Ideas for a Guard-Duty One-Shot?
My brain is fried. Anyone have any simple ideas for a single, one-shot adventure (1-2 hours) for a newcomer to HMK involving guard duty?
The character is from Moleryn, is a Mercenary from a family background of Men-at-Arms. He is unpopular and a devoted follower of Larani (not priestly, not the fighting order). I'm imagining he is not popular with his family b/c of (a) his religious calling and (b) his choice to go Mercenary instead of Man-at-Arms. (What, you think you're better than us now? You'll just end up a holier-than-thou brigand! At least the Legion is respectable and honorable!)
If it helps, notable skills (beyond combat) are Command 56, Physician 44, and Weaponcraft 64 (although he doesn't have Minerology). Ideally, I'd like to incorporate a combat episode and the attempt at using Physician, since in the greater adventure, he'll have the highest Physician skill. He is young (20-29).
I would like to set this in the winter before spring 720.
Thoughts?
Taztos
Why not stick to Taztos, which you mentioned in another thread? Especially with the PC being from Moleryn.
The character could be part of a manus patrolling in the wilderness around Taztos, when a sudden ambush in the dark of night (in driving rain? fog?) separates the PC from the other four (who are killed/injured/run off?)...the PC had escaped alone (had been foraging?) and, at the start of the scenario, at dawn, must now 1) search for surviving members (and heal them) 2) contend with a lingering ambusher and 3) make it back to Taztos.
With Command 56, the PC sounds like they could be the Melbrin or Arkalin (Corporal/Lance Corporal) of the manus.
Sounds great
Where can I find info on the Manus/Melbrin/Arkalin? Would they have a mercenary among them?
Military unit
A 'manus' is just the word for a 5-person squad of soldiers, used among men-at-arms and legions. As a mercenary, the PC may or may not be hired (yet)—free towns often hire them as their town guards. Also, merchant caravans hire them, obviously.
So, whether you make the PC a member of a lord's Men-at-arms, or part of a settlement's town guard, or even a caravan guard, the quick scenario outlined above could still be used—just the place the PC is trying to get back to—"home"—could be a legion's fort, a manor/castle, or just the main caravan (if a guard).
And with a Command ML50+, the PC could very well be in a minor position of leadership (a squad or half-squad leader—called a 'manus').
Or perhaps the Command ML50+ simply reflects an intimidating presence—without implying the minor leadership position.