Only War Introduction (Pre-Game Topic)

[BadgersinHills]

Hi everyone, sorry been a bit late as I was busy with work. I'd like to play a Ratling but if that would be too many specialists I'm fine with being a regular Guardsman. 

[Mazer Rackham]

1 minute ago, BadgersinHills said:

Hi everyone, sorry been a bit late as I was busy with work. I'd like to play a Ratling but if that would be too many specialists I'm fine with being a regular Guardsman. 

 

*Checks ebay*

 

*Doesn't see his hellgun*

 

I approve of this post.

[Mojake]

In what I hope will be a not-too-controversial decision, in order to break a potential deadlock on specialties, I'll give first preference/priority to the other GMs of the Nook in recognition of the great work they put in.

[Machine God]

3 minutes ago, Mojake said:

In what I hope will be a not-too-controversial decision, in order to break a potential deadlock on specialties, I'll give first preference/priority to the other GMs of the Nook in recognition of the great work they put in.

 

So that's

 

@Mazer Rackham Storm Trooper

@Trokair Ogryn 

@Lysimachus Weapon Specialist 

or whatever else he decides to be 

 

 

 

[Lysimachus]

I'm happy being a regular grunt, so I'll give my GM spot to Badgers for his Ratling (I think he mentioned it pretty early on)

 

Also, @Necronaut is one of our GMs, he started the BC game that led to Blackest Heart!

 

 

 

Bit of a side point, but if I'm the only Weapon Specialist, am I the only one who can take the Favoured Basic gun?

 

The reason I'm asking is, I don't think my guy is going to work as a dedicated sniper (certainly not as well as our Ratling, maybe if the game continues long enough I'd take the Sharpshooter upgrade, but until then...?)

 

So I am considering whether for now I'd be better off with one of the other Basic guns - either Bolter, Plasma, or even go all in and go for a Melta? Anyone got any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

[Mojake]

4 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Bit of a side point, but if I'm the only Weapon Specialist, am I the only one who can take the Favoured Basic gun?

 

It's the only one that starts with favoured basic. Anybody else in the squad can request it and gets a +10 bonus to Logistics since it's favoured. Starting kit is determined by your Regiment Type + Specialty + anything extra you buy for your Standard Issue Equipment.

 

9 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

The reason I'm asking is, I don't think my guy is going to work as a dedicated sniper (certainly not as well as our Ratling, maybe if the game continues long enough I'd take the Sharpshooter upgrade, but until then...?)

 

The WS actually gets a BaS bonus which Ratling doesn't get. Trade-off is they start with Deadeye Shot and a good marksman rifle. So I don't think there's enough in it really to categorically state the abhuman is the better option.

[A.T.]

23 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

So I am considering whether for now I'd be better off with one of the other Basic guns - either Bolter, Plasma, or even go all in and go for a Melta? Anyone got any thoughts?

 

If we don't have a heavy weapon guy then we'll need something anti-tank.

 

I'm currently looking at picking up an 'empty squad slot' though so if you have a preference i'll put together a specialist(or operator) with the opposite set up

[Machine God]

1 hour ago, Machine God said:

 

So that's

 

@Mazer Rackham Storm Trooper

@Trokair Ogryn 

@Lysimachus Weapon Specialist 

@Necronaut Commissar 

 

 

Updated due to Lysimachus' reminder of Necronaut being a GM, where I had a Sorcerer. 

 

 

 

[Mojake]

13 minutes ago, Machine God said:

Updated due to Lysimachus' reminder of Necronaut being a GM, where I had a Sorcerer. 

 

 

If you and @BadgersinHills can agree between yourselves on the final support slot then I think we're pretty well set.

 

r.e. Regimental Doctrines I think the options presented by @Lysimachus are the only ones that have been put forward so far, but we'll give it a few more days. I really enjoyed reading the fluff justifications for the choices you were all passing around.

[Necronaut]

5 hours ago, Mojake said:

Hiding an 'acquired' Chimera from the Departmento might be difficult 

 

"What, this old thing? This isn't a chimera, no it's a mobile refrigeration unit! See?" 

 

*Opens cooler lid next to weapon racks*

 

"Keeps the lagers nice and cool for the CO on the move. And on a hot day like this...?" 

 

@Mojake I'm happy to roll up a sergeant instead of a commissar if that makes everything copacetic (though I will miss my magnificent hat).

Edited 23 hours ago by Necronaut

[Mazer Rackham]

3 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

 

"What, this old thing? This isn't a chimera, no it's a mobile refrigeration unit! See?" 

 

*Opens cooler lid next to weapon racks*

 

"Keeps the lagers nice and cool for the CO on the move. And on a hot day like this...?" 

 

That's Space Texas.

 

We're in Space Yoorkshire.

 

'That'n theeyr? Ah, that'n be me tractor, lad. Din't thee never seen yon con-trap-shun afeere, youth?'

 

Edited 22 hours ago by Mazer Rackham

[Trokair]

I may be misunderstanding, but looking at page 75 of the OW core book the Weapon Specialist is under the Guardsmen category and not the support specialist category that the likes of Commissar, Ogryn and so on are.

 

1 hour ago, Lysimachus said:

So I am considering whether for now I'd be better off with one of the other Basic guns - either Bolter, Plasma, or even go all in and go for a Melta? Anyone got any thoughts?

 

Melta would fit with the sappers subtheme I think. 

[Lysimachus]

So, does that mean we are currently at:

 

Grunts:

Necro - Sgt (I think this sounds like a good call, very useful )

Lysimachus - Weapon Specialist (maybe a Melta gunner* if we are happy with that for Favoured Basic? As AT said, we could do with some anti-tank)

AT - ???

Ikka - ???

 

Support:

Mazer - Stormie

Tro - Ogryn

Badgers - Ratling

MG - (2nd Ogryn, was it?)

 

 

 

 

*I do still like the idea of a Sharpshooter, but I think I'd be ok waiting for that. There are a few other bits he wouldn't get that the Ratling does; Stealth, Camo cloak, Weedy makes harder to hit at range - all stuff useful for a scout/sniper?

 

[Mojake]

8 minutes ago, Trokair said:

I may be misunderstanding, but looking at page 75 of the OW core book the Weapon Specialist is under the Guardsmen category and not the support specialist category that the likes of Commissar, Ogryn and so on are.

 

That's all correct.

 

2 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Grunts:

Necro - Sgt (I think this sounds like a good call, very useful )

Lysimachus - Weapon Specialist (maybe a Melta gunner* if we are happy with that for Favoured Basic? As AT said, we could do with some anti-tank)

AT - ???

Ikka - ???

 

Support:

Mazer - Stormie

Tro - Ogryn

Badgers - Ratling

MG - (2nd Ogryn, was it?)

 

I believe so, if @Necronaut does decide to change.

[Lysimachus]

16 minutes ago, Necronaut said:

(though I will miss my magnificent hat)

 

 

It could fit with our Distrust of Authority that your guy has a Commissar's hat. It's not actually his, but... 

 

 

[Mazer Rackham]

8 minutes ago, Lysimachus said:

Necro - Sgt (I think this sounds like a good call, very useful )

 

Oh-ho, ho-ooohohoho-ho! Long have I awaited this day! Many has been the hour and peasant thrown onto the fire in supplication! The oaths sworn! The graves dug!

 

My tongue is sweet and burning with the taste of it! YES!

 

 

[Machine God]

24 minutes ago, Trokair said:

I may be misunderstanding, but looking at page 75 of the OW core book the Weapon Specialist is under the Guardsmen category and not the support specialist category that the likes of Commissar, Ogryn and so on are.

 

 

@Trokair - Yes, you are correct. A Weapon Specialist is a normal Guardsman archetype. 

The confusion comes from calling the other's Support Specialists when they are actually Auxiliary Support! 

 

 

 

 

[Machine God]

@Necronaut - Maks: "Sir! You don't need a Commissar Hat, when you are wearing a Gunnery Sergeant Major's Hat! Sir!" 

[Machine God]

1 hour ago, Lysimachus said:

So, does that mean we are currently at:

 

Grunts:

Necro - Sgt (I think this sounds like a good call, very useful )

Lysimachus - Weapon Specialist (maybe a Melta gunner* if we are happy with that for Favoured Basic? As AT said, we could do with some anti-tank)

AT - ???

Ikka - ???

 

Support:

Mazer - Stormie

Tro - Ogryn

Badgers - Ratling

MG - (2nd Ogryn, was it?)

 

 

 

 

*I do still like the idea of a Sharpshooter, but I think I'd be ok waiting for that. There are a few other bits he wouldn't get that the Ratling does; Stealth, Camo cloak, Weedy makes harder to hit at range - all stuff useful for a scout/sniper?

 

 

There are Training Doctrines that give chamolene cloaks. 

 

 

 

[Machine God]

Support:

Mazer - Stormie

Tro - Ogryn

Badgers - Ratling

MG - (2nd Ogryn, was it?) Yes. Called Maks. 

[Mazer Rackham]

Some random nonsense thrown together. Feel free to scribble it out, flush it, etc.

 

The 33rd Miradoran Ranger Regiment

 

World: Mirador III

Capitol: Ladanta.

Founded: 303.762M.40

Class: Mu, (μ-class) Frontier (Originally Feral, re-classified after Compliance).

Topography: Highly diverse, featuring rugged mountains, active volcanoes, fertile valleys, and extensive lowlands, creating dramatic contrasts. Tropical lowlands, cooler highlands retreating from the equatorial band, and low temperatures approaching the central highland peaks.

Tithe Aestimare: C600, mainly agricultural, but production value low, as population sparse.

Produce:  Maize, Vari-beans, Tomato, Vanilla. Also comestible called Xzhocolatal, a mild stimulant and sweet alternative to recaf beans or leaves.

 

EDIT: Couple of 'author' suggestions.

 

Expanding on this to provide the homeworld full background can be done, but I'd strongly suggest against giant dinosaurs and beasts of that nature. Rule of cool is great and everything, but consistency is where worldbuilding works. Dinosaurs work on Cretacia, because it's Cretecia. Mirador III is not that world. You can have dangerous fauna, even some types of megafauna, but it must be sparse, possibly nomadic grazing beasts, and a few larger predators that stalk in the places humans need to go. The reason for this, is if you have dinosaurs everywhere, it becomes a Death World.

 

Another problem with dinosaurs roaming beneath the breathable zone is that the populace will die. That's it. It's not sustainable. Most of the information/background above is 'liberated' from the topography of Guatemala, and the Mesoamerican civilisations. Mayan, in particular. El Mirador means 'lookout point' or 'watchtower' so I thought that worked very well for our Frontier World/System.

 

The way the Mayans developed agri-produce was to go delving into natural river basins which formed swamps. The soil collected minerals and nutrients and was used to fertilise the terrace gardens on the hills and mountains. This could be part of our danger zone for fauna, preying on the farming populace, and also rival habitats/towns doing the same thing.

 

Large areas of Pampas could bring lots of animal diversity and land caravans, similar to those found on Necromunda - goods must trade, and so the veldt also becomes dangerous trying to cross it with great herds of pseudo-diplodocuses migrating and being chased by sabre-toothed cannibal giraffes. There would likely be nomadic mobs and pirates too. So a bit wild-western there.

 

Depends on how far you want to go into the homeland. Different terrains will allow for the different characters of the peoples, and dialect variables.

 

Might be worth mapping out the Mirador System with a broad brush. I suggest a single Main-Phase Blue-White, which would put Mirador III in a very sharp-edged Goldilocks zone, with at least one lunar body to complete tidal shift and thereby planetary heating around the core. Also need to look at gravity. Further abroad, need to get ideas on what the sector looks like - and in what Segmentum we're bedding down.

 

 

Edited 14 hours ago by Mazer Rackham

[BadgersinHills]

@Mazer Rackham You had me at "sabre-toothed cannibal giraffes"!

 

For our homeworld, are Ratlings and Ogryns native to it or do we hail from elsewhere? 

[Machine God]

Nice bit of world building @Mazer Rackham

It's good for character background and can be inserted into conversation. Because we have to remember that it is the Imperial Guard, we're from Planet M fighting on Planet R.

The campaign could be set on a Jungle World. 

 

 

 

[Mojake]

12 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

Some random nonsense thrown together. Feel free to scribble it out, flush it, etc.

 

So we have one suggestion for home world lore, and one suggestion still for the regiment rules.

 

Spoiler

Home World:
Frontier (4)
+3 to any 2 of: Ag, Per, BaS
Skills: Awareness, Low Gothic, Navigation(Surface), Survival
Combat Sense or Quick Draw
Independent Operation
Distrustful of Authority

Commanding Officer
Phlegmatic (1)
Common Lore(Imperial Guard, War)

Training:
Line Infantry (2)
+3Str, -3Int,
Athletics,
Rapid Reload,
M36 Lasgun, 4 Charge Packs, Flak Armour, 2 Frags, 2 Kraks

Doctrines:
Die Hards (3)
Starting Aptitude - Toughness
(Toughness just feels appropriate, and if your planned Character Archetype gains the same Aptitude from multiple sources, you are allowed pick an alternative Characteristic-named Aptitude instead, so no-one misses out)

Hardened Fighters (2)
+2WS,
Street Fighting,
Swap standard melee weapon for Common (or lower rarity) Low Tech weapon, or apply Mono to standard melee weapon
(MG's pick, but I think it fits well for a bunch of rowdy mountain men!)

Sappers (3)
+2Int,
Security, Tech-Use, Trade(Technomat),
Technical Knock,
Lascutter
Improved rolls against structures
(I included Sappers just because I thought it gave us more useful Skills, ones that would be fitting for people from mountainous terrain and are used to working independently? Tech-Use for all is especially helpful, especially if you don't have an Enginseer around!)

Drawbacks:
Iconoclasts (-3)
Issues with Ecclesiarchy.
(As Mazer said, this feels appropriate for pragmatically minded frontiersmen. Not that they don't believe in the Emperor, but just don't have much time for gold-encrusted templums and fat, lazy priests?)

Total: 12

A solid, no-nonsense Regiment of rugged, independent frontiersmen, skilled, practically minded, and well-equipped, able to take on any task.

 

Floor is still open for suggestions on either.

Edited 4 hours ago by Mojake

[Mazer Rackham]

5 hours ago, BadgersinHills said:

@Mazer Rackham You had me at "sabre-toothed cannibal giraffes"!

 

Other strange creatures are available.  

 

5 hours ago, BadgersinHills said:

For our homeworld, are Ratlings and Ogryns native to it or do we hail from elsewhere? 

 

I don't know, TBH. Do they? Where would they live, do you think? Ogryns are generally high-gravity worlds, so if we take the doctrine which gives us all 3 Strength, you could say yes it is training, but also it is because Mirador is a slightly bigger world than Earth, so has a bigger gravity pull. This could mean that perhaps there were at some point feral Ogryns living in groups. As for Ratlings, I know less about them.

 

This is all just stuff Blackjack is reading en-route to the planet, of course.  He's from Antares IV, which is kind of like Space Swindon, so I have a whole other world to bake...