The soldiers of the Redcloak Battalion are among the deadliest warriors in Sharn. When a situation calls for extreme military force, both the Sharn Watch and the King’s Citadel turn to the Redcloak Battalion. This elite unit fought at the forefront of the Last War, and the bards in Menthis still sing songs of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split up, and one unit was assigned to Sharn. Its headquarters sits in the Daggerwatch district of Upper Dura.
Many of the members of the Redcloak Battalion resent being relegated to law enforcement, and there is a strong sense of rivalry between the Redcloaks and the King’s Swords of the Citadel, who generally have less military experience but nonetheless possess far more authority and prestige. As battle scarred veterans of the Last War, many of the soldiers have strong prejudices against travelers from the other nations; as far as the Redcloaks are concerned, the Treaty of Thronehold is merely an intermission, and soon King Boranel will come to his senses and finish the job Wroann ir’Wynarn began.
The typical Redcloak has 7 warrior levels and 2 levels of fighter, ranger, or barbarian. For magical support, the unit has three countermages—9th-level magewrights equipped with wands of dispel magic—and three 9th-level adepts. While a Redcloak is allowed some leeway his in choice of personal equipment, all members of the unit wear a hooded crimson cloak of resistance +1 while on duty. This bears two badges: the seal of the Brelish crown on the left collar, and the unit insignia—a snarling displacer beast surrounded by the words “First in Battle, Last to Fall”—on the right.
The Redcloaks are a highly trained military unit and use careful strategy when dealing with any crisis situation. They make use of magic items appropriate to the situation, such as a potion of resist energ y or protection from arrows. Redcloak countermages use prepared actions to dispel the attacks of enemy spellcasters, and the warriors target the most vulnerable opponents as quickly as possible. They use thunderstones and tanglefoot bags to disorient or handicap opponents. Even though they are only warriors and magewrights, a Redcloak squad should pose a serious threat to a PC party of equal level.
Prominent NPCs
The Redcloaks are commanded by Captain Khandan Dol (LN male dwarf warrior 11/fighter 5). Khandan was knighted by the last king of Galifar, and fought for Queen Wroann when the Last War began. A hundred years of war have begun to take their toll, but Khandan is as tough as old stone and considered to be one of the deadliest men in the kingdom. He is unswervingly loyal to the Brelish crown, and he does not brook any criticism of King Boranel. Khandan is no paladin and enjoys drinking and dicing, but he takes discipline very seriously and expects his soldiers to obey the laws of the land. Due to his experiences in the war he despises citizens of Thrane and distrusts all followers of the Silver Flame, but he does not allow his personal feelings to interfere with his work.
Khandan’s lieutenants are Meira (N female shifter warrior 8/ranger 6) and Molin Kaine (LE male human warrior 10/fi ghter 2). Meira despises “guard duty” and yearns to be back in the field. She shares Khandan’s hatred for Thranes, and is more likely to let her emotions override her better judgment. Molin Kaine is one of the few Redcloaks who enjoys being posted to the city. While indulging his many vices, Molin has crossed paths with House Tarkanan and its leader, Lady Thora. Thora has been luring him into the service of the house—but the Redcloak is interested in more than a working relationship with the crime lord.
The soldiers of the Redcloak Battalion are among the deadliest warriors in Sharn. When a situation calls for extreme military force, both the Sharn Watch and the King’s Citadel turn to the Redcloak Battalion. This elite unit fought in the forefront of the Last War, and the bards in Menthis today sing of the exploits of Khandan the Hammer and Meira the Huntress. At the end of the war, the battalion was split up, and one unit was assigned to Sharn. Its headquarters is located in the Daggerwatch district of Upper Dura.
Many of the members of the Redcloak Battalion resent being relegated to mere law enforcement, and there is a strong rivalry between the Redcloaks and the King’s Swords of the Citadel, who generally have less military experience even though they enjoy far greater authority and prestige.
As veterans and heroes of the Last War, many of the Redcloaks are unfriendly toward travelers from other nations. As far as the Redcloaks are concerned, the Treaty of Thronehold is merely an intermission, and soon King Boranel will come to his senses and finish the job that Wroann ir’Wynarn began.