Campaign Seed: His Imperial Majesty's Lord-High Quartermaster

[jason taylor]

With apologies for any real persons that have been prejudiced by the opinion of the author of the historical piece referenced:

While at Starbucks I reread parts of Crucible of War by Fred Anderson. At the point the author told of the replacement in 1758 of a royal bureaucrat (of whom the author lacks a high opinion of) with one who was more willing to cooperate with the Colonial legislature in the employment of colonial assets for the purpose of persuading the French to provide large quantities of maple syrup...or something like that.

In any case this is the inspiration for the campaign:

Archduke Norris has settled into his position in the hottest part of the Fifth Frontier War. He is avidly trying to raise troops. Planet X is a high populated world from which much is expected in colonial forces. But there is a problem. The local baron thinks the planet his private kingdom. The problem is, the local dignitaries emphatically do not. Moreover, they are saying emphatically that they do not intend to be ruled by an arrogant Upper Class Twit in the most emphatic way possible. They are vetoing every call for troops and taxes when they can get away with it. When they cannot they are proceeding with a speed resembling that of spilt molasses.

The Archduke is aware from reports of intendants of the problem. So the leader of the PCs is sent with an Archducal Warrant naming him or her "Baron His Majesties Lord High Quartermaster for Planet X". This means that the assignment is to gain troops and supplies by such means as our most effective.

This is a political campaign. It will involve negotiating with planetary dignitaries, fending off the jealousy of the local Baron, etc, all for the purpose of providing assets for the Fifth Frontier War. If the frame seems to dull it can be spiced with assassinations, espionage, etc.