Steelgarde

Introduction

A flyer plastered over the various city states reads as follows..."Looking for good fights, good people and have a desire to help?
Then come and join us at Steelgarde!
Formed by two former knights of Ishgard, Steelgarde has a simple goal,
Protect those who cannot protect themselves, and do right by them.A Free Company based primarily in Ishgard, we take all comers, anyone who wishes to do right, with free room and board included, as well as companionship of like-minded warriors and adventurers.We wish to help not out of personal or monetary gain, but simply a desire to do good.Anyone regardless of background or place of origin is free to join.
Feel like using your skills to help people? Then do not hesitate to come down!"(Plot 5, 25th Ward Empyreum, Balmung)
(If you wish to join Message Valleris Lacroix at morrningstar or Marielle Rillemont at ceechan in Discord or-in game when online)

OOc info

Steelgarde is a RP focused Free Company in Balmung, currently looking to grow and expand. While we are mainly RP focused, we do run various types of content for those looking for a mix!If you're considering joining us, we have some more information about us below:Joining and Introductions- You do not have to be an official member of the Steelgarde Free Company IC or OOC to join us. We do have a Cross World Linkshell for those interested in our events located on other worlds, and friends and allies to Steelgarde IC are welcome!- When joining you will be asked to RP in person with with either Valleris or Marielle, (or both) just to get a feel for your character for a short time.-If you wish to join or have any other questions message Valleris on discord at morrningstar or Marielle at ceechan.Events and Roleplay- We will be most active during British/European timezones;
( GMT+1 from 6pm-12am-ish), as the creators are not US based. However this does not mean you cannot still join, and we will likely be able to interact, play and RP at different times too depending on schedules, so do not let this discourage you. A number of our mod team are also US based and do hold events at more US-centric times.- We have regular RP events planned for every week/two weeks depending on schedules, including regular sparring nights and social nights and a monthly IC book club.- We also run a mix of other events, including slice of life and adventure RP e.g. clinic nights, bounties, seasonal balls, FC missions. These are more sporadic but we try to get these in at least once a month.- The FC home is also open for pop up RP and as a general RP space for our members and friends, and we have a number of private rooms, e.g. library, infirmary, that are available for public use.- It is not required to participate in our RP events in order to stay, but we would ask that you try to engage as much as you are able or would like. The only exception being if you have been silent for months and had zero interaction at all during this time, you may be removed, extenuating circumstances notwithstanding.- We use our own RP battle system designed by one of our own for most events (excluding sparring which runs on Grindstone rules), which was designed with simplicity and character empowerment in mind.- If you need more info on how it works feel free to ask in the discord or check out the RPG system section of our carrd!Non Roleplay Events and Content- While most of our events are RP focused we do run a number of non-RP focused events:- We have a bi-weekly event called People's Choice in our Discord Server where our members get to vote and decide what event they would like to do that week. While RP is included, regular winners are movie and game nights. This alternates between EU and US friendly times so all our members get a chance to join!- We also run a casual Maps night every Monday.- We run a bi-weekly Raiding event for those interested where we usually attempt Extremes and Savages. Depending on numbers and member interest we sometimes also run other content like Deep Dungeons and standard Raids etc.- Many of our members enjoy content in general and are happy to join for Dungeons, Deep Dungeons, Raids etc.Housekeeping- While we do have server and FC rules, overall this is supposed to be for fun, and no desire for strict rules and regulations besides being decent human beings to each other is what we aim for.- All we ask is that you try to be respectful of others and general RP rules apply.

RP SYSTEM: S.C.A.L.P.E.RWHAT IS SCALPER?
SCALPER is a D10 system spread across seven unique stats that cover the overall qualities of a character. You have 38 points to spend across the seven stats. They cannot go lower than 1, nor higher than 9. You do not need to spend all of your points if you wish to play a lower-power character. Stats can be reallocated at any time between events.The seven stats are as follows:
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Strength
A measure of your character's physical strength and muscle power. Characters with a high Strength probably spent a lot of time in the gym in high school. Characters with low Strength probably got beat up by the characters with high Strength. Rolls against Strength are used when characters try to break doors down, bend the bars on their prison cell, and do other feats that require sheer muscle power.Control
Control measures matters of hand-to-eye coordination, and the precise and deliberate actions necessary for craftsmanship. It also determines one's familiarity with their aether, and their ability to skilfully wield it. Characters with high control can can craft swords that are the talk of the town, and thread lightning through a needle's eye. Characters with low control would stab themselves with said needle if they tried. Rolls against Control are made when hammering that nail in without cracking the wood, brewing the perfect potion, and lighting a torch with a fireball over a distance.Agility
Agility measures the speed of a character's reactions. More or less, Agility describes how quickly an impulse is received by the brain, is encoded into the appropriate message, travels through the Central Nervous System, and reaches the character's arm, which appropriately jerks out of the way right before an arrow hits it. Characters with high Agility are jugglers and acrobats. Characters with low Agility dance with two left feet. Rolls against Agility are made when your character dodges a poison dart trap or attempts to jerk his arm out of the jaws of a goobbue before it bites it off.Luck
Perhaps the most ambiguous statistic, Luck is everything and nothing. Characters with a high amount of Luck just tend to have things go their way, and characters with a low amount of Luck always seem to be standing under the scaffolding just when someone drops that brick. Luck rolls determine matters of chance; coin-flips, gambling, games of chance. It can also determine the times when Lady Luck smiles on you during dire straits.Perception
Perception is your character's awareness and "street-smarts," sometimes called instinct or a "sixth sense." Perceptive characters notice details instantly, like smells, sounds, and sights that don't fit a "normal" picture. Perceptive characters tend to be able to read another person's reactions, and can even tell when another person is lying. Highly perceptive characters are private investigators. Characters with low Perception walk about in their own little world. Rolls against Perception are used when there is a little detail the character has a chance of noticing, such as the glisten off the arrowhead of a hunter taking an aim at his or her head.Endurance
Endurance measures the body’s constitution and overall health. Characters with a high Endurance have great immune systems, good cardiovascular fitness, and can outrun and outswim others. Characters with high Endurance can swim across the English Channel. Characters with low Endurance can drown in the kiddie pool. Rolls against Endurance determine things like whether your character can hang on to that rope over a canyon, or can resist the deadly cloud of toxins unleashed by Susune's rogue alchemies. Endurance also determines character's HP by the following thresholds:
1-2: 1 HP
3-4: 2 HP
5-6: 3 HP
7-8: 4 HP
9: 5 HPReserves
As it says on the tin, Reserves are a measure of a character's aetheric potential and magical reserves. Characters with high Aether Reserves can draw deep into their font to increase the potency of their spells. Characters with low Reserves would struggle to conjure even a lighter flame without appropriate training. Rolls against Reserves determine the 'oomph' of a fireball, whether a magic barrier will hold fast, and resistance to effects which drain or hamper one's innate aether.
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Here's Susune as an example:Strength: 4
Control: 8
Agility: 7
Luck: 3
Perception: 6
Endurance: 7
Reserves: 3
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Rolling
There are two kinds of rolls to make in the system; Low Rolls, High Rolls.Low Rolls are D10 rolls made against any given stat against the environment. To pass, you must roll at or LOWER than the stat you are rolling with. For example, Susune wants to make a jump across a ravine. She'll roll a d10 against her agility, which is 7. She must roll a 7 or below to pass.High Rolls are D10 rolls made against other players/NPCs. To pass, both of the parties roll against a stat, and the higher roll wins. A bonus is applied to the player who has the higher stat based on the difference between the two.
For example, Valleris and Marielle have an arm-wrestling competition. Both of their strength stat is 5. Valleris rolls a 6, and Marielle rolls a 7. Neither receive a bonus to their roll becuase their strength is the same. Marielle wins the High Roll. Folly challenges Marielle next, and she has a strength stat of 7. This gives her a +2 bonus against Marielle. Marielle rolls a 5, and Folly rolls a 4. However, Folly wins with a total of 6 due to the difference in their strength.Sometimes, the DM will state a critical roll. These can be either high or low rolls, and they inform the party that success or failure will higher stakes than usual.Rolls for specific actions may require a D20 Low Roll, with the passing requirement being the added sum of two stats. An example of this would be something like lockpicking, which would require a D20 roll combining Control and Perception. Feel free to make up any other combinations of your own!
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Injuries
Every player will have a HP stat based on their total endurance. HP reaching 0 will have an effect on the player based on the circumstances, ranging from anywhere between being knocked out to injuries that can impede other stats.Healing rolls can be made to restore a character's HP by 1. Pass or fail, some time must pass before the action can be performed again. Multiple healers can heal one character for more than 1 HP at the same time.
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Combat
Another aim of SCALPER is to keep combat more free-form, and to keep it from bogging down the overall flow of the session. I try to keep away from the traditional 'take turns hitting big guy' scenarios. That being said, a combat scenario will work as follows.The party will declare an action (attack, heal, etc.) alongside the stat they wish to use for the roll. This will be a Low Roll. The enemy will then declare an attack, and depending on the circumstances, I will declare the defensive roll as either a Low Roll or High Roll. Rinse and repeat until someone is sufficiently beaten. All damage is taken as 1 HP, unless declared otherwise.
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Conditions
Anything specific not covered by stats are highlighted here. This can be anything from classes that provide certain bonuses, impediments, or anything else too specific that the DM should be aware of. I've highlighted a couple of conditions below.Dragoon
Master of the skies, you will always pass rolls that involve jumping.Bad Leg
-5 penalty to agility rolls involving running, jumping, etc.
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MEMBERSA list of members for Steelgarde, this is currently under construction and will expand over time.

Valleris LacroixCommander and Leader of Steelgarde, Husband to Marielle Rillemont.A Dragoon turned Dark Knight Valleris was born of nobility, though has fallen out of favour for many years due to past events.Steelgarde was the name of the squadron of knights he led as a Captain back during the war.
(https://valcroix.carrd.co/)

Marielle RillemontCaptain and 2nd in command of Steelgarde, Wife to Valleris Lacroix.A common born Dragoon who served dutifully during the Dragonsong war as Lieutenant and later Captain of the Steelgarde Squadron.A capable warrior with who has seen her fair share of unjust acts.
(https://marielle.crd.co/)

Halo WhiteA young Dalmascan Knight with a friendly and kind disposition.
Currently staying in the Steelgarde with her sister and aiding the group with her blade-work, and bringing an upbeat attitude.

Folly LillyA nomadic mage and Knight of Coerthas, this Roegadyn woman is a skilled mercenary who fought in the Dragonsong War, and has since found that times of peace and solitude have weighed heavy on her. She has since become a friend and ally to the company, aiding her newfound comrades in her journey to find use for her skills once more.

SusuneLoud mouthed, crass, mean and dirty, Su is hardly the nicest lady to be around, but her alchemical skill is impressive, so most tolerate her less than friendly demeanour.
(https://simplysu.carrd.co/)

Eleanor GreystoneThe common born half-Elezen was raised on the streets of the Brume.After meeting up with her old friend Marielle, she was offered a job as a servant within Steelgarde, where she has become a staple of the company.

Maroro MaroA kindly healer who has a history with a few members of the Free Company, she provides her services to those who need it within Steelgarde. (Valleris Alt)

UNNOFICIAL MEMBERS/ALLIESFor those not officially affiliated with the company but assist with various jobs.

Faurox DarloixA retired soldier from The Immortal flames, a field medic with years of brutal experience behind him.He has since become a freelancer and often offers his services to the Steelgarde household as an ally; though some suspect he just comes around for the food.
(https://faurox.carrd.co/)

NPC'sTypically just names an backstories for retainers/ NPC's found around the estate

Gaspard CherlinautAn elderly retainer and servant of House Lacroix, a long time friend of Valleris' father as a veteran in the Dragonsong war, Gaspard came to the Steelgarde (uninvited with a key no one gave him) and continued his duties as a manservant. He manages the day to day and servants that keep the place running, and is often more terrifying than the actual warriors in the house.

Ellene VillaneMaid and cook of Steelgarde, runs the bar and food preparation in the dining area of the Steelgarde house. A poor barmaid who had been out of work for some time until hired by Marielle, soft spoken and quiet.

Hendina CollierA grounds keeper and handy-woman, formerly of the Skysteel Manufactory she lost interest in machines of war and sought a simpler job. Gaspard hired her to help fix anything that goes awry within the house.She is blunt and to the point having little patience for idiocy.

IC HOOKS