The Black Dogs of Burnham
The Black Dogs are a feared and infamous company of fighting men under the banner of Lord Barnaby, the Baron of Burnham. Nestled on the restless border between Cessfordshire, Runkfordshire and Runguenau to the south, Burnham is a small and unremarkable barony, save for the reputation of its master and his brutal retinue. The Black Dogs are as ruthless as their name suggests—soldiers who fight with unbridled ferocity on the battlefield and revel in pillage and plunder once the fighting is done.
In times of peace, the Black Dogs are no less dangerous. They turn to brigandry, preying upon the villages and travelers of the lowlands along the Runk River. Their reach extends into the Beaugencie region of Chauncey and even the distant lands of Ponce in the Gottesreich. No road, bridge, or hamlet is safe from their predations, though they sometimes lend their swords as mercenaries. From guarding noble caravans to scouring roads of bandits and monsters like Mosquitans or the loathsome Blemmyae, the Black Dogs’ services are for sale—to those who can pay their steep price.
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The man who commands their loyalty, the Marcher Lord Barnaby—commonly called Black Dog Barnaby—is as ruthless as his men. A self-serving and morally corrupt figure, he epitomizes the term "robber baron." Under his rule, Burnham has become a haven for exploitation and vice. He is known for his exorbitant taxes, excessive tolls on travelers, and even personal involvement in the acts of banditry his company commits. Despite this, Barnaby enjoys the protection of the Earl of Cessfordshire, who turns a blind eye to his vices in exchange for a share of his ill-gotten gains.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Organization Type: Household Retinue, Military Company, Mercenary Company, Brigands
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Official Name: The Black Dogs of Lord Barnaby
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Other Names: The Black Dogs, Barnaby's Hounds, The Dogs, The Hounds, The Black Dog Brigands,
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Demonyms: Dogs, Black Dogs, Black Brigands, Black Bitches (derogatory), Mutts (derogatory)
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Motto: Mordax Manus - Bite the Hand
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Heraldry: Argent a decapitated hound salient Sable and a chief of Gules
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Leader: His Excellency, Lord "Black Dog" Barnaby, Baron of Burnham
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Captains:
Captain of the First Band: Sir Humphrey Bradshawe
Captain of the Second Band: Sir John Hawthorp
Captain of the Third Band: Esquire Robert de Ballard
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Size: Around 120 men
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Location: The barony of Burnham, Cessfordshire county, East Albany, in the Kingdom of Chauncey.
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Composition: The Black Dogs are composed of Men-at-Arms and Common Soldiers, all of which primarily fight on foot in an infantry context. The company is led by Lord Barnaby and is split into three separate bands of men. These bands are known as the First, Second and Third, and are each led by a Knight or Esquire who act as Captain. Under each Captain are 2-3 sergeants, who control the discipline of the men.
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Crimes: All members of the Black Dogs are currently wanted by the Comtés of Marchetois, Runguenau, Aubergeon, the Free Duchy of Arlescourt, and the Imperial Duchies of Ponce and Avenholm for the crimes of Banditry, Larceny, Arson, Rape and Murder. Any of those caught will be hung by the neck until dead.​
A map detailing where the town of Burnham is in relation to the cities of Runkford and Cessford. The highlighted region is where the Black Dogs typically operate. Red is Albany, blue is Beaugencie and yellow is the Gottesreich.
HISTORY
The Story Behind the Name:
The household retinue of the Baron of Burnham traces its origins to the very founding of Burnham itself, a small village and hillfort once manned by Imperial soldiers on the northern fringes of the Iron Empire. For centuries, the men of Burnham served their liege lords loyally, safeguarding the Barony of Burnham and the Earldom of Cessfordshire. Now the old Imperial hillfort is a proper castle, and the once small village is the size of a town. It was only in recent times that they became known as the Black Dogs, a name that is as steeped in myth as it is in blood.
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The name of the company originates from the tale of the black dog of Cessford, a spectral beast said to have terrorized the city shortly before the war between Albany and Beaugencie. The creature, a black hound with blazing red eyes, prowled the streets in the dead of night. It was believed to be an omen of impending calamity, and the people of Cessford feared its howl above all else. Superstition held that anyone who heard the hound’s mournful cry must immediately close their eyes, or risk perishing on the spot.
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The retinue of Lord Barnaby, however, did not hail from Cessford and were not familiar with the tale. They were camped just outside the city while the Baron visited the Earl of Cessfordshire. During their stay, the soldiers frequented the local alehouses and taverns, earning a reputation for their revelry and mischief.
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One fateful night, as the men caroused in the streets, the spectral black dog appeared, emerging from the shadows at the far end of the cobbled road. The townsfolk scattered, locking their doors and barring their shutters, but among the company was Sir John Bradshawe, a bold and stubborn captain. The late father of Sir Humphrey Bradshawe, Sir John was known for his unshakable courage, and his temper when drunk. Refusing to yield to fear or superstition, he drew his sword and confronted the beast.
The details of what followed are shrouded in mystery and bolstered by drunken hyperbole. Witnesses claimed that Sir John fought the hound in a fierce duel, his blade flashing in the moonlight as the beast lunged and snarled. Finally, with a mighty strike, he severed its head, and the creature vanished in a burst of black smoke. Some say it was a phantom banished by his bravery; others whisper that the hound was no mere ghost, but a curse that Sir John branded upon his family name.
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The retinue adopted the black dog as their heraldry soon after, a symbol of their courage and defiance in the face of danger. They became known as the Black Dogs, a name that spread far beyond Burnham.
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The Black Dogs now carry the legend of the spectral hound wherever they go. Their banner bears the image of the headless black dog, a constant reminder of Sir John Bradshawe’s fateful duel and the origins of their name. For those who would dare to face them, it is said that the howl of the Black Dogs is the last sound one hears.
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Battle Honours:​
The Black Dogs have served the Kingdom of Albany in the conflicts with Beaugencie. Below is a list of campaigns they have fought in and a few noteworthy battles.​
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The Marmondie Campaign of 1389
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The Lemange Campaign of 1392
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The Portarde Campaign of 1393
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The Battle of Flodham, 1394
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The Battle of Hanepasse Hill in the Holy Imperial Gottesreich, 1395
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OTHER INFORMATION
Equipment:
The men of Lord Barnaby are from Albany, and as such, use the standard arms and armour found in Albany. Bascinets and Kettle Helmets are the primary helmets, and the most common weapons vary from spears, pollaxes, bardiches and runkers. Most men have an arming sword as a sidearm.
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At muster, every man is required to show up with the following items as a bare minimum. If they fail to reach the standard, they are fined or reprimanded.
- Helmet
- Sidearm
- Dagger
- Polearm
- Good boots or shoes for marching
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Common practice among the dogs is to blacken their armour in various ways, but it is not required and not done by ALL members. The practice of blackening one's armour is done for various reasons. Preventing rust, making the surfaces less reflective and therefore easier to camouflage, and making the armour black because "black" is a part of their name are a few reasons why it is done. Below are the common ways their armour is given a black appearance in order of popularity:
- Blackening with boiled linseed oil
- Covering with black textile such as linen, wool, velvet, or leather.
- Though rare, sometimes the armour is painted black.​​​​​​​​
Pay and Plunder:
The Black Dogs pay and terms of service are the exact same as the system used in the raising of armies in the Kingdom of Chauncey. Each soldier in the company is paid a daily wage for the length of an indenture, usually 40 days. Members can remain in the company for as long as they like after the initial indenture, serving out multiple indentures of 40 day periods. Some men who join the company are tradesmen, workers and common farmers who volunteer their time for money when business is slow, but most of the men are professional, career soldiers with no other prospects in life.
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When the right of plunder is given, soldiers are entitled to keep 2/3rds of the loot and ransom they collect, requiring that 1/3rd is given to their Sergeant, who then gives 1/3rd of that to his Captain, who then gives 1/3rd of that directly to Lord Barnaby.
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The following is a pay table for the various "ranks" of men in the company. (There are no codified ranks like those found in a modern army, other than Sergeant and Captain):
- Common Soldier: 2 Pennies per day
- Archer or Gunner: 3 Pennies per day
- Sergeant: 7 Pennies per day
- Man-at-Arms: 1 Shilling per day
- Captain: 2 Shillings per day​
"Ranks"
The word "rank" is used very, very loosely, as there is no actual rank structure in any military found in the Kingdom of Chauncey. There are men who are leaders, and men who are not. However, men are paid differently based on what they do. Below is a list of different roles in the Black Dogs.
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Common Soldier:
A common soldier is any man in the service of Lord Barnaby who is not otherwise an Archer, Gunner, Sergeant or Captain. They typically use a polearm such as a spear, billhook, runker, ahlspeiss, etc. No soldier in the Kingdom of Chauncey uses a halberd, as that is a specifically Gottesreich weapon. Some common soldiers may prefer to use a sword and shield or axe and shield. Maces and Warhammers are weapons used by cavalrymen, so they are typically not used by infantrymen.
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Crossbowman:
Due to the significant lack of training required to operate a crossbow, crossbowmen in the service of Lord Barnaby are paid the same wages as common soldiers. This is a common sentiment in the whole of the Kingdom of Chauncey, with an exception of highly skilled and specialized crossbow units.
Dogleg:
An exception to the rule typically applied to crossbowmen. A "dogleg" is a crossbowman assigned the role of watching the entrance to the camp. When small groups of the Black Dogs do not wish to be found, a disciplined patrol's path of travel will form the shape of a dog's leg before entering camp. This is to throw off enemies who may be tracking them or have found their path of travel. The dog leg shape to the path of travel ensures that the enemy walks past the entrance of the camp in full view of the sentry guarding it. If enemy contact is suspected, they are able to fire their crossbow into the typically less armoured sides and flanks of the enemy and sound the alarm. The nickname "dogleg" is given to the crossbowman who's primary duty it is to take first and last watch in this location. These crossbowmen are paid three pence a day for their critical role in sounding the alarm in the case of imminent attack. There is typically only one dogleg per patrol of 5-15 men, but they are relieved through the night by other sentries so that they can sleep as well. A dogleg's primary duty is performed at dawn and at dusk every day, when attack is most likely. This dog's leg technique is commonly used by many small bands of men in both the Kingdom of Chauncey and the Gottesreich, but despite its widespread use, it is very difficult to counter, as one never knows when the path is a dog leg or just a continuation of the way forward.
An example of a dog's leg in the path of travel, showing how a sentry will be able to easily identify approaching friends or foes.
Archer:
Longbowmen of Albany, typically just referred to as Archers, are trained individuals who have taken the use of the longbow seriously. It is required by law for every Albishman to practice archery once a week, but only few have the strength and fortitude to master the warbow or longbow. For this reason, archers are paid an extra penny a day. This pay of three pennies a day is sometimes referred to as "an archer's penny" in slang. For example, a shopkeep might charge "an archer's penny" for a particular item, simply meaning it's worth 3 pennies.
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Gunner:
Gunpowder weaponry is relatively new, having only been introduced to Chauncey around 70 years ago. Men who operate handheld firearms are known as gunners. The unpredictable nature of gunpowder makes this job relatively dangerous, so gunners are often paid an archer's penny a day for their services.
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Sergeant:
These are trusted men with years of experience. Sergeants are known personally by the Lord they serve on recommendation of their Captains. Sergeants enforce the discipline, dress, deportment and keep an eye on the morale of the troops on behalf of the Captains. It is a role that commands respect from the men, and most sergeants are middle-aged and battle-hardened veterans.
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Man-at-Arms:
A man-at-arms, by definition, is a heavily armed and armoured soldier who owns one or multiple horses and typically fights on horseback. In the Kingdom of Albany, they ride to battle on horseback but dismount to fight on foot with the common men. All knights are men-at-arms, but not all men-at-arms are knighted. These soldiers are typically of noble birth, but can sometimes be very well respected sergeants who accrue enough wealth to own a horse and a good set of armour. In this case, "Man-at-Arms" refers to a non-knighted soldier who owns horses and a good set of armour and is in the service of Lord Barnaby. Men-at-Arms typically form the personal household of the Baron, each known by name by his lordship. The goal of a Man-at-Arms is to eventually become knighted.
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Captain:
A captain is a Knight or Esquire who commands a band within the company. These men are the top rung of leadership after the Baron himself, and are of noble birth themselves. They are given fiefdoms of land within the barony as part of their responsibility to his lordship, maintaining the land and the people within it on behalf of the baron.
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Common Practices:
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Night Watch:
It is no secret that the night is dark and full of terrors. Monsters are more active a night, wretched creatures lurk in the shadows, and most humans tend to spring attacks and raids in the dead of night, taking advantage of their sleeping foes. For this reason, every group of humans since the dawn of time has organized and used sentries to stand guard throughout the night. It is very rare for any fighting man to get a full nights' rest, instead dedicating a few hours every night for the protection of their brothers in arms. This practice is known by many names, but the most common ones are Night Sentry, Night Watch, Night Picket, or Graveyard Shift.
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These picket shifts are typically organized by the leader of a group, who will make a list of every man present and assign them a shift through the night. These shifts may vary in length depending on a number of factors, such as number of available people, threat level in a given area, or amount of time the group plans to rest. A typical shift will last between 1 and 3 hours. It is the duty of the sentry to stay awake for the entirety of their shift, tend the fire or lantern if there is one, and to keep an eye and ear out for any sign of approaching foes. If their shift is the last of the night, it is their duty to wake everyone up at first light, and often to begin boiling water for the camp's morning hygiene and/or breakfast.
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Due to how serious this task is, neglecting one's duty is often punished very severely. If a sentry fails in their duty by falling asleep, it could cost the lives of everyone they're watching out for. In the Imperial Army of the Gottesreich, for example, any sentry found sleeping on duty is labeled a deserter and hung by the neck until dead.
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Desertion:
In a company made up entirely of volunteers who serve short, 40-day indentures, desertion is seen as a true act of cowardice. There is no mercy for deserters, who are often hunted down and hung by the neck until dead.
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Prejudice:
The Black Dogs are a very unsavoury group of men. They have no room in their company for weaklings, drunkards or cowards. They do not accept women or non-humans among their ranks, and will often kill innocent people just because they're different. After years of bitter conflict with their neighbours to the south, there is a deep rooted hatred for people from Beaugencie, or "the Boge," as they call them. For this reason, Beaugencie is their primary stomping ground for acts of brigandry and crime. Non-humans such as Elves (but not Dwarves) are seen as lesser by these men, and wretched beings such as Mosquitans or Blemmyae are killed on sight.