Bregan D’aerthe is the faction without a home, a drow-led mercantile guild that roams the seas of the Forgotten Realms, occasionally making landfall when the Sword Coast is clear. Here, the drow who wished to escape the matriarchy of the Underdark maintain their culture of rebellion today.
Now that the demon lords took the Underdark, Bregan D’aerthe is arguably the only haven left for drow, though they’ve abandoned life underground for one on the seas instead. Ever pragmatists, the mercenary company relaxed their rules to strengthen their numbers, welcoming folks of every race and gender.
The considerable size of their fleet and speed with which they move has kept them out of the direct eyeline of both Vecna and Tiamat (which ranges from one to eleven eyeballs).
The faction has numerous settlements scattered among lost islands of the Trackless Sea; however, none are considered home and simply provide shipments of food or a safe place to dock. Members of Bregan D’aerthe who live on the mainland typically serve as spies, living unassuming lives in the few remaining cities while gathering intelligence for the fleet.
To some, Bregan D’aerthe is simply the latest iteration of a piracy scourge on the sea, whereas for others, they’re the world’s last hope.
Goals and Ambitions
- Ensure Vecna’s downfall, returning the Forgotten Realms back to its former glory—with Bregan D’aerthe now a major player.
- Establish spies throughout the Forgotten Realms.
- Claim the seas, letting allies use it—for the right price.
Leader: Jarlaxle Baenre
Joining
Bregan D’aerthe is an opportunistic recruiter. When the pirates overcome a challenging sea skirmish, they sometimes offer the captured crew a chance to join. Beyond the benefits of membership, it’s usually preferable to being sunk.
Open recruiting attracts too much attention, but if Jarlaxle hears about remarkable characters, the flamboyant drow might approach them personally (albeit in one of his many disguises).
Characters who find themselves among Bregan D’aerthe’s crew often seek escape from the horrors of the Doomed Forgotten Realms; perhaps they’re hopeful that everything can return to normal, though often, they’ve abandoned all hope. At the very least, if they’re a capable set of hands, there is a place for them among here.
Renown
Long journeys at sea aren’t always full of action, so they can be a tedious way to advance through the ranks of Bregan D’aerthe. The quickest promotions often come to spies and agents who brave the horrors of the Sword Coast.
Though the fleet proclaims inclusivity, the overwhelming majority of high-ranking leaders are still drow. There are exceptions, of course, but only a rare few non-drow manage to prove themselves invaluable or become personal favorites of Jarlaxle’s.
Ranks
- Orbb: The lowly deckhand swabs up all the messes.
- Kyorlinorbb: Once a member proves themselves trustworthy and a valuable asset, they’re promoted to the rank of Kyorlinorbb. Their duties include training and overseeing the Orbbs.
- Khal’abbil: These specialists fill vital ship roles like quartermaster, first mate, pilot, and navigator.
- Mallasargtlin: These lieutenants command their own ships (or cells of agents if they’re on land). Mallasargtlin are voices of reason and trust, but none dare publicly question Jarlaxle.
- Ilareth: The rank of Ilareth is reserved for Jarlaxle’s most trusted advisors, elite warriors, and specialists. They voyage far and wide, carrying out Jarlaxle’s commands.
Benefits
Bregan D’aerthe support comes in these ways:
- Free travel across the waters of the Forgotten Realms.
- Frequent intelligence reports from spies in any faction, along with assistance in quietly disposing of “challenging” individuals.
- Access to a black market of magic items the pirates seize.