I don’t imagine nobles would want mercenaries wearing their colors, or they could be blamed for whatever foul deeds mercenaries were prone to doing. I would prefer gear that compliments your banner, which is why I chose the griffin banner on my latest play through. There are plenty of red and yellow shields, and even griffin kite shields. This is not to mention that the noble swords are red and gold along with a unique two handed sword. The red and gold griffin banner looks roman, so I imagine my guys to be a battle brothers counterpart to the varangian guards, who I then imagine where forced to flee the empire they served because of some wild intrigue, perhaps avenging a assassination.
