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The premise is simple: At some point, mercenary activity is going to be legitimate and practical. People are going to have use for small bands of so-called "murderhobos" who work cheap and kill for fun to buffer their forces, serve as distractions, or just grab towers for bigger organizations.
At the same time, there are going to be companies and settlements that don't really want to get fully involved in PvP. And inevitably there will be the odd player within such groups who wants to PvP, but can't convince enough people in their settlement to come with them.
This is where the Mongrelmongers come in. A mobile, loosely-organized band of sellswords, hirestaves and loanstars (meaning ninjas, of course), the Mongrelmongers form and dissolve at their leisure. New members join and quit whenever they like—there are no true rules. Only as good or evil as today's job, the Mongrelmongers give repressed warriors a chance to express themselves destructively—all while earning a fair share of the wages. In their spare time, they might roam around robbing towers, guarding merchants, trying to burn witches, and just plain screwing around. It all depends on who's in charge.
Note: This is not a company. This is a party, allowing for a much more "temporary" setup where members can be from numerous different companies and settlements.
Hierarchy: Who "leads" the Mongrelmongers is just a question of what time it is and who's feeling lucky. Anyone who wishes to usurp command from the current leader need only place a small wager (to be determined) and accept the Reputation hit for being the first to strike. That said, it's all largely symbolic, since members are always free to leave (=not show up) if they don't like the new guy's policies. Members can also take jobs on their own initiative if the leader isn't around, "leading" what Mongrelmongers will show up in his/her/my absence.
In time, "regulars" could be appointed to negotiate for the Mongrelmongers if an employer wishes to hire the group. Otherwise, it's all quite informal.
This is an interest check. The Mongrelmongers would not currently work very effectively in the game, but I believe there is room for a truly neutral mercenary party in PFO and figured I'd see if anyone else feels the same way. The only way a group can really be fully independent of politics is if nobody's really in charge. You can blame the individuals, but the Mongrelmongers as a whole remain immune.
Questions are welcome.
Alternate names:
Deadly Derelicts/Deathdrifters/Bloodvagrants/any other name that builds off "murderhobo" without actually being "murderhobo".
Goblin Squad Member
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I think it is a good idea, and will work very well in the future when quests and dungeons are in for those who don't have time or inclination to be a member of a regular group. A kind of rally point. Best (I think) would be if they had a gathering point, like a tavern or something. Where you knew you could go every friday four hours after downtime to find other vagrants to head out for adventure and mischeif!
That'd be a great idea. One of those neutral, settlement-independent taverns, you mean?
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Goblin Squad Member
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Yupp! I just know of two, that up in copper hill and one in Thornkeep. Heard rumour of one another in the wilderness somewhere,
But that in Thornkeep is perhaps a good one, as it is neutral ground. Don't know how the Gol's would taket to have independent parties running through their precious hills ;-)
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Goblin Squad Member
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I like the idea. Would mongrelmongers mostly consist of Characters who are not affiliated with any PC Settlement or Company then?
I like how the activity itself that is chosen in the Inn (I love that idea) is not political, but most characters of players will probably be affiliated to a Company or PC settlement, and that would stifle any fun and decisionmaking beforehand.
I can see endless bickering by people showing up in the Inn, but trying to push their agenda in what fun is to be had, because they are tied by the deals of their Company/Settlement. So this seems best for characters that are tied to an NPC settlement.
Or they *could* be affiliated but are ready to burn their ships behind them and take the risk of being expelled. :)
Inns need some serious love (no priority, I know) and gatherings like that would liven up the place. Though as I understand it, Inns will have Guards nearby so that could be a problem. I am not expecting exactly pristine reputations from the Mongrelmongers.
But hopefully Innkeepers get a say in how tight security is around their Inn.
I like the idea. Would mongrelmongers mostly consist of Characters who are not affiliated with any PC Settlement or Company then?
I like how the activity itself that is chosen in the Inn (I love that idea) is not political, but most characters of players will probably be affiliated to a Company or PC settlement, and that would stifle any fun and decisionmaking beforehand.
I can see endless bickering by people showing up in the Inn, but trying to push their agenda in what fun is to be had, because they are tied by the deals of their Company/Settlement. So this seems best for characters that are tied to an NPC settlement.
The group unites in the tavern after getting hired, not before. I don't anticipate "too many offers" being a problem, but that's why there is technically a sort of leader—to settle such disputes. People who don't want to follow the leader can set out in their own group.
That said, this may lead to the party being most popular with unaffiliateds.
Or they *could* be affiliated but are ready to burn their ships behind them and take the risk of being expelled. :)
More-or-less this. I'm building off of one of the question threads I posted ("With Extreme Prejudice"), asking how settlements would react to attacks from members of other settlements. The consensus seemed to be that retaliation would be generally limited to concerted assaults. So I'm sorta counting on most groups just deciding, "Don't hate the mercenary, hate the employer."
Inns need some serious love (no priority, I know) and gatherings like that would liven up the place. Though as I understand it, Inns will have Guards nearby so that could be a problem. I am not expecting exactly pristine reputations from the Mongrelmongers.
Hey, we aren't gonna tank our Reputations unless we have to. Once proper PvP mechanics are enabled, we should have plenty of means to launch attacks without getting nerfed.
But yeah, I hope innkeepers can set that sorta thing, 'cause we can't really count on always being popular. :P
Remember, the Mongrelmongers have no agenda beyond the scope of their current mission. It's more an activity than a group, if you understand me.
