Almost from the day that King Boranel ascended to the throne of Breland he has pressed for victory. Breland's resources are strong, Thrane, Cyre and Aundair have recently suffered huge losses of territory and Karrnath still hasn't recovered from the loss of the Mror Holds and her own knights of the Emerald Claw are on the verge of open rebellion. Mercenaries from Valenar and the goblinoid from the border lands flock to serve Breland. House Cannith's new warforged soldiers represent a powerful military element. It is time to press the advantage and take back the Five Nations from those upstarts who have no right to hold his kingdoms.
Notes:
The game is set in Khorvaire during the Last War (965 CY), the same year that House Cannith perfected the warforged. War rages all over the five nations, each king or queen maintaining their claim that they are the rightful ruler of the Five Nations. King Boranel has ruled Breland for four years and presses the attack, hoping to end the war with a series of decisive victories.
The Big 16
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This is copied from the recruitment thread
1. What game system are you running (D&D, Call of Cthulu, Palladium, GURPS, etc.), and if applicable what edition (Original, Classic, Revised, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 10th, etc.)?
3.5 D&D
2. What 'type' or variant of game will it be (i.e. "Shadow Chasers" or "Agents of Psi" for d20 Modern)? What is the setting for the game (eg. historic period, published or homebrewed campaign setting, alternate reality, modern world, etc.)?
Eberron game set in the Last War. All PCs should be on the same side (Breland), or mercenaries. They may belong to a dragonmarked house but some houses are not permitted to take a direct part in combat in order to ensure their neutrality and as such cannot hold military ranks.
3. How many Players are you looking for? Will you be taking alternates, and if so, how many?
Four to six players. My other current game had eight players and play is very slow so this time I'm going to be strict about the numbers. If there is a lot of interest then I may run two independent games. Maybe even on different sides.
I'll take reserves.
4. What's the gaming medium (OOTS, chat, e-mail etc.)?
Here on the OOTS forum. Please start with a character sheet on mythweavers or similar.
5. What is the characters' starting status (i.e. experience level)?
The mid point of 4th level, 8,000xp.
6. How much gold or other starting funds will the characters begin with?
6000gp, slightly more that WBL for 4th (I think).
7. Are there any particular character classes, professions, orders, etc. that you want... or do not want? What are your rules on 'prestige' and/or homebrewed classes?
Standard rules, no homebrew.
8. What races, subraces, species, etc. are allowed for your game? Will you allow homebrewed races or species? 'Prestige' races or species?
See the book list above. If I don't have the book I'm afraid I won't allow it simply because I'm not at all familiar with it. Sorry if that stops you playing your favourite race and\or class.
9. By what method should Players generate their attributes/ability scores and Hit Points?
28 point buy and maximum hit points at first level, roll thereafter.
10. Does your game use alignment? What are your restrictions, if so?
Yes. I follow the idea in the Eberron books that alignment is a guide and not an absolute. Also in times of war sometimes the moral edges blur. There are rules of war of course so executing prisoners, breaking parole, etc are frowned upon.
11. Do you allow multi-classing, or have any particular rules in regards to it?
PHB rules for multi-classing.
12. Will you be doing all of the die rolling during the course of the game? Will die rolls be altered, or left to the honour system? If players can make die rolls, which ones do they make, how should they make the rolls, and how should they report them?
Please use the forum dice roller i.e. [ roll ] 1d20 + mod [ /roll ] but without the spaces. All rolls will be public and spoilered unless there is a reason for them being secret.
13. Are there any homebrewed or optional/variant rules that your Players should know about? If so, list and explain them, or provide relevant links to learn about these new rules.
I'll run a form of rapid advancement where you get much more xp than you would in a normal game. My experience with PbP is that you never get to advance a level because the game takes so long or it just fizzles out. I want to see characters advance.
14. Is a character background required? If so, how big? Are you looking for anything in particular (i.e. the backgrounds all ending up with the characters in the same city)?
A minimum of a paragraph. Please try to blend one another's back stories together so that you know at least one other character. Characters should be from the same nation or mercenaries attached to that nation.
15. Does your game involve a lot of hack & slash, puzzle solving, roleplaying, or a combination of the above?
Battle, role play, hack and slash. My other game is mostly role play and that allows me to be quite verbose. I'm aiming for something a bit more concise here.
16. Are your Players restricted to particular rulebooks and supplements, or will you be allowing access to non-standard material? What sources can Players use for their characters?
See the list of books above. Try to stick to Eberron source books please.
Some rules for the IC thread
Spoiler
1) All dice rolls are spoilered.
2) Spoken text is in quotes, thoughts are in italics.
3) Everyone gets a colour for speech and thoughts. NPCs will use colours not already selected by players. If two or more NPCs are speaking I'll switch colours between them.
4) All rolls, including mine, are public. That is apart from secret rolls like a listen check to see if you are aware of something. I don't want to give something away by getting you to roll. No fudging of dice.
5) Minimum post once every other day. You won't get kicked from the campaign, 'cause hey, stuff happens, but you will get NPC'd if people are waiting for you to act.
6) Maximum post, none. I personally don't want to post all the time for two reasons. I work for a living so generally post early morning and evening (I'm GMT), and furthermore, I want to give everyone their chance to participate, so if someone doesn't have internet access for one day, they don't come back and find themselves in the start of a battle with everyone waiting on their initiative when the last they knew they were talking to the innkeeper.
7) Experience will be accelerated as per the Big 16 above. I'll probably give double standard XP and you're only 2000 from the next level so hopefully this PbP will actually see characters advance a level Leveling up should occur between fights and with a minimum of one full day of uninterrupted rest and reflection\practice\what have you.
8) Metagaming in here is fine. Discuss strategies and whatnot. I assume you all would talk about strategy out of combat (like, as characters).
9) Regarding combat, I've found that play can really stall if we stick strickly to the initiative order so I'm going to use the following method for combat.
Roll initiative at the beginning of the combat and declare your actions, roll dice, etc. If you have more than one attack roll it at this time. Roll for criticals at the same time and roll for damage at the same time. Put rolls in a spoiler.
i.e.
Spoiler
Attack with a sling [roll0]
Confirm Crit 20 x2[roll1]
Damage [roll2]
Quickdraw to reload and Rapid Shot to shoot again with the sling [roll3]
Confirm Crit 20 x2[roll4]
Damage [roll5]
Or
Spoiler
Rage +4 STR, +4 CON, -2AC and charge at the ugly human with the cutlass (-2AC) (AC now 12 for this round)
Attack with a heavy flail [roll6] includes +2 for charging and +2 for rage
Confirm Crit 19-20/×2[roll7]
Damage [roll8]
Cleave someone nearby if I take him down [roll9] (no longer charging so it drops to +7)
Confirm Crit 19-20/×2[roll10]
Damage [roll11]
Don't forget that previewing a post or adding rolls after a post stops the roll engine from working (as in the examples above).
After everyone has declared their actions I will post NPC actions and summarise the outcomes in initiative order. The benefits of doing it this way is that everyone can act without having to wait for someone who has a test the next day or something. The drawback is that your action is often dependent on the outcome of other people's action. If this is the case then post alternative actions in a spoiler. i.e.
Jacques the druid casts Summon Nature’s Ally V to conjure a large Fire Elemental to fight the evil cleric.
Spoiler
If the warriors from the Horn of Valhalla that are charging in are stopped by a barrier like Protection from Good then I cast Stoneskin on Valcrag the Ranger instead.
If your action is completely spoiled by something in play that you would have been aware of then say something and I'll ask you to redeclare your action.
So that you don't feel that the NPCs are always getting to act last I'll give some indication of their actions for the next round in the end of round summary. i.e the three warriors that survive the fireball pick themselves up and start to move apart, cranking their crossbows as they do so.
I'll update a map at the end of every round and post it in the IC thread in a spoiler. Don't expect a work of art and you won't be disappointed. Let me know in this thread if I've read your action wrongly.
Next round you all declare your actions in the same way.
10) Could you start off your post with your character name in the colour that you have chosen, at least until we get used to one another's names.
I was thinking, in the IC thread you mentioned we should take military ranks...
What's a good rank for an advisor to have? < . .> In a modern military sense I'd figure she'd either:
A) Be a Lieutenant, but not the kind who's in any sort of command position. Some jobs simply require you to be an officer.
I'm a bit hesitant to do that though since I don't want to seem like I'm one-upping anyone though; and Kera isn't really much of a leader so I don't want rank to become an issue there.
B) Specialist - Which to my understanding is equivalent to a corporal, except without NCO status.
I'm equally hesitant to do this because a level 4 Cleric is relatively potent in a typical army; and given her role (and the fact that she has a bodyguard) might just be odd too.
Any thoughts?
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Military ranks, eh? I assume Mercs don't get ranks in the main military, though I guess they might have their own hierachy, depending on the size of the company.
Calling Purple I shall attempt a post later for I am in the middle of designing my save the date cards.
Confound You!
i'll see if Indigo is distinct enough from purple. My Warforged will all use Gray.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imperial Psycho
Military ranks, eh? I assume Mercs don't get ranks in the main military, though I guess they might have their own hierachy, depending on the size of the company.
Assigning them military ranks would help keep the chain of command accurate.
I'll take the Rank of Lance Corporal. Absolute lowest of the NCO's, but still an officer with a small command (in this case my warforged). As I officer would I join the Officer's Carriage?
Burnt the rest of my gold, grabbing a few decent spells, primarily buffs and battlefield control, plus a crossbow and a dagger.
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Assigning them military ranks would help keep the chain of command accurate.
I'll take the Rank of Lance Corporal. Absolute lowest of the NCO's, but still an officer with a small command (in this case my warforged). As I officer would I join the Officer's Carriage?
I suppose that's fair. I have no idea where Tuller would fit in in the chain of command though. I'd lean towards Private, but then his duties apparently involve liasoning and negotiating on price with mercenaries, which isn't exactly a privates job.
Also, usually 'Officer' means Commissioned Officers. NCO's would generally stay with the troops, I would think, unless there is a specific reason to have them with the Officers.
Well I just went out and grabbed Sergeant since it was just below Lieutenant. Figured since Gerilow was suppose to have made a career out of being in the army, he'd be up there. Figure by level 4 he'd be a pretty experienced soldier and certainly be above most the rank and file.
Could have gone with Corporal, I guess, but... eh.
I think Sergeant is an appropriate rank tbh. < . .> Someone's got to the top NCO after all, and from if you're longtime Brellish military + level 4... it makes good sense I think.
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I suppose that's fair. I have no idea where Tuller would fit in in the chain of command though.
I just realized the Breland is basically Britain. Combine that with the "Last War" being comparable to WWI, and this list becomes quite useful.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imperial Psycho
I'd lean towards Private, but then his duties apparently involve liasoning and negotiating on price with mercenaries, which isn't exactly a privates job.
Remember, I get standard pay, supplies as needed, and access to fallen warforged foes.
"Originally, warrant officers were specialist professionals whose expertise and authority demanded formal recognition."
Sounds about right for most here. Warrant Officers are also among the highest ranks possible without a commission, which would likely let the PC's stay in the officer's carriage by way of there being 6 in one carriage and 50+ us in the other carriage otherwise.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imperial Psycho
Also, usually 'Officer' means Commissioned Officers. NCO's would generally stay with the troops, I would think, unless there is a specific reason to have them with the Officers.
Like being equivalent or greater in skill that most spec-op's? or the Prior mentioned emptiness of the officers carriage?
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Pssh, if this is Britain at the start of WWI, all the officers would sit in the Officers carriage with the six of them, drink tea, and laugh at the guys crammed into the carriage behind.
Warrant Officer is a reasonable rank though.
Also, is level 4 really that great? I thought Eberron actually had high level NPCs around.
Last edited by Imperial Psycho : 10-07-2012 at 03:19 PM.
Also, is level 4 really that great? I thought Eberron actually had high level NPCs around.
It certainly does. Many of the notable organizations are given "typical" examples that can range from 3rd to 8th level. The more famous NPCs in Eberron easily reach into the teens.
Still, depending on the military ranking and structure, the same rank may not always be the same weight.
Anyhow, the PCs are generally meant to be exceptional individuals in the world. It's certainly reasonable that they would have rose in the ranks quicker than most.
Looks like I'm joining in a little later than the rest. That's what I get for seeing Cirque du Soleil on teh day a campaign starts.
Anyway, I think Mr. Beleren shall go with Navy.
being a warrior unconcerned with rank and advancement I suppose that Ajani shall be a company grade. I have very little knowledge of military ranking but wikipedia helped me out with picking that one.
Pssh, if this is Britain at the start of WWI, all the officers would sit in the Officers carriage with the six of them, drink tea, and laugh at the guys crammed into the carriage behind.
Yes, but considering they need to protect Yisek, I'd expect them to have the Master at Arms, and I highly doubt they'd exclude the guy who can make water taste like fine wine.
Ajani, Kera, and Raja all make sense as they can provide healing for Cardinal Yisek. Gerilow is probably the best at raw combat (master at arms?), Edwin is the guy who makes deals with the mercenaries, and this force is 76% mercenary. And then Dallun can make water taste like wine and provide emergency healing if needed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imperial Psycho
Warrant Officer is a reasonable rank though.
And one of the only ones Sufficiently diverse it can be applied to most PC's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Imperial Psycho
Also, is level 4 really that great? I thought Eberron actually had high level NPCs around.
True, but the total population of ebberon is also very high.
Merrix Junior is level 12. He runs 1/3 of the first mercantile house in existence.
King Boranel is level 11. We are in the Brelish military, you should know who he is.
Three, The king's Personal guard is level 8. (actually less, he leveled substantially during the war.)
Kor ir'Wynar, the king's younger brother and commander of the citadel is level 6.
The Heir - Apparent of Cyre, Prince Oargev, is Level 4.
The highest level NPC's who still work for others seems to be level 9 in Breland. That said Shining Armour Sortan, Captain of the Royal Guard, is 5th level.
Level 4 isn't the best, but it is still pretty damn good. Most of the soldiers here will be level 1 or 2.
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On military ranks even mercenaries would have to fall into the hierarchy somehow. Officers are typically placed over them by those hiring them and some, like shifter rangers or other irregulars, might enqueue military rank but most would stick to those of their employers. For the non-military or independent advisors you would still hold nominal ranks. For example the East India Company was a private organisation under licence in India by the Crown. They held ranks comparable to the British Army though advancement was slower and bore little relationship to the actual ranks given to serving Crown officers.
Warrant Officer does fit the bill quite well.
Ranks I'm using fit more with the Napoleonic era British Army i.e
Rank and file
Private
Sergeant
Staff Sergeant or Colour Sergeant
Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer First Class
Sergeant Major
Bombardier is between Private and Sergeant but operates the machine of war. It is equivalent to a Corporal.
Corporal and Lance Corporal were horse ranks for NCOs dealing with mounts.
Officer ranks
Ensign\Second Lieutenant
First Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Lieutenant Colonel
Colonel
Brigadier
Major-General
Lieutenant-General
General
Field Marshal
Even so a mercenary captain wouldn't rank as highly as a Breland army Lieutenant in the Breland army but would out rank them on a ship in the Breland Navy. Navy ranks are also different with a naval lieutenant being equivalent to an army captain.
Anyway warrant officers and above are invited into the officers carriage as are specialists, wands (military trained spell casters) and bombardiers if the engagement requires war machines.
Given the recent expansion of using warforged there is talk of new ranks being opened up for bombardiers though nothing concrete as yet. In addition dragonmarked auxiliaries typically hold no military rank but act as advisors with the equivalent rank of Ensign or higher. Given that they cannot take command when working as part of a House that is usually not an issue. Mercenary companies under dragonmarked control do not fall under this system though.
See, simple.
Military rank sometimes matches level but often, even in Breland, it has more to do with social class and money. Your assigned officers are clearly all well bred rather than experienced.
1) I'm dragonmarked, does that put me in the "Ensign, but not really" category? Or because I don't have a house is Specialist still the right rank? (Or is there something else you feel would fit better?) - I just want to make sure I nail it all down before we get too far is all. Right now I can easily edit my post and everything will be OK.
2) Completely unrelated to that...
I was thinking about the Leadership feat earlier - not so much for the followers*; but specifically a cohort. Specifically I was wondering, what would it take for me to have some kind of Celestial as a cohort down the line? Nothing huge and fancy though - I'm not talking Planetars and such. Just something like an advanced Lantern Archon or Hound Archon - something with Cure Light Wounds as a SLA maybe. Really like the idea of a Lantern Archon that levels up as a cohort particularly.
I wouldn't be taking Leadership until level 9, minimum, so it's nothing that has to be decided immediately or even soon most probably; it's just one of those things I'm mulling over as a possibility.
Obviously entirely your call, I'm just putting it out there as a "Hrm... I kinda like this idea" thing, basically.
*I feel they usually cause more problems than they're worth, and I don't see Kera as the sort to lead troops.
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1) I'm dragonmarked, does that put me in the "Ensign, but not really" category? Or because I don't have a house is Specialist still the right rank?
That depends on whether you are working for the dragonmark house or not. A non marked House Cannith armourer and repair specialist would hold the same rank as a marked member of the house if they were working for House Cannith and even if they weren't their social rank would be high enough to give them some leeway. The same thing applies to Medani. I think that the intelligence gathering capabilities of House Medani would mean that you'd probably be considered an officer more often than not despite holding a lower military rank. Alternatively you could hold a higher rank but not a command position, like an engineer would.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mistformsquirrl
2) what would it take for me to have some kind of Celestial as a cohort down the line?
Interesting. As long as the CR is equivalent to the level of your cohort I can't see an immediate issue with this although I reserve the right to give it greater consideration at the time.
I'm dragonmarked, does that put me in the "Ensign, but not really" category? Or because I don't have a house is Specialist still the right rank? (Or is there something else you feel would fit better?) - I just want to make sure I nail it all down before we get too far is all. Right now I can easily edit my post and everything will be OK.
I think that refers more to people who actually bear a connection to a dragonmarked house, not just people with marks. Like me. But my character dislikes the people running Cannith, so to hell with their rules.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mistformsquirrl
I was thinking about the Leadership feat earlier - not so much for the followers*; but specifically a cohort. Specifically I was wondering, what would it take for me to have some kind of Celestial as a cohort down the line? Nothing huge and fancy though - I'm not talking Planetars and such. Just something like an advanced Lantern Archon or Hound Archon - something with Cure Light Wounds as a SLA maybe. Really like the idea of a Lantern Archon that levels up as a cohort particularly.
I wouldn't be taking Leadership until level 9, minimum, so it's nothing that has to be decided immediately or even soon most probably; it's just one of those things I'm mulling over as a possibility.
Hound Archon is unavailable as a cohort until level 13. Also, no celestial creatures get cure light wounds as a SLA and are reasonable cohorts. Except Unicorns, which don't really count as celestial.
That said, I like the idea.
EDIT: Swordsage'd
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My character would have no rank in the Brelish military and wouldn't be apart of a merc group per se she is more of a foreign dignitary/ambassador. She is the chief of her tribe and next in line for shaman so she would just be there to help out as an act of faith to make good on her treaty with Breland.
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My character would have no rank in the Brelish military and wouldn't be apart of a merc group per se she is more of a foreign dignitary/ambassador. She is the chief of her tribe and next in line for shaman so she would just be there to help out as an act of faith to make good on her treaty with Breland.
I think the best explanation is that they are having trouble pigeon holing you and your tribe. You aren't military, you aren't civilians, you don't fit their idea of ambassadors so they've grouped you as a neutral foreign fighting unit. As a result they are trying to get you to work with Breland in the way that they can understand.
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