Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Onslaught[IT] 01-17-07, 08:00 AM	Hello, My gaming group got "Dragoon Rank" Story Object. Thinking about our new rank within Blackwheel Company, and about other NPCs with military ranks... we'd like to know how these works within BWC... Thanks
Bravesword 01-17-07, 10:38 AM	Military Ranks for BWC Greetings, I´m the DM of a BWC XE Campaign. And my players became very interested in the military ranks inside the Company, specially after the medal that they received in the faction adv. # 2. I would like to know if there is a military rank for the BWC and what divisions such rank could have. I even began to create one, based in the real-world ranks (Army, Navy, Air Force, WWI, WWII, etc) and in the ranks that could possibly exist in the Last War (I hope that the upcoming book Forge of War could clarify a bit more, hehehe). But for the XE campaign purposes, and to give to my players an idea of a military hierarchy inside the Company, I would like to know how we could organize (or even help the Factionmaster :D ) to create a military rank for the BWC. Well, the guy that posted the message above are one of my players. :king: See ya, Bravesword
Marcus Majarra 01-17-07, 11:20 PM	There are a few ranks and spcial commendations available as story obects for the published BWC modules. Since these are story objects, I'll include them in a spoiler block without any descriptions: Ranks Dragoon Medals and Commendations Commendation Pilgrim's Crest Bronze Griffon Wings Bronze Kraken
kiddoc 01-18-07, 07:08 PM	Sneak Peek of our web article--damn the limited space and timing. The Blackwheel Company Primer By General Mach Ogdin These are grand times men! The war may be over, but the fighting certainly is not. Looks like you already knew that. If you want to explore Xen’drik, make your fortune and apply steel to skin while doing it, the Blackwheel Company is the right outfit. Only the terminally brave or stupid would try to do it with a bunch of clerics, bookworms, or moping mental cases. We’ve got the best gear, the best leaders, and a brass set of…well, you get the picture. We’ve got all that because we are organized and disciplined. Let me tell you a little about how it works. Ranks Recruit-As it sounds. You’re at the bottom of the food chain. Do what you’re told when you’re told. The only place to go from here is up, or in a shallow grave if you’re not so bright and/or lucky. Dragoon- The first position of real responsibility, just don’t let it go to your head. You’ll be expected to guide recruits and not be such a cherry. Mark's Man- Someone who’s proven their skill and value as a soldier, but they’re not quite ready for the responsibility as a Sergeant. Expected to aid their superiors in ensuring that the lower ranked members stay focused. Sergeant- Tough, competent, disciplined. A Sergeant is expected to lead, make good decisions on the fly and put the needs of his men and the Company first. Field Sergeant- See above, only meaner. It is reputed that Field Sergeants can only die in battle if they choose. Dolurrh doesn’t want them if they do. Captain- A premier leader and tactician. Captains oversee larger, more complex missions and have much to worry about. Fortunately, they have trusty Field Sergeants and Sergeants to apply motivation to the troops. Lieutenant Commander- Typically, Lieutenant Commanders report to the senior Battalion commanders. The ultimate tactical success or failure of large or very important operations rests on their shoulders. The pinnacle of achievement in the Company. Everyone begins their career in the BWC as recruits until they can prove themselves worthy of the next rank. After all, promotion recognizes potential and potential must be demonstrated! Promotions are earned through completion of mission objectives, working as a team, and to an extent, level of experience. Rank is represented as a wheel with spokes, imagine that. Each rank after recruit earns you spokes. As you progress in the service of the Company you’ll see that rank has its privileges. See the guy mucking the latrine? Want to be him? Ok, work your way around the spokes, then it’ll never be you, get it? The other important thing rank carries with it is better gear. Leaders need better “toys”, after all. More rank also equals more pay, more pay means you can blow more Galifars on "diversions," longswords, and ale. As if that weren’t enough, those who’ve proven their mettle to the Company may be asked to field new equipment on their missions and put it through the paces. The trusty Sergeant will be more likely to test out the spiffy new Mace of Speed over Recruit Snuffy, who’s just as likely to smash his own toes in combat. Plus, nothing like trial by fire to see if the Artificer’s new gadget is worth a spit. The next thing we need to cover is how the Company is broken down. Units There are four main battalions in the Blackwheel Company: White Hand Battalion: The finest battalion, my battalion! We are in charge of everything from making you miserable recruits fit to serve in the Company, to finding out what our enemies are doing. Between you and me, we should just kill them, and then we know what they're doing. Rotting. But others think it better to "observe" instead of hacking. What do they know. Arrowhawk Armada: Death from above! The second battalion makes sure we have the fastest and most comfortable means to arrive anywhere in Eberron. Admiral Findecáno Táralóm has proved worthy of leading this branch. When not entertaining young noble's daughters he can be seen captaining the finest and largest airship to ever fly, the Glory Road. He isn't all show, and has shown many a man the proper way to fire a bow from high ground. Nothing says diplomacy like a thousand arrows from 5,000' above the enemy. Arclight Battalion: This battalion makes sure we have the best toys to "play" with any that should oppose us. Tubal d'Cannith has proved he can craft anything for any purpose. (As long as he remembers the purpose) While his branch will create the finest weapons, be sure you are getting a flaming longsword if that's what you ask for. Those artificers can make a fine weapon, but they might give you the wrong blade. He also oversees the trickery and light makers. But we all know the way to win a battle is with good, hard steel. Preferably two pieces, shaped as longswords. Six Paths Battalion: A warforged named Pilgrim has been chosen by Mace to lead this battalion. The Paths are responsible for 90% of the BWC's missions. They excel when there is a fine line between killing and diplomacy. Fortunately that line tends to be the blades wielded by the Paths. They are not exactly known for taking the "cordial" way out of a mission. Pilgrim has been known to mutter "Heads…Pikes" concerning any who would wish harm on him or his hires. Unfortunately for the other factions, he is deadly serious... ...
kiddoc 01-18-07, 07:18 PM	Here are some more hints/spoilers about possible medals and commendations. Some are very difficult to earn and require very specific actions--others represent continuous service in a particular field or line of duty: Medals and Commendations Commendation Pilgrim's Crest Bronze Griffon Wings Bronze Kraken Truce of Wisdom Blades of Valor Mark of Resolution Sigil of Subtlety Legion of Fidelity Essence of the Craftmaster Fist of the Martyr Helm of Seregon Chromatic Dragon Medals (representing tours of duty) Also, medals of some kinds have ranks within themselves: Bronze Silver Gold Platinum Siberys Dragonshard Mabarian Onyx (given only to the most distinguished individual in the entire Company to earn that award or commendation)
Woodstock 01-20-07, 08:17 PM	As I said to Onslaught and Bravesword in an email, this list of ranks, units and medals is great!!! The already earned medals and comendations made a really funny scene during the roleplay with my halfling rogue and a gnome he knew before joining the BWC! Great job!!! PS. Onslaught and Bravesword, you know me as Paulo!!!
Onslaught[IT] 01-21-07, 08:17 AM	Sneak Peek of our web article--damn the limited space and timing. When we'll see the full article ;)? If we don't mess things up I think we can get one rank at each three levels... Some are very difficult to earn and require very specific actions--others represent continuous service in a particular field or line of duty Those meda/comendations for specific actions will be avaliable only once? I mean... if we don't do the right thing on "Adventure X" we won't be able to get that specific medal/comendation anymore? he already earned medals and comendations made a really funny scene during the roleplay with my halfling rogue and a gnome he knew before joining the BWC! Poor gnome. I almost felt pity for him. Almost.
Woodstock 01-21-07, 10:40 AM	Ons, perhaps would be a little wierd having a group of four Lieutenant Commander in the fields of Xen'Drik. At least my character don't see himself being more than a sargent in the nearby future! So, the question is: will be possible for a character be a high rank officer in the end of the campaign?
Onslaught[IT] 01-21-07, 11:09 AM	will be possible for a character be a high rank officer in the end of the campaign? Same question here. But my character want those promotions... as others on our team. Woud be fun a group with more than one "boss" ;)
lordtiberiusfoxx 01-24-07, 05:30 PM	If all PCs are of the same rank, namely recruit, are there likely favorites to be the ranking officer and how would that be determined?
ChristopherGroves 01-27-07, 05:25 PM	members of the dm houses are looked upon favorably
lordtiberiusfoxx 01-28-07, 07:15 PM	members of the dm houses are looked upon favorably Continuing from another thread, where Favored in House gives even more perks than just being dragonmarked, I can just see the table dialog going like this: Me, DMing: And for this assignment, please defer to your ranking officer. Player 4, rules lawyer: And who would that be? Me: Anyone have a rank of Dragoon or higher? (Silence and glazed over looks) Me: Okay, members of dragonmarked houses? (Four people raise hands... I get migraine) Player 2, Gamer Girlfriend: I have a dinosaur! Me: Not going to matter.... Okay, who is Favored in their House? (Three people raise their hands) Me: No no no, with the feat? (Silence, blank looks) Me: (Frustrated looks) Anyone got a level of Marshall?
Woodstock 01-28-07, 09:18 PM	One good option is the DM determine who will be the leader of the group in the field. A high rank BWC officer npc could do this job. There are some more likely for the job (as marshalls), but anything is possible. Perhaps even my halfling rogue will command the group some day!
SlothJawbreaker 01-29-07, 03:08 PM	One good option is the DM determine who will be the leader of the group in the field. A high rank BWC officer npc could do this job. There are some more likely for the job (as marshalls), but anything is possible. Perhaps even my halfling rogue will command the group some day! Ha! Ten. Sloth Jawbreaker KoboldSlayer AberrationSlayer DragonSlayer D'Kundarak is the one! Althought Osborn is very close to Sloth...
kiddoc 01-29-07, 11:09 PM	Continuing from another thread, where Favored in House gives even more perks than just being dragonmarked, I can just see the table dialog going like this: Me, DMing: And for this assignment, please defer to your ranking officer. Player 4, rules lawyer: And who would that be? Me: Anyone have a rank of Dragoon or higher? (Silence and glazed over looks) Me: Okay, members of dragonmarked houses? (Four people raise hands... I get migraine) Player 2, Gamer Girlfriend: I have a dinosaur! Me: Not going to matter.... Okay, who is Favored in their House? (Three people raise their hands) Me: No no no, with the feat? (Silence, blank looks) Me: (Frustrated looks) Anyone got a level of Marshall? This is why I LOVE being factionmaster for The Company. The solution is in the problem. Quite frankly, it's an exercise in cooperation and leadership in determining who leads among equals, if anyone. In fact, that can be THE deciding factor in the success or failure of any mission--just ask anyone from my playtest group :P If you've played through the BWC adventures, you will see just how many critical "choice points" emerge. Good party organization, leadership, or purpose is key to maximizing gain. But, part of the difficulty of the adventures is in assuming that the burden of that lies with the players. "Who leads among equals?" That is the question that should begin every BWC adventure, and the very answer to that question can alter the entire outcome of the mission. And just as an aside--traditional military leadership is not assumed to be a requisite for success. In fact, I've seen many BWC parties decide that equal cooperation, rather than hierarchy and delegation is a much better strategy. Such a thing would be expected among such elite strategists, of course. :D
ChristopherGroves 01-30-07, 08:49 AM	:snort: shaking head in mild amusement
Dragonrunner 02-22-07, 08:26 AM	This is why I LOVE being factionmaster for The Company. The solution is in the problem. Quite frankly, it's an exercise in cooperation and leadership in determining who leads among equals, if anyone. In fact, that can be THE deciding factor in the success or failure of any mission--just ask anyone from my playtest group :P If you've played through the BWC adventures, you will see just how many critical "choice points" emerge. Good party organization, leadership, or purpose is key to maximizing gain. But, part of the difficulty of the adventures is in assuming that the burden of that lies with the players. "Who leads among equals?" That is the question that should begin every BWC adventure, and the very answer to that question can alter the entire outcome of the mission. And just as an aside--traditional military leadership is not assumed to be a requisite for success. In fact, I've seen many BWC parties decide that equal cooperation, rather than hierarchy and delegation is a much better strategy. Such a thing would be expected among such elite strategists, of course. :D Well said. It becomes clear then that the issue resides within each player and not his or her PC. So, when players don't want to, don't feel like to, will not exercise cooperation and leadership (go figure the reasons behind that), even if their PCs would ideally want to cooperate, it usually comes at the cost of the PCs alignment or such similar excuses. We all know the meaning of the letters RPG but I feel sometimes it must be made still clearer that long lasting parties (and groups) get that far only through strong cooperation. The rest becomes the skellies we crunch on the way to the top. BWC parties dive even deeper into the issue (Mackinnon Maceck knows that well enough) since what is in fact a gatherig of individualists must learn to work under orders. PC's alter-egoes may believe as much as they like that they are better suited to give orders than the fellow player. But when leadership of another PC/player becomes compromised because of that real-life assumption it is the Game itself who suffers. As you said, "Who leads among equals?" is truly the question that should be answered at the beginning of every BWC adventure.
Harliquinn 02-22-07, 09:56 AM	Two Questions regarding Story Objects: 1) Bronze Griffonwings: This appears to be labeled as "Jump Training" in the database with different (and better) bonuses than the story object. Are Bronze Griffonwings a future Story Object now? 2) Mark's Man Rank: This has a typo in the database story object as it still calls it Dragoon. Harliquinn