What is the Mercenary option in Dragonfire?

Mercenary is a placement option at the start of a Reign: you accept being assigned to a random faction, and in exchange you receive a gold reward.

What to remember:

• Random placement: you don't pick your camp, the game puts you where it suits (usually to balance the 3 factions).
• A gold reward: that's the payoff for your flexibility.
• It helps the game fill under-populated camps.

Very important: Mercenary is NOT a 4th faction. You don't join a separate "mercenary" camp — you're simply placed in one of the 3 existing factions, at random. It's an assignment mode, not a new side. If the gold interests you more than your specific camp, Mercenary is a pragmatic choice. Otherwise, know that you give up the (slim) chance to influence your faction.