalty	Contract duration	Gold only
Trustworthy	Yes (during contract)	No (will switch)
Strategic Value	Dependable ally	Temporary at best
Threat Level	Low (predictable)	High (unpredictable)

Tactical Considerations

If Duke Supports Eagle

Best Case:

Crimson Pike fights for Duke (Eagle ally)
Party monitors for Falcon bribery attempts
Keep them at arm's length

Worst Case:

Falcon outbids during battle
Crimson Pike switches sides mid-conflict
Disaster scenario

Mitigation:

Don't share critical intelligence
Don't rely on them for key operations
Have contingency if they turn

If Duke Supports Falcon

Scenario:

Crimson Pike becomes enemy
Professional threat
Could be bribed to Eagle
Expensive and unreliable

Counter-strategy:

Don't bribe (waste of gold)
Treat as hostile professionals
Defeat militarily instead

If Duke Stays Neutral