From: [d--r--r] at [mustang.uwo.ca] (Dave Harper) Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd Subject: Armies and PCs - Enlistment Date: Sat, 09 Nov 1996 08:14:50 GMT 6.3.3.1 Enlistment Any character of any class can enlist in a militia/army and gain employment and equipment so long as they meet the ability requirements (Str 10, Sta 10). Characters unable to meet these requirements can spend six months in basic training, which allows them to take a skill in Weight Lifting or Athletics to raise these stats (only if they have a skill slot free); this can be done only once, and the character is not paid for this training time (when they can also learn other soldier-related skills if they have the slots free). 6.3.3.1.1 Benefits of enlistment Characters who enlist not only get paid a minimal stipend and free room and board, but also receive their arms and armor for free once their enlistment term is over. Obviously, characters who reenlist or who enlist for long periods of time are offered better equipment to keep such experienced soldiers. Characters may use the gold piece value of this equipment to purchase armor and weapons, including adding any starting gold from class or social class to this sum to purchase superior quality goods. This is a result of trading (and gambling) their equipment among their fellow soldiers, and characters cannot ever gain full value for their equipment when sold normally (50% is average selling price on the open market). Soldiers are paid 1 gold sovereign every season, but can request up to a month's pay in advance, and may receive small bonuses during leave or after a successful campaign, typically 1-10 silver pence. Soldiers have the option of having some or all of their pay and/or enlistment bonuses paid to their family to support them while they are off on campaign or otherwise serving in the military. With the exception of already well-trained troops, all soldiers go through 6 months of training and receive pay as a green soldier (1 gold a season, 2 gold in wartime) until their first year is over and they are considered veterans, regardless of actual combat training. Other armies or governments will not consider a soldier to be veteran until he has spent at least a year in a border area or six months in combat. Veterans earn 2 gold a season, up to 3 gold in wartime. Mercenaries earn twice what a regular soldier makes, but do not receive room and board when not working for a customer and never receive arms or armour for free. Most mercenaries start off as part of a regular army somewhere and use the arms and armour from their term of duty to start them in their new career. Armies pay large sums for weapons and armour, often more than they do in wages, food and supplies for their troops. The total cost of fielding one soldier for a year averages up around 35 gold!! During wartime, the extra cost of wages, supplies and repairing damaged or lost equipment raises this cost to 40 gold. As a result, the military dislikes seeing trained soldiers walk off after only a few months or years of service with valuable weapons and armour. Upon enlisting, every soldier receives their first season's pay immediately ("the king's coin") and their new armour and weapons. However, they may also receive a larger bonus for enlisting longer. Armies offer the following enlistment bonuses in addition to the king's coin: 6 months: Characters who enlist for 6 months do not get paid at all, the army considering such time to be "training at the crown's expense". They do, however, get to keep their armour and weapons. Veterans who enlist for only six months can skip this training period by displaying their prowess and get paid normally for this period. They still receive no bonus, however. The army actively discourages people from enlisting for only six months, but will accept it if pressed. Characters enlisting for longer terms still receive this training, but get paid during it. The enlister gains no bonus for any such enlistments. 1 year: The character receives the king's coin (1 gold) but does not otherwise get paid. At the end of the year, characters are encouraged to re-enlist as veterans with a high rate of starting pay (16 gold a year). During wartime the government offers an additional gold upon enlistment as an added encouragement and will pay a wage of 1 gold a season (4 gold for the year). The enlister gains no bonus for enlistments of this term. 2 years: 1 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of half a gold. This is considered to be the "norm" or average for individuals who want to earn a living for a few years, but aren't sure they want to be in the army. Career soldiers usually enlist for as long as possible, usually 20 years at a time. The enlister gains a bonus of 1 gold per such enlistment gained through his services (i.e. for every person the enlister managed to sign up through whatever means). 4 years: 1 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of 3 gold. The average city guard probably enlisted at this level. The enlister is paid 2 gold for each such enlistment. 8 years: 2 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of 3 gold. Troops who enlisted for 8 years or more are the front-line troops of any army, and make up the experienced backbone of any corps. The enlister is paid 4 gold for each such enlistment. 10 years: 5 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of 5 gold. The enlister is paid 8 gold for each such enlistment. 15 years: 10 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of 8 gold. The enlister is paid 20 gold for each such enlistment. 20 years: 16 gold is paid upon enlistment and retirement, as well as an annual bonus of 10 gold. The enlister is paid 32 gold for each such enlistment.