Welcome all.
Alright everybody, first order of business. Ya'll need to designate a squad leader and take an oath.
There'll be chances to change this selection down the road during periods of relative downtime. We'll be looking forward to five "acts" that represent different portions of the Isstvan III campaign with each culminating in a legendary battle.
I vote for the dreadnought.
I vote for the dreadnought.
As do I
Whoa.
I'll admit I'm probably just going to be running around in Solo Mode a lot but the Dreadnaught isn't the best option for party leader.
1) He doesn't have Command trained so he can't make the Command Checks needed to maintain Squad Mode and Cohesion
2) It's very specific what Squad Mode tactics we can use and the Dreadnaught won't qualify for some of the IIRC
3) He can't call any Chapter Squad Modes since he doesn't have the ability to share them like a Tac Marine would.
4) IIRC we need to maintain a certain distance from our Squad Leader and a Dreadnaught just can't go everywhere we would possible need it to.
I mean, if we absolutely want the Dread to be squad leader we can...but honestly it's akin to making a Tank your Sergeant - it just doesn't work.
I'd vote for Dapphon - our Tactical Marine; but again I'm more built for Solo Mode tactics anyway.
Dapphon rocks solo mode, so he is not a good choice.
While I appreciate the honor, I did not build Tyr with the thought that he'd become the squad leader.
As I am a first time player, completely new to the system, I didn't want to throw myself at the lead role, and end up making crucial tactical mistakes.
What I do is that the world of Warhammer is deadly, with any mistake likely leading to death.
Tyranius is a machine created to serve until he is no longer needed to do so, and while fearsome in combat, lacks what little emotion Marines have left.
(Also, I don't really understand the rules for Cohesion. Like, at all. So there's that.)
Bother Toc then, he is also a Tactical marine.
Toc is very much a line marine, somewhat lost without the chain of command. I had intended him to latch on to Dapphon initially, seeing as he is a sergeant in his legion. But maybe he could grow to be a leader.
Just a thought, I don't know how us all meeting up is going to play out, but at this stage we are a disparate group who have been betrayed by those we considered most trustworthy, I think we'd all be doing our own thing until a natural hierarchy formed. We're not going to be a well oiled kill-team... yet!
With that in mind I think Dapphon would be the best "leader" initialy, if not for crunch reasons then for RP ones. He held rank in his legion and is a recon specialist, used to working without close supervision, plus information is the most important thing we need right now.
If the team decides that way Toc can lead, but like Tyranius I'm not confident with the rules.
T
Leading a squad
- personal role-playing not withstanding -
The major thing is we just need someone who qualifies for some of the better Squad modes and can reliably succeed Cohesion challenges (meaning Command + Fellowship). The main thing against the Dread is Squad Mode abilities and the Cohesion challenges will be more difficult to pass - also I'm pretty sure there's a radius limit although I'm not certain and admittedly not looking at the books right now.
It's not like we will be spending the whole mission in Squad Mode, but there are huge benefits to being able to call a Squad during a particularly stick situation / firefight.
I mis-spoke earlier with "being built to solo" which I meant more I have a very low Fellowship, Command is untrained for me, and I choose my special ability under the assumption that it will work well a larger amount of time even though it only triggers during Solo Mode.
In reality no character is really built better and/or worse for Solo vs. Squad Mode since, although a little reductionist, both are just different suites of buffs for our marines.
With that said, from a roleplaying standpoint, the Squad Leader will end up being the deciding vote so-to-speak. If a squad can't figure out which way to go 9/10 times the Squad Leader will decide that for them. Marines, especially ones from different chapters and who are higher ranked, will not have any qualms voicing their opinions - however when a decision can't be reach the Squad Leader can, and will, make it for them.
------------------------------------------------------
Due to the situation in this game none of our marines - except those possibly from the same Legion - have really fought together, much less know each other, however, given the circumstances and some minor roleplaying that can be easily remedied about why we're following the leadership of 'X'.
However this goes, all it is is a title for a single short(ish) mission and can always be switched if the A) person truly despises the role, B) the group can't stand the leadership, C) we want to try a different set of Squad Abilities, or D) our Squad Leader dies.
In addition I'd like to change my Vote to Brother Toc as Dapphon seems to have more abilities geared towards being in the rear/recon whereas Toc seems less likley to be detached from the main squad.
Also, we as a squad will need to keep in mind, we have a vehicle and their cohort, 2 Tac Marines, and 2 Assault Marines, meaning -more than likely- we have 1 character that has limited mobility and positioning, 3 with average mobility and good positioning, and 2 with high mobility and good positioning. We'll need to work a little harder to make sure no one is left behind during our missions.
Well as I say, if the squad decides that way then I can muddle through as leader. Mechanically Toc's Fel is shocking however... so that's a thing. But I guess 'reluctantly in charge' might be quite fun to play. We'll see what the others have to say on the matter.
Do Leaders have to be part of squad modes when they occur? From what I read (briefly, I'm at work...) of the rulebook anyone can enter and take part in squad mode, the leader just determines what is available and restoring lost cohesion, is this right?
T
Dapphon has the theoretical skill to be the leader, command being a trained skill and good fellowship. But he tends to work better in solo mode and fighting at long range, well outside of the range for squad more with close combat guys.
just so people are tracking I am on central time
I'm GMT so your literally 12 hours out from me. I should be able to post throughout the day most days though so hope it won't be too much of an issue.
GM you mention acts throughout the Istvaan III campaign, I don't suppose you've any intention of it making it as far as Istvaan V... Just wishful thinking...
T
Deathwatch actively rewards teamwork and punishes those who cast it aside.
Do Leaders have to be part of squad modes when they occur? From what I read (briefly, I'm at work...) of the rulebook anyone can enter and take part in squad mode, the leader just determines what is available and restoring lost cohesion, is this right?
At least two people need to participate in any given squad mode. The Leader does not have to be one of them, anyone can call a squad mode.
I'm GMT so your literally 12 hours out from me. I should be able to post throughout the day most days though so hope it won't be too much of an issue.
GM you mention acts throughout the Istvaan III campaign, I don't suppose you've any intention of it making it as far as Istvaan V... Just wishful thinking...
I'd be impressed if anyone made it that far alive, to the point that I'd be willing to hand-wave how you managed to get there. I've considered doing an Isstvan V bonus act but haven't made up my mind on that. It's a long way out even if I do.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Just wishful thinking on Istvaan V, I love me some Ravenguard!
I think we may need some consensus on post form, just a suggestion but
"This, for general vox broadcast"
and
"This, for targeted vox"
and
"This for face to face speech"
Any thoughts?
Sounds good to me!
They're easily distinguishable enough from each other to be understandable.
That works for me as well.
Just so its clear Im waiting on leader and oath selections beforw we get into things. Its fine to be RPing but I wont be posting much more then clarifications until thats detetmined.
I'll lead then, that being the case would it be ok if I were to rearrange my stat advances slightly, nothing major, just to make my Fellowship workable?
Oath wise my vote would be for the Oath of the Emperor. Is the Oath changeable on the same basis as the leader, or is that fixed?
T
Either Oath of the Emperor or Oath of the Astartes
You can change stats, as well as change Oath.
Yeah I'd be happy with either of those oaths.
(Toc edit complete)
T
Once you decide we can move forward.
Again, not even really sure what Oaths are, although Oath to the Emperor sounds most appropriate, at least fluff-wise.
pg 228 CRB
If no-one has any objections shall we move forward with me leading and the Oath of the emperor?
T
sounds like a plan
If no-one has any objections shall we move forward with me leading and the Oath of the emperor?
T
I've no problem
Would we marines recognise what happened I.e. that virus bombs ets were used?
I think so, the effects are vastly different than orbital bombardment or nuclear bombs.
Yes, you understand that you were virus bombed and then hit with conventional bombs as well. Beyond that everything is unknown. When the warning came you were told simply to prepare for an enemy bombardment; a last ditch terrorist effort. Anything beyond that is conjecture at the moment.
Sorry guys, Paizo's been real weird for me today.
Will be catching up and posting shortly!
Yeah, it's the bundle deal thingy.
Since Tyranius abandoned his legion having served heroically, presumably for centuries, he must have seen some things! We humble marines were all on Istvaan during the strikes but Tyranius must have seen some evidence and therefore know a lot more about what is going on. Since he was not sent to Istvaan in the first place Fulgrim must have trusted him.
I guess the question is how much GM wants us to know at this stage.
T
If Tyranius has some knowledge from his backstory that's for him to decide. It's his character after all.
My question in the gameplay thread wasn't very well put, sorry. I was just wondering whether the marines that introduced themselves with their 'old' legion names, (Dapphon - duskraider etc) would want to change that. Since we don't know what's happened yet there would be no reason to renounce the new names yet, does that make any sense at all? Or shall I just shut up and slink away...
T
I undeestand, but it also shows the varying degrees of paranoia that each marine has. If they want to change it they can but right now you guys seem to have a good understanding of the degree of confusion and misinformation that was going around the ground of Isstvan after the bombing.
Just to be clear, what we're looking is a large box with Hab Centers and cover on 3 sides and 1 side more or less completely open correct?
What sort of dimensions are we talking?
The World Eaters first wave landed in this area, so large enough to fit several hundred drop pods and legionaries at once.
An another note: as paizo slowly regains stability I will be holding everyone (including myself) to a strict 1/day posting minimum. If you are unable to meey this minimum at any point please say so and I will examine our options.
On that note if for some reason I can't post Dapphon's default responses are:
In combat, shoot an enemy with his stalker boltgun using whatever ammo is most appropriate for the target.
Out of combat he will agree with Brother Toc.
What are the names of the officers I have made contact with?
I'm going to level with you Dapphon: there are easily 500 officers that could have survived the initial bombardment among the Death Guard alone. As much as I'd like to give you the information you want, I don't the will to name that many people let alone keep track of them.
So here's your contact: Commander Koloth Vorr, 7th Company.
I'm going to level with you Dapphon: there are easily 500 officers that could have survived the initial bombardment among the Death Guard alone. As much as I'd like to give you the information you want, I don't the will to name that many people let alone keep track of them.
So here's your contact: Commander Koloth Vorr, 7th Company.
That is fine, I just needed one name.
Alright at this point lets take a moment to try to come to a consensus as I can sense some tension. What are you all doing? Speak candidly if you have an opinion. Brother Toc remember that you are squad leader and carry decision making responsibility with that.
I'm more than happy to get stuck in here.
I know Toc is technically leader but RP wise he's surrounded by superiors at this stage he's flexing his command muscles but I'm trying to reflect the fact that he's torn. He tries to make the "right" tactical decision in every situation but is not used to being master of his own destiny. In this instance he is deferring somewhat to Dapphon, subconsciously he also craves meeting up with a proper chain of command.
All that being said, lets get stuck in marines!
T
Geroros knows that not fighting is the best decision but really wants to avenge his brothers. He's torn between the two
Dapphon thinks that fighting here is a bad idea but he will not abandon his brothers if here is where we make our stand. Still I think the disagreement within the group is very fitting of this stage of isstvan III.
Hear hear! Its very real I feel. But as fitting as the disagreement is, we need a course of action. Lets give Barak and Tyranius a chance to have their say, then decide.
T
I agree. The tension is a good thing. Makes the story more "real".
As much as Tyr wants to avenge his fallen brothers, there's a point where initiating a fight is just suicide.
That doesn't mean he isn't willing to sacrifice his life, quite the contrary actually.
It's just not in his nature to do so for the gain of nothing.