Sandheart Militia Occupational Skill

[smiorgan]

I'm running a game in Sun County and the players play "irregular" members of the Sandheart Militia. When Sacred Time comes they will have to make their income rolls. What kind of skills should I test?

Given their "irregular" nature, the characters come from different backgrounds, and some are likely only temporarily employed by the militia: for instance we have a Yelornan priestess-in-training sent by her Big Rubble temple to gain military experience abroad and a Lunar noblewoman, the restless daughter of Duke Raus - Yes, unknown to most Jezra has an older sister.

- Should I focus on their salary/ bounties/ prizes as militia irregulars or on therir income back home, or roll for both?  I'd say rolling for both is more fun provided that I can have the Yelornan travel back to Pavis etc.

- Which skill should I test for the militiaman income? The "Warrior" skill "Battle" does not seem appropriate. But there is no "police officer" profession in RQ. I'm tempted to say that the default is "Insight" - as an investigator's skill (they are currently collecting red herrings and chasing wild geese down South in Black Rock), but the player can make a case for another skill, such as Track, for instance. I'd give some leeway.

 

 

 

 

[metcalph]

6 minutes ago, smiorgan said:

- Which skill should I test for the militiaman income? 

Loyalty (to commanding officer).

[smiorgan]

4 minutes ago, metcalph said:

Loyalty (to commanding officer).

They're all devoted to Vega Goldbreath (some fanatically and embarassingly so) and very loyal to commander Allabeer. So, that would be a walk in the park.

Edited December 19, 2023 by smiorgan

[Nick Brooke]

The Sandheart Militia are unlike other Sun County militia formations because they aren't part-timers (farmers serving one season per year). Read Tales of the Sun County Militia to understand the Goldbreath family's experiment. As the Sandheart Specials are a bunch of specialists, why not let each of them suggest their main professional skill? The impala-riding scout was hired because he can Track, the Lhankor Mhy forensic tech is there because of his Human Lore, and so on. They don't each derive their income from the same skill, so why would you write the rules as if they did?

[Scotty]

Building on what @Nick Brooke said, RQG 64 says of occupations: The gamemaster and players are encouraged to modify these occupations to fit their purposes. You could build a Sandheart Specials occupation (based on warrior) and give it a list of relevant occupational income skills (RQG 423), keeping the base income and notes the same.

[smiorgan]

25 minutes ago, Nick Brooke said:

The Sandheart Militia are unlike other Sun County militia formations because they aren't part-timers (farmers serving one season per year). Read Tales of the Sun County Militia to understand the Goldbreath family's experiment. As the Sandheart Specials are a bunch of specialists, why not let each of them suggest their main professional skill? The impala-riding scout was hired because he can Track, the Lhankor Mhy forensic tech is there because of his Human Lore, and so on. They don't each derive their income from the same skill, so why would you write the rules as if they did?

@Nick Brooke @Scotty Thank you both for the very good advice! 

 

[Nick Brooke]

I would treat this case by case (adventurer by adventurer), rather than writing a generic "Sandheart Militia" occupation profile that includes all manner of diverse specialisms. But that's just me. 

[svensson]

Something else to consider...

There are various ways adventurers and/or mercenaries [as if there's a difference] apportion the plunder from a trove. IIRC the Orlanthi Method has everyone gaining an equal share, with the captain earning an extra share. An additional share is given to the captain to reward the brave or give to the families of the fallen.

The Yelm Method [which Sandheart almost assuredly uses] is the captain gets ALL the loot to divide up among the men as he sees fit. Sun/Sky cults do not find this method unfair, placing a high regard on the work of leadership.

By 'trove' or 'loot' I mean the takings from a raid or battle. Salaries, benefits, and upkeep are not considered 'loot' and belong to the troops according to their contract.

Edited December 20, 2023 by svensson

[Runeblogger]

3 hours ago, svensson said:

The Yelm Method [which Sandheart almost assuredly uses] is the captain gets ALL the loot to divide up among the men as he sees fit. Sun/Sky cults do not find this method unfair, placing a high regard on the work of leadership.

I remember that from Borderlands. 🙂 But, would you say the "captain" here is the leader among the group of PCs or rather Allabeer as commander of the militia?

[svensson]

8 minutes ago, Runeblogger said:

I remember that from Borderlands. 🙂 But, would you say the "captain" here is the leader among the group of PCs or rather Allabeer as commander of the militia?

Really, for authenticity's sake it ought to be Allabeer. But the PCs would probably revolt over it 😁

[Nick Brooke]

You know it’s Allabeer. Just thank your lucky stars Lord Goldbreath doesn’t visit Sandheart very often, or it’d be him.

[Jens]

4 hours ago, Runeblogger said:

But, would you say the "captain" here is the leader among the group of PCs or rather Allabeer as commander of the militia?

If Allabeer is present for the encounter/when the loot is discovered, it’s him. If he’s not…

[svensson]

On 12/20/2023 at 2:48 PM, Jens said:

If Allabeer is present for the encounter/when the loot is discovered, it’s him. If he’s not…

In my mind it would depend if he gave the order for the PCs actions.

In modern terms, a platoon leader ordering a squad to check a street.

Edited December 22, 2023 by svensson

[smiorgan]

Quick update. Major spoilers about Gaumata's Vision scenario ahead:

Spoiler

The squad was ambushed by the ogre kids while snooping in search of the "lake". The Yelornan firearrowed a "Visla" in the head killing her outright. Now, they only have suspicions about the kids but no firm proof that they are tainted rather than just being problematic kids. Fethal is coming with the Black Rock militia and the Sandhearters will have lots of explaining to do. Mega fun.

For the moment they have little to brag about with Allabeer or Vega.

Edited December 27, 2023 by smiorgan

[davecake]

On 12/20/2023 at 6:18 PM, Nick Brooke said:

The impala-riding scout was hired because he can Track,

*sound of hollow laughter from my players*

The militia member who is described as being hired as a scout, and seems to actually be pictured tracking (at least, I hope that is what he doing smelling dung) (Kicking Horses) is given no tracking ability at all. 
No, you have to be the other Impala rider, who is hired specifically as a tracker,  to have tracking ability, which is apparently a completely unrelated activity to scouting.

On 12/20/2023 at 6:18 PM, Nick Brooke said:

the Lhankor Mhy forensic tech is there because of his Human Lore,

Who is described as a Sage, the title for a Rune Priest of Lhankor Mhy, which he does not qualify for, his title should be Apprentice. (And who does not have Human Lore)
Just two of many inconsistencies in the militia stats, with lots of them missing skills you’d expect them to have (such as cultural or sometimes professional standards), or incorrect skill bonuses. For example, Kicking Horses also can’t speak Praxian. 

if there is ever an update, a proof read of the militia stats would be good. I’m sure my players would contribute. 

[Nick Brooke]

I was describing two notional player character archetypes, not poring over the statblocks in the printed Sandheart books. But I thank you for your concern, and for what I am sure was a generous and well-intentioned offer. We have no plans to "update" any of our books, and encourage you to scribble "corrections" in the margins, ideally using green and purple ink.