The humans of the Old World claim their origins from a variety of regions, and the people of each of these regions have characteristics that differentiate them from their fellows. A large nation, the Empire includes many distinct peoples in its boundaries, and these peoples do many things differently from one another, including the waging of war and the conducting of mercenary matters. In the current political morass of the Empire, lacking strong central leadership the men of the Empire tend to align themselves along provincial boundaries. Just as troops of mercenaries in the employ of the rulers of the Reik, Middenheim, and Marienburgh are active in Mordheim gathering wyrdstone and trading it for rich rewards less powerful rulers have a presence as well.

The following bands use the Mercenary model with exceptions as noted. They are intended to expand the variety of options available to a player and definitely add a more 'cosmopolitan' air to the struggle in the streets of Mordheim.

Starting Funds

All of the below additional warbands start with 500 gc to spend as they wish following unit numbers and weapons restrictions.

Choice of Warriors

All of the below additional warbands must include a minimum of 3 models, and can have a maximum of 15 models including 5 Heros and 1 leader. A starting warband must be lead by a Mercenary Captain, but should he be killed they may not acquire another; a new leader will step forth from amongst the members of the band to assume the position. This warrior gains the Leader special ability that allows other members of their warband to use their Leadership when within a certain distance. This distance is normally 6" unless specifically noted. The new Leader undergoes no other change of addition.

Hirelings & Dramatis Personae

As normal for a Mercenaries warband except where specifically noted. All of the new Hired Swords presented on this site indicate who they will work for; any of them notes as working for Human bands or specifically for Mercenaries are eligible. Some note specific Mercenary bands they will work with, such as the Priest of Ulric, who will work with Middenheimers only, or the Road Warden who will work with Ostermarkers only.

Of the Dramatis Personae presented on this site, the following will work with a Mercenary band of any origin:

• Esmerelda
• Lysander the Red
• Pipa, the Chickenhawk of Moot
• Rufio du Hastur
• Darius von Waldenstein

Heroes, Henchmen, Equipment, and Starting Experience

As normal for a Mercenaries warband except where specifically noted.

Averland Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Carroburgher Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Drakwald Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Hochland Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Kislevite Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Nulnian Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Ostermark Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Ostland Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Stirlander Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Talabeclander Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Talabheim Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Tilean Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Wissenlander Mercenaries

Starting Experience

Design Notes

Rather than alter the existing equipment list or make many minute adjustments to any given warband, I decided to instead give special abilities that are only usable with certain weapons. In this manner I dont force players to make certain decisions, instead I just make it illogical to not equip a band in-flavor.

I like the additional options presented by incorporating the flavor of the various Provinces of the Empire and the inhabitants of the lands beyond that are intricately linked to the Empire.

The new additions have several variations, some subtle and some overt. Some wardbands seem to have an advantage over the others, and this may come out during playtesting, but there are several nuances that I would like to cover.

Averlanders and Ostermarkers: These two bands gain Leadership bonuses. This makes both of these bands very stable. They are also both tactically flexible with the standard Equipment and Henchmen options. Though not as oviously advantaged as some of the other more physical warbands, these 2 bands are an excellent choice in a campaign featuring several opponents using Undead and the Possessed.

Carroburghers and Talabheimers: Both of these warbands excel at HtH at the expence of ranged options. The first has up to 7 heavy hitters, while the other can swamp an enemy with vicious charges. However, they also both lack a serious ranged capacity. They represent a perfect choice for someone who likes to mix it up and is an ideal force against high toughness HtH forces such as a Beastmen or Cult of the Possessed force.

Kislevites and Drakwalders: Two straitforward bands with some additional durability. Toughness sells itself.

Hochland, Ostland, Tilean: These three forces are flexible and have strong ranged and HtH options. They represent a well balanced force with the benefit of additional flavor. Additionally, the Hochlanders have excellent ranged punch backed up by a solid HtH defence. All three are tactically flexible and diverse.

Nuln: This force is perhaps the most interesting, with the most chance of utter success and utter failure. With all normal options available, their ability to use Blunderbusses multiple times gives them the capability to be extremely dangerous short and mid ranged fighters.

Stirlanders, Talabeclanders, and Wissenlanders: All three forces are excellent ranged warbands, at the expence of HtH options. The Stirlanders have great range and heavy hits, and with up to 12 Archers can be effective shooters. The Talabeclanders have medium range, but will eat heavily armored troops and are excellent shots. The Wissenlanders have a wide variety of options as their special ability extends the range of all ranged weapons. Using pistols they can be excellent skirmishers, with longbows they can be an extremely long ranged threat; with up to 12 Marksmen who can potentially obtain a 5 BS this force can be very dangerous.

Additionally, for detail-sticklers, the Drakwalders should be Middenlanders, but I wanted to avoid confusion between them and the Middenheimers, so I went with the name of the predominant terrain feature of their homeland instead.

Special Thanx

I would like to thank rinku, the 'mouth from the south', for his feedback on the initial concept. It is thanks to his suggestions that I decided to not make seperate equipment lists for each band and instead give each band special abilities that strongly encourage players to take the appropriate weapons. This streamlined the creation process enormously.