OOC Kingdom of Ashes IV - Who's yo' daddy?

[Archon]

Army of One (Archon)

Knowing Archon and his leap before his mind registers the idea of looking or otherwise thinking before choosing a course of action, hell yes I have a problem with Archon "going north to raise an army".

What is Archon's plan? Who is he going to get in touch with? What kinds of forces is he looking for and planning to hire? What if they're not available? Does he have backup plans? What if it costs more than his initial estimate? There's all kinds of things that need to be thought about here before we undertake this particular task. I understand the value of it; more troops are always a good thing, but let's do this properly. This is a business deal, as I understand it (hiring mercs) and Archon is not someone I'd put in charge of important business negotiations.

Finally, I point to my sig, which should be a guide for this action (at the very least!): A goal is not a plan.

You've got a goal, tell me the plan.

a goal is not a plan you're right JC. And while Archon is basically just saying, "I'm heading north to raise an army," mik has thought about it a bit more.
my plan is to have Archon & Co check out the merc camps after first gathering Intel on each camp; their specialties, their rivals, their past exploits, their ruthlessness, their traditions, etc.
Archon is looking for the strongest, bravest most ruthless warriors. Experience is a must as well as good gear. so mostly experienced hvy Foot soldiers/calvary. but he is also looking for light infantry as fodder/wall sentries.
all in all, Archon is looking for strong blades that won't flee at the first sign of weakness/trouble.
mik aka "General Michols"

 

[The_Universe]

"Common Knowledge"

Who is he going to get in touch with? What kinds of forces is he looking for and planning to hire?

Since there is an inevitable gap between what you know as characters and what you know as players, allow me to provide you with what would be a good share of "common knowledge" that your characters probably know, already.

Most of the mercenaries in the kingdom operate in and around Quarion's wall. There have been precious few internal conflicts since the founding of the Falcon Kigndom some 900 years ago, and as a result, mercenaries have rarely been useful in large numbers in the main part of the kingdom. Without wars for them to fight in, the business of being a mercenary does not exactly fluorish in the South.

There are a few small companies that operate along major trade routes, and merchants have been known to hire mercenary marines to guard important cargos on the seas before the King's navy and the Shiplord Talon wiped out piracy a hundred years ago. Thus, most mercenaries operating in the civilized world are loners, operating in groups only when hired as such. At the end of a contract, any association is more than likely ended, and the lone mercenary seeks further work elsewhere.

If one needs a small number of mercenaries, one could more than likely form a small impromptu company (at most 100-200 men in a city of 100,000) in any number of the larger cities of the realm, probably by found in the seedy bars that "adventurers" like yourselves frequent. That being said, any such company would not be used to working together, and would probably have widely disparate skills, equipment, and capabilites.


In the North, it's an entirely different matter. It is here that larger mercenary companies have found their most consistent employment in the realm. The army of the Watch is powerful, but there are a great many miles of the wall that must be patrolled, and any foray into the realm of the Bluestar himself left the walls unmanned. Thus, mercenaries are often used to achieve the more sensitive missions of the kingdom in the Deathlands.

Here can be found companies of all shapes, sizes, and capabilities. There are mercenary naval units that patrol the long stretches of the deathward along the sea. There are units of heavy cavalry, light infantry, and everything in between. Practically the only unit not found in the North are riflemen, and other steeldrake dependent units. The stringest laws of the kingdom prevent their use even above the walls, although it is whispered that some units to emply steeldrakes when sufficiently far from the wall.

These larger units can be found along the wall itself, generally along either side. The ward acts to prevent anything without a soul from passing in or out of the North, so small cities have grown up on both sides of the wall, as Mercenaries maintain their equipment and supplies for operation both above and below the walls. Since, for example, one cannot pass with a sword and leather armor, living cattle must be driven through the great gates, and there slaughtered to become armor. Iron must be mined, smelted, and refined in the North if it is to be used there. Hence, the cities on both sides of the wall.

Truly wretched hives of scum and villainy, these places are a haven for every vice known to the sentient beings of the Falcon Kingdom, a place where laws are at best a mere suggestion, and the only loyalty that matters is ones loyalty to his company.

When not fulfilling a contract, most large companies will travel further south, usually to spend their earnings while they await contracts. Some remain along the walls in their lawless cities, while others seek temporary havens from the cold and bitter north in cities like Sylvanus, Ceridrawn, and Anakim. Few companies of any size travel further south than Talisinna, Sylvanus, or Aesirin, unless called there by business.

As for who...by their nature, there aren't really any famous mercenary bands, at least not in the circles that you have been travelling in. A couple of names that stick out are Gerritt Jenkins (a man reputed to lead the Band of the Red Banner) and One-eyed Tim (a man reputed to lead the Screaming Blades). Both are reputed for their cunning and survivability. Both have spent some time in Sylvanus, which is why the group might know of them.

 

[Laurel]

posting communing about Jaine's pregnancy and AB's oath to IC thread

 

[The_Universe]

Copy, Paste

Jacked over from the IC thread for OOC discussion: (Thanks to Kat for the initial compilation)

1) Will Jaine or the unborn child die if she gives birth in her current paralyzed condition? "Three are. Two shall live."

2)Is Jaine Rhynn currently pregnant with twins? "Two grow within her womb."

3)Will one or both of the unborn children of Jaine Rhynn and Archonus Arendorr be born with the mark of the Bluestar? "One marred by ancestry's curse"

4)Will Jaine Rhynn die while giving birth to the twins she now carries? "Shadow will fall over Queen"

5)Will one of the unborn children of Jaine Rhynn and Archonus Arendorr die in the process of being born? "Two children shall see Light" (in common colloquialism, this would mean they'll literally see light...the light of ths sun, whatever.

6)Are one or both of the unborn children of Jaine Rhynn and Archonus Arendorr male? "Yes."

7)Are both of the unborn children of Jaine Rhynn and Archonus Arendorr male? "One sister, one brother, born."

8)Will the male unborn child of Jaine Rhynn and Archonus Arendorr bear the mark of the Bluestar? "A son untouched by darkness."

9)Can Archonus Bluestar's oath to the Bluestar be removed by killing him and bringing him back to life? "Deathlord's Oath passes beyond death."

10)Would a marriage between Archonus Bluestar and Jaine Rhynn put Jaine Rhynn's line under the influence of the Bluestar? "King's line under Northern Shadow."

11)Does Archonus Bluestar's oath to the Bluestar pass on to his children? "Yes."

12)Would Archonus Bluestar's oath to the Bluestar pass on to the twins Jaine Rhynn carries if Archonus Bluestar and Jaine Rhynn were married? "Oath is bound by blood."

13)Are the children of Archonus Arendorr subject to Archonus Bluestar's oath to the Bluestar? "Twin's unsullied by Time's bargain."

14)Will Jaine Rhynn die in the process of birthing the twins she now carries? "Stilled Queen shall briefly reign."

15)If Jaine Rhynn were not paralyzed at the time of the birthing of her unborn twin children, would all three survive? "Two must live, three may."

 

[AIM-54]

a goal is not a plan you're right JC. And while Archon is basically just saying, "I'm heading north to raise an army," mik has thought about it a bit more.
my plan is to have Archon & Co check out the merc camps after first gathering Intel on each camp; their specialties, their rivals, their past exploits, their ruthlessness, their traditions, etc.
Archon is looking for the strongest, bravest most ruthless warriors. Experience is a must as well as good gear. so mostly experienced hvy Foot soldiers/calvary. but he is also looking for light infantry as fodder/wall sentries.
all in all, Archon is looking for strong blades that won't flee at the first sign of weakness/trouble.
mik aka "General Michols"

Okay, this sounds like you're going to go up and cherry pick from the mercenary companies. This is a good plan if you're intending to get killed. As I understand from Kennon's post, the mercs in the north operate in companies, not loners as in the south. This means they've operated together, probably for some time, and therefore commanders are not going to appreciate you stealing away their finest/most experienced troops. Indeed, knowing mercs, they'd kill you. Fast. And maybe a few who were going to go with you, just to set an example.

If you are going to get mercs from the north, you're going to have to hire whole companies (by which I mean coherent groups, not a specific number of troops). You are first going to need to understand their current contracts. Mercs are first and foremost businessman. It's bad business to simply hop out on a contract. And they're not going to bank on your assurances that Tain is going to be defeated. Again, that's not good business, unless you can hire them for the duration of the rebellion and pay them well. Mercs ain't going to leave a steady, reliable paycheck for the unknown, unless it's really worth their while. That's just the way it is.

Before we go up looking for mercs, we need to understand what this entails. And clearly it's more than either Archon or Mik have considered. It may be an unsuccessful venture. We may need more funds than Mik has available. These are the realities. I may be way off here, I'm not totally up on how Kennon runs mercs, but I have too many games based off the mercenary paradigm not to know a thing or two about the basics.

And Mik, you're going to have to show a better grasp of these things if you want to call yourself "general" without me laughing at you hysterically.

 

[Archon]

Bad Press For The Masked King

I feel that Archonus has not been getting his props.
Lately nothing but the negative has been reinforced when talking about Archon. Whenever he is mentioned, "what a jerk", "what a fool", or "what a retard" usually follow. And while it really hasn't bugged me because it's just game and he's just a character, it's starting to get to me because he's my character. It just seems like everyone thinks of him as a terd whose only use is keeping him in a box until a HP sponge is needed. It just seems like things have gotten exagerated. Whenever the subject comes up, "Archon might be king", people laugh and "say my god, i hope not, he sucks."
The fact is he might not be the best choice but he certainly is not the worst as you would make him out to be. for starters, he is good. a genuinely good person who puts other peoples needs first. second of all he's legitimate. so even if Jaine doesn't marry Archon, if she dies he becomes king anyway. Third of all, he's already a noble. Born and raised in the courts of Sylvanus, Archon knows a thing or too about ruling. He also has a formal education as well as an awesome selection of advisors he'd like to think of as close friends. Fourth of all, as a former Justice, Archon has a firm grasp of the kingdoms laws and how to go about adjucating such laws. Fifth of all Archon is hard to kill. Assassins are going to have a hell of a time trying to kill a guy who can hide just about anywhere, who can change his appearance at will, who can defend himself even with out the assistance of weapons and most importantly is almost completely resistant to magic.
What i'm trying to get at guys is that Archon has made some poor choices, yes, but he's still a good person with strengths and weaknesses. Human just like everyone else. i just feel, like Liz felt with Justice and Gertie feels with Xath, that you guys are basing your view on Archon on just a couple of events. Of course i guess it could just be poor roleplaying on my part, but i don't think so. i feel i've stayed true to the character despite certain compromises. But if it is poor roleplaying let me know.
Anyway, i'm not mad or anything, i just feel a little bent about the whole thing.
your buddy,
mik

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

I feel that Archonus has not been getting his props.
Lately nothing but the negative has been reinforced when talking about Archon. Whenever he is mentioned, "what a jerk", "what a fool", or "what a retard" usually follow. And while it really hasn't bugged me because it's just game and he's just a character, it's starting to get to me because he's my character. It just seems like everyone thinks of him as a terd whose only use is keeping him in a box until a HP sponge is needed. It just seems like things have gotten exagerated. Whenever the subject comes up, "Archon might be king", people laugh and "say my god, i hope not, he sucks."
The fact is he might not be the best choice but he certainly is not the worst as you would make him out to be. for starters, he is good. a genuinely good person who puts other peoples needs first. second of all he's legitimate. so even if Jaine doesn't marry Archon, if she dies he becomes king anyway. Third of all, he's already a noble. Born and raised in the courts of Sylvanus, Archon knows a thing or too about ruling. He also has a formal education as well as an awesome selection of advisors he'd like to think of as close friends. Fourth of all, as a former Justice, Archon has a firm grasp of the kingdoms laws and how to go about adjucating such laws. Fifth of all Archon is hard to kill. Assassins are going to have a hell of a time trying to kill a guy who can hide just about anywhere, who can change his appearance at will, who can defend himself even with out the assistance of weapons and most importantly is almost completely resistant to magic.
What i'm trying to get at guys is that Archon has made some poor choices, yes, but he's still a good person with strengths and weaknesses. Human just like everyone else. i just feel, like Liz felt with Justice and Gertie feels with Xath, that you guys are basing your view on Archon on just a couple of events. Of course i guess it could just be poor roleplaying on my part, but i don't think so. i feel i've stayed true to the character despite certain compromises. But if it is poor roleplaying let me know.
Anyway, i'm not mad or anything, i just feel a little bent about the whole thing.
your buddy,
mik

I know how all this feels-- all too well.

The things that you do in game that get the most attention always seem to be the things that suck. Little attention seems to be paid to the really good things that characters do.

I know what it feels like to have your character characterized in a fashion that is contrary to the way you see them--hell, I still can't live down the evil ninja thing and that was over a year ago out of game... and, I'm doing the same thing to do that I was upset about mere weeks ago... so, I apologize.

Liz may laugh and call Archonus a jerk... but, generally, it is because we are talking about the Jaine situation... and, on that front, the title is true.
However, she completely supports him as king if indeed that is what happens.

 

[Queen_Dopplepopolis]

RE: Communing...

It would seem that our queen is pregnant with twins and that she will die during birth. This is, by no means, an absolute. But, based on the questions we asked and the answers we recieved, it seems pretty solid.

The twins will be a boy and a girl. The girl will carry the mark of the Bluestar.

So, the ladies will go speak with Jaine to see what she wants to do about the situation... Once again, I make an assumption: Jaine will choose to have her children live and her to die--rather than chancing the death of each of her children in the transfer birth stuff...

And so, we need to see if she would be willing to come back to life... with Xath at her side, she should be able to bring her back in mere seconds of death... or we need to find some way to magically super-boost her fort. saves to ensure she lives through the birthing process... or find a way to cure her before she has the children...

Gertie/Xath-- Bardic Knowledge to determine who would have such vast healing knowledge? If it could be found anywhere?

 

[The_Universe]

A pep talk, but also a cautionary note...

I feel that Archonus has not been getting his props.
Lately nothing but the negative has been reinforced when talking about Archon. Whenever he is mentioned, "what a jerk", "what a fool", or "what a retard" usually follow. And while it really hasn't bugged me because it's just game and he's just a character, it's starting to get to me because he's my character.

That's fair, and to a degree it shouldn't be happening. So, I'll begin by saying what I, as a relatively objective participant in the game, think is great about Archonus.

Archonus can be noble, and merciful (the wounded goblin...). He can be scrupled, careful, and cautious (The initial invasion of Oceanus, early negotiations with the leaders). Archonus is brave, and certainly not above self-sacrifice for what he believes is RIGHT (take the pain, "I'll go first," etc.). Archonus is strong, tough, and capable of using his former position with the kingdom to everyone's benefit (the occaisonal use of his Talon status for diplomacy/intimidation), and has the capability of exercising restraint when he feels it proper (not killing Cawys just because you don't like him). He has been fiercely loyal, and even when acting brashly followed a path that seemed to be perfect (swearing fealty to the Queen early on, thus far being the only one to have done so). When presented with a shade of a lost love (Dara), he chose not to delude her, but instead helped save the lives and souls of many of the mages now in your service (Tower of the Red). Those are the things that make Archonus a hero, and those are the things that I, Kennon, love in any character. They are, for the most part, the things the whole group shares, but they were the specific traits that really made Archon stand out. That, and the brooding.

Now, just for the sake of argument, let's examine how Archon has been lately, say, since you left Oceanus the first time. Noble? Merciful? Scrupled? Cautious? Yes, we can give him cautious as long as we limit it to combat situations. Bravery? Can't argue that. Self Sacrifice is also a given, so long as we limit to combat. Get into his personal life, and suddenly the idea that he might not get what he wants can only be answered by murder. Strong? Sure. Tough? Definitely. Restrained? Barely, and even then only sporadically. Using the Talon? Not really. You've been treading the merry edge of breaking it for a while, now, as Archon flies off into his uncharacteristic rages. Loyal? Sort of. No need to go into the specifics, but Archon's been loyal in name to the circle, and to Jaine, but has enumerated several times his willingness to "break the oath(s)" thus parading disloyalty around as if it were a desirable quality. Lastly, the shining moment of diplomacy that Archon once reached to win the Tower of the Red has been long forgotten, and never returned to. He hasn't even put in the effort.

It just seems like everyone thinks of him as a terd whose only use is keeping him in a box until a HP sponge is needed. It just seems like things have gotten exagerated. Whenever the subject comes up, "Archon might be king", people laugh and say "my god, i hope not, he sucks."

I agree that Archon shouldn't be put in a box, if you contrast the Archon I talked about when I listed all the things that make him a great, three dimensional character have not really been put on display for the past few months of game. The Archon that left Thanesport could have been a great King. Even the Archon that helped refugees from Oceanus. But the Archon of the moment? He is - at least sort of - a jerk, and a dangerous man to put on the throne. Sure, Archon's not perfect. No character has to be. But he's falling a bit short of his name, at least, and WAY short of the way he's been best played.

The fact is he might not be the best choice but he certainly is not the worst as you would make him out to be. for starters, he is good. a genuinely good person who puts other peoples needs first. second of all he's legitimate. so even if Jaine doesn't marry Archon, if she dies he becomes king anyway. Third of all, he's already a noble. Born and raised in the courts of Sylvanus, Archon knows a thing or too about ruling. He also has a formal education as well as an awesome selection of advisors he'd like to think of as close friends. Fourth of all, as a former Justice, Archon has a firm grasp of the kingdoms laws and how to go about adjucating such laws. Fifth of all Archon is hard to kill. Assassins are going to have a hell of a time trying to kill a guy who can hide just about anywhere, who can change his appearance at will, who can defend himself even with out the assistance of weapons and most importantly is almost completely resistant to magic.

You'll get no argument that Archon has the pedigree and the experience to be a decent ruler. But is he using any of it? I don't think anyone has seen much of it since Oceanus fell. His mercy has been forgotten, his nobility lost in furious death threats and the persecution of important allies. All of that can be gotten back, but not by a sullen Archon who consistently lashes out at those around him.

What i'm trying to get at guys is that Archon has made some poor choices, yes, but he's still a good person with strengths and weaknesses. Human just like everyone else. i just feel, like Liz felt with Justice and Gertie feels with Xath, that you guys are basing your view on Archon on just a couple of events. Of course i guess it could just be poor roleplaying on my part, but i don't think so. i feel i've stayed true to the character despite certain compromises. But if it is poor roleplaying let me know.
Anyway, i'm not mad or anything, i just feel a little bent about the whole thing.
your buddy,
mik

None of this is to say it's poor role playing, but you have to see how it might strain the bonds of credulity to say it's the same character. There's a big difference between dark and mysterious, and sullen and broody. Somewhere, that line was crossed. Can you get back on the other side? I've certainly tried to offer chances for the limited redemption Archonus needs...but I can only fish for so long if nothing bites. I'm willing to compromise for fun's sake. Can Archon compromise for the story's?

 

[The_Universe]

Okay, this sounds like you're going to go up and cherry pick from the mercenary companies. This is a good plan if you're intending to get killed. As I understand from Kennon's post, the mercs in the north operate in companies, not loners as in the south. This means they've operated together, probably for some time, and therefore commanders are not going to appreciate you stealing away their finest/most experienced troops. Indeed, knowing mercs, they'd kill you. Fast. And maybe a few who were going to go with you, just to set an example.

If you are going to get mercs from the north, you're going to have to hire whole companies (by which I mean coherent groups, not a specific number of troops). You are first going to need to understand their current contracts. Mercs are first and foremost businessman. It's bad business to simply hop out on a contract. And they're not going to bank on your assurances that Tain is going to be defeated. Again, that's not good business, unless you can hire them for the duration of the rebellion and pay them well. Mercs ain't going to leave a steady, reliable paycheck for the unknown, unless it's really worth their while. That's just the way it is.

Before we go up looking for mercs, we need to understand what this entails. And clearly it's more than either Archon or Mik have considered. It may be an unsuccessful venture. We may need more funds than Mik has available. These are the realities. I may be way off here, I'm not totally up on how Kennon runs mercs, but I have too many games based off the mercenary paradigm not to know a thing or two about the basics.

And Mik, you're going to have to show a better grasp of these things if you want to call yourself "general" without me laughing at you hysterically.

Lots of good comments that I don't have time to answer right now. Do we want to flesh out "what you know" about Mercs on this thread, start another, or do it over e-mail?

Mik and JC - just let me know, and I will happily oblige. Preliminarily, I will say that JC is mostly right in his characterization of how mercenaries operate, but that Mik should still be able to get much (and perhaps all) of what he wants...if he plays his cards right.

Let me know where to detail this!