Blackwheel Company basics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Blackwheel Company basics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kiddoc
12-13-06, 08:14 PM Some snippets from an upcoming web article. Posted here first because... well... I love ya:

What is the Blackwheel Company?

In the world of high political and economic intrigue that is Eberron, there is a thriving market for individuals who can be counted on to do any job, with precision and discretion. Countries, kings, organizations, churches, and even economic powers often require the services of an independent, reliable organization that can be depended upon to carry out the assigned task uninfluenced by the manipulations of the competing world. Sometimes something “interesting” needs to get done, when the powers that be can’t do it, wont do it, don’t want to be associated with it, or can’t afford to get caught doing it, they contact the Blackwheel Company.

In 996 YK, in the gaping hole in military service created by the Treaty of Thronehold, a small corporation emerged that sought to put to work all the military expertise and discipline now lying fallow. A dwarven entrepreneur, rumored to have served in the Last War, formed a transportation and security firm for hire to the highest bidder. Under his charismatic influence, Mackinnon Maceck, known as “Mace” to his friends, brought together soldiers, adventurers, and support personnel from every corner of Khorvaire. Joining together this hodgepodge of aggression and conflicting loyalties was a difficult task. Macek, ever the shrewd businessman quickly learned, however; that discipline and order are universal. Aligning these various factions under a combined purpose, with unwavering attention to discipline and order, and the promise of significant financial gain created a potently unified organization.

The Blackwheel Company began by taking the jobs that no other organization would, including the Dragonmarked houses. Clandestine smuggling missions into areas deemed too dangerous to risk valuable House or national resources became the Company’s calling card. With tensions still simmering just under the thin social and political skin of Khorvaire, the Company quickly found a market for engaging in security and reconnaissance as a neutral presence under the anonymous hire of some organization or country. Some fighting and light skirmishing would be inevitable after the war, but most countries were terrified of provoking lingering hostility, so the Blackwheel Company carved a niche for itself in this area.

The Company was small enough to remain anonymous in the eyes of the population of Khorviare, but those in power quickly took notice of the Company’s growing reputation for efficiency and discretion. While individual countries found the Company’s services to be useful an organization that was expressly forbidden from engaging in military recruitment and training found it invaluable. The Dragonmarked Houses quickly learned that they could enlist the Blackwheel Company’s services to circumvent some rather ancient and aggravating constraints. Having an organization at their disposal that could be counted on to stay loyal to the mission, no matter what the job, and without asking questions, was a resource too valuable for the combined Houses to let pass.

Legend has it that at a clandestine meeting of the Houses, spurned on by urging of the shrewd and highly influential Irin d’Jorasco, the Dragonmarked Houses made the Blackwheel Company an offer they could not refuse. What became clear to those seeking the Blackwheel Company’s services was that they were no longer entertaining offers from outside contractors. Apparently the Blackwheel Company was now under permanent contract from an organization wealthy and powerful enough to command their undivided loyalty and attention. The direct, exclusive association between the Blackwheel Company and the Dragonmarked houses is, of course, vehemently denied by all parties. The Blackwheel Company is nothing more than a simple transport and security firm.

Who joins the Blackwheel Company?

Everyone and anyone capable of withstanding the rigorous training and maintain the personal discipline required can join the Company. Fortunately, business has been good for the Company, so recruit offers no longer just openly accepted. You don’t ask to join the Blackwheel Company, the Blackwheel Company asks you to join. Of course, many individuals seek out employ within the Company, but Company officials now carefully review each and every potential recruit before extending anyone an offer of employment. Service in the Company carries with it a great deal of personal satisfaction, prestige, and—of course—a substantial paycheck. It is understandable, then, that many seek out the Company, but few are ultimately chosen as “hires” to undergo recruit training.

Those with knowledge of the Blackwheel Company have observed that their dedication to discipline and efficiency has led to a very eclectic composition of employees. The Blackwheel Company apparently cares nothing for who you are, so long as you can get the job done. It is not unusual to see goblins, gnolls, minotaurs, and other races standing side by side with noble Dragonmarked heirs in the Company ranks. In fact, very little importance seems to be given to birth, status, or wealth as it relates to advancement within the Company.

It is no secret that many individuals seek out the Blackwheel Company to erase any record of their past. New hires to the Company, regardless of their past, have a chance to start life anew as a part of disciplined and structured family. Rumors abound that even the worst criminals from the deepest depths of Dreadhold have been given a second chance within the ranks of the Blackwheel Company. Loyalty, discipline, and efficiency are the determinants of success and rank within the Blackwheel Company, regardless of a recruits race, past, or upbringing.

Where is the Company?

The Company is everywhere… and nowhere. As an organization with no public face and no interest in public scrutiny, the Blackwheel Company is always on the move. Their current base of operation is a massive airship, perhaps one of the largest ever seen on the face of Eberron. The Glory Road is rumored to be a project funded by the combined resources of the Dragonmarked Houses, and is a sight to behold. The leviathan of a ship provides a mobile base of operations that keeps the Blackwheel Company nerve center from being tied down to any one location.

More recently, the Glory Road has been seen berthed in Stormreach for a considerable amount of time. Company operatives, clad in the sharp black uniforms of their station, have been seen throughout the jungles of Xen’drik and almost everywhere in Stormreach. It is clear, that for reasons unknown, the attention of the Blackwheel Company, and likely the Dragonmarked Houses, has turned toward Xen’drik.
kiddoc
12-13-06, 08:16 PM More to come soon--as our web content backlog clog gets unplugged. :D
GaiasDream
12-14-06, 06:13 PM This is great! Just the sort of background spiel I need when introducing BWC to new Xen'drik players. Can't wait to see the rest.
trevg
12-23-06, 10:13 PM More to come soon--as our web content backlog clog gets unplugged. :D

I'd love to see more about the actual organization of the BWC; ranks, battalion structure and names, important NPCSs and / or available decorations.
TG
Marcia_S
01-07-07, 01:37 PM Since we occasionally play multi-faction mods with characters who are not from the BwC, what are the company's relations with the other factions? We treated members of the other factions with a degree of suspicion and skepticism if they were not specifically mentioned in our "orders", but that led to some tension at the table that the other factions' players said was inappropriate for our company. Should we just assume that when on a Expeditions mod we're all buddy-buddy and automatically trust each other (evil Cabal members notwithstanding)? Should/can you ditch them as soon as you've met YOUR mission objectives?

What level of inter-faction cooperation is expected and appropriate when sent on a mission with other factions' members?

Thanks,
Marcia
kiddoc
01-08-07, 08:47 PM Since we occasionally play multi-faction mods with characters who are not from the BwC, what are the company's relations with the other factions? We treated members of the other factions with a degree of suspicion and skepticism if they were not specifically mentioned in our "orders", but that led to some tension at the table that the other factions' players said was inappropriate for our company. Should we just assume that when on a Expeditions mod we're all buddy-buddy and automatically trust each other (evil Cabal members notwithstanding)? Should/can you ditch them as soon as you've met YOUR mission objectives?

What level of inter-faction cooperation is expected and appropriate when sent on a mission with other factions' members?

Thanks,
Marcia

Marcia,

Great question. In fact, it's one that the "dynamic tension" of the 4-faction experiment is predicated upon. The answer is, "it depends."

Your relationship with the various factions is set up in your initial interactions with them. I know that the first 3 modules concentrate upon introducing the BWC to certain elements of the other three factions.

The choices that you make in those modules will influence the way you feel about certain factions. Some modules open up the possibility for choosing between cooperating with a particular faction, or declaring all out war upon them.

That said, one of the things on my list is to publish a small bit about the general knowledge BWC members possess about the other factions. Still, your individual mileage may vary, and I wanted to get those first 3 modules in everyone's belly before I made up their minds for them.
lordtiberiusfoxx
01-10-07, 01:16 PM I was actually under the impression that the other factions were so secret that none of the other factions were supposed to know about them. That is why when I played BC #1 and the CoL was mentioned, I had the DM write that fact into my Phairlan elf's adventure journal as valuable house intelligence.

Question: While the company is set up as a military organization, are the dragonmarked given a separate status, like civilian observers, or political officers? While house Deneth is certainly appropriately treated as military, I'm not sure my elf would be... with the possible military-intel tension and mistrust.

Lord Tiberius Foxx
kiddoc
01-10-07, 05:54 PM I was actually under the impression that the other factions were so secret that none of the other factions were supposed to know about them. That is why when I played BC #1 and the CoL was mentioned, I had the DM write that fact into my Phairlan elf's adventure journal as valuable house intelligence.

Question: While the company is set up as a military organization, are the dragonmarked given a separate status, like civilian observers, or political officers? While house Deneth is certainly appropriately treated as military, I'm not sure my elf would be... with the possible military-intel tension and mistrust.

Lord Tiberius Foxx

Just quoting a reply from a similar question in another thread:

I'm pleased to be able to confirm that DM'ed characters will have special roles and are likely to receive some special information/treatment in BWC adventures. After all, the DM'ed houses and the BWC are inextricably interwined.

That said, the BWC is a no-nonsense, highly specialized organization. Rank is earned. Regardless of noble birth, status, wealth, race, or religion. Everyone earns their rank. That's why you have individuals that might be considered "lower class" citizens in some areas, such as gnolls, goblins, minotaurs, and even a medusa, in positions of authority in The Company.

Still, the occasional DM'ed character might see a few more opportunities open up. And, in the daily interaction with members of all the houses, they're sure to have some very distinct advantages.

I have in mind a heirarchy of "advantage" among those related to the houses in the Company. In order from lowest to highest:

Dragonmarked
Favored in House
Favored in House & Dragonmarked.

Each of the adventures are written with some very specific tie-in or mechanic related to either Dragonmarks or House status, so expect to see a lot of it (and not all of it positive ).
Woodstock
01-20-07, 08:28 PM Marcia,

Great question. In fact, it's one that the "dynamic tension" of the 4-faction experiment is predicated upon. The answer is, "it depends."

Your relationship with the various factions is set up in your initial interactions with them. I know that the first 3 modules concentrate upon introducing the BWC to certain elements of the other three factions.

The choices that you make in those modules will influence the way you feel about certain factions. Some modules open up the possibility for choosing between cooperating with a particular faction, or declaring all out war upon them.

That said, one of the things on my list is to publish a small bit about the general knowledge BWC members possess about the other factions. Still, your individual mileage may vary, and I wanted to get those first 3 modules in everyone's belly before I made up their minds for them.

I'm curious about these relations with the others factions. Will they be commanded by the group adventures or will be an oficial relationship of the BWC with the others factions?

Improving the question: will the actions of one group of the BWC influence the others groups of the BWC in the relations with the others factions? Thanks!
Woodstock
02-05-07, 04:44 PM Great Factionmaster!!! Your magnificient text became an article in Eberron home page!!! And it took along our ranks and units from this topic:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=773935

Congrats!

PS. Any news from my questions from above? Even I forgot about them!!!
kiddoc
02-05-07, 05:50 PM I'm curious about these relations with the others factions. Will they be commanded by the group adventures or will be an oficial relationship of the BWC with the others factions?

Improving the question: will the actions of one group of the BWC influence the others groups of the BWC in the relations with the others factions? Thanks!

Oooh, sorry Woodstock, I had forgotten about them as well. Great questions.

You seem to have answered them yourself. In fact, the BWC's actions--more specifically their interactions--with other factions will determine this. I chose to give the BWC to develop hostile, neutral, or potentially friendly relations with the majority of the factions depending on the choices they made.

Stay tuned for another web article that describes how the first part of the campaign fell out in terms of faction relations. We can get reports on the decisions that each party made, and in general, we'll use your actual actions to determine the course of the campaign.
Woodstock
02-05-07, 06:44 PM Excellent! The interaction of the many BWC groups, as well of the other factions, can bring a lot of more energy to the campaign!!!
kiddoc
02-06-07, 11:25 PM Great Factionmaster!!! Your magnificient text became an article in Eberron home page!!! And it took along our ranks and units from this topic:

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=773935

Congrats!

PS. Any news from my questions from above? Even I forgot about them!!!

I owe a ton of this support and development to real life soldier and BWC guru Bill Benham and the playtester that developed and wrote Gen. Ogdin's part: Chris Humphries.

You'll also see the work of Chris, Dave Smith, Chris Groves, Justin Muir, and Kevin Tatroe in our fastplay characters.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kiddoc 12-13-06, 08:14 PM	Some snippets from an upcoming web article. Posted here first because... well... I love ya: What is the Blackwheel Company? In the world of high political and economic intrigue that is Eberron, there is a thriving market for individuals who can be counted on to do any job, with precision and discretion. Countries, kings, organizations, churches, and even economic powers often require the services of an independent, reliable organization that can be depended upon to carry out the assigned task uninfluenced by the manipulations of the competing world. Sometimes something “interesting” needs to get done, when the powers that be can’t do it, wont do it, don’t want to be associated with it, or can’t afford to get caught doing it, they contact the Blackwheel Company. In 996 YK, in the gaping hole in military service created by the Treaty of Thronehold, a small corporation emerged that sought to put to work all the military expertise and discipline now lying fallow. A dwarven entrepreneur, rumored to have served in the Last War, formed a transportation and security firm for hire to the highest bidder. Under his charismatic influence, Mackinnon Maceck, known as “Mace” to his friends, brought together soldiers, adventurers, and support personnel from every corner of Khorvaire. Joining together this hodgepodge of aggression and conflicting loyalties was a difficult task. Macek, ever the shrewd businessman quickly learned, however; that discipline and order are universal. Aligning these various factions under a combined purpose, with unwavering attention to discipline and order, and the promise of significant financial gain created a potently unified organization. The Blackwheel Company began by taking the jobs that no other organization would, including the Dragonmarked houses. Clandestine smuggling missions into areas deemed too dangerous to risk valuable House or national resources became the Company’s calling card. With tensions still simmering just under the thin social and political skin of Khorvaire, the Company quickly found a market for engaging in security and reconnaissance as a neutral presence under the anonymous hire of some organization or country. Some fighting and light skirmishing would be inevitable after the war, but most countries were terrified of provoking lingering hostility, so the Blackwheel Company carved a niche for itself in this area. The Company was small enough to remain anonymous in the eyes of the population of Khorviare, but those in power quickly took notice of the Company’s growing reputation for efficiency and discretion. While individual countries found the Company’s services to be useful an organization that was expressly forbidden from engaging in military recruitment and training found it invaluable. The Dragonmarked Houses quickly learned that they could enlist the Blackwheel Company’s services to circumvent some rather ancient and aggravating constraints. Having an organization at their disposal that could be counted on to stay loyal to the mission, no matter what the job, and without asking questions, was a resource too valuable for the combined Houses to let pass. Legend has it that at a clandestine meeting of the Houses, spurned on by urging of the shrewd and highly influential Irin d’Jorasco, the Dragonmarked Houses made the Blackwheel Company an offer they could not refuse. What became clear to those seeking the Blackwheel Company’s services was that they were no longer entertaining offers from outside contractors. Apparently the Blackwheel Company was now under permanent contract from an organization wealthy and powerful enough to command their undivided loyalty and attention. The direct, exclusive association between the Blackwheel Company and the Dragonmarked houses is, of course, vehemently denied by all parties. The Blackwheel Company is nothing more than a simple transport and security firm. Who joins the Blackwheel Company? Everyone and anyone capable of withstanding the rigorous training and maintain the personal discipline required can join the Company. Fortunately, business has been good for the Company, so recruit offers no longer just openly accepted. You don’t ask to join the Blackwheel Company, the Blackwheel Company asks you to join. Of course, many individuals seek out employ within the Company, but Company officials now carefully review each and every potential recruit before extending anyone an offer of employment. Service in the Company carries with it a great deal of personal satisfaction, prestige, and—of course—a substantial paycheck. It is understandable, then, that many seek out the Company, but few are ultimately chosen as “hires” to undergo recruit training. Those with knowledge of the Blackwheel Company have observed that their dedication to discipline and efficiency has led to a very eclectic composition of employees. The Blackwheel Company apparently cares nothing for who you are, so long as you can get the job done. It is not unusual to see goblins, gnolls, minotaurs, and other races standing side by side with noble Dragonmarked heirs in the Company ranks. In fact, very little importance seems to be given to birth, status, or wealth as it relates to advancement within the Company. It is no secret that many individuals seek out the Blackwheel Company to erase any record of their past. New hires to the Company, regardless of their past, have a chance to start life anew as a part of disciplined and structured family. Rumors abound that even the worst criminals from the deepest depths of Dreadhold have been given a second chance within the ranks of the Blackwheel Company. Loyalty, discipline, and efficiency are the determinants of success and rank within the Blackwheel Company, regardless of a recruits race, past, or upbringing. Where is the Company? The Company is everywhere… and nowhere. As an organization with no public face and no interest in public scrutiny, the Blackwheel Company is always on the move. Their current base of operation is a massive airship, perhaps one of the largest ever seen on the face of Eberron. The Glory Road is rumored to be a project funded by the combined resources of the Dragonmarked Houses, and is a sight to behold. The leviathan of a ship provides a mobile base of operations that keeps the Blackwheel Company nerve center from being tied down to any one location. More recently, the Glory Road has been seen berthed in Stormreach for a considerable amount of time. Company operatives, clad in the sharp black uniforms of their station, have been seen throughout the jungles of Xen’drik and almost everywhere in Stormreach. It is clear, that for reasons unknown, the attention of the Blackwheel Company, and likely the Dragonmarked Houses, has turned toward Xen’drik.
kiddoc 12-13-06, 08:16 PM	More to come soon--as our web content backlog clog gets unplugged. :D
GaiasDream 12-14-06, 06:13 PM	This is great! Just the sort of background spiel I need when introducing BWC to new Xen'drik players. Can't wait to see the rest.
trevg 12-23-06, 10:13 PM	More to come soon--as our web content backlog clog gets unplugged. :D I'd love to see more about the actual organization of the BWC; ranks, battalion structure and names, important NPCSs and / or available decorations. TG
Marcia_S 01-07-07, 01:37 PM	Since we occasionally play multi-faction mods with characters who are not from the BwC, what are the company's relations with the other factions? We treated members of the other factions with a degree of suspicion and skepticism if they were not specifically mentioned in our "orders", but that led to some tension at the table that the other factions' players said was inappropriate for our company. Should we just assume that when on a Expeditions mod we're all buddy-buddy and automatically trust each other (evil Cabal members notwithstanding)? Should/can you ditch them as soon as you've met YOUR mission objectives? What level of inter-faction cooperation is expected and appropriate when sent on a mission with other factions' members? Thanks, Marcia
kiddoc 01-08-07, 08:47 PM	Since we occasionally play multi-faction mods with characters who are not from the BwC, what are the company's relations with the other factions? We treated members of the other factions with a degree of suspicion and skepticism if they were not specifically mentioned in our "orders", but that led to some tension at the table that the other factions' players said was inappropriate for our company. Should we just assume that when on a Expeditions mod we're all buddy-buddy and automatically trust each other (evil Cabal members notwithstanding)? Should/can you ditch them as soon as you've met YOUR mission objectives? What level of inter-faction cooperation is expected and appropriate when sent on a mission with other factions' members? Thanks, Marcia Marcia, Great question. In fact, it's one that the "dynamic tension" of the 4-faction experiment is predicated upon. The answer is, "it depends." Your relationship with the various factions is set up in your initial interactions with them. I know that the first 3 modules concentrate upon introducing the BWC to certain elements of the other three factions. The choices that you make in those modules will influence the way you feel about certain factions. Some modules open up the possibility for choosing between cooperating with a particular faction, or declaring all out war upon them. That said, one of the things on my list is to publish a small bit about the general knowledge BWC members possess about the other factions. Still, your individual mileage may vary, and I wanted to get those first 3 modules in everyone's belly before I made up their minds for them.
lordtiberiusfoxx 01-10-07, 01:16 PM	I was actually under the impression that the other factions were so secret that none of the other factions were supposed to know about them. That is why when I played BC #1 and the CoL was mentioned, I had the DM write that fact into my Phairlan elf's adventure journal as valuable house intelligence. Question: While the company is set up as a military organization, are the dragonmarked given a separate status, like civilian observers, or political officers? While house Deneth is certainly appropriately treated as military, I'm not sure my elf would be... with the possible military-intel tension and mistrust. Lord Tiberius Foxx
kiddoc 01-10-07, 05:54 PM	I was actually under the impression that the other factions were so secret that none of the other factions were supposed to know about them. That is why when I played BC #1 and the CoL was mentioned, I had the DM write that fact into my Phairlan elf's adventure journal as valuable house intelligence. Question: While the company is set up as a military organization, are the dragonmarked given a separate status, like civilian observers, or political officers? While house Deneth is certainly appropriately treated as military, I'm not sure my elf would be... with the possible military-intel tension and mistrust. Lord Tiberius Foxx Just quoting a reply from a similar question in another thread: I'm pleased to be able to confirm that DM'ed characters will have special roles and are likely to receive some special information/treatment in BWC adventures. After all, the DM'ed houses and the BWC are inextricably interwined. That said, the BWC is a no-nonsense, highly specialized organization. Rank is earned. Regardless of noble birth, status, wealth, race, or religion. Everyone earns their rank. That's why you have individuals that might be considered "lower class" citizens in some areas, such as gnolls, goblins, minotaurs, and even a medusa, in positions of authority in The Company. Still, the occasional DM'ed character might see a few more opportunities open up. And, in the daily interaction with members of all the houses, they're sure to have some very distinct advantages. I have in mind a heirarchy of "advantage" among those related to the houses in the Company. In order from lowest to highest: Dragonmarked Favored in House Favored in House & Dragonmarked. Each of the adventures are written with some very specific tie-in or mechanic related to either Dragonmarks or House status, so expect to see a lot of it (and not all of it positive ).
Woodstock 01-20-07, 08:28 PM	Marcia, Great question. In fact, it's one that the "dynamic tension" of the 4-faction experiment is predicated upon. The answer is, "it depends." Your relationship with the various factions is set up in your initial interactions with them. I know that the first 3 modules concentrate upon introducing the BWC to certain elements of the other three factions. The choices that you make in those modules will influence the way you feel about certain factions. Some modules open up the possibility for choosing between cooperating with a particular faction, or declaring all out war upon them. That said, one of the things on my list is to publish a small bit about the general knowledge BWC members possess about the other factions. Still, your individual mileage may vary, and I wanted to get those first 3 modules in everyone's belly before I made up their minds for them. I'm curious about these relations with the others factions. Will they be commanded by the group adventures or will be an oficial relationship of the BWC with the others factions? Improving the question: will the actions of one group of the BWC influence the others groups of the BWC in the relations with the others factions? Thanks!
Woodstock 02-05-07, 04:44 PM	Great Factionmaster!!! Your magnificient text became an article in Eberron home page!!! And it took along our ranks and units from this topic: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=773935 Congrats! PS. Any news from my questions from above? Even I forgot about them!!!
kiddoc 02-05-07, 05:50 PM	I'm curious about these relations with the others factions. Will they be commanded by the group adventures or will be an oficial relationship of the BWC with the others factions? Improving the question: will the actions of one group of the BWC influence the others groups of the BWC in the relations with the others factions? Thanks! Oooh, sorry Woodstock, I had forgotten about them as well. Great questions. You seem to have answered them yourself. In fact, the BWC's actions--more specifically their interactions--with other factions will determine this. I chose to give the BWC to develop hostile, neutral, or potentially friendly relations with the majority of the factions depending on the choices they made. Stay tuned for another web article that describes how the first part of the campaign fell out in terms of faction relations. We can get reports on the decisions that each party made, and in general, we'll use your actual actions to determine the course of the campaign.
Woodstock 02-05-07, 06:44 PM	Excellent! The interaction of the many BWC groups, as well of the other factions, can bring a lot of more energy to the campaign!!!
kiddoc 02-06-07, 11:25 PM	Great Factionmaster!!! Your magnificient text became an article in Eberron home page!!! And it took along our ranks and units from this topic: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=773935 Congrats! PS. Any news from my questions from above? Even I forgot about them!!! I owe a ton of this support and development to real life soldier and BWC guru Bill Benham and the playtester that developed and wrote Gen. Ogdin's part: Chris Humphries. You'll also see the work of Chris, Dave Smith, Chris Groves, Justin Muir, and Kevin Tatroe in our fastplay characters.