Founded by the enigmatic and resourceful Ritz Zhentari, the Dire Dog Sellsword Company emerged from the shadows of a tumultuous past rooted deeply in the wild and untamed expanses of The Stillwoods. The company's origin is as unique as its name, a testament to the indomitable spirit of its founder and the unlikely allies that saved him. After a perilous encounter left him for dead, abandoned by his former comrades of the Sylvan Hunt—a revered order of Njordir protectors—Zhentari found solace and survival among a pack of dire wolves. These formidable creatures, often feared for their ferocity, showed an unexpected kinship to the fallen warrior, nursing him back to health with a loyalty that would shape the ethos of the company he was to build.
The Dire Dog Sellsword Company, named in honor of the dire wolves that stood by Zhentari in his darkest hour, quickly rose to prominence in Avalon and beyond. It became a symbol of strength, resilience, and an unbreakable bond forged in the crucible of survival. Under Zhentari's leadership, the company attracted a diverse array of mercenaries, adventurers, and those disillusioned with the conventional order. From seasoned fighters seeking glory and gold to outcasts finding purpose under the Dire Dog banner, the company became a melting pot of talents and backgrounds.
The Dire Dogs are renowned for their martial prowess and their pragmatic approach to mercenary work. Their creed, shaped by Zhentari's experiences, is self-reliance and pragmatism. In the brutal and often unforgiving world of mercenary contracts, the Dire Dogs operate with a simple yet effective philosophy: loyalty to the highest bidder and a commitment to see every contract through, no matter the odds or moral ambiguities.
Operating from the heart of Avalon, the Dire Dog Sellsword Company has become both a beacon for those seeking to make their mark in the world of mercenaries and a cautionary tale for those who underestimate the wild and untamed spirit that defines them. Their emblem, a snarling dire wolf, constantly reminds them of their origins and the unyielding bond that defines the very essence of the Dire Dogs. In the ever-shifting sands of power and politics, the Dire Dogs stand as a formidable force, their legacy intertwined with the survival and cunning of the pack that once saved their founder.