Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kiddoc 06-27-06, 01:20 PM	As I work to prepare a web-based Blackwheel Company FAQ, I'm struck by the fact that I know everything about the Company (except what you as players shape in the Company's development--and you have a HUGE stake in where the Company goes and what they do). What I need to know to better shape the document to your needs, is what do you all want to know about the BWC? What sorts of things would you like to have more information about. I'll compile questions into a FAQ or we'll answer them with "Flavor Content" in the form of short stories or other web-features from the Blackwheel Company mainpage. So, as you explore which factions to play, what strikes you about the Blackwheel Company? What further questions do you have about the faction, and what else would you like to know?
TheOtherChris 06-27-06, 02:18 PM	Of course the obvious ones: What are the main goals of the BWC? What's it's vision statement? (Just ignore me :D ) What happens if these goals conflict with my beliefs? (Aka I'm a forged and the BWC realizes their primary function is the eradication of all forged. ) Can you retire from the BWC? I know it's an oath, but what if we get old, or maimed, or just realize beer and hookers are MUCH better than getting stabbed with swords and hit with pesky lightening bolts. What do we know about the leader structure? Is there a board of shifty sneaky types from each of the houses deciding everything? Is there a clear cut CO? What ranks are there in the Company? Private? PFC? Corporal? Sergeant? Etc? Or just Leaders, grunts, and then my guy? (cause well he isn't very bright) How will we get promoted? Do higher ranks get higher salaries? :D Do we get combat pay for during missions? Cheers.
striderlotr 06-27-06, 03:34 PM	So what is the BWC? Who are it's members? How does one become a member? What benefits do I get by being in the BWC as opposed to other companies?
PatEllis15 06-27-06, 03:38 PM	OATH?! Who said anything about an Oath? OK, what's up with this Oath business.... Alright: Who established the Company. Who is it's leader. How do I get to give orders? Oh, I can? OK, how do I get to BECOME leader... How did we hear about this prophecy (or is it in the core book :eek: ), do we know about the other factions? Do we kill them on sight? Why not? :D What happens if I don't follow orders. What do we do to deserters? Hmmm... Start with those! :P Pat E
TheOtherChris 06-27-06, 04:01 PM	What benefits do I get by being in the BWC as opposed to other companies? Near as I can tell, it's the only company, so you get the best matching 401k and health benefits? The other ones are weird religous things, so we all know companies are how you make money. Not churches. (Except for those sketchy ministers that are loaded, coming from Lynchburg, Va, Jerry Falwell comes to mind) Plus it's the "company" mentality. Do it, get it done. We don't have to deal with being good or evil, or just in pursuit of knowledge. As long as we win, it's alllll good :)
TMoonshadow 06-27-06, 05:34 PM	What are the major NPCs/leaders? What do they look like, and what are their obvious personalities? Do we have a uniform? If not, we should have some insignia for those three round expeditions - so we know who are allies are. Speaking of allies - what is the general opinion of the other three factions? Are we allied with any of them? At war with any of them?
Frobi-Wan Kenobi 06-27-06, 07:12 PM	I hope that the BWC has some type of player rank system - I enjoyed that aspect of the Cularin Militia from the Living Force Campaign.
TheOtherChris 06-27-06, 08:32 PM	It does have ranks. Player characters can hold these ranks. (I have no clue how many ranks, how exactly you earn them etc, other than your friendly DM saying "You are promoted") Looking at kiddoc's signature, it appears "Mace" is the leader that we know. As for always wearing uniforms, not sure how wise it is to wear uniforms identifying you as BWC, when you are fighting with/competing with other factions. If they aren't wearing uniforms, they would have the advantage, blend in and go insurgent on BWC's bum. But there does need to be some way to know who BWC people are, and whether they are actually BWC or not. Kiddoc? How bout it? a handshake? A phrase/response? There are uniforms, for some missions. All black, with a small wheel insignia on them.
Busted_Hump 06-27-06, 11:35 PM	I've got the list of ranks written down, but not close at hand (yeah I'm useless like that). How do you get promoted? I dunno. I only know how to get DE-moted :mad: Apparantly having your smashers absent from a pretty rough encounter and having your secondary melee guys get worked over by some crazy psionic guy makes that happen. I guess like any other company: put in your time, say yessir, no sir etc. and you'll rise up the ranks? Maybe if you kill off the other leaders (and don't get caught) the bosses will think that you're the only qualified one left for the job? :D Either way, the Marshal doesn't care to be low man on the totem pole.
WizO_Shadow 06-27-06, 11:59 PM	Alrighty fellow gamers! Let me know when you get an introduction thread complete with FAQ started. Then please report the post (so that it emails me immediately) and state "Sticky me please". At that time I will work my magic and get y'all a sticky. Shadow
kiddoc 06-28-06, 12:19 AM	Alrighty fellow gamers! Let me know when you get an introduction thread complete with FAQ started. Then please report the post (so that it emails me immediately) and state "Sticky me please". At that time I will work my magic and get y'all a sticky. Shadow Aye Aye Wiz Shadow, appreciate the assistance.
JonathanRobker 06-28-06, 08:57 AM	Do we have a uniform? If not, we should have some insignia for those three round expeditions - so we know who are allies are. Yes, there is a uniform. I believe that TheOtherChris was absent from the session where that was described. From what I remember, it was almost entirely black with some kind of unit insignia on it, specifying both your company and your rank. Many of those in the company went even further and had their weapons blacked out. There was some flexibility in all of this though. My Vow of Poverty monk didn't really wear the uniform; it was too flashy. He simply wore the black pants. Since he had a bit of a rebellious streak, he also didn't care about wearing rank (since it didn't really mean anything to him). The Faction Master did let me have some flare though, and not merely in an Office Space kind of way: in addition to the Silver Flame Holy symbol tattoo on his chest (since he had foresworn possessions, this route made the most sense), he got a black wheel tattooed around his navel. I thought it was a fun way to give more personality to a character in such a big group and make him a little more recognizable. Everyone knew who the shirtless monk with the tats was. It also helped that he glowed... :D
kiddoc 06-28-06, 03:08 PM	Right, there will be uniforms (though not always what you might think--the job changes the uniform ;) ), there will be "Ranks" and there will be a system for awarding "Medals" and other accolades for valorous services and heroic deeds performed in the service of The Company. We're finalizing the details on these things now, and we'll get that info up on the web as we cement the process.
Docrailgun 06-29-06, 05:34 PM	I'd like to know just how "public" the Company's connection to the Dragonmarked Houses might be. Is it "common knowledge" (at least among those people interested in Xen'drik), is it a secret known to those who need to know (in the same way that the intelligence services of the various nations of Khorvaire know that thet can go to the Thuranni or Phiarlan to outsource espionage), or is it a well-kept secret? Do the Houses use it as a tool in Xen'drik, or is it more a way to police what the Houses do there... so one one House gains an advantage or a virtual monopoly on artifacts and dragonshards? Is there a ruling council somewhere that makes decisions for the Company, or do the House leaders appoint someone and let him (or her) decide things (about the day-to-day operations of the Company, anyway)? Are there "political appointments" made by the Houses... bureaucrats or worse (vapid Dragonmarked Heirs that have been sent to Xen'drik to make money for themselves, or never-do-wells that are being punished by being posted to the ends of the earth), or are the important posts in the Company filled by merit? Can ranks be bought by wealthy parents for their children (more of an NPC thing, rather than being for PCs, of course)? How do the Deneith Blademarks feel having Droaamite gnolls in positions of importance, especially when they (the Deneith) would probably rather have their clients in Darguun suppying mercenaries to the Company? Are the gnolls and such being supplied by Tharashk sources or is there something more "sinister" going on ( like a connection to the Daughters of Sora Kell)? How tightly do the transport-minded Houses (Orien, Lyrander) control travel to and from Xen'drik. After all, noone wants important artifacts or informations disappearing without the Company (and the Houses) knowing about it. Is that what the Company is for? Are the Thuranni and House Phiarlin looking for revenge on the drow and the giants that drove them from Xen'drik so long ago? Is that why they helped create the Company? How long has the Company existed? Do the "many veterans of the last War" include the Warforged? Did a number of them flee to Xen'drik and the Company to escape the slavery of the Five Nations before the Thronehold accords? I'm sure I can think of a bunch more silly questions. So, as you explore which factions to play, what strikes you about the Blackwheel Company? What further questions do you have about the faction, and what else would you like to know?
TheOtherChris 06-30-06, 01:51 AM	Hmm, some of your questions I actually think I know the answers to :D BWC is a secretive group. VERY secretive. Hence why I pointed out, yes there are uniforms, BUT you won't always wear them. Just as the other three factions are very very secretive, the Black Wheel Company is very secretive. The general public does NOT know about the Black Wheel Company. (Did I mention it's a SECRETIVE group?) One of the rules of the war of the mark was no army for the marked houses. Well BWC is DEFINATELY a full on army. Some of the biggest heros of the land have been recruited and promoted up within the ranks. Once you are in the Company, you have the ability to move up through the ranks, (or as some have found out, move down the ranks) based on your merit and skill. There are definitely councils and representatives from each of the marked houses creeping around. But Mace (see Kiddoc's signature for full name) seems to run the day to day things in the company, and he IS the leader of the company. Since it's military, and not quite as evil as one of those other groups, it seems Mace will always be creeping around, and not as likely to get fragged by his friends for them to move up in the company. As for WHY they created the BWC, I think you're right. Yea, you said a lot of things, I agree. :D I think each of the houses had their OWN reason to help in creating the company. All the reasons may never come out. There are definitely 'forged in the BWC. Some of them have even moved up to lead battalions. Overall what I have seen of the BWC is really cool. But part of that is because I like the semi-military feel of it. It's run like an army, but it seems to be more like mercenaries, and you have some freedom to choose your assignment. Now hopefully I haven't said anything wrong or over revealing. If I have, ermm oops, and Kiddoc will beat me tomorrow if he shows up for frisbee golf :D
Melee_Strongfist 07-27-06, 07:30 PM	i was woundering about the ledership feat in conJUion with the Landlord feat and if you well allow me to start a church?
Cromag 08-14-06, 04:16 PM	What effect will favored in house have? it's available, but the company seems to be made of all the houses. will there be sub factions (possibly based on house affiliation)? Is the blackwheel company thought of as a right of passage by The Houses, or a deviant place for runaways? How does the house feel about allying with the other factions; does it even recognize them? Why are the gnolls allowed access? Why not goblins/kobolds/bugbears/etc..? and a mechanics question, when building a Gnoll it is +1LA with 2 humanoid HD, are those 2 HD still used? for example Fighter Gnoll A: EL 5 -level 1 fighter with all Gnoll benefits -level 2 LA made up for -level 3 fighter -level 4 fighter -level 5 fighter Fighter Gnoll B: EL 5 -level 1 fighter with all Gnoll benefits -level 2 LA made up for -level 3 +1 humanoid HD -level 4 +1 humanoid HD -level 5 fighter Which is used, or if something else is done could you give a correct example? Thanks for any information.
Aethan 08-14-06, 04:36 PM	i was woundering about the ledership feat in conJUion with the Landlord feat and if you well allow me to start a church? The Leadership feat is restricted, per the XenEx Campaign Standards. - Andy
vogster 08-14-06, 08:50 PM	What effect will favored in house have? it's available, but the company seems to be made of all the houses. will there be sub factions (possibly based on house affiliation)? Is the blackwheel company thought of as a right of passage by The Houses, or a deviant place for runaways? How does the house feel about allying with the other factions; does it even recognize them? Why are the gnolls allowed access? Why not goblins/kobolds/bugbears/etc..? and a mechanics question, when building a Gnoll it is +1LA with 2 humanoid HD, are those 2 HD still used? for example Fighter Gnoll A: EL 5 -level 1 fighter with all Gnoll benefits -level 2 LA made up for -level 3 fighter -level 4 fighter -level 5 fighter Fighter Gnoll B: EL 5 -level 1 fighter with all Gnoll benefits -level 2 LA made up for -level 3 +1 humanoid HD -level 4 +1 humanoid HD -level 5 fighter Which is used, or if something else is done could you give a correct example? Thanks for any information. Based on the Campaign Standard it looks like you drop the 2 racial HD. So your first example would be correct.
Cromag 08-31-06, 06:21 PM	I am just trying to find out if Dragon marked characters get a increase in rank or importance in relation to the adventure. I'm finding that the only reason I'd want to play one character for blackwheel over another is that my preferred character is that I can't have a dragonmark unless I play something different. I don't want to know what happens in the adventures, just if there is a large difference in how a dragonmark character is percieved by the company as opposed to a non dragon marked one.
JBeauMI 09-02-06, 04:55 PM	For some reason, I think of a Dragonmark in Xen'drik as a genetic organ donor card, but that is probably just me. (That was humor, if you are in doubt.)
kiddoc 09-02-06, 07:43 PM	For some reason, I think of a Dragonmark in Xen'drik as a genetic organ donor card, but that is probably just me. (That was humor, if you are in doubt.) Lmao! I'm going to have to use that one on my playtesters one night! :schemes:
Randall Montgomery 09-06-06, 10:58 AM	I am just trying to find out if Dragon marked characters get a increase in rank or importance in relation to the adventure. I too am particularly interested in the answer to this one. I'm playing a Dragonmarked character who certainly BELIEVES this is true, and I'll be playing her as such either way, but it would be nice to know if this is actually how it works or if she's just got a serious attitude. :D
kiddoc 09-06-06, 03:29 PM	I too am particularly interested in the answer to this one. I'm playing a Dragonmarked character who certainly BELIEVES this is true, and I'll be playing her as such either way, but it would be nice to know if this is actually how it works or if she's just got a serious attitude. :D 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 :P ).
Randall Montgomery 09-07-06, 11:06 AM	Cool! Thanks for the info, Kiddoc. I'm anxiously looking forward to seeing the official heirarchy, but at least my character has some basis for being "above the common grunts". :)
Butterface 09-07-06, 02:14 PM	This is a question I asked in another area, I figured it was a better fit for this thread: Quote: Originally Posted by kiddoc "That's a good man of the mark! Exactly the type of conduct we expect from a Company man. He'll be up for a promotion in no time with leadership like that. (Butter--love that you enjoyed the adventure, congrats on pulling it out successfully!)" Actually I had a question about promotions. Any idea how it's going to work yet? I'm actually going to be running BWC in our home games, and the player who has that Marshal is VERY interested in climbing rank. He's dragonmarked, and plans to take favored in house on his way to dragonmark heir. Will the DM have much leeway in assigning rank, or is it going to be based on level in any way? Are ranks going to be story awards? How much authority over the other party members will someone with a higher rank have?
kiddoc 09-07-06, 03:31 PM	This is a question I asked in another area, I figured it was a better fit for this thread: Quote: Originally Posted by kiddoc "That's a good man of the mark! Exactly the type of conduct we expect from a Company man. He'll be up for a promotion in no time with leadership like that. (Butter--love that you enjoyed the adventure, congrats on pulling it out successfully!)" Actually I had a question about promotions. Any idea how it's going to work yet? I'm actually going to be running BWC in our home games, and the player who has that Marshal is VERY interested in climbing rank. He's dragonmarked, and plans to take favored in house on his way to dragonmark heir. Will the DM have much leeway in assigning rank, or is it going to be based on level in any way? Are ranks going to be story awards? How much authority over the other party members will someone with a higher rank have? Promotions will be coming in the form of story objects. I thought about the experience/level guide to go along with promotions--I thought hard about it. But, in thinking about it, it occured to me that any idiot can simply "survive" an adventure and accumulate a little XP. Ranks in the BWC aren't a sign of experience, their a sign of MERIT and some experience. It's not the BWC way to just be a veteran and survive a few missions. Oh no! You'll find that you don't advance very far if you don't have something unique to contribute to the company. Just adventuring won't get you there. You have to accomplish something pretty significant while you adventure. If you advance in rank in The Company, it's because you earned every filthy stinking inch of it. This is why the recruits have such a great respect for their leadership, and why the leadership has such a great respect for the recruits. They never ask of their recruits what they themselves would not do, because they have done, and will continue to do. General Ogdin is currently working on a "purty" format to display the BWC ranking heirarchy in--stay tuned. :D
Timlagor 09-13-06, 12:56 AM	I would definitely prefer promotions not to be awarded to whole tables -or at least if everyone gets a promotion, one or more should get a bigger promotion. I want to have tables with people of different ranks.
kiddoc 09-13-06, 10:42 PM	I would definitely prefer promotions not to be awarded to whole tables -or at least if everyone gets a promotion, one or more should get a bigger promotion. I want to have tables with people of different ranks. We are, most definately, planning on having very diverse ranks at a given table. Both differing play experience and game mechanics have been set up to create a good mix in ranks and medals at a table.
clem 09-14-06, 04:30 PM	I'm planning a faction DM's Mark adventure that involves the characters travelling to a remote Blackwheel Company outpost in Xen'drik. The troops there are defending a House Tharashk Siberys shard mining operation. My questions are whether this is a realistic scenario -- would the BC find this task menial or just another way of serving the houses? Does the company even have an established enough presence in Xen'drik to offer such services? Also, is Tharashk a suitable choice of house for running a mining operation?
kiddoc 09-14-06, 04:45 PM	I'm planning a faction DM's Mark adventure that involves the characters travelling to a remote Blackwheel Company outpost in Xen'drik. The troops there are defending a House Tharashk Siberys shard mining operation. My questions are whether this is a realistic scenario -- would the BC find this task menial or just another way of serving the houses? Does the company even have an established enough presence in Xen'drik to offer such services? Also, is Tharashk a suitable choice of house for running a mining operation? Great question Clem--and an interesting setup. As we wait for the main BWC material to clear web-timeline stuff, let me offer a little guidance. The question, in your scenario, would be: "Why send The Company?" There are lots of answers as to why. The BWC is an elite paramilitary (shhh, DM houses have no military affiliation, don't tell anyone), highly organized entity with access to a great many of the resources of the Dragonmarked houses. In one sense they are an arm of the houses (doing things that the houses themselves won't, can't, shouldn't, or can't afford to get caught doing), in another sense they are a self-contained organization "contracted" by the houses. It just so happens that they have no other contractors (nor would the DM houses likely allow that). So, what is it about this mission that requires the influence of such an elite organization? Is there subterfuge at work? If it's just a straight guard mission, your instincts are right, they're more likely to use Deneith or Medani guards. But, what if House Cannith has a VERY close eye on what, exactly, House Tharashk is doing with those shards--perhaps it suspects them of unloading them onto the black market. OR perhaps it wants to gain a foothold on the shards directly, cutting out the middleman. The BWC often finds itself, as both a related, yet neutral party, caught in the middle of inter and intra faction turmoil. If it's an exceptionally dangerous mission, the BWC is there, certainly if the DM houses can't afford the risk vs. reward part of the equation. BWC hires fight like demons, and take jobs other "operatives" have no hope of surviving. Or what if the House Tharashk mining operation is of critical importance and is under siege by some large force. With the DM house presence in Xen'drik being minimal at the moment, Deneith forces are too small to be immediately mobilized for the defense. Instead, an elite force of Blackwheel operatives are sent in to drop from airships to aid in the defense of the mining facility until the larger Deneith force can arrive. Anyhow, just some thoughts. Sounds like a great adventure in the works. Good luck!
Timlagor 09-14-06, 07:21 PM	Are there any factions within the BWC?
kiddoc 09-14-06, 08:52 PM	Are there any factions within the BWC? Sure, 13 of them. ;) Well, that and several different battalions. Stay tuned, battalion information should be on the web shortly. :D
Butterface 09-14-06, 11:55 PM	Sure, 13 of them. ;) Well, that and several different battalions. Stay tuned, battalion information should be on the web shortly. :D 13? Are you counting House Vol?! OMG, the Mark of Death is bankrolling my character!!!
psgj 09-15-06, 12:47 AM	13? Are you counting House Vol?! OMG, the Mark of Death is bankrolling my character!!! No! One of the dragonmarked houses split in two, so 12 dragonmarks, but 13 houses. psgj
Butterface 09-15-06, 01:58 AM	No! One of the dragonmarked houses split in two, so 12 dragonmarks, but 13 houses. psgj Trew. But it's funnier to think of it the other way.
Errean 10-05-06, 09:31 AM	Things that I would like to know about the Blackwheel Company: What is our hierarchy? (I know it's been asked a dozen times but I was hoping that we could have a visual representation of the ranks and who they defer to, etc.) Why are Gnolls the race that our faction is allied with? (I'm playing my first BWC adventure tomorrow night so it might be answered there.) What is our attitude toward the other factions? How large of units are we broken down into and how do we go about customizing these? Can we customize them? Will there be a listing of units and their members? The last one is the question that I'm most interested in, seeing as I know I'll be playing with the same group of people consistantly but it's a group of as many as 10 players, so it won't always be the same players at the table. We'll probably all want to be in the same unit though and I know that we have a design for our unit symbol already. (Black Company novels anyone?)