I vote the opposite: Prefer investors, but willing to play a guard. The reason: Agency. If we're partners we get an equal say. Otherwise the merchant's the boss, better listen up.

Also it'll take a minor tweak to make myself an investor. "Uh, my sailor saved up his back pay for the last few years and is investing it."

Done. (Well, I'd have to spend some points on Wealth, but it's a minor tweak.)

I would like to hear from Player 3, if possible, before we make a decision. Two things to consider, though.

1. I can make a NPC merchant, financier of the cargo/first leg. That would remove any burden we may be inadvertently sidling Player 3 with.

2. and/or you may reinvest your compensation/possible loot monies after the first leg of the trip, into the next leg. This is essentially what Player 5 suggested, pushed out a little while. It keeps with the original game concept, with the option of a deeper stake as time goes on.

I agree that we all signed onto the game expecting "caravan guards", and as long as that's what everyone wants to play then I'm totally in favour of the group decision; if you have a character concept that you like, you probably shouldn't twist it into an unrecognizable shape.

That said, my concept totally works as an investor. Not much of one granted (I'm playing an impoverished noble), but it fits his background: having otherwise lost all access to capital and desperate to see his family maintain it's place, he'd be desperate enough to do whatever it took - including dumping the last of whatever funds he had on some venture capital deal which he would then serve as a guard for to protect said investment.

Of course, assuming he lacked the investment to begin with, he might just be reduced to being a regular guard.

Basically what I'm saying is that my character works either way, but being an investor just works better for me as far as character motivation goes. If anyone has a problem with me dumping some funds into the wagon, say so and I won't do it. But if you're fine with me doing so, I intend to.

I'll let the group decide, but as far as the called-for vote goes, I vote for independent agency. Let them invest that want to invest, and them that don't don't have to.

As far as the merchant being the boss... well, yeah, I guess technically he would be. Of course, there's nothing saying he'll be with us; maybe he consigned a shipment to us, payment upon delivery to his agency in Wherever-heim?

 If you are thinking that an investor would be better for your char, then this char has no problem with that pathway but for himself he would not spend any loose cash for such waste. No, he will spend it on the proper stuff like booze and food.

Well honestly I can't think of why the slayer would want to be an investor, and I doubt his player is up to change things, so let's just go with what we have. Characters who want to invest can, but we're primarily people who take coin to act as guards.

 Ok. On a slightly different tack. Need a group decision on the slayers profile. In the War hammer PHB, it states that a troll slayer begins with a Jack(thats 1 point of protection to the chest) but when you read over the lore of slayers it says little or nothing about wearing armor. So i will place it out there for a group decision.

To my mind, a "jack" isn't armour-y enough to actually be considered armour. For example, a Slayer might well wear thick leather boots, gloves and a jacket which would provide some measure of protection, but it's really more just sturdy clothes. Chain, scale, plate, etc. - proper "armour" would be against his code, but not clothing.

I could be wrong, of course, but that's how it seems to me.

Technically speaking, a "jack" refers either to a jacket of segmented plates or simply an outer garment. I don't know what Warhammer considers "armor," but the difference between clothing and armor in GURPS is DR: armor has it; clothing does not.

 Ok. Reading the PHB on armor, gives the description that is a leather jacket with buckles in the front, then it also gives it a AP of 1.

Here's what it says in the WFRP Career Compendium:

Hey there everyone,

I'm aiming to get this adventure actually "on the road" some time next week. I'd like to get in some progress before the Thanksgiving Holiday (assuming you're American). To that end, a few players I know are still working on their character sheets. This is totally fine, but please try and have them to me by early next week. I am happy with Player 3 financing the cargo, did we decide if it was ok to let the Slayer have at least leather torso armor? the source material goes both ways here, so I wanted to get everyone else's opinion. I'm fine with having a leather clad dwarf, and frankly it might keep him alive a bit longer in a fight.

Those that have finished their sheets, I think most of you have begun looking to equipment. Please avoid pulling anything from the Low Tech books as I haven't gotten to look at them yet. If you do pull something from low tech for your equipment, include a full stat line for me.

I'm updating everyone's names now, please let me know if your character sheet Doesn't transfer over correctly or anything like that.

EDIT: I forgot to add that I have thought better of my "no hit locations" house rule. You (and enemies) may now specify hit locations in combat if you'd like.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:24, Thu 08 Nov 2012.

So today is still Wednesday, right? Things were a bit busier than I anticipated this week, here's the working draft of my Dwarf Ranger sheet though. Input is welcome, if something seems a bit... off

https://docs.google.com/file/d...MTJhenhIWEpMd1U/edit

I'd drop your HT a point and possibly your Hiking. You don't need a Hiking of 16, do you?

In reply to Korgen Granitebeard (msg # 62):

Why don't you put at least 1 point in each of your talented skills? It's not very useful to have a talent if all the underlying skills are around 8.

Or just drop Animal Friend.

Ok, looks like character sheets are just about finalized for everyone. For those of you that haven't already, please also work out your equipment buys soon.

Later in the day, I will open up an IC thread so everyone can work out their introductions.

Man, I thought I had transferred everything over to my sheet but now it's back to blank. Guess I'll have to do equipment again.

Just finishing up my equipment now. I seem to recall you saying that we could store non-pertinent personal equipment in the caravan, and that they would cover our food for the duration of the trip, but I can't find the post. Did I just make that up?

Since the merchant is a PC it's up to him whether to cover our food, but typically that's covered.

In this case, I am giving you all enough food for a 10 day journey (the length of the first leg of this trip assuming all goes well). You may also store anything you don't want to carry on your person in the wagon, within reason.

I think Grigory is now up and ready to go. Let me know if there's anything I've missed, or if anything seems off.

Name: Nigel Plaskitt
Height: 6' Weight: 180lbs Age: 29 SM: 0
Appearance: A tall roguish looking chap with brown hair who favors his bow.

ST: 12 [20] HP: 12 [0]
DX: 14 [80] WILL: 11 [0]
IQ: 11 [20] PER: 13 [10]
HT: 12 [20] FP: 12 [0]

Basic Lift: 29
Damage: Thr 1d-1;  Sw 1d+2
Basic Speed: 6.5 [0]
Basic Move: 6 [0]
Encumbrance: Light when traveling (49.2lbs), None in Combat (28.7lbs)

Dodge: 9
Parry: 10

Languages: Common (native/native) [0]
TL: 4 [0]
Cultural Familiarity: Brettonian [0]

Advantages:
Heroic Archer [20]
Weapon Master (Bow) [20]
Signature Gear (Balanced Longbow) [2]
Weapon Bond (Balanced Longbow) [1]


Disadvantages:
Bloodlust (12) [-10]
Callous [-5]
Overconfidence [-5]
Loner (12) [-5]
Paranoia [-10]
Code of Honor (Soldier's) [-10]
Stubbornness [-5]

Quirks:
Attentive [-1]
Careful [-1]
Chauvinistic [-1]
Dull [-1]
Staid [-1]

Skills:
Bow (A) DX+4 [12] - 18†
Fast Draw (Arrow) (E) DX+2 [4] - 16
-Targeted Attack (Bow-Vitals) (H) Bow-1 [3] - 17
-Targeted Attack (Bow-Eye) (H) Bow-4 [6] - 14
Shortsword (A) DX [2] - 14
Fast Draw (Shortsword) (E) DX - 14
Brawling (E) DX [1] - 14
Wrestling (A) [2] - 14
Climbing (A) DX-1 [1] - 13
Stealth (A) DX [2] - 14
Camouflage (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12
Observation (A) PER-1 [1] - 12
Tracking (A) PER-1 [1] - 12
Gesture (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12
Search (A) PER-1 [1] - 12
Navigation (Land) (A) IQ+1 [4] - 12
Survival (Woodlands) (A) PER-1 [1] - 12
Urban Survival (A) PER-1 [1] - 12
Knot-Tying (E) DX [1] - 14
Hiking (A) HT [2] - 12
Swimming (E) HT [1] - 12
Interrogation (A) IQ+1 [4] - 12
Streetwise (A) IQ+1 [4] - 12
Scrounging (E) PER [1] - 13
First Aid (E) IQ+1 [2] - 12

† +1 from Weapon Bond

POINTS SUMMARY:
Attributes/Secondary Characteristics [150], Advantages/Perks/TL/Languages/Cultural Familitarity [43], Disadvantages/Quirks [-55], Skills/Techniques [62] – Total [200]
Unspent Points [0]


Possessions:
Weapons -
Balanced Longbow; damage: 1d+1 imp, acc: 4, range: x15/x20, st: 11; $1000(covered by signature gear), 3lbs
Hip Quiver, Large, $30, 2lbs
-Fine Arrows x50, $300, 5lbs
Shoulder Quiver, $10, .5lbs
-Fine Bodkin Arrows x12, $72, 1.2lbs
Shortsword; damage: 1d+2 cut, 1d-1 imp, parry: 0 st: 8; $400, 2lbs

Apparel -
Ordinary Clothing $0, 2lbs
Leather Jacket DR 1 Torso, Arms, $50, 4lbs
Leather Pants DR 1 Legs, $40, 3lbs
Leather Boots DR 2 Feet, $80, 3lbs

Other-
Small Backpack $60, 3lbs
-Personal Basics $5, 1lb
-Blanket $20, 4lbs
-Canteen $10, 3lbs
-(12) Rations $24, 6lbs
-Rope, 3/8” (10 yards) $5, 1.5lbs
-Grapnel $80, 2lbs
-$814

Total Cost: $1186
This message was last edited by the player at 07:22, Wed 26 Dec 2012.

So yeah, that's my character sheet. Let me know what you guys think, give suggestions, or catch mistakes. I'm looking forward to getting in the game!

Since we are guarding a caravan, we have the luxury of stowing gear on the cart. The Quick-Release Backpack may not be necessary. Other than that, it looks good.

Indeed. If you'd like to hold onto the quick release backpack, that is fine, but you will be able to store your gear on the wagon for the duration of this campaign.