WIP
The Merry Band
Summary:
The Merry Band of the Wood is a group of wanderers, vagabonds, gypsies, and other outcasts of society. However, instead of being thieves and outlaws, the Merry Band has long followed in the legendary footsteps of their founders. Those of Sir Robin Hood, Little John, the Maid Marian, and others of similar fame. Under the peaceful rule of King Matthias, they were at worst a tolerated nuisance, known to waylay travelers that seemed dispirited traversing the forest of which the Merry Band has inhabited. However, with the Rise of thedude's Tyrannical regime, the Merry Band has seen an alarming increase in their numbers as people try to escape thedude's new social order. Despite this, the Merry Band has adapted well to the times, and continue to inhabit the vast forest, continually on the move as they always have been, and must do now by necessity to avoid thedude's forces, who would gladly crush them.Â
Leadership:
The Merry Band is a very large group of men, women, and children. An exact number would be impossible, but as of year 7 of thedude's reign, one could estimate 1,200 people. Therefore, it does require a leadership to remain sufficiently organized. The current main leadership of the Merry Band (As of 'To Return Home ' )
-Carlos Obfusco, Charismatic Leader
Carlos took over the Merry Band many years ago with the passing of the original leaders. As a child, he grew up in the Merry band as Little John's 'squire/water boy'. At first glance, Carlos looks and sounds like he belongs in a mental hospital, largly due to his atrocious fashion sense, but also because of his thick and rambling accent and disjointed train of thought. However, he has successfully lead the Merry Band for many years, through many harrowing situations that would have brought any other leader to a breaking point.
Perhaps his role as the leader of such a ragtag group has contributed to his decidedly erratic and eccentric personality.
-Johnson Redwood, Youthful Second-In-Command
Young Johnson Redwood originally lived in the forest that the Merry Band now roams with his Parents at their own permanent residence. When the Merry Band would pass by their property, they would sometimes visit. Over the years, the Redwoods would become more and more relaxed with the Merry Band, and the camp would settle closer and closer to the homestead before moving on. Eventually, after one of these visits, the Redwoods left their homestead, and went with the Merry band.
Since then, Johnson's parents have passed away, all too soon. But Johnson grew physically and mentally, and in his mid 30s still lives with the Merry Band, and is widely considered the future of the Band. He and Carlos are very close.
-Gemma Smith, Refugee Organizer
Gemma Smith is a silent hero. She does much more for the individual members of the Merry Band than any single person will ever know. Honestly, we can't even write it all down here. She's the never-tiring mother of the entire Band. This woman never seems to sleep. (Which might account for why she hardly ever has anything to say in meetings.)
-Martin, Communications Master
Sir Martin was a member of the Old Kingsguard. He has a sword-cane, which he had custom-made when he retired from the Kingsguard, so he could continue to keep the Kingsguard sword with him, forevermore. However, in his great age, his swordsmanship has deteriorated with disuse, and he has turned his attention to other less strenuous, but still vital, roles. He was and continues to be the Pigeon-Master, as he tries to learn the more modern methods of communication as well.
-Armsmaster Fiddleton, Master of Armaments
Armsmaster Fiddleton Rust joined the Merry Band directly from the Army of King Matthias. Now, while King Matthias did not hate the Merry Band, neither did he love them. He, and many of his advisors, Lord Vladek included, did not approve of such a group of people of unknown number and alligence wandering the forest just south of Orlan. They deemed it generally distasteful. It was bad for the forest, it was bad for the kingdom's security, and it was bad for travelers, who were more than often waylaid, willingly or not. It therefore also interrupted commerce.
At some point during his reign, perhaps on a bad day, or due to pressure from his advisors, he send a contingent out into the forest to investigate and break up the Merry Band. Armsmaster Fiddleton lead the group, and though it took time, they did find them. However, upon seeing the Merry Band, and their nomadic, harmless livestyle, some of the soldiers including Armsmaster Fiddleton became sympathetic to the Merry Band. And while there were those who stayed loyal to their original mission, they were repelled by the Band Members and their newfound friends in the admittedly disloyal soldiers. The loyal ones left, and reported back to the King, and Matthias, being the level headed king he was, did not send more forces, but kept a much closer eye on the movements of the Merry Band, which led to a long-lasting, but uneasy, truce of sorts.
-Mercedes (last name unknown), Master Security Chief
Thin, Wiry Middle aged man, with chiseled features that would have a brilliant smile, if he ever used it.
-Mrs. Judith Hucklepatt, Master Healer
Sweet old lady
-Master Stabb, Master Scout
Short, Stout. Has Dwarfism and is Mute. (Damaged or Missing Vocal Cord?) Age is undefined, and he doesn't seem to want to clarify it either. In fact, there's alot about this guy that's undefined. At first, very shy, but once you get to know him, he enjoyes a practical joke or two. Can also be very serious. Uses Sign Language, Reading, and Writing.
-Father Henry, Religious Organizer
"in his thirties, with a beard, dark hair, a black shirt, and a white square in his collar" (Is most comparable to Catholicism, but Not sure what or how we as KOTOS want to approach faith and religion in Militeregnum anyway. But we simply cannot ignore it in this medieval setting either.)