This information is very informative, Nevis, and we appreciate your input given that it provides historical accuracy to what might otherwise seem counterfactual. Being a history buff certainly does have its perks and will help in hammering out realistic mannerisms. As such, links to sources providing historical insight would be a huge help to all of us in helping to refine Altaea.

That being said, I'd ask if you'd reserve from what I'm seeing as tactlessness for the antagonists or we're going to have more than just words. I've been a bit more lenient on the discussions until now and I'd appreciate it if we worked on the plot, historical inconsistencies, and realistic mannerism with a grain of salt and finely drafted beer mug. What I'm saying isn't a personal affront so don't take anything personally, but I'd like to point out that we're not all here for an [i]information pissing match[/i] per say, but to write a good story 8). 

Regarding the mercenary skill, status, and pay; you make a fine point in that mercenaries were indeed very well paid, dangerous, and all the same, prestigious, both in arms and fashion. On the other hand, the conditions affecting Etchelion could have easily involved several ridiculous incidents where nefarious factions invited the Coal Company to a banquet, poisoned or drugged the drinks, before seizing their baggage train/treasure chest/arms wagons.

Historically, some mercenaries' contracts were subject for betrayal and while this was not common, we could certainly have seen this having happened during the Spanish Empire's history. Indeed, there were moments when soldiers as well as disenfranchised veterans-turned-mercenarii were not being paid or compensated during certain grueling campaigns. Examples could certainly point towards the Thirty Years War or during the Spanish Incursion into Mesoamerica. 

In the case of the Spanish lead, Mesoamerican Conquests, Hernan Cortez rallied a somewhat sizeable Spanish strike force when he set sail from Cuba and managed to conquer the Aztecs. The dirty works were of course done by his men and though promised with riches, Cortez ultimately claimed the riches and the prestige for himself, while neither creditting nor imbursing his men for their sacrifices or work.

We can also point towards the Knights Templar, whose humble beginnings as a monastic militaristic order involved abject lack of funds, equipment, or organization. Provided, this did not last long, but can provide a framework for Romaneck. The Knights Templar were also punished and arrested during King Phillip IV's reign due to the fact that he had other plans for France and owed the Order large financial sums. Naturally, he decided on an excuse to dissolve and relinquish the debt through false heresy charges rather than to pay in full.

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I'd also like to point that even though naming nomenclature is important, I'd say that there's no problem with the name Etchelion, but in regards to names with a 'lion' sounding convention, [url=http://www.20000-names.com/animal_lion_names.htm]this link[/url] is a fine reference for suitable lion sounding names.

Now … I'd like to say that we're overdue for an IC post, which I'm working on as we speak so keep your sword arm ready 8)

By the way, nice pictures, Peik, aristo. I'd like to display my own timeline image regarding armor styles (courtesy from Romaneck)

[img=http://38.media.tumblr.com/d2f97066ad7ba166d525d974391f9cf9/tumblr_n5g9eumZNu1r3qy68o1_500h.jpg]