The Godfall was not kind to the ruling classes. In the time before, it was very unusual indeed for a member of the aristocracy to be named under the sign of Aristei. As their more auspicious patron gods died, so too did they, and the human world was thrown into turmoil and anarchy.

As the Order worked to re-unite and secure the scattered survivors of the former human kingdoms, it became clear that their strength of arms would never be enough. There remained a great many dangers in the world, from the barbarous tribes of the Greenskins to the hideous creatures that dwell in the wild places– and they had come through the Godfall untouched, their numbers undiminished. To induct enough new Clerics to maintain adequate defenses was impossible, and with food stores and supply lines dangerously unstable, raising traditional armies was impractical. What the Order did have at its disposal, though, was the accumulated wealth of dead kings.

The solution was to encourage the founding of the Companies: mercenary organizations composed of battle hardened, elite fighters. They would do the necessary work to ensure security and guard against the worst threats– for gold and glory.