that sounds awesome. im a big fan of the malazan story although ive never heard of black company before. what book are they in? i have no experience in pbp but id love to try it.
as for mercenary plots - how about retrieval of a chest that they dont know whats in it (ala the movie ronin) and the contents are dangerous and persued by other factions?
hmm...sure i can think up a few others...
thanks for the 411 on black company. ill probably stop by borders today and pick it up.
im pretty familiar with pathfinder and ill crank out a character idea this evening. im leaning towards a grizzled sapper build(alchemist with a few fighter levels).
and ill keep brainstorming ideas.
I'm interested, and already have a crossbow(wo)man on file that would fit well. Alternately, I have a Negator (Wizard of the Counterspell school) in my head.
As for ideas, if this is a Merc company, then they're getting hired for the things that the soldiery won't (or can't) do. Depending on their rates, they could send squads, giving the PCs an 'in' into their first adventure(s).
A caravan needs escorting-- problem is, this caravan is driven by a rather 'eccentric' caravan master, and the path he's charted.. well, there's a reason the usual guards refuse to come along on this one. Lucky for the caravan master that the company is going through a budget crunch and has a squad to spare, given the cash he was offering.
Hazardous locale? Ah, the locals just made up the name "Uncharted Bone Fens"! You know how locals get, with their overactive imaginations. The Cartography society is paying well for maps of the area. They haven't been updated in well-on a decade... Well, no maps have been returned in nearly a decade because the cartographers don't make it back.
"What do you mean 'Quarantine'?" -- It was a good campaign, successful too. So the boys go out on leave to have a good night "praising Cayden", and wake up late the next day only to find that some sort of illness(origin variable) has begun to bring the city to its knees. So now the choice becomes a)Aid the Quarantine or b) Get back before your leave expires... Yeah, it might be good to help the town out, but Sgt. Dragonmaw didn't earn that name for nothin'!
Hi All
I'd be pretty interested in this also... I'm currently involved in 2 pbp games so another might be overstretching but you've piqued my interest.
As my monicker suggests I'm a big fan of Joe Abercrombie and his latest book The Heroes would also be a good one to read.
Beauty of the mercenary company idea is that they could concievably end up fighting in different wars, different nations - wherever the coin and conflict was...
Until the party rise in the ranks we'll have little input into where or who we fight... perhaps the Company has just suffered heavy losses in a successful [or not] campaign? Recruitment drive is on etc? Gold and Glory awaits...heh.
I've concepts for a Northman cavalier and a Crossbowman Fighter that I've been knocking about that I'll pull together for consideration...
Very, very interested in running a mercenary campaign. The Malazan books are pet favorites of mine .... does that mean we get moranth munitions?
I would hope that the Company is firmly following the god of golden neutrality and chasing the almighty gold piece. That leaves us open to fighting on one side, then flipping if the others can muster better payment.
I think we should either be the dregs of a once proud unit left over after we got wiped out in an ill-conceived campaign. Or a fresh faced start up so unknown our first job is guarding noblemen's privys.
I can put forward a Ranger (Two-Weapon Scout) - our Black Ops character. Building up to a a Kalam Mekhar type finale. Will ponder and put together more detail to the proposal tomorrow.
Sounds like an excellent idea. A mercenary sqaud would have just the right amount of autonamy for us players to take our characters the direction we want without shooting off at a tangent to whatever storylines you come up with.
I've been looking for an oppertunity to try the artificer class out of tome of secrets for a while - it could be cool to stack transmutation spells into a suit of magi-tech 'power armour'and play him as a front-line combatant. If tome of secrets is off the table, though, I've got a few ideas for a crossbow combat style ranger with the guide archtype.
As for plot points, how about we've been hired to bulk out an invasion force, acting as extra muscle in the archtypical 'evil horde'. As we gain ground it becomes harder and harder to ignore the atrocities our employers are committing around us - are we more principled, and if we are how much are we willing to risk to stick by those principles? Or if that's getting too grim, how about our company has been hired to shore up a backwater part of a kingdom that has been left ungarrisoned as the state troops are needed in a far-off campaign. The locals don't trust us and we're ingnorant of their customs, but it's our job to protect them from the things that are starting to emerge from the forests, predatory creatures that have been waiting in the shadows for years for the kingdom's guard to drop.
how about retrieval of a chest that they dont know whats in it (ala the movie ronin) and the contents are dangerous and persued by other factions?
That would also make for an interesting game. Sooner or later, you've got to ask if the pay is good enough for us to not sneak a peek at what everyone is trying to kill us for...
I'd like to join the Black Company :-)
This is my PC from another PBP. He likes to think of himself as a dispenser of justice and a non-discriminating freelance contractor.
Sounds like an awesome concept. Would this campaign take place in Golarion? If the answer is yes, then may I reccomend something to do with the Goblinblood Wars of Isger. This could present an interesting opportunity to play some flavorful builds like a Mercenary of the Free League (Blackjackets), an Eagle Knight of Andoran, or a Hellknight.
Whatever you decide, I'm definitely interested.
An interesting take on the pbp might also be a rolling cast... there will be casualties and might be fun to have new characters (but not necessarily new players per say) show up as we lose some of our faithful band to Gorum...
Also wondered if we can amp up the teamwork feats to give a unit feel to the Company?
Drayen if we both pass muster and sign up for this one, hopefully will be as fun as our Northmen!
If there is space I would love to throw in a Character. I am thinking a Crossbow focused Fighter, in the style of the Malazan Marines, by the name of Temper! I'd like to maybe Cross Class in to Alchemist for a level or two, to become sort of a Sapper, later on!
EDIT: Ah I see someone already went with the Sapper idea. Haha! I suppose Malazan=Sapper so not a big surprise. I can play a Heavy instead. Focus on my Blade and Crossbow work. That is, if I get in! :)
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An interesting take on the pbp might also be a rolling cast... there will be casualties and might be fun to have new characters (but not necessarily new players per say) show up as we lose some of our faithful band to Gorum...
Also wondered if we can amp up the teamwork feats to give a unit feel to the Company?
Drayen if we both pass muster and sign up for this one, hopefully will be as fun as our Northmen!
I was thinking much the same, Dow. A pair of fighters/rogues/rangers with Lookout, Outflank, Paired Opportunists and Precise Strike looks really tempting. Maybe little squirrelly bastards always stirring up trouble.
If the GM is up for it, a group of actual squad size would be grand!
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An interesting take on the pbp might also be a rolling cast... there will be casualties and might be fun to have new characters (but not necessarily new players per say) show up as we lose some of our faithful band to Gorum...
Also wondered if we can amp up the teamwork feats to give a unit feel to the Company?
Drayen if we both pass muster and sign up for this one, hopefully will be as fun as our Northmen!
I was thinking much the same, Dow. A pair of fighters/rogues/rangers with Lookout, Outflank, Paired Opportunists and Precise Strike looks really tempting. Maybe little squirrelly bastards always stirring up trouble.
If the GM is up for it, a group of actual squad size would be grand!
Also the act in the surprise round teamwork feat and having the scout with a high perception would be great.
I'm a little late to the party, but I'd love to get in on this as well. Tok is a character developed for another campaign, but I could tweak him for this or develop a new character to better align with this effort.
Let me know if I can get in.
Thanks!
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As for plot points, how about we've been hired to bulk out an invasion force, acting as extra muscle in the archtypical 'evil horde'. As we gain ground it becomes harder and harder to ignore the atrocities our employers are committing around us - are we more principled, and if we are how much are we willing to risk to stick by those principles? Or if that's getting too grim, how about our company has been hired to shore up a backwater part of a kingdom that has been left ungarrisoned as the state troops are needed in a far-off campaign. The locals don't trust us and we're ingnorant of their customs, but it's our job to protect them from the things that are starting to emerge from the forests, predatory creatures that have been waiting in the shadows for years for the kingdom's guard to drop.
Something like this would be great for Brevoy. The previous conquerors/rulers recently just up and disappeared and the description of southern Brevoy is exactly like this.
But a campaign in which the group becomes the scape goats for something they previously did and was lauded for is always great. Going from heroes to on the run is always fun. I know it's overdone but it's overdone because it's good and fun. Plus nothing screms character development like being locked in a dungeon for being set-up for something you didn't do and tortured relentlessly.
If there's any slots open, I'd like to join with my "giant" fighter. He has a blood of giants in his ancestry and as he grows, his skin would become tough as steeli like his forefathers. Basically, if allowed, he would take Improved Natural armor as his feat every odd level and some combats feats every even level. He'd be the big lovable oaf and I think he'd be a perfect fit for this.
Here is the character I wish to put forward for consideration!
I would also like to throw my hat into this one. Not sure what I'd play yet, but pushing the teamwork feats and such sounds good. Plus 1 for the Black Company reference. I'll be checking this thread to see what you do, please consider me, I'm not in any pbp games right now and I'm looking for one.
I would love to join in as well, got a couple of different concepts in mind, depending on party needs. This looks to be a great idea so maybe somebody could co-gm so as not to overwhelm Pentor. Maybe even split into two allied units or perhaps enemy teams??
I'd also be interested. I am rereading the Black Company novels and love them all over again. I know there are plenty that have already thrown their hats in, but I will probably be checking the game thread for ideas anyway since I am currently getting a home game set up running the War of the Lance adventures where the player characters are a subset of...
If there is space I would love to throw in a Character. I am thinking a Crossbow focused Fighter...
There seem to be a lot of ideas for that. *grin* Like minds, and all..
An interesting take on the pbp might also be a rolling cast... there will be casualties and might be fun to have new characters (but not necessarily new players per say) show up as we lose some of our faithful band to Gorum...
Also wondered if we can amp up the teamwork feats to give a unit feel to the Company?
A rotating cast? That is definitely a nice idea, not to mention that it will allow others to get in on this, should casualties occur. I second the idea of teamwork feats, since this is a squad, not a group of adventurers.
I'm keeping an eye on this, so the second this hits a 2nd page, I'll recollect all the ideas into a post for ease of browsing.
bunch of great ideas. it'll definitely have a malazan squad feel with all you crossbowmen.
we just need to hear from Pentor now.
This looks interesting. I may have something that could work, depending on how it comes together.
One issue is with gaining rank, PCs leveling up and taking control of the merc company. How do you folks suggest handling it?
I may have a suggestion for that. Not everyone can be a Leader after all, but everyone can be a Veteran. Being a Veteran would be just as rewarding really. The decision on who becomes an Officer could be made randomly, and the implementation of it could be that the Character needs to wait to get the Leadership Feat first.
If, the Corporal of the Company is not the one controlling the Company, but just a voice for a never seen Captain, that means that somebody could rise to the rank of Corporal, or even two people, one to Sergeant the other to Corporal. This retains the control of the Companys destination for the GM, but also allows an interesting Rp factor, having an active Sergeant and Corporal PC pair.
Sorry. Sometimes I do not express myself well. I hope all I said was understood.
As for where I would like it to be set, Ustalav!
Concept: Private Fury is a young Soldier who focuses in the use of the Crossbow and Greataxe. He spent four years in a Lords Army, fighting for supremacy in the River Kingdoms, where he learned soldiering from an old grizzled Veteran by the name of Farad al'Luan.
While on a routine patrol, along the borders of their Lords slice of the Kingdoms, the Unit Fury was a part of was set upon by a larger force of Bandits. The hot press of battle all around him, the young Private became disoriented, hacking and slashing around himself till he found himself stumbling free of the press of bodies, towards an open area of higher ground. Catching his bearings, Fury turned just in time to watch his old Mentor be cut down by a large brutish looking thug.
Stunned and reeling from the traumatic event of witnessing his Mentor and friend cut down, Fury ran, leaving behind the rest of his Unit. He fled all responsibility, shirking his bonds to Lord and Army and leaving the River Kingdoms behind him. He maintained the rank of Private, it was who he was after all, the old him was long dead. He worked Guard duty to keep himself alive and in coin, till he found his way to a Mercenary Company by the name of-(I'll leave that open till it is decided)
Company: The Company of the Black Wolf.
im going to bow out at this point. there seem to be plenty of interest and i was invited into another game. great idea for a story line. if you use the revolving cast and once i get the hang of this maybe i can jump in later? good luck to you all.
A half orc ranger focusing on natural attacks who doesn't fit in elsewhere, but finds his fighting talent and scouting abilities appreciated in <insert name here>.
I like the idea of a mercenary company past its height of fame trying to hang and on and rebuild. Sargava might be an interesting place to base the company out of, and would fit well with such a theme, as would anywhere along that coast. Perhaps have a name that harkens back to the glory days when Cheliax was at it's height of power. Taldor, or one of it's former territories might be another good place.
Place to Start: Ustalav or that region looks like a nice spot. We have Belkzen, Mammoth Lords, River Kingdoms, Lastwall, Worldwound all within spitting distance - which gives lots of options for hirers. Would love to eventually end up down in Geb or hired by the Hermeans though...
Leadership: I think starting with NPC leadership would be best. The Corporal could then get taken out relatively early in the piece, leaving it to one of us to step up and take leadership.
Name: The Bloodied Mongoose / The Raging Badgers
I'll post up my character concept in a couple of hours in an alias. Will be a Half-Orc Ranger.
I think you're safe to keep the recruitment in this thread, we can break off into an OOC once you've selected the starting lineup.
Character Creation: I'd suggest 20 point buy with max HP, two traits and average gold? It's pretty standard for a high fantasy set-up.
I wouldn't mind joining this if there is room.
Thinking Ranger/Scout. Could be up front or ranged fighter depending upon the group mix.
Dethis "the butcher" is known for his way with slaughtering the animals he catches to feed the men, he seems to take delight in the activity, but he is also know for his ability with his blades (or maybe bow).
If I can join in I will add some more to his background and flush him out but this could be fun.
EDIT: Just saw another Ranger so I may try something else unless there are two teams.
Pentor looks like you have plenty of interest do you want to go ahead and let us know know if you are at the cut-off point yet or if you are thinking about doing the two teams?
Other character concept I was thinking was a Druid with no animal companion that focus' on frontal combat in animal form, never played or seen this before actually done before...Orlog "The Bear". With no animal companion makes it a lot easier to PBP.
Perhaps have one company start on each of the major continents. Have one work out of either Katapesh or Sargava, and the other from Ustalev. That would give both of them space and time to develop before running into each other.
I would suggest you add the character type people want to play and then assign them to a team to try and balance it a little, otherwise you could have all fighters in one group and all rangers in another...just my two cents.
I have three different characters that can be used if you want them.
First is a Cavalier who is trying to raise in power and frame.
Second is a cocky ranger who is trying to see the world. Last one is a monk that wants to better his fighting style. Those are just options to start to see what a group would need can change them if you do not want any of those.
Yucale
Pvt.Fury
sunshadow21
Mark Sweetman
terok
Mad Claw
Darkest Heart
Black Dow
Drayen
Tok
Donato
Ryuko
Monkey God
Kratzee
Me'Mori
And me!
Good to hear you've got plenty of slots open. Forget the artificer idea, a life oracle 'field medic' would fit much better. Watch this space.
I would suggest you add the character type people want to play and then assign them to a team to try and balance it a little, otherwise you could have all fighters in one group and all rangers in another...just my two cents.
I would add in where people want to start as well on that list to help break it down a bit more. Ustalev, Sargava(close the jungle and pirate bases) or Solku or Alkenstar(the whole Mana Wastes could be interesting to explore, and perhaps Absalom might be good starting places. Between them, you can cover most of the known world without too much trouble.
As stated before, half orc ranger(though this can be changed if need be)in either Sargava, Alkenstar, or Solku, or really anywhere on that continent could work for me.
Have half the crunch updated on the profile and will polish the rest off later today and add a description.
Krathok was born a product of rape in the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, living on the outside of his village's society as he grew up. Another raid from Belkzen claimed his mother and he was carried off as a spoil of war.
Growing up as slave labour in an Orc tribe hardened his outlook and allowed him to grow strong. However his belligerent nature caused his right eye to be taken from him. Eventually his chance came and he was able to escape after gutting the one that took his eye.
Soon after breaking out, he encountered one of the scouts of insert mercenary company name just as he passed out from hunger / exhaustion. His recent history has been as part of the company, serving as an advance scout.
My preference is to be in the Ustalav group, as it fits with the background.
Ok, i'm thinking either a Elven Shadow-Blooded Sorcerer or if allowed, a Suli(from the Qadira book) Dawnflower Dervish(from Inner Sea Primer).
both are fine, but I'm not sure if you have the PF Companions of Qadira and Inner Sea Primer Pentor, so let me know if that's acceptable. Of course the Dervish could also be a Human, but still requires the Primer.
I'm leaning heavily towards a magus. I'll make a decision tomorrow though.
As far as company names: Reapers, Reavers, Forgotten Soldiers, The Finishers...
For the mercenary campaign I am developing, I am encouraging martial characters. I went so far as to create a medic for the squad. (No healing magic on Krynn.) In usage of military acronyms, I am dubbing the single magic-user (I am allowing only one) the PTM (Platoon Tactical Magician). Also, in keeping with the theme of The Black Company, I am also suggesting that the players come up with nicknames instead of fantasy sounding names.
Side note, a lot of people seem to be impressed with the Malazan novels. I read about half of the first one and put it down. I may have to pick it up again and give it a second chance.
Side note, a lot of people seem to be impressed with the Malazan novels. I read about half of the first one and put it down. I may have to pick it up again and give it a second chance.
Erikson's writing does tend to have a love or loathe quality to it. Usually those that make it through the first few hundred pages will end up finishing it ... but YMMV.
The final scene in Gardens of the Moon is fantastic, I loved the Chain of Dogs in Deadhouse Gates, and the drive against the Pannion Domin in Memories of Ice also has some of my favorite moments. The story of Itkovian the Shield Anvil was awesome.
However if you didn't like the first one - you're unlikely to like the rest.
One vote for Mendev and the Worldwound
I don't care where I start, so long as we can travel a fair amount. I'd love to do battle at the Worldwound, delve into the Darklands, explore Qadira, etc.
Edit: please allow us to use traits, I think they help flesh out characters a LOT. I think in order to help highlight being Mercs, I would either grant a bonus Combat trait(for 3 total, there's no actual rule that says you can only have 2, that's just kinda the default) or that of the two traits, one must be combat.
Here is a concept I haven't seen here yet, if allowed, a Samurai. (I am inspired by seeing Hogun in Thor this weekend)
I like the idea of merc nicknames.
'9-Tail', traveled East to escape the confines of the Samurai system. Skilled with a sword, he was not skilled in diplomacy. He does not fight for a Lord, but for the fight itself. A Ronin by choice, he does not see this as a disgrace but a liberation. He quickly fell in as a merc as a chance to fight often and prove one's skill, while getting paid. Instead of growing fat guarding a noble's estate.
9-Tail's symbol is a Kitsune, or fox spirit, sometime portrayed as having nine tails. Some see his fighting talents as luck, as he seems so undisciplined when he fights, but he tends to see it as skill and reflexes...the debate continues after each of his fights. His troubled training included upsetting staid training sessions with unpredictable attacks that would overcome fellow students relying on standard dictated attacks and defenses. He is always ready for a fight, but never quick to anger. He is light-hearted for such a dark job, but killing is an art, not a dark deed. And that you can get paid to do it is icing on the cake.
As to where he fights, as the proverbial outsider from Tian, it does not matter much for 9-Tail.