The Free Company of the Golden Wheat

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General Information

The Free Company of the Golden Wheat is a Household of mercenary fighters and service minded folk that work and fight to build a better dream, and have fun doing it.
The Free Company "Sells" their services to groups that are within or allied to Ansteorra. The Free Company is known for taking payments that further their passion for shenanigans, or contribute to the growth of their community or culture.

Device/Badge

  • Badge: Per pale Or and Gules, a chief embattled sable


The Free Company is also easily identified by tunics of black with a burgundy, black and gold trim with wheat stalks. Each fighter's garb is tailored to their personality and persona, encouraging individuality but unity.

Founding

The Free Company was informally organized in 2020, and structured in 2021.

The founding members include Alondra Martel, Wulfgard Martel, Oswald Martel, D'mitrii Zinonovich, Iziaslava Veronikeia Myshkovicha, Ulfr, Penelope Martel, Runa Bjarki, Micauley Morison, and Arthur Martel.

Press Gang

To be Press Ganged is a manner of joining the Free Company. These members are considered by the Free Company to be a full member of the Free Company but the individual may or may not function as a member or claim to be a part of the group themselves.

During the founding of the Free Company there were two individuals who had been involuntarily Press Ganged into the group: Set Sette and Charles the Grey of Mooneschadowe.
This method of joining is little used but noteworthy when utilized.

Joining

At a 2022 AllThing, it was established that the method of joining the Free Company will be as follows:

  • Fight with the Free Company in a Melee
  • Ask to join the Free Company
  • After you ask, any member of the Free Company has the chance to anonymously Veto
  • If Veto'd, repeat these steps


It has since been clarified that "Fight with the Free Company" shall be broadened to include activities that befit the F.C. as a whole, such as contributing to camp, assisting with projects, and caring for members in need.
It has since been clarified that the Veto process shall be given and beginning and end date, to be made available to members to provide their Vetoes in a public or private forum, and that prospects who have received Vetoes will be given a basic explanation of "Why" and can Ask to Join at another time


Mercenaries

The Free Company was originally built around a Mercenary fighting unit, to be purchased to fight for any individual or group and was given these 2 stipulations:

  • The Free Company always fights on behalf of the Kingdom of Ansteorra
  • The Free Company provides the current royalty of Vindheim the first rights to make a bid

The Free Company currently exists as a Mercenary Household with a focus on their melee fighting units for Rapier and Rattan combat, and on the services the Household can provide to benefit groups or individuals.
The Free Company can be purchased by any group or individual for these purposes, by communicating with the Commandant and reaching an "Payment" agreement
Historically, The Free Company favors "Payment" in the form of Shenanigans, or elements that allow them to grow their collective culture
Examples:

  • In 2023 The Free Company agreed to fight on behalf of The Principality of Vindheim in exchange for Quesadillas to be delivered during Ansteorran court at Gulf Wars
  • In 2024 The Free Company agreed to fight for the Barony of Bryn Gwlad in exchange for banners depicting their heraldic elements made by Baron Orazio d'Assisi


Current Leadership


Commandant is the Free Company field commander, this position unofficially includes responsibilities like armoring new members of the free company, keeping members from making decisions that would make them unable to take the field, and assisting members in attending wars.

The Commandant is chosen each year at War of the Rams

Previous Commandants:


Traditions

Gatherings

At twice a year, they come together to host an AllThing, at which All The Things happen. They vote on Commandant, new rules, and any other business that needs doing. Anyone may attend the AllThing, and if you show up, your opinion will matter.

Valhotdog is another form of Free Company gathering, focused around a day of fighting, food, and telling stories. Valhotdog's often serve as an unofficial regional practice. Like with the AllThing, anyone may attend a Valhotdog.

"In Valhalla, mighty warriors fight all day and have a grand feast afterwards. We, being somewhat financially challenged, can afford hot dogs." - Wulfgard Martel.


The Free Company hosts a regular shop night, normally weekly, in which anyone may come and use tools and receive armoring advice. In exchange, those who attend are expected to listen to the stories and ramblings of other attendees.

Merit Badges

  • "Light, Light, Excessive!!" - given to those fighters who receive questionable feedback for combat. The first recipient was Oswald Martel.
  • The Golden Sharpie - Doing the right thing in a Window Sharpie way. (High practicality, low class) The first recipient was Oswald Martel (for ambushing the crown and asking them to sign Wulfgard Martel's Peerage scroll with a sharpie)
  • The DAP - This is solely given to Zubeydah (who isn't a member and wasn't shanghaied, she's just bemusedly helping out.)


Holy Relics

- A Secret Relic that Shall Not Be Discussed
- The First Sword Basket made by Jack Mongo
- A Secret Thing that was Broken

Code of Conduct

The Rules

Rules of the Free Company may not be written down in more than one place (currently the shop, on a door). The rules, which are added or modified by unanimous consent at an AllThing gathering, emphasize the group's sense of chaos and morality and expression personal choice.

The most well known of these Rules is Rule #14: No Quitter Talk, which has been used commonly as a battle cry.

Set's Guidelines of Shenanigans

  • No Trespassing
  • No harming people or property
  • Scavenging, not theft
  • If you can't get in trouble for it, it isn't actually a shenanigan


Additional guidelines

  • No Nazis, no Pedophiles.
  • Shiny doesn't work after dark.
  • We follow Duke Jason's mantra that "All people are people."
  • We follow the wisdom of Jean-Paul de Sens: "Courtly Graces means that your nipples are covered."


Events/Chronology

2021

Vindheim Coronet Tourney: This was the 'official' launch of the Free Company.
They set up a pavilion, with a safe propane heater. Because it was so cold, their tent was swarmed by small people.

2022

Winter War Maneuvers 2022: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany [[1st Vindheim Coronet}Prince Romanius.]]
Gulf Wars 2022: Hired by the Barony of Northkeep to fight for Ansteorra, with their pay being fighter biscuits and massages. This was the year we met the man who knows Jack Mongo
Valor Tourney 2022: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany Prince Romanius.
Coronet Tourney II: We learn Micauley can't count.
Feast of Eagles 2022: Fought a bunch. Represented the entirety of Ansteorra's vanguard, with the exception of John of Severn.
Pennsic 2022: The Free Company was the entirety of the shield wall for Ansteorra at every single battle, including the Rose Tourneys for heavy and rapier. Per the treaty, as heralded by Viscount Geoffrey Scott, they were the equivalent of 20
Diamond Wars 2022: Where neither side won, but the mosquitos did. We didn't realize they were an opposing army, but they were strong...
War of the Rams IX: Where Set Sette and Elise Green caught the fort on fire, and everyone was grateful.
Coronet Tourney III: Where Micauley won a thing.

2023

wInterkingdom & Sable Soldier: Oz earned a LLE Merit badge. Runa did not capture a Prince.
Winter War Maneuvers 2023: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany Prince Micauley.
Gulf Wars 2023: Hired by Prince Micauley to fight for Vindheim, with their pay being quesadillas delivered during Ansteorran great court.
Wiesenfeuer Baronial: Runa won a tourchlight tournament by following the shenanigan rules.

2024

The Barony of Bryn Gwlad purchases the armoured fighting might of the Company for Gulf Wars, led by commander Runa, paying in beautiful silk banners.


2025

The Barony of Bryn Gwlad purchases the fighting might of the Company for Gulf Wars, led by Commander Dimitri, paying in custom block printing stamps.
The first Kraftenthing is held in July: Many are the masses that appear and there is a frenzy of sewing and crafting all while watching Round Table.

Allies

  • Both Mooneschadowe as a whole and the Liondragon Guard are allies.
  • Lord Jack Mongo of Ealdormere
  • "That Guy Who Knows Jack Mongo"
  • Barony of Vatavia of Calontir
  • Mr. Aggi Memnon
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