BattleTech 3050 ((Looking for new recruits!))

Started by Wargtass, November 15, 2012, 10:39:38 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

TheGlyphstone

On a separate note, anyone have recommendations for good-quality Battletech novels to read?

Wargtass

#76
Pilot

Name: Walter "Mongrel" Veijer
Sex: Male
BattleMech: Highlander HGN-732
Homeworld: Trondheim
Original Faction: Free Rasalhague Republic

Description: Walter's mixed heritage rally shows through. While on one hand he's built like the old Norse from the Rasalhague propaganda-posters with bulging muscles and blazing red hair, his slanted eyes, high cheek bones and tall forehead had made many of the geneologists on Trondheim shudder and whisper a "clearly Kurita stock, how can they let him pilot in the Kungsarmé?" He doesn't care much about it though, he knows his actions speak more than his face.

Background: There is no way to tip toe around it. Walter's father was a minor nobleman of House Kurita. During his childhood and teens he heard Mongrel more times than he could count on a thousand hands. Didn't matter that even he thought his father was a cruel and vicious monster. It didn't matter that he lead a revolt against him. It didn't matter that he held up his head to a cheering crowd of his fellow Rasalhague's. He was always Mongrel. In the end he took his mother's maiden name and signed all his letters Walter Mongrel Veijer. He turned it into his pride instead of their mockery.

His actions in the revolt caught the eyes of the RRA once the Republic earned its independence. He was picked up as an officer in the 4th Drakøns and served there several years before retiring from the position, opting instead to pick up mercenary work in a bid to fight the Draconis Combine. He found himself at the helm of a two lance unit employed by House Steiner in hit-and-runs against the Combine.

Personality: Calm and contemplative, rarely whipped up into anything more than raising his voice. Sometimes he catch himself making decisions according to the Bushido of House Kurita, having had it indoctrinated since his birth. He feels no real contempt towards the Draconis Combine, but recognize the threat they pose to the FRR.

Speciality Skills: Haiku, calligraphy and playing kokyu. Just about the only good parts he received from his father during his childhood.

BattleMech Characteristics

Chassis: Star League XT
Weight Class: Assault, 90 ton
Callsign: MacLeod (having no idea where it comes from, but it's branded across the Mech's chest.)

Description: Walter experimented for a long while in the Royal Rasalhague Army with his Highlander. As one in a long line of warriors receiving this hand-me-down, he was the first to realize it's possible potentials. As just about the only Assault build with Jump Jet capabilities, he found it a bit lacking in speed. He had seen and felt the razor edge of the very agile Dragon during the war for independence. The upgraded engine and extra jump thrusters gives it a bit of a hunchback, but in general nothing too visible. However a bit of sacrifice had to be made in exchanging the LRM20 for an LRM10 and reducing some of its armour. Its colors are a light layer of Rasalhague teal over a brass finish, giving it a strange shine-through effect. Added to this is a red stripe over the head as well as a little stunt he pulled by jumping into a very large puddle of the same red color, creating a splatter effect over the feet and lower legs to honor his many "Highlander Burials".

Loadout:
2x Medium Lasers
1x SRM-6
1x LRM10
1x Gauss Rifle

Modules:
Anti Missile Systems
Guardian ECM
Jump Jets.

Upgrades:
Ferro-Fibrous armor with C.A.S.E.
Double Heat Sinks
Vlar 300 Fusion Engine, bringing the speed up to 77 kph.

General Armor Values:
Medium to heavy armor
O/O

orderNchaos

#77
Quote from: TheGlyphstone on November 17, 2012, 10:55:07 PM
On a separate note, anyone have recommendations for good-quality Battletech novels to read?

Try the whole series.  I've read all of the Battletech novels and about half of the Mechwarrior Dark Age novels.  It's a lot to read to get up to speed.  If you just want to get a head up on what's going on around 3045 and beyond, you can trt The Blood of Kerensky Trilogy which covers the last few years of the Fourth Succession war and the invasion of the Clans.


BTW Wartgass, aren't we working for the Federated Commonwealth?  Based on the timeline prior to the Clan invasion this would be the decade of peace.  My facts are a bit rusty, it's been a few years since I was in the books.

Blobbe

Any concensus on what board section as yet? I'd rather have an answer beofre I commit to a character

TheHangedOne

I think Bondage would be a good category, imo. Allows for some fun when taking/being taken prisoner.  8-)
A&A's and O&O's *Status: Here and there | Games: Aiming for punctuality*
"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
"In the ocean of knowledge, only those who want to learn will see the land."
"Before you roar, please take a deep breath."
Check out my poet tree!

Branwen

Quote from: TheHangedMan on November 18, 2012, 07:00:12 AM
I think Bondage would be a good category, imo. Allows for some fun when taking/being taken prisoner.  8-)
Yummy!

SatanKlaus

Quote from: TheHangedMan on November 18, 2012, 07:00:12 AM
I think Bondage would be a good category, imo. Allows for some fun when taking/being taken prisoner.  8-)

The 'Bondage' category implies content. If you are doing something with prisoners, it will most likely be NC.

Satan_Klaus

Wargtass

Quote from: orderNchaos on November 18, 2012, 01:31:44 AM
BTW Wartgass, aren't we working for the Federated Commonwealth?  Based on the timeline prior to the Clan invasion this would be the decade of peace.  My facts are a bit rusty, it's been a few years since I was in the books.

It is the Federated Commonwealth, yes. We are not working for them though, we are working for House Steiner. And to make matters even more complicated, officially we work for no one.
O/O

TheHangedOne

Quote from: SatanKlaus on November 18, 2012, 07:04:18 AM
The 'Bondage' category implies content. If you are doing something with prisoners, it will most likely be NC.

Satan_Klaus

Whoops. Good point. Critical thinking is not my strong point in the morning.
A&A's and O&O's *Status: Here and there | Games: Aiming for punctuality*
"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
"In the ocean of knowledge, only those who want to learn will see the land."
"Before you roar, please take a deep breath."
Check out my poet tree!

Marie Reynolds

 Besides especially if our enemies are clanners they would not likely take such actions yes they may become bondsmen if taken prisoner but i think clanners honor would get in the way of mistreatment of prisoners that is just my take on that. Sure they would be brought into an indentured servitude contract but this is a way that those that have been taken prisoner are intergrated and have the chance to earn their freedom and gain standing in the clans so I think the clanners would not be so quick to mistreat prisoners. Now on to my next topic I think I have found a bit of history I could build on and id like to some how work in a member of the Eridani Light horses.

SatanKlaus

I think the Marion Hegemony are the only ones who get to make slaves out of their prisoners of war...which for me would be a big argument for fighting on their side ;)

Satan_Klaus

Branwen

Character completed.  Reposted here for convenience and previously in the thread.

Character

Pilot

Name: Yamina "Mina" Kazi
Sex: Female
BattleMech: LCT-1V Locust
Homeworld: Astrokaszy
Original Faction: The Independent Caliphates of Astrokazy, Khalifeh ül-Rasul Rub al-A’alimin Mehmed XXIV

Description: Yamina is short, not even five feet tall, and slender.  Her hair is so pale blonde it looks white and she has dark, expressive brown eyes.

Background: Astrokazy was ever a warrior's world, racked by brutality and sectarian violence.  Instead of banding together when invaded by the Marian Hegemony in 3025, the caliphates sought to curry favor with the invaders and continue their mindless violence against their neighbors.  As other Periphery governments came in, and finally a peace keeping force from House Marik, the civil war continued to rage, fueled often by covert support from House Kurita and House Davion.  Yamina was a young child-warrior cadet for one of the Sultans, and received her training due to unusual piloting aptitude which is sadly not mirrored in her gunnery.  Soon after actively joining the ranks of the Faithful, her city-state collapsed and she, along with others, had to find passage off world with what equipment they could in order to prevent being sent on to Paradise by their conquerors.  Mina escaped with a Locust and has found employ as a reconnaissance specialist with the unit.

Personality: Despite the background and opportunity, Mina is not a fanatic about her former home or her religion.  She observes the faith, but does not proselytize or hate the infidel.  She spends as much time building relationships with other members of the unit as some spend on their guns, Mechs or whiskey.  She has a soft spot for children.

Speciality Skills: It has not yet come up, but Mina is a very accomplished battlefield medic. 

BattleMech Characteristics
Chassis: Bergan VII
Weight Class: Light
Callsign: Little Bit
Description: Mina's Locust is in fair condition, though there's a long crease across the left carapace where an autocannon round from a Hunchback glanced off.  There are no distinguishing unit markings and her paint schemes are always subdued and appropriate to the environment she expects to operate in.  The only adornment is a bit of Arabic script below the left side of her cockpit hatch.

Loadout: 2 Sperry-Browning machineguns, 1 Martell 5cm laser.

Modules: None

Upgrades: None

General Armor Values:
H 8
CT 10/2
R/L Torso 8/2
R/L Arm 4
R/L Leg 8







Blobbe

I love the character and the background. Aztokrazy is one of those nicely crazy places that has an 'anything could work here' approach to it.

Branwen

Thank you, Kayla!  That was a really nice thing to say.

I know you're waiting on a forum selection before going forward, but do you have any hints on what we'll get to see from your character?

Blobbe

Personally I've allways been a heavy 'Mech person myself, so I'm looking over a few selections of personal favourites and the like. I'm also a creature of habit, probably a bad one at that. I was considering some sort of Mercenary brat origin, with a character who grew up on the seedier side of the trade.

Lady Quixote

#90
Glyphstone, I would read anything by Michael Stackpole.  He runs the macro plot for the most part (at least up till Twilight of the Clans), Blood of Kerensky is a definite starting point but I like to use the Warriors Trilogy first (or after BoK).  Its about 25 years before 3050 and talks about what the Inner Sphere is like before the Clans arrive, plus there's a surprise or two that's spoiled if you read BoK first.  Then it's just the rest of Stackpole's novels, I would also say Wolves on the Border and Wolf Pack are good to read as well (Wolves on the Border after the second book of the Warriors trilogy...or the whole trilogy, and Wolf Pack after the  Blood of Kerensky trilogy).

Not to start a riot but I'm definitely a Kai fan over Phelan, I think Phelan's an awesome character but I think Kai's better...

Have Clans invaded yet?  Also who's Merc company is it anyway?  I used Glyph's character because he has the biggest mech...

If you'll have me, I'd like to jump into the command lance with a Marauder.
Spoiler: Click to Show/Hide
Pilot

Name: Graff Gunderson
Sex: Male
age: 24
BattleMech: Marauder
Homeworld: Robinson
Original Faction: Davion

Description: Slim and clean, average build and looks with his brown hair and Germanic features that show off his Federated Suns upbringing.  The way he keeps up his grooming betrays his military academy training.

Background: Graff stayed on Robinson until he could apply to the New Avalon Institute of Science College of Military Science, sadly he never made it in but was instead accepted to the Point Barrow Military Academy, it's harsh training environment (no simulators) pressed him to his breaking point more than once but he eventually graduated but barely.  It's not that he's a bad pilot but it did show him that a house Military service might not be the thing for him.  It wasn't long before he joined Alroy's Mercenary company.

Personality: One thing from his training that Graff liked was the organization, he's not fanatical about keeping things organized but definitely leans to keeping thing organized over being unorganized.  He's a Davion through and through though, and rarely tolerates people badmouthing the Federated Suns.  Since Robinson is close to the Draconis Combine border he has the same prejudiced that most do about the Kuritan's.

Speciality Skills: Mech repair - since Point Barrow lacks simulators they require all recruits to be able to fully repair/restock their own mechs.
Standard Military Training - so he can fire guns with some precision and has been trained in hand-to-hand but is not a master at any.

BattleMech Characteristics

Chassis: Marauder (yet to be upgraded to 3050 refit)
Weight Class: Heavy
Callsign: Double G
Description: Pretty stock looking Marauder, it's bird legs and cylindrical body is well known.  Painted in the Merc's colors

Loadout: standard as of the 3025 book
PPC and Medium Laser in each arm
AC/5 mounted on the center torso

Modules: none

Upgrades: none

General Armor Values: medium (184 points...so that's above half of the max amount the heaviest mech can have but I'm still 100 points less than the other two assaults)

Blobbe

Agreed with the Stackpole books there. I'm also a huge fan of Vic Milan's Black Dragon trilogy, though they're definitely YMMV territory for many. For general background, I'd recommend the Warrior Trilogy, as well as Wolves on the Border and Heir to The Dragon, all of which cover the history of the Inner Sphere from the 3020s to about 3039-3040 as well as giving a lot of feel for cultures and flavour.


Lady Quixote

I hate to bring these books up too but Decision at Thunder Rift, Mercenary Star, and Price of Glory also give some 3024-3028 background and Price of Glory is where the 'Lost Star League' cache is found which allows the refits that come in the 3050 technical readout book.  But I just remember them to be dreadfully boring most of the time and way to long and if I remember each book seemed to be the same as well...but I haven't read them in 20 some years so I could very well be wrong.

The Grey Death Legion isn't a bad Mercenary group by any stretch, they are one of the premier in the IS.

Matt

Branwen

Quote from: KaylaM on November 18, 2012, 08:13:43 AM
Personally I've allways been a heavy 'Mech person myself, so I'm looking over a few selections of personal favourites and the like. I'm also a creature of habit, probably a bad one at that. I was considering some sort of Mercenary brat origin, with a character who grew up on the seedier side of the trade.

That sounds like it provides plenty of character and plot hooks as well as sculpting her personality.  I can't wait to read more.

Branwen

Mvo33, I like your character and hate you for taking the Marauder!  :)  That's one of my favorite mechs of all time and I bet you'll write it really well.  I also like how you put in your prejudice against Kuritans.  That's a good touch.

Lady Quixote

I know it's one of my favorites as well... ;D

I can be persuaded to change it, I was thinking that if we didn't have a missile boat I might take an Archer (since for some reason half of the best pilots in the IS pilot Archers...odd) instead.  Let me know if you want to trade.

Matt
(must finish spell checking before posting)

Branwen

Quote from: mvo33 on November 18, 2012, 08:33:36 AM
I know it's one of my favorites as well... ;D

I can be persuaded to change it, I was thinking that if we didn't have a missile boat I might take an Archer (since for some reason half of the best pilots in the IS pilot Archers...odd) instead.  Let me know if you want to trade.
No, no, no!  Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that.  I was just joking about hating you and I want you to keep it.  It'll be like the big brother to my Locust.  :)  What a nice offer though.

Lady Quixote

Not a problem, I like to be helpful.  If you change your mind between now and the start just let me know.

This brings up another question, from the break down of lances it looks like we have now it's going to be one of Heavy and Assaults and a scout lance of Lights (and Mediums...maybe?).  Is that right?

Command/Heavy Hitter Lance
Glyph - Alroy/King Crab
Wargtass - Walter/Highlander
MVO33 - Graff/Marauder
blank

Recon Lance
TheHangedMan - Ivan/Valkyrie
Branwin - Yamina/Locust
blank
blank

I apologize if I missed anyone...
Matt

orderNchaos

I'll be bringing in a Wolf Trap or Hatchetman as soon as I can build a Character.

Wargtass

Quote from: mvo33 on November 18, 2012, 08:14:01 AM
Have Clans invaded yet?

Our story will probably begin the hours before our raid on the Kurita Outpost (working on maps for that, I'm thinking we miight use some kind of marker system to show unit cohesion and positions, but not sure how to implement it with the least amount of editing pictures from my side... laaaazy). The Clan Invasion begins during the mission without our knowing it and the Clanners will descend upon us during our salvaging haul. After that it's no bars, anything might happen.

Quote from: mvo33 on November 18, 2012, 08:51:33 AM
Not a problem, I like to be helpful.  If you change your mind between now and the start just let me know.

This brings up another question, from the break down of lances it looks like we have now it's going to be one of Heavy and Assaults and a scout lance of Lights (and Mediums...maybe?).  Is that right?

Command/Heavy Hitter Lance
Glyph - Alroy/King Crab
Wargtass - Walter/Highlander
MVO33 - Graff/Marauder
blank

Recon Lance
TheHangedMan - Ivan/Valkyrie
Branwin - Yamina/Locust
blank
blank

I apologize if I missed anyone...
Matt

That looks about right to me, certainly a good dynamic I'd say, especially if we can cram in a Medium or two with the Scouts and an LRM boat with the heavy guys.

Quote from: orderNchaos on November 18, 2012, 09:02:39 AM
I'll be bringing in a Wolf Trap or Hatchetman as soon as I can build a Character.

The Wolf Trap wasn't introduced until 3051 sadly. I have to say though, a Hatchetman would be awesome, I never understood why people hated the melee-brawlers. If you have a giant mech with hands, why would you not make a giant axe for it?  ::)


As for where to put the thread, I guess we seem fine with Light so far, unless someone is going to hang a bondage swing in someone's cockpit and take it for a ride. It was a long time since I read any Clanner-fluff but aren't they pretty no-no when it comes to the whole raping what you conquer? Or are they projecting the mongolian stereotype so hard it's starting to show in their habits?  ;D
O/O