Wing and Sword: a d20 Modern military campaign [METAGAME]

[The Shaman]

I figured as much, but this is how Pyotr would have taken it...

Works for me.

Sorry I didn't update - bit of a hectic day today. I'll be back in the groove on Wednesday. (Meanwhile, the mob gathers...)

 

[The Shaman]

Arrgh!

Sorry again - I couldn't keep my eyes open last night, which did nothing for my writer's block. Please excuse the excessive exposition - there really is a purpose behind the dialog your characters are overhearing beyond background.

I've updated the NPC Roster so you can keep track of who's who as names get tossed about.

In other news...

I received an e-mail the other day from a player who's interested in joining our game. He's a long-time gamer with d20 (though not Modern) experience and interested in the Algerian war - in fact, he said he came across the game while searching for something on Col. Bigeard!

With знаток's real-life commitments precluding his regular participation, I've been considering recruiting another player. I'm partial to the dynamic of four players, and I find that it's easier to plan encounters around a party of four. However, I don't want to add anyone to the game without bringing it up for discussion first.

We've been moving along at a good clip, and any new player would need to understand that we post pretty much five or six times a week (at least) - I also want to maintain the narrative quality of the posts. I broached the subject to shibata, the prospective "recruit," and he's indicated that he's able to keep up with our pace and style.

BTW, Vidal will continue to be a presence in the section, in the event that знаток has an opportunity to return in the future - this is not removing one character for another, but simply expanding the roster by one.

I'd like to hear comments and particularly any concerns from everyone here - should we consider adding another player?

 

[shadowbloodmoon]

I for one wouldn't mind another cannon fodder ad... I mean another legionnaire added to our group. If he's really interested and has a knowledge of the era, that's even better. Of course with the already spoken caveat that he can keep up with our fast paced posting

 

[Bobitron]

Sounds great to me, Mike.

 

[Barak]

Yikes. Sorry about this. Somehow, without our esteemed DM's reminder, I had forgotten that this thread was here. Well, no more, no more I say!

Err. Yeah. As for the question at hand, I have no problem with it whatsoever. Even more than a "regular" fantasy D&D game, a new player is welcome, since no matter the number of players, there is -still- going to be a bunch of friendly NPCs aropund anyway, as the Légion wouldn't send 3 guys and consider that a "unit", I would think. SO with the already mentioned question of pacing (which I have to say I love how it picked up in the recent past!), I'm all for it.

Edit: Man, I missed some good stuff going on by forgetting about this thread. Thankfully, it seemed as if I didn't miss anything of dire importance.

And yes, I felt bad when I missed grabbing that lil girl, and yes, I -did- think about shooting up the farmer and his sons before speaking up. Thankfully, that had just been a fleeting thought. I -do- have -some- military-like training, so it gives me a good base to work on as for Normand's words and actions. Although, to be honest, if I had gone strictly by that, Normand would have shut down that dude in that last post completely, and -never- answered what, to him, is a civilian's questions, especially without any clue from his superior. But then again, Normand is Normand, and doesn't always do the smart/right thing.

 

[The Shaman]

I -do- have -some- military-like training, so it gives me a good base to work on as for Normand's words and actions. Although, to be honest, if I had gone strictly by that, Normand would have shut down that dude in that last post completely, and -never- answered what, to him, is a civilian's questions, especially without any clue from his superior. But then again, Normand is Normand, and doesn't always do the smart/right thing.

It seemed perfectly in character to me - and remember, you can always tack on a Sense Motive check to see if you can gain a bit more insight.

I'll e-mail shibata and ask him to introduce himself in this thread - we'll work his character in with the next engagement, Hearts and Minds. Thanks, everyone.

 

[Barak]

Well, I do have a good idea that the guy is genuine, and all that. Which, by my reckoning, is all a sense motive would have told me. My point is more that in that situation, a simple soldier wouldn't have answered the questions of a law enforcement officer, period, but would simply have directed him to his superior. It's all good though, and I wouldn't change my post anyway. Normand is Normand, and will probbaly gather some reprimands eventually.

 

[The Shaman]

My point is more that in that situation, a simple soldier wouldn't have answered the questions of a law enforcement officer, period, but would simply have directed him to his superior.

Time for a DC 11 Knowledge (military science) check...[sblock]The area of Algeria in which your characters are operating is under military administration, a condition which existed since the 19th century, and with the civil emergency laws in effect a soldier in Algeria is for all intents and purposes a policeman - while yes, it would be likely that a soldier would refer the questions to his superior, it's not entirely unreasonable for the characters to see themselves as peacekeepers in this circumstance.

And since this is the METAGAME thread after all, investigation IS a part of your adventures! [/sblock]Now this one I'll actually make you roll for - DC 15 Knowledge (mil sci)...[sblock]The UT is a paid home guard force - the members receive the same monthly salary as a soldat and are issued weapons that they keep in their homes.[/sblock]

 

[Barak]

Yeah, but..

[sblock]
While that, in my mind, means that a member of that law inforcement force -would- be answerable to the military, the reverse wouldn't be true. No?
[/sblock]

 

[The Shaman]

Yeah, but..[sblock]While that, in my mind, means that a member of that law inforcement force -would- be answerable to the military, the reverse wouldn't be true. No?
[/sblock]

[sblock]The gendarmerie nationale is a branch of the French military - it is administered by the Minister of Defence but its mission is coordinated by the Minister of the Interior.

As to whether a GN captain can pull rank on an Army lieutenant, I honestly don't have a clue - I'm treating the relationship in the game as a "marriage of convenience" and who takes authority where is a bit fluid, based more on personalities and circumstances than on a rigid chain of command.[/sblock]On a more general note, many in the French army, particularly among the Legion officers, developed close ties to the pieds-noir - some where born in Algeria, some married into pieds-noirs families, and most felt a close bond with French Algeria as the ancestral home of the Legion. The affinity between the military and the colons shaped much of French policy toward Algeria for many years...