In my game, not only is there no vetting of mercenaries except by reputation/inquiries PCs make, but you roll randomly to see who might be available as a hireling when you go looking for one (or more). They can get all sorts replying. Take 'em or leave 'em. There's not a surplus of folk willing to risk life and limb in the dark places of the world for the party's coin.

Interesting replies so far. Certainly food for thought.
Starting a mercenary guild if there is not one already sounds like a good idea.
Trying to collect where you are on the losing side could get interesting.

Quote from: Bren;1020853Who acts as a guarantor for any other contract?

I would think that most contracts are not going the be with professional killers so social pressure might be enough.
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Hawkwood's White Company evolved out of the companies of the Hundred Years' War.  As the 40 days of feudal service became insufficient, contracts for providing soldiers came into being.

Really, some reading about the Hundred Years' War, the Italian Condotteri, and Hawkwood will answer all your questions.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1020985Really, some reading about the Hundred Years' War, the Italian Condotteri, and Hawkwood will answer all your questions.

But reading is hard.... /whine

The contract is guaranteed by the sword.

Of course, PCs who keep hiring mercenaries and coming back to town without them develop a reputation.

But in general, Psikerlord's post defines it for my worlds. Only the most desperate sign on to fight monsters in the dark for money. AKA, the flunkies, freaks and scum no legitimate employer wants!!

Quote from: Bren;1021011But reading is hard.... /whine

Just watch The Wild Geese. And keep in mind that that movie takes place in a world where there are governments and courts.

You can watch it free here:

[video=youtube;uasbhm4GCeU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uasbhm4GCeU[/youtube]

Quote from: Bren;1021011But reading is hard.... /whine

Then I am definitely in the wrong hobby.

Had two titles, per Gronan's request: "Lost Dorsai", by Dickson, and "Forlorn Hope" by Drake.

Didn't Gordy Dickson put you on to a book on Hawkwood?  Can't remember the name, though.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1020985Hawkwood's White Company evolved out of the companies of the Hundred Years' War.  As the 40 days of feudal service became insufficient, contracts for providing soldiers came into being.

Really, some reading about the Hundred Years' War, the Italian Condotteri, and Hawkwood will answer all your questions.

Yeah the Condotteri are really interesting, they still have tons of records dating back from those days: Names of Mercenary Companies, Types of Troops, Engagements, etc.  More documents then you'd want to read if you can read Italian.  If not, the amount is a whole lot less, but still cool.

Quote from: chirine ba kal;1021295Had two titles, per Gronan's request: "Lost Dorsai", by Dickson, and "Forlorn Hope" by Drake.

Read the first, though I can't recall any details. I own the second which was inspired by Xenophon's Anabasis. Trivia note: so was Star Guard by Andre Norton. Xenophon's original, though not at all Medieval, is a good read too.

Quote from: Gronan of Simmerya;1021338Didn't Gordy Dickson put you on to a book on Hawkwood?  Can't remember the name, though.

He put me onto a whole series of texts on the guy, which made for quite fascinating reading. Phil also had a lot on this as well, which is where a lot of his take on mercenaries came from.

Quote from: Bren;1021368Read the first, though I can't recall any details. I own the second which was inspired by Xenophon's Anabasis. Trivia note: so was Star Guard by Andre Norton. Xenophon's original, though not at all Medieval, is a good read too.

Agreed; excellent reading, if I may say so.

I'm pretty sure that the main guarantee was reputation.

Quote from: Greentongue;1020744Do mercenaries play a part in your games?
If so, who acts as a guarantor for mercenary contracts?

Historically the Catholic church did "banking" so, some church seems a likely option.
Faith works as a good "enforcement".

There's not always a 'guarantor', and usually you as the one hiring them, or as member/leader of mercenaries just hope payment will happen. Risk can be lowered by knowing much about the involved parties and if they tend to honour agreements based on their reputation. (information gathering)

A mercenary company might be loyal to, or located in a city. Genoese mercenaries would obviously be Genoese, but that doesn't mean the city is a guarantor, or that the mercs wouldn't get persuaded by a good payment and/or other things to turn against Genoa. Historically many mercs did betray or were betrayed. In fantasy setting there might be one or more Mercenary Guilds which enforce deals to be honored and punish breaking agreements with being expelled from the guild and/or becoming a black listed enemy. (If you hire mercs but betray or not pay them, the guild won't even work with you again, and might even send parties after you to kill you for the treachery)

Historically, mercenaries unpaid had a tendency to loot the area held by the employer that stiffed them.