[WWII][3e] 25-point war corrsepondents

[copeab]

All characters copyright 2009 by Brandon Cope

These are two front-line Allied war correspondents, both of similar abilities but differing time in war zones. The American practice (and it is assumed the British one was similar) was to give war correspondents the rank of captain for the purposes of determining lodging and food allowances, but were not allowed to be armed or lead soldiers). Front line correspondents (as compared to those in rear areas) also faced nearly the same dangers as the same soldiers they covered, so a Duty was given to represent this. War correspondents who mainly reported from rear areas (like divisional HQ) should take a lower level of Duty.
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Joe the War Correspondent
Setting: WWII (British)

ST: 10 [0]; DX: 10 [0]; IQ: 12 [20]; HT: 10 [0]

Advantages: Acute Vision +1 [2]; Contact (Supply sergeant, skill-12, 12 or less, somewhat reliable) [2]; Contact (Company commander, skill-15, 9 or less, somewhat reliable) [2]; Military Rank 4 (Cannot command men or carry weapons, no Status bonus; -50%) [10]

Disadvantages: Bad Sight (Farsighted) [-10]; Callous [-6]; Duty (12 or less) [-10]; Flashbacks [-5]; Odious Personal Habit (Condesending mannerisms) [-5]

Skills: Area Knowledge (North Africa)-13 [2]; Area Knowledge (London)-13 [2]; Detect Lies-9* [2]; Diplomacy-1-* [4]; Fast Talk-9* [1]; History-10 [1]; Literature-10 [1]; Photography-12 [2]; Research-12 [2]; Soldier-11 [1]; Typing-12 [1]; Writing-13 [4]

* includes -2 from Callous

Languages: English-14 [2]; French-11 [1]; German-11 [1]

Notes: This NPC represents a war correspondent who has spent some time in the war zone, enough have an impact on him..
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Joe the War Correspondent
Setting: WWII (American)

ST: 10 [0]; DX: 10 [0]; IQ: 12 [20]; HT: 10 [0]

Advantages: Charisma +1 [5]; Contact (Company executive officer, skill-12, 9 or less, somewhat reliable) [1]; Military Rank 4 (Cannot command men or carry weapons; no Status bonus; -50%) [10]; Strong Will +1 [4]

Disadvantages: Duty (12 or less) [-10]; Fanaticism (Patriotism) [-15]; Overconfidence [-10]; Workaholic [-5]

Skills: Acting-11 [1]; Area Knowledge (Central Pacific)-12 [1]; Area Knowledge (Chicago)-13 [2]; Carousing-10 [2]; Criminology-11 [1]; Detect Lies-12 [4]; Fast Talk-12 [2]; Photography-11 [1]; Public Speaking-13 [4]; Research-11 [1]; Streetwise-12 [2]; Typing-12 [1]; Writing-12 [2]

Languages: English-13 [1]

Notes: This NPC represents a a war correspondent getting his first taste of combat, about as gung-ho as the Marines he reports on.

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by copeab

Military Rank 4 (Cannot command men or carry weapons, no Status bonus; -50%) [10]

I'd call this textbook Courtesy Rank.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Icelander

I'd call this textbook Courtesy Rank.

Seconded, seconded.

[copeab]

Originally Posted by Icelander

I'd call this textbook Courtesy Rank.

Only problem is that CR is for those who formerly held Military Rank and it's just for social purposes. Doesn't seem to apply here.

Now, if you want to argue I've priced the Rank too high, even with a -50% limitation, that's another thing.

[Rocket Man]

Originally Posted by copeab

Only problem is that CR is for those who formerly held Military Rank and it's just for social purposes.

Well, if you can't command men or carry weapons, social purposes is about all that's left. And it's not just ex-rankers: "Those who currently hold a title that carries little real authority may also take Courtesy Rank." (p. 29, Basic Set)

[copeab]

Originally Posted by Rocket Man

Well, if you can't command men or carry weapons, social purposes is about all that's left. And it's not just ex-rankers: "Those who currently hold a title that carries little real authority may also take Courtesy Rank." (p. 29, Basic Set)

3e characters, not 4e (even tagged it as [3e]).

Not, if you think that the limitations should be -75% instead of -50%, i might agree.

[Rocket Man]

Originally Posted by copeab

3e characters, not 4e (even tagged it as [3e]).

Not, if you think that the limitations should be -75% instead of -50%, i might agree.

Ah. My apologies. And I'd go as low as -80% (if 3e allows; it's been a while -- -75% otherwise), since it pretty much takes away all the useful stuff of Military Rank except for a little respect and a cool title.

[copeab]

Originally Posted by Rocket Man

Ah. My apologies. And I'd go as low as -80% (if 3e allows; it's been a while -- -75% otherwise), since it pretty much takes away all the useful stuff of Military Rank except for a little respect and a cool title.

3e only goes -75%. What is left of the Military Rank, though, is that the war correspondent eats and bunks as well as a regular captain.

(American and British practice seems to have been quite similar; no idea what the Germans, Japanese or Russians did)