Bandit Faction Expansion: Which Factions Next? (Patreon)

PLEASE select no more than 3 options. That will help narrow down which factions are the most popular. You can submit your own ideas in the comments! Any likes on your comment will be counted as votes.

The Swindlesong Bandits

Bandits and bards aren't the first combination one thinks of, but that's partly the strength of this organization. "Be the unexpected" is their mantra. Cunning and charm are at the forefront of their crimes, and violence is rarely resorted too, though they keep some muscle around as needed.

The Mirror Men
A peculiar group of mysterious bandits. This faction accepts only members who fit an extremely specific physical regiment. Once recruited, a member is given uniform and mask which matches all other members exactly, and the uniform is always worn. In this way, every single member of the Mirror Men looks exactly the same. 

Misdirection, confusion, and sometimes illusion magic are the Mirror Men's strongest weapons.

The Merry Men
A twisted spin on the legendary band of bandits led by Rodin Hjord, this group of outlaws likes to try and play the good guy, but truly has sinister and selfish intentions. Depending on your desired story, it's likely this group is beloved by locals, but your adventurers will more than likely learn the truth about their dark ways.

The Merry Men don't just steal from the rich and give to the poor (though they do fulfill that end of the bargain). They torture the rich, to an extreme and disturbing extent. They don't simply murder -- they capture aristocrats, wealthy merchants, politicians, physically torture them, subject them to violent games and force them to fight each other or wild beasts, sell them into slavery of all kinds, or even trade them with local hags or fiends in exchange for other valuables.

The Highlanders
Bandits from barbarian tribes of the highlands. Perhaps they were exiled from their tribes, or perhaps their tribes were slaughtered and this is all that remains, turning to outlaw ways to survive. In any case, highlanders continue most of the traditions one would expect from their peoples.

Dragonflies
River-based bandits, the dragonflies are swift, mobile, and clever. They frequently strike trade routes along rivers, but even the most well guarded ships struggle to deal with their speed. Dragonflies employ means of locomotion over land, air, and water, including boats, gliding-contraptions, and even mystical beast mounts such as giant dragonflies and the Ersenni (water-walking steeds). If possible, it is recommended that a GM increase the level of any Bandit stat block used for the Dragonflies by 3.

The Blood-Rats
Previously posted on our subreddit, these bandits possess a unique curse similar to Lycanthropy, but not identical. Blood rats transform into a rat-humanoid hybrid once they become damaged to a certain point. They are much more viscious in their rat form, but also less intelligent.

Buck's Boys
Bandits often operate in rural areas where law enforcement is less organized and powerful. Buck's Boys are one such group, a collection of rough and tumble country folk turning to crime to make their fortune. Most are accomplished horse riders and often employ their equestrian skills during heists or hold ups.

These bandits take manners very seriously. Even during a crime, they are always respectful and use good manners. It is often a confusing and strange experience for their victims. Some of the bandits are even quite charming.

Nightshadow Bandits
Something of a small scale shadow organization, the Nightshadow bandits operate via infiltration and espionage. Common tactics include planting one or more inside agents into caravans or other targets they intend to hit. They always have high level intel on their targets and the areas in which they stage their ambushes.

They may not be the strongest, fastest, or most magically inclined, but every crime they commit is extremely well prepared, and they rarely leave a trace.

The Alleycats
Urban bandits specialized in navigating the tricky layouts of big towns and cities, where guard presence and architecture can often make heists tricky. Alleycats are equal parts accomplished in small scale robberies to high-stakes heists. Travelling their alleys leaves a good chance of getting pickpocket or stood up.