Freeguild
Freeguild March to War | |
Grand alliance | Order |
Associated factions | Cities of Sigmar |
Main grouping | Regiment |
Allies | Collegiate Arcane Dispossessed Ironweld Arsenal |
Races | Human[1] Duardin[11a][24a] Aelf[49b] Ogor[10b] Orruk[51b] |
Mounts | Demigryph Griffon Horse Rockcrusher Scarab |
Vehicles | Cogfort |
The Freeguilds are military guilds that operate within and without the Cities of Sigmar, serving as the brave mortal defenders of the Free Peoples and the Cities of Sigmar. These guilds vary greatly in size, some being small bands of no more than forty to fifty soldiers while others are immense organizations capable of fielding over a hundred regiments at any given time.[1e][3e][23a]
The Cities of Sigmar are defended by many different forces such as the Stormcast Eternals, the Ironweld Arsenal and the Collegiate Arcane but much fighting and sacrifice fall to the mere mortals of the many Freeguild Regiments.[1e]
However, as the reclamation of the Mortal Realms progressed more and more regiments were created from those cultures that had survived the onslaught of Chaos - although tensions often run high between the original Azyrites and the Reclaimed. Most Free Cities have several Freeguilds, typically organised into regiments and acting as city watchmen in times of peace. Each is different and has its own customs, cultures, colours and traditions differing greatly from Realm to Realm and city to city. [1e]
Contents
- 1 Origins
- 2 Organization
- 3 Roles and Formations of Freeguild
- 4 Equipment
- 5 Known Freeguilds
- 5.1 Freeguilds of Hammerhal
- 5.2 Freeguilds of Major Cities
- 5.3 Other Cities
- 5.3.1 Freeguilds of Anvilgard/Free Anvilgard Movement
- 5.3.2 Freeguilds of Arbitrium
- 5.3.3 Freeguilds of Black Eyrie
- 5.3.4 Freeguilds of Brightspear
- 5.3.5 Freeguilds of Edassa
- 5.3.6 Freeguilds of Everquake City
- 5.3.7 Freeguilds of Glymmsforge
- 5.3.8 Freeguilds of Holdash
- 5.3.9 Freeguilds of Izalend
- 5.3.10 Freeguilds of Kranzinnport
- 5.3.11 Freeguilds of Lifestone
- 5.3.12 Freeguilds of Nordrath
- 5.3.13 Freeguilds of Seven Words
- 5.3.14 Freeguilds of Slicston
- 5.3.15 Freeguilds of Starhold
- 5.4 Freeguilds in Multiple Cities
- 5.5 Other Freeguilds, Regiments, and Companies
- 5.6 Related Organizations
- 6 Quotes
- 7 Heraldry
- 8 Images
- 9 Sources
Origins
The origins of the first Freeguilds date back long before the Age of Sigmar.[3e][19a] With some believing they began as mercenary bands formed in Azyr during the Cleansing of Azyr, arriving in the other seven Realms in the Age of Sigmar.[19a] Though Gardus Steel Soul, a Lord-Celestant of the Hallowed Knights, recalls Freeguilds operating in his home city of Demesnus during the Age of Chaos, well before the re-opening of the Gates of Azyr.[3e]
Organization
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Personnel and Structure of the Freeguilds
All of the Free Cities of the God-King's empire boasts a handful of Freeguilds. In many cases, a Freeguild will be structured into several regiments whose officers will serve under an overall commander.[4b][12][3a][23a] Freeguilders often operate as both a standing army and as city watch, sometimes regiments will alternate between active military service and guard service, though some cities assign specific Freeguilds to this duty.[4a][4b][23a]. The Freeguilds, and even individual regiments, will often develop their unique styles of combat, based on the environments and surroundings of the cities that employ them.[1e] Such as the coastal city of Anvilgard, which has several marine regiments in their employ.[1g]
It is within the Free City of Hammerhal Aqsha that the military doctrine of Sigmar's Empire is codified, tested, and put into practice. Moreover, its vast population forms the vast majority of Sigmar's mortal military. As such many armies of the Free Cities use the traditions and methods of Hammerhal Aqsha as a template for their own. As a result, many pictures a Hammerhalian Goldjacket when they imagine the common soldier of the Freeguilds.[23c]
Freeguilds will often develop unique traditions and will outfit themselves in colours unique to their regiments and companies, though there are some cities where all the regiments and companies operate under a single, unified banner and so bear the same colours. Whatever the case may be Freeguilds will often boast an eclectic mix of forces including a dozen varieties of footsoldiers, knights, beast riders, militia, and city watchmen. {Fn|1e}}[26a]
The tactics of the Freeguilds vary from realm to realm, kingdom to kingdom, city to city.[1e] For instance the Sons of the Black Bear, who hail from the northern baronies of the Realm of Heavens, operate as a lance of knights[5a], while companies like the Ironsides and Leatherbacks are known for making extensive use of firearms and artillery.[5a][5b] Oftentimes a Freeguild regiment on campaign or expedition will carry a Grand Hogshead, an armoured barrel full of Aqua Ghyranis, with them. Usually, these are carried in wagons that are guarded at all times.[18a]
Structure of the Freeguilds Before the Vedra Reformation
Before the sweeping changes brought by the Vedra Reformation the Freeguilds Freeguild Guard. These Guard companies, who were most often employed as city watchmen and frontline troops, were typically composed of citizens from all walks of life men and women, Azyrite colonists and Reclaimed settlers, old veterans and young greenhorns, volunteers and conscripts, militiamen and career soldiers, noble sons and guttersnipes. All of these varied folk and more are forced to fight side by side within the Guard. The only thing as diverse as the recruits within the regiments are the weapons they carry into battle. Spears, halberds, and swords are commonly found in abundance among the better-equipped regiments, but less influential and renowned regiments will have to make do with whatever is at hand. These scrounged-together armaments are known as 'militia weapons' and can consist of anything from clubs and simple blades, to wheel-lock handguns. The Guard was often supplemented with specialized formations of Handgunners, Crossbowmen, Greatswords, Pistoliers, Outriders, and Demigryph Knights.[1e]
Structure of the Freeguilds After the Vedra Reformation
With the widespread adoption of the Vedra Reformation and Castelite formations, the structure of the Freeguilds have changed dramatically. These forces are divided into the eclectic Fortress City Armies and the well-drilled Castelite Hosts, the latter of which use the military doctrine of the Vedra Reformation.[61b]
Before the reforms the Freeguilds were disorganized, often ad-hoc forces which would include a patchwork of formations rarely trained to work together, and were often given little training. After the Reformation the Freeguilds have been drastically transformed. These Post-Reformation forces receive training within military academies and strongholds, are commanded by officers who earn their ranks through merit, and are typified by tight formations of Castelites directly commanded by Freeguild Marshals.[61b][61c]
The bulk of these new Castelites come in the form of Steelhelm and Fusilier formations, the former hammering into the enemy forces whilst the latter provides ranged support. Deployed alongside them are Great Cannons provided to the guilds by their Ironweld allies.[61b][61c]
The cavalry formations of the Cavaliers serve as the anvil to the hammer that is the Steelhelms. Each Cavalier is a battle-hardened veteran who is driven by past tragedy, or simple talent for killing. Their specialization is crushing charges and sustained assaults.[61b][61c]
The Wildercorps are the scouts and guerrilla fighters of the Freeguilds who have an affinity to the wilds. These Hunters serve a vital, if not often glamorised, role in the defense of the city. Aiding them in this are their Trailhounds.[61c]
Command Structure
The Freeguilds are semi-autonomous military guilds found throughout Sigmar's Empire defending everything from meagre border outposts to the great fortress-cities that serve as capitals of Sigmar's Empire beyond the Realm of Azyr. These guilds vary in size, with some being little more than a single, understaffed company while others boast well over a hundred regiments.[6a][1e][11a][23a][23d]
General Staff
The Prime Commander, a member of a Free City's Grand Conclave and supreme commander of its military forces, acts as the highest authority of a city's Freeguilds.[42][61a] The overall commanding officer of a Freeguild host will typically be a Freeguild Marshal, or some other equivalent rank.[4b][12][3a][23a][41a][45a][47a][61c]
Command Corps
Aiding the Freeguild Marshals and Sub-Marshal of a host is a collection of specialists, champions, and experts known as the Command Corps. The most well-known of these figures are the Arch-Knights, Great Heralds, War Surgeons, Whisperblades, and Soul Shepherds.[61c][69b]
Other Formations and Units
There are many Freeguilds throughout the near-infinite expanses of the Mortal Realms who break the hierarchal norms. Whether by using unique ranks and specialist units, operating differently than their peers, or other subtle differences.
For example, the officers of the Sons of the Black Bear are known as Boyr and the First Age Celestians regiment maintains a second officer known as a Field Marshal, the latter is a position below staff officer.[5a][37d] There are some Freeguilds that operate as independent companies, rather than as a unit of a larger guild or regiment, which are typically led by Captains.[11a]
Known specialist units, used by various Freeguilds across the Mortal Realms, include the beetle-riding Shellriders of the 68th Veldtguard, tunnel-fighting Tunnelmen of the Greywater Sappers, and the hammer-wielding Greathammerers of the Accari Hounds.[23b][37a][44a]
The Golden Lions of Hammerhal Aqsha, one of the city's seventeen major Freeguilds, are known to employ Impressment Officers, whose duties include recruiting new soldiers into the Freeguild.[23a]
The Accari Hounds eschew all traditional notions of Freeguild hierarchy, instead being more akin to a loosely organized mob of than a regiment. The officers of the regiment are collectively known as Chiefs, no matter their rank or size of their force, who commanded forces largely comprised of their extended kin. The top of their hierarchy is the infamous Dozen who serve as the regiment's overall commanders and champions.[37a]
The Leatherbacks, a gun-and-halberd company originating from the Realm of Ghur, were a similarly disorganized and rambunctious force whose ranks were filled solely with members of a singular clan, all of whom were related in complex ways and formed equally complicated internecine grudges against one another. Their overall commander was Poppa Chown, titled as such as he was both captain and patriarch of the clan.[5b]
Auxillaries
It is not unheard of for Freeguilds to employ specialists from other guilds and factions of the Cities of Sigmar, such as the Dispossessed, Ironweld Arsenal, and Devoted of Sigmar.[24a][45a][46a][53a]
Nearly every Freeguild employs a Cogsmith specialist that can craft prosthetic limbs sometimes known as Medimantic Appendages. These prosthetics can vary wildly depending on the resources and budget available, the realm of origin, and purpose. Some can pass as flesh-and-blood limbs, others are simple wooden pegs, others have bladed edges, and there are stranger ones such as those constructed from Hyshian crystal. These Cogsmiths are meant to only work on soldiers, but if approached by a civilian with mobility issues or a desire for a prosthetic, higher-ups within the Freeguild will usually look the other way.[24a]
Warrior Priests dedicated to Sigmar can often be found serving alongside and even among the ranks of the Freeguilds. For some Freeguilds, such as the famed Blackshore Guard of Lethis, having these holy warriors among their ranks is standard procedure but in other cases priests end up assigned to a regiment through the machinations of a powerful member of Azyrite society.[45a][46a]
Duardin Rangers of the Dispossessed clans have been known to serve among the ranks of the Freeguilds as well.[53a]
Recruitment
Some of those who join are volunteers, part of a long family history of service, others see it as a path to glory or riches whilst others are conscripted for all city districts are required to provide recruits to replenish the ranks for their regiments. [1e]
The majority of Freeguilders, whether recruited or conscripted, belong to Human lineages though beings of other races have been known to serve alongside them including Duardin and Aelves of the Free Peoples, Ogors, and even Orruks. Though typically those Ogors and Orruks who join do so only briefly, and are often kept under a watchful eye.[10b][11a][24a][49b][51b]
The Freeguilds of the Azyrite cities of Nordrath, Grimpeak, and Hallowstar actively recruit the fen-dwellers of the Smoak Fens, for the clansmen are renownedly famed as gunsmiths and marksmen. Many of these skilled warriors have risen to fame and glory within the Freeguilds.[19b]
Some Freeguilds have Impressment Officers who will press known criminals into service, such as the Slumgunners of the Golden Lions Freeguild.[23a]
Roles and Formations of Freeguild
The Freeguilds serve as one of the primary military forces of any given City of Sigmar and more often than not they also serve those same cities as mercenary guards, city watchmen, patrolmen on trade routes, and even garrisons for outlying farmsteads. But the Freeguilds have a myriad of duties, both extraordinary and mundane, beyond the typical work of footsloggers. Below is a list of several of the roles and duties assigned to Freeguilds across Sigmar's empire.
- Chivalric Orders: There are many Freeguilds that double of martial orders comprised of knights, such orders often ride into battle upon Demigryphs.[5a][14a][26a]
- City Watch: Many a Freeguild will be employed to serve a Free City as their city watch. Many of these are given extensive garrisons or barracks to call their own.[6a][8a]
- Collegiate Guards: As the arcane colleges of the Collegiate Arcane are rarely allowed to maintain their own standing armies, they will often employ smaller Freeguilds under long-term contracts. Ostensibly these Freeguilds act solely as guards and escorts, though they have been known to be used to protect Collegiate interests.[3d]
- District Regiments: A regiment whose area of operations is centered on a district of a City of Sigmar, typically to act as its defenders.[35a]
- Fire Marshals: These civic servants are responsible for putting out any fires in their cities before they become too big of an issue to combat.[8a]
- Garrison Regiments: Regiments that are usually stationed within fortresses and barracks throughout a Free City or other settlement to serve as a garrison.[54]
- Heavy Artillery Battalion: A battalion comprised of artillery pieces, such as Ironweld Great Cannons.[63a]
- Fire-Support Formations: Heavy Artillery Battalions specializing in providing fire support to allied regiments.[63a]
- Longscout Regiments: Specialist regiments that engage in patrols and long-ranged reconaissance.[54]
- Marine Regiments: Freeguild regiments trained to fight both on land and at sea, the most notable marine regiments are those of Anvilgard, such as the Rumrunners. Such units often employ Freeguild steam-galleons.[1g]
- Mercenaries and Private Armies: Some Freeguilds are independent of their city's Grand Conclave and are instead employed by private individuals such as the minor Freeguilds under some Steam Lords of the Greywater who guard the properties of their Lord and may even be used during an aggressive takeover.[49a]
- Outpost Garrisons: The Free Cities maintain many outposts, garrisons, forts, watchtowers, and waystations across their territories and more often than not companies of the Freeguilds will be tasked with maintaining and defending these outposts. Fort Foothold in the Flamescar Plateau and the watchtowers of the Emerald Line in Verdia are among some of these fortresses.[11a][16b]
- Palace Guards: Some regiments and companies have the honour of being assigned the duty of guarding the palaces and government buildings where the Conclaves and ruling councils of a Free City hold government assemblies. Such companies are held in high regard and are given extra privileges.[8a]
- Prison Guards: Many regiments and companies of the Freeguilds are directly assigned to guard, maintain, and operate the prisons of a City of Sigmar.[8a][9a]
- Pyre-Gangs: Tasked with quarantining and eliminating the deadwalker epidemics that began in the wake of the Necroquake.[6a]
- Standing Army: The most common use of the companies and regiments of the Freeguilds, is as a city's professional standing army. These military forces will often be supplemented by artillery from the Ironweld, mages of the Collegiate, and any other forces the city can muster.[6a]
- Underjacks: Often pulled from the ranks of sellswords and convicts, Underjack regiments serve as one of the first lines of defence against those forces that would assail a Free City from below. They typically clear out, or attempt to at least, infestations of grots and Skaven in the lowest sections of the city.[6a]
Notable Corps and Branches
The Freeguilds are divided into many branches and formations including:
- Castelite Hosts: The Castelite Hosts are military divisions operating under the strictures of the Vedra Reformations. These 'mobile fortresses' are the backbone of the Freeguilds in the wake of the Reformations.[61b][61c]
- Provost Corps: A branch of the Freeguilds responsible for disciplinary duties.[69a]
- Wildercorps: The battalions and divisions of the Wildercorps serve as the scouts of the Freeguild forces.[61c][61e][69a]
Equipment
Within many of the Free Cities, every Freeguild regiment and company maintain its own traditions, colours, and uniforms. While in other Free Cities the Freeguilds are unified under the same banners and wear the same uniform no matter how many companies the city has. In either case, these soldiers are sporadically equipped with whatever arms and armour are readily available, with those recruits who hail from more affluent backgrounds supplying their own.[1e] The following is a list of strange and unique equipment used by the Freeguilds:
Notable Equipment
- City Banners: Battle standards that bear the heraldry of a City of Sigmar, Freeguild, or regiment are of vital importance to many Freeguilds, serving to inspire and direct those that fight under them. Some are also known to be enchanted to bring strength or speed to the soldiers that fight beneath them.[24a]
- Freeguild Trumpet: Trumpets used by the Freeguilds,[24a]
- Grenade-Launching Blunderbuss: A powerful firearm that fires explosives. These are only trusted in the hands of veteran Freeguild Outriders.[24a]
- Medimantic Appendages: Every Freeguild boasts a Cogsmith who specializes in replacing lost limbs with medimantic appendages. These prosthetics vary wildly depending on the budget and resources available.[24a]
- Trident Dagger: A mechanical dagger developed by the Ironweld Arsenal, a simple press of a button hidden on the guard of this weapon causes its blade to split into three.[20a]
Medals and Honours
Members of the Freeguilds are awarded with a variety of military awards and decorations to commemorate campaigns they fought in, acts of valour, and even displays of martial skills such as markmanship.[13d][23d][35b][62] There also exist awards that commemorate the actions of an entire unit, such as battle honours which are displayed on banners.[4a]
- Battle Honours: Awards given out to Freeguild units in recognition for their service, emblazoned upon banners.[4a]
- Burning Star: A much sought after medal awarded to warriors of Hammerhal Aqsha who have displayed notable ferocity and fearlessness.[63c]
- Campaign Badges: These small badges are awarded to Freeguilders for participating in military campaigns in the service of the Cities of Sigmar.[13a]
- Citation of Honour: An accommodation granted for exemplary deeds.[23d]
- Insignia of Valour: A medal awarded to members of the Wildercorps who have displayed valour.[64a]
- Martyr's Ribbon: An accommodation granted to a Freeguild formation as recognition for great sacrifice.[63a]
Known Freeguilds
Freeguilds of Hammerhal
- Steel Lions: A veteran regiment of Hammerhalian Greatswords, that was tragically trampled to death in the Drummer's War.[38a]
Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha
- 51st Heavy Artillery Battalion 'The Deafeners': One of the most decorated fire-support battalions of the city.[63a]
- Boldhearts: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds operating in Hammerhal Aqsha. It is considered to field the best heavy infantry regiments of the city.[23a]
- Golden Lions: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. It is the largest of the Freeguilds operating in the city.[23a]
- Griffon Spears: A Freeguild regiment of Hammerhal who lost their ancestral banners and chose to amend this dishonour with a suicidal cavalry charge into a greenskin horde.[1f]
- Heldenhain: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. They are known for their close ties to the Devoted of Sigmar.[23a]
- Leaden Bulls: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. They field mostly artillery regiments and man the city's many Cogforts.[23a]
- Scions of the Comet: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. It is comprised of elite cavalry, including the famed Hammerhalian Lancers.[23a]
- Sunlancers: A minor regiment of Hammerhal Aqsha.[33]
- Sun Seekers: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. The Sun Seekers are comprised mostly of exploratory forces such as outriders and scouts.[23a]
- Vandusian Guard: One of the seventeen major Freeguilds of Hammerhal Aqsha. They provide elite bodyguard retinues and escorts to nobles and civic figures within the city of Hammerhal Aqsha.[23a]
Freeguilds of Hammerhal Ghyra
- Blacktalons: A handgunner regiment that has fought under the standard of Hammerhal Ghyra.[1a]
- Faithful Blades: One of the oldest guilds of Hammerhal Ghyra. They are comprised mostly of auxiliary troops.[1a][19c]
- Greenhelms: The Freeguild responsible for acting as the watch force for Hammerhal Ghyra.[30]
- Jade Lance: A complement of Freeguild Cavaliers formed during the Twin-Tailed Crusade.[63b]
- Lady's Justice: The Freeguild company stationed at the Greenspire watchtower in the Nevergreen Mountains[11a]
- Veldtguard: The Veldtguard are a sizeable Freeguild of Hammerhal Ghyra, at least one of its cavalry regiments are famed as Rockcrusher Scarab mounted Shellriders.[23b][51a]
Freeguilds of Major Cities
Freeguilds of Azyrheim
- Myrmidites: An ancient chivalric order from Azyrheim.[14a]
- Sons of Breton: An ancient chivalric order from Azyrheim.[14a]
Freeguilds of Excelsis
- Accari Hounds: The first Freeguild regiment to be raised in the Free City of Accar, funded by Excelsis's Guild of Spicers and Waggoners.[37a]
- Bronze Claws: One of the Freeguilds of Excelsis.[4]
- Coldguard: After betraying Excelsis, almost all were either killed in the ensuing battle or imprisoned by the Knights Excelsior, following which the regiment was disbanded. [4]
- Firewolves: From Excelsis. They were almost destroyed in the Uprising of the Cult of the Fated Path.[4]
- Iron Bulls of Tarsus: One of the oldest Freeguilds operating in the Free City of Excelsis.[4]
- Phoenix Company: One of the Excelsian guilds founded in the wake of the Siege of Excelsis.[32a]
- Revenant Spears: One of the Freeguilds of Excelsis.[4]
- Stormblessed: One of the Freeguilds of Excelsis.[4]
Freeguilds of Greywater Fastness
- Lady Zukaus' Forgewrought Flintlocks: A Freeguild that is adorned in orange-and-black checks livery.[65]
- Greycaps: The most famous gun regiments of Greywater Fastness belong to this prestigious Freeguild.[1b]
- Greywater Sappers: A regiment of tunnelfighters from Greywater Fastness.[44a]
Freeguilds of Hallowheart
- Hallowheart 2nd Bulls: A regiment that is organized as a Castelite Formation.[61c]
Freeguilds of Lethis
- Blackshore Guard: The Freeguild of Lethis is known for carrying many amulets and trinkets to protect themselves from the Nighthaunts of their realm. [1e]
Freeguilds of Living City
- Living City Rangers: The people of Ghyran see them as the best trackers and scouts in the Mortal Realms.[13a]
Freeguilds of Misthåvn
Freeguilds of Vindicarum
- Five Nails: The Five Nails are a Freeguild originating from Vindicarum. Their elite Greatswords are garbed in munitions plate forged in the foundries of Vindicarum.[58]
- Lost Souls: Based in the Free City of Vindicarum.[22a]
- Penitent Legion: Based in the Free City of Vindicarum.[22a]
- Steel Sanctors: Based in the Free City of Vindicarum.[22a]
Other Cities
Freeguilds of Anvilgard/Free Anvilgard Movement
- Charrwind Rangers: The Freeguild comprised of the elite, veteran troops of the Free City of Anvilgard. Like all Freeguilds of the city they adorn their uniform with the Kraken's Head sigil of Anvilgard.[16a]
- Footmen: This Freeguild company was placed in charge of Fort Foothold, a fort built into the Cupricorn Range. They are known to be intensely unwelcoming.[16b]
- Red Machetes: One of the Freeguilds of Anvilgard.[21]
- Rumrunners: A marine regiment from Anvilgard whose uniform is black and red. [1d]
Freeguilds of Arbitrium
- Regiments of Arbitrium: Before its fall the Free City of Arbitrium boasted twelve diverse regiments.[15]
- Bone Desert Bow and Foot: The fourth of the twelve regiments of the Free City of Arbitrium.[15a]
- Nighthaunt Guard: The tenth regiment of the Free City of Arbitrium.[15a]
- Penultiman Outriders: One of the twelve regiments of the Free City of Arbitrium. Traditionally they were a regiment that favoured handguns and blunderbusses, but turned to using pistols after their city was vassalized by the Empire of Ossia.[15a][15c]
- Zephyr Spears: The first and oldest of the twelve regiments of the Free City of Arbitrium.[15a]
Freeguilds of Black Eyrie
- Black Eyrie Free Republican Guard: One of the Freeguilds based in the Free City of Black Eyrie.[62]
- Fitzroy's Fusilers: A traitorous Freeguild that allied with Beastmen under orders from their commander Piter Fitzroy. Consumed to a man by their new allies.[62]
- Macarazzo's Long-guns: One of the Freeguilds based in the Free City of Black Eyrie.[62]
- Ricoh's Light Cavalry: One of the Freeguilds based in the Free City of Black Eyrie.[62]
Freeguilds of Brightspear
- Bright Wardens: The Freeguild tasked with guarding the 'Brighthall, the seat of the Conclave in Brightspear and acting as watchmen for the city's Lower Tier.[8a]
- Crimson Shields: One of the Freeguild regiments of Brightspear[8b]
- Turnkeys: The freeguild in charge of operating the prison known as the Bleak Stockade in Brightspear.[8a]
Freeguilds of Edassa
- First Edassan Lions: A Freeguild regiment hailing from Edassa. Destroyed by followers of Tzeentch on their way to Hammerhal Aqsha via the Great Ash Road.[48a]
- Lionesses of Edassa: The most elite and renowned Freeguild regiment of Edassa. Earning the right to join this famed regiment is no easy task, as each supplicant must slay a Flamescar Lion and return home with its pelt.[28a]
Freeguilds of Everquake City
- Mountaineaters: The premier Freeguild of Everquake City.[60a]
Freeguilds of Glymmsforge
- Durar Halberds: One of the Freeguilds operating in Glymmsforge.[57a]
- Glymmsmen: The mauve-and-black uniformed Freeguild of the Free City of Glymmsforge.[5c]
- Glymmsforge South Gaters: A regiment of the Glymmsmen Freeguild.[34]
Freeguilds of Holdash
- Holdashi Irregulars: A regiment from Holdash. [1c]
Freeguilds of Izalend
- Hearthguard: A Freeguild of the Free City of Izalend. Known for their long-barreled muskets and billhooks.[29a]
- Ice Barons: A regiment of veterans, specialized in winter warfare, originating from Izalend.[37c]
Freeguilds of Kranzinnport
- Kranzinnport Sabres: The Freeguild that had been responsible for defending Kranzinnport until its fall[59a]
Freeguilds of Lifestone
- Lifestone Defenders: The Freeguild sworn to defend the city of their birth, Lifestone, to the last soldier.[68a]
Freeguilds of Nordrath
- Gallowsmen: Old and storied regiment from the city of Nordrath. [3]
- Nordrathi Red and Blacks: A small but flexible cavalry regiment of outriders, pistoliers and conventional armoured cavalry.[3]
Freeguilds of Seven Words
- Jerech Blue Skies: The largest and oldest regiment in the service of Hamilcar Bear-Eater when he commanded the Seven Words.[2]
- Seven Words Freeguild: A regiment based in the Free City of Seven Words.[10b]
Freeguilds of Slicston
- 9th Bleak Hussars: A regiment originating from Slicston.[61a]
Freeguilds of Starhold
- First Age Celestians: An ancient and renowned Freeguild originating from Starhold, a grand city in the Realm of Azyr.[37a]
Freeguilds in Multiple Cities
- Gold Gryphons: A famous Freeguild which has its roots on the duelling fields of Azyrheim. [1a] [3]
- Posthumous Reclamation: A Freeguild known to be based out of multiple cities.[66a]
Other Freeguilds, Regiments, and Companies
- 9th Mountain Guard: A regiment that was nearly destroyed during the Mordavian Campaign.[32a]
- 14th Dracolions: A regiment destroyed during the Mordavian Campaign.[32a]
- 86th Starfielders: A Freeguild regiment destroyed in the Mordavian Campaign.[32a]
- Azure Comets: Freeguild under the command of Marshal Clemian Anghreiz.[36a]
- Eagles of Glimmerheim: A Freeguild originating from the Realm of Azyr that fought in the Realmgate Wars.[37a]
- Garabian Shields: A Freeguild that has operated in Gallet.[67a]
- Ironsides: A gun company usually contracted by the Ironweld Arsenal.[5a]
- Ixnian Emberguard: A Freeguild that operated out of the Garrison-Fortress of Ixnia.[52a]
- Leatherbacks: A mixed Freeguild company of handgunners and halberdiers, from the Black Marsh Barony in the Realm of Ghur. [5b]
- Silver Company: A freeguild from Chamon.[5a]
- Sixth Zoshian Rifles: A rifle regiment from the Grey Plains of Zoshia.[39a]
- Sons of the Barrows: A brotherhood of Demigryph Riders known to operate in Hallost.[50a]
- Sons of the Black Bear: A lance of knights hailing from the northern baronies of Azyr.[5a]
- Tuskan Wildmen: The first regiment commanded by Casius Braun. Only twelve members, including Braun, survived their last fateful battle. They would all go on to become officers, known as Chiefs, in the Accari Hounds.[37b]
- Wallguard of Fovos Keep: A minor Freeguild founded to defend Fovos Keep. Slaughtered within a few weeks.[25]
Related Organizations
- Viridian Shield: The Viridian Shield is a specialised military force of Living City trained to fight in the labyrinthine forests and jungles of the Everspring Swathe. It is comprised of standing armies of the Wanderers, Freeguild soldiery, and Sylvaneth allies.[1h][56]
Quotes
If I should fall in hard-pitched battle An orruk's axe betwixt mine eyes Then sing for me, while I lie bleeding And mourn for a career most fleeting But heed ye well the Colonel's cry, "March on lads, there is no retreating!
Marching song of the Golden Lions, Freeguild of Hammerhal Aqsha.[30] |
I don't care if they've got two heads, no heads, tentacles for arms or their skin's turned inside-out. You're men of the Hammerhal Goldjackets, damn you - now start acting like it and fill their hides full of Sigmar's blessed lead.
Trovan Joth, Marksman Sergeant of the Hammerhal Goldjackets.[31a] |
Heraldry
The Freeguilds use a wide variety of heraldry including:
Freeguild Coats of Arms
Images
Sources
- 1: Battletome: Cities of Sigmar (2019)
- 1a: Against the Green Hordes (short story), pg. 14-15
- 1b: Rain of Fire (short story), pg. 21
- 1c: Flames of the Pheonix (short story), pg. 23
- 1d: Blood in the Water (short story), pg. 25
- 1e: The Freeguilds, pg. 34-35
- 1f: Hammerhal, the Twin-Tailed City, Pg. 13
- 1g: Anvilgard, Pg. 24-25
- 1h: The Living City, Pg. 16-17
- 2: Hamilcar: Champion of the Gods
- 3: Hallowed Knights: Black Pyramid (novel)
- 4: Legends of the Age of Sigmar: City of Secrets
- 5: Soul Wars (novel)
- 6: Soulbound Core Rulebook
- 6a: Chapter Eight: The Mortal Realms
- 7: Soulbound: Cities of Flame
- 8: Soulbound: Brightspear City Guide
- 9: Thieves' Paradise (novella)
- 9a: Chapter One
- 10: Gods & Mortals
- 11: Oaths & Conquests
- 11a The Siege of Greenspire
- 12: White Dwarf September 2020
- 12a: Martyr's Blood, pg. 97-99
- 13: Myths & Revenants
- 13a: One, Untended
- 14: Spear of Shadows (novel)
- 14a: Chapter Five: Captain Brondt
- 15: Bonereapers (Novella)
- 16: Soulbound: Anvilgard City Guide
- 17: A Moment of Cruelty (Short Story)
- 18: Soulbound: Crucible of Life
- 18a: Part 2: The Green Hell
- 19: Shadespire: The Mirrored City (novel)
- 20: Soulbound: Champions of Order
- 20a: Chapter Six: Equipment
- 21: Soulbound: Aqua Nurglis
- 22: Broken Realms: Be'lakor
- 22a: Shadow War, Pg. 42-43
- 23: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (3rd Edition)
- 24: Soulbound: Steam and Steel
- 24a: Chapter Three: Cogs of Industry
- 25: The Vintage (Short Story)
- 26: Age of Sigmar: Core Book (2nd Edition)
- 26a: The Free Peoples, Pg. 140-151
- 27: Thunderstrike & Other Stories
- 27a: Thunderstrike, Chapter One
- 28: Soulbound: Artefacts of Power
- 28a: Chapter Three: Ancient Relics
- 29: Heart of Winter (novella)
- 29a: Chapter Six
- 30: White Dwarf November 2021
- 31: Warcry: Sentinels of Order
- 31a: Cities of Sigmar, Pg. 12-27
- 32: Stormvault (novel)
- 32a: Chapter Eleven: Eye of the Storm
- 32: Dominion (novel)
- 32a: Chapter One
- 33: The Interrogator (Short Story)
- 34: Malign Portents short story - The Hero of Glymmsforge
- 35: Hammers of Sigmar: First Forged
- 36: Battletome: Idoneth Deepkin (2022)
- 36a: Forces of the Idoneth, Pg. 62-63
- 37: Kragnos: Avatar of Destruction
- 38: Battletome: Orruk Warclans (2021)
- 38a: Bonesplitterz of the Realms, Pg. 38-40
- 39: Covens of Blood
- 39a: A Snake Sheds Its Skin
- 40: Hallowed Ground (novel)
- 40a: Chapter Seventeen: Hallowed Ground
- 41: The Red Hours (short story)
- 41a: Chapter One
- 42: Premonitions
- 43: Godsbane (Novel)
- 43a: Chapter Twenty-One
- 44: Battletome: Skaven (2022)
- 44a: A Verminous Menace, Pg. 4-7
- 45: Gothghul Hollow (novel)
- 45a: Chapter Seven
- 46: Dark Harvest (novel)
- 46a: Chapter Eight: Wald
- 47: Battletome: Ogor Mawtribes (2019)
- 47a: Camp Followers, Pg. 42-45
- 48: Realmslayer
- 48a: Chapter Two
- 49: Soulbound: Blackened Earth
- 50: White Dwarf April 2020
- 51: Soulbound: Champions of Destruction
- 52: White Dwarf November 2019
- 52a: Hunger Pains (Short Story)
- 53: Grombrindal: Chronicles of the Wanderer
- 53a: Chapter Ten
- 54: Malign Portents short story - Beyond the Wall
- 55: Broken Realms: Morathi
- 55a: The Grip of Fear, Pg. 54-55
- 56: Paradise of Worms
- 57: Battletome: Stormcast Eternals (2018)
- 57a: Masters of the Celestial, Pg. 29-31
- 58: False Down (short story)
- 59: Blightslayer (novel)
- 59a: Chapter One: The City of Kranzinnport
- 60: White Dwarf June 2023
- 60a: Flashpoint Rondhol: All-Consuming Earth
- 61: Battletome: Cities of Sigmar (2023)
- 62: The Thorn Mile (short story)
- 63: Dawnbringers: Reign of the Brute
- 64: Warcry: Hunter and Hunted
- 64a: Wildercorps Hunters Quests, Pg. 44-47
- 65: The One Road (short story)
- 66: Arena of Shades booklet
- 66a: Of Shades and Shadows, pg. 8-9
- 67: White Dwarf March 2024
- 67a: Beasts of the Galletian Depths, Pg. 94-99
- 68: Battle for the Soulspring (novel)
- 68a: Realms Arcana Part Six
- 69: Dawnbringers: Shadow of the Crone
- 70: Dawnbringers: The Mad King Rises
- 71: Dawnbringer Chronicles XIX: The Warning