The Brave Companions is a sellsword company of considerably ill repute. It comprises criminals and outcasts from many nations. During the War of the Five Kings, the band is led by Vargo Hoat, a tall, gaunt, lisping man from Qohor. The band is often called the Bloody Mummers by the Westerosi for its members' brutality and outlandish appearance, though they find this name insulting. They are also called the "Footmen" for Vargo's practice of cutting off the hands and feet of prisoners. Some of the company's notable members include Qyburn, a disgraced Maester, Septon Utt, a pedophile and child-killer priest of the Seven, Shagwell, a psychotic jester, and Fat Zollo, a Dothraki.

History
Tywin Lannister brought the Brave Companions to Westeros during the War of the Five Kings to forage and terrify the lands of his enemies. They went to Harrenhal, where they quarreled with Ser Amory Lorch's men. After Tywin left Harrenhal, the Companions slaughtered the Lannister garrison and opened the gates to Roose Bolton. Vargo Hoat became Lord of Harrenhal for his service to the North, but he grew to suspect that his new Bolton allies would join the Lannisters. When several Companions captured Jaime Lannister, Vargo had Jaime's swordhand chopped off to drive a wedge between Tywin and Roose. The ploy did not work, and Roose soon abandoned Harrenhal. While attempting to rape the imprisoned Brienne of Tarth, Vargo lost an ear and the wound infected. With a Lannister reprisal looming and Vargo slowly maddening from a fever, most of the Companions deserted. By the time Gregor Clegane arrived at Harrenhal and killed Vargo, the band had dissolved into smaller groups.

In the aftermath of the War of the Five Kings, many Brave Companions became bandits and vagabonds. One particular group led by Rorge, hiding beneath the hound helm of Sandor Clegane, decimated the town of Saltpans.

Some of the members of the Brave Companions encountered in the series are...

• Vargo Hoat, known as the Goat, commander of the companions
• Urswyck the Faithful, second in command
• Rorge
• Pyg
• Qyburn
• Shagwell the jester
• Fat Zollo
• Biter
• Timeon the Dornishman
• Septon Utt