The Brass Blades

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A Brass Blade standing guard outside the refugee camp of Little Ala Mhigo.

The Brass Blades are, in theory, the guardians of Thanalan. In practice, however, they are known for being corrupt and susceptible to being persuaded by coin and acting on the whims of the Syndicate, given that they are where their pay originates from.[1]

History

As Ul'dah began to rise as a mercantile power, the Syndicate began to slowly step in and take more and more power from the Sultanate, they realized they were slowly gaining enemies who were waiting in the shadows to strike. Requiring protection, they began hiring sellswords to fill this role. They were tasked with maintaining peace around the city and answered to the 1st-3rd Main Brigades, although they were considered separate from the Sultansworn or the Immortal Flames. This is to give the illusion that the Brass Blades work for anyone other than the Syndicate, however, they are all too aware of who pays their wages, and more often than not act in the favor of the Syndicate.

Regardless of where their allegiances lie, the Brass Blades train with and take part in exercises with the Immortal Flames, and patrol the city as well as the other towns and outposts of Thanalan.

Duties

As mentioned before, the Brass Blades patrol through the cities and outposts of Thanalan, and are generally charged with keeping the peace. They also help deal with the Beastmen threat coming from the Amalj'aa. They are known to be easily bribed and will often defer to whoever offers the highest price. Due to the shortage of other members of the military, they also guard the Royal Palace.

Traits

Wearing heavy chainmail and using a large broadsword and a shield, the Brass Blades, though sellswords, are trained by the military and are adept fighters. While the majority of people refer to them as the "Monetarists' private army", there are those who are honorable and who want to do right by the people they are charged with protecting, like those guarding Little Ala Mhigo, for example.

Organizational Structure

Brass Blades are broken up into various regiments based on where they are deployed. There is generally no difference between the regements other than what sorts of dangers they will face based on where they are set to defend.

Lore

In the employ of the wealthy Ul'dahns represented by the Syndicate, the Brass Blades are sellswords charged with maintaining peace and order within the sultanate. Though they ostensibly fall under the auspices of the Divan, in truth they are only too aware of who pays their wages. Thus, they are known to act according to the wishes of the rich, and few would object to calling them the Monetarists' private army. As sellswords' loyalty may be bought, cases of bribery have grown so numerous as to earn the scorn of honest citizens. However, not all of the Brass Blades are without scruples, and a small number are apparently honorable and earnest in the line of duty.[1]

Organizational Structure

  • Brass Blades of the Rose: Western Thanalan
  • Brass Blades of the Violet: Central Thanalan
  • Brass Blades of the Orchid: Eastern Thanalan Brass
  • Blades of the Lotus: Southern Thanalan Brass Blades of the Balsam: Ul'dah Proper

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Encyclopaedia Eorzea: Volume I, page 133