[quote=@Jbcool]
Historically, particularly in the Classical world, mercenary companies were hired to fill in a part of other militaries due to whatever deficienies they may have - part time citizen soldiers, lack of espirit national d'corps, or the views of a 'martial race' for example. Take a look at the Greek hoplite, or the Kretan archer or Thrakian peltast for example.

My actual question is thus; should we begin as an established and [i]roughly[/i] uniform company/guild/lokhos/group (although 'national' sidearms would be fine to keep), or would you prefer a more mish-mash group of hardened (or not hardened) killers-for-hire? The latter probably going to be put together before leaving Taenarum.

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Personally I too would likely lean towards a more independent mish-mash group for us (more freedom of character creation and backstory, as well as in how we choose to operate), though I wouldn't at all be opposed to the thought that there are many [i]other[/i] mercenary groups that are more uniform and tied to groups like you mention, with some of the group maybe even veterans of one or another of them?

So for example, maybe there is a human national outfit, a remnant of the  Valnaur War that while once was very prestigious and almost noble, it has descended into a more infamous cut-throat kinda mercenary state as their 'occupation' became somewhat redundant. They could generally be dicks who we don't like and clash with? There could be similar alien groups too. Just a thought anyway. 

[quote=@Jbcool]
Secondly, I was thinking of [i]our[/i] technological level being something akin to the little known cartoon [i]Ulysses 31[/i] I.E. there [b]are[/b] projectile weapons/guns etc, but there are also hand-help shields and melee weapons too.

What sort of tech level do you think would be appropriate? There will be other nations and planets with higher or lower levels, but for us as a starting group?
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I'm a real sucker for a nice big mix, including melee and closer range weapons still definitely in play (occasionally augmented with more advanced tech). Vibro-blades and lightsabers spring to mind as an example. Maybe there are somewhat common personal shields, which reduce the efficiency of ranged weapons? Maybe some kind of phase shield that makes the user much much more difficult to hit with projectiles? That kinda thing - which brings blades and axes and other stabby-crushy tools back into use. 

I definitely like the idea of a huge mix over the entire galaxy. High-tech, low-tech, strange combinations and customs.

I really like the idea that the galactic community has suffered greatly and is still kind of in tatters after the war and recovering. Far reaching infrastructural ties are severed, worlds are generally defensive and hostile while rogue and criminal elements flourish. Small warlords are springing up and taking territory, expanding their forces and their reach for resources as refugees become more ingrained wherever it is they turned up at the end of the war. Whilst there is still really high tech stuff out there generally it is much harder to obtain then it once was as resources and trade become scarce and the bigger more advanced nations/empires/planets become more withdrawn and insular (at least to some extent). The galactic community has need for many mercenaries,  and maybe even groups like ours are becoming more common?

Anyway, they are my thoughts, but I'm pretty cool either ways.