Fading Memory

Home is the Regiment: A BattleTech Tale - a Fading Memory experiment.

While in a broad sense I could see there being escaped/refugee scions of House Cameron after the Amaris Coup, I think that that particular detail goes beyond what I originally had in mind for the scope of this. I appreciate you asking for clarity in my response.

Part of it just depends on what a potential group would want; if everyone was on board with a story evolving into ‘this one PC is now the core fulcrum of the story’, then there’d be discussion there— but where I’m leaning with my initial musings is ‘everyone’s a nobody trying to make it in a galaxy that doesn’t care’.

I could see spins on the idea that could prove interesting, like ‘all the characters are from a cadet branch that went into hiding in the periphery who became a mercenary company because they had the resources, and now it’s 300 years later’- but this is about the biggest stretch I’m willing to entertain on that angle, and would still be a ‘everyone in the group needs to be on board for that kind of story’.

I’m looking to capture the growth of a small-ish mercenary company over time, which does leave a LOT of room for origins and potentials, but even what I’ve mused about above goes beyond what I originally and gently prefer being the mindset of a potentially wide and diverse group of people from anywhere in the Sphere all bound by the Regiment rather than another cause (at first).

Home is the Regiment: A BattleTech Tale - a Fading Memory experiment.

You’re a Cameron, I’m a Cameron, that Taurian is a Cameron, in fact I think that Clan Smoke Jaguar pilot just declared his name was Cameron too. Everyone’s a Cameron, and I’m certainly lost myself.

Jokes aside, I slept on things and let my mind wander upon waking. I am not someone who is worried about keeping tightly to a canonical timeline in a broad sense, just to make that clear. I do not know enough about the key events across the timeline to be worried about such things without a lot of outside guidance. That being said, I think a good starting off point for concept is the 3028-3030 area of the timeline as the Renaissance era begins properly. My goals with this would be to somewhat arbitrarily have time move forward during jobs/between jobs as is thematically/narratively appropriate, picking and choosing canonical events and self/group-concocted operations as needed to give us our meat and potatoes for the roleplay.

Home is the Regiment: A BattleTech Tale - a Fading Memory experiment.

Oh my goodness, that is some good attention! I’m certainly the fish out of water here it seems, but I’m glad to see there’s a community-in-the-making here for the content. Gives me good vibes and makes me excited.

Home is the Regiment: A BattleTech Tale - a Fading Memory experiment.

Home is the Regiment - A Battletech Tale

My experience and knowledge of the greater Battletech setting is, in a word, nascent. I've tiptoed around the setting for some time now, engaging in other hobby focuses such as D&D and Warhammer. Over time, my interest in BattleTech grew and I began to stick my nose into things. I've dabbled in playing Alpha Strike and Classic Battletech [though for the latter I've only just nosed into the Game of Armored Combat ruleset]. This lead to me wanting to take a bite into the setting a little deeper, and I've been reading the original Grey Death Legion trilogy (More correctly, listening to the excellent audio book versions of them).

My enthusiasm is incredible, but my specific knowledge is limited. I am by no means someone who knows the economics of BattleTech, how much a C-bill is worth, what reasonable mercenary rates are, etc., and only possess a basic comprehension of the greater timeline itself. However, what I have grasped from my audio book dabbling and my tabletop experiences is thus; 'Mechs are cool as hell, and the story possibilities in this setting are incredible.

What I'm interested in myself is, as my chosen working title may have hinted at, mercenary life. Biased as I may be from my readings, I really enjoyed the vibe of the Grey Death Legion's early days as scrappy, starving, looking for any job at all, up-and-comers. As such, I have a few fledgling ideas forming in my mind if anyone wishes to join me in learning, experiencing, and putting their own mark onto the Inner Sphere in the Renaissance Period of the Succession Wars as we approach the years of the Clan Invasion.

As a Game Master, my 'resume' so to speak is heavily steeped in Fantasy and Classical themes. Science Fiction, even as loose as BattleTech, is very new for me. My only experience in writing for the setting was when I tried to join a past BattleTech roleplay here on the Guild which did not make it far after launch due to the GM's personal circumstances changing. I am extremely enthusiastic, and having people to bite into the lore and setting with, especially with the goal of building our own story, will only stoke the coals that my tabletop wargaming has ignited.

There is scarce detailing ready for this at the present, as I wished to know if there was interest before I began to really form hard concepts. Additionally, I enjoy building the story with my players so as to foster investment and commitment; your characters, inputs, backgrounds, and OOC chatter will all be helping me discover BattleTech in a more enriching manner as well as guiding my decisions as a storyteller. Since it has been stuck in my head for some time now, I will paste the words to Home is the Regiment below to keep it fresh in the mind as people decide if they are interested in a timeline-crossing mercenary tale.

Home is the Regiment, across the sea of stars
On worlds hot, on worlds cold,
where Warriors tread afar.
Though place of birth and family,
though loved ones all be lost,
Home is the Regiment, across the sea of stars

Home is the Regiment, though warriors travel far.
They cannot take our home from us,
our home is where we are!
With brothers under arms we share
a bond that draws us where
Home is the Regiment, across the sea of stars.

Home is the Regiment, the price of glory high.
We stand with brothers at our sides
to pay that price, and die!
The blood of comrades cries to us
long after glory's past:
"Home is the Regiment, across the sea of stars."

Home is the Regiment, in honor's proud refrain -
blood brothers forged together as
drawn steel quenched in flame!
They stand by us in blood and fire
and share with us the cry:
"Home is the Regiment, our family and our own!"

Sanctuary Hills

I imagine there’s broom mechanics a-la the dwarves in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld.

Toby’s Silver Wraith might be the only one Georgie’s ever seen, I imagine a similar conversation might happen at the Broom Repair Service. Is that a Model 4 Balthazar? Haven’t seen one in three decades. Does it still kick up during the waxing moon phases? Yeah they ironed that out for the model 5. Made the 4 a better racing model for sure though!

Just my headcanon at least.

Sanctuary Hills

@kalanggam

"Yeah, the semester is finally done." Tobias' reiteration of the phrase lacked the typical relief that a student wielded in such times. Indeed, the realization that the official end of the semester had arrived only seemed to add to his present fervent state. "I'm staying in town. Phil even gave me a deal on one of the rooms upstairs, so if I'm ever not here when I'm supposed to be you can just go and drag me down yourself."

The lighthearted nature of the conversation seemed to soothe Toby, and he concluded that thought with a wink.

"I'm still technically taking a course over the summer. I'm trying to get ahead on my Philosophy credits to catch up to the advanced position I had in the classics department and qualify for another scholarship in the fall. I'm not worried about it— in fact, I'm glad I had an excuse to stay in town. I like it here, and I'd have been stir-crazy cooped up back in ye-olde-Malkinson-Manor for the summer. All my friends are here."

His eyes wandered as he spoke, moving away from Val and surveiling the coffee shop. The young woman he'd referred to as Miss Enfield was a fellow student of the classical department, and as he glanced that way she offered him a friendly wave when their eyes met. He returned the gesture in a small replication even as he conversed with Val. Though the espresso machine performed its task with much admiration, Tobias couldn't help but feel as if its sole purpose now was to torture him with the necessary wait for his addiction's latest satiation.

"Besides that, I owe Phil approximately one and a half arms and both feet for clearing a room on my behalf, so I'll be filling in more time here in town than typical. I've still got a key to the library and intend on keeping ahead of my studies. Oh! I recently got word from Aviva that she'd been digging through old maps of the area and she clued me in on what she called 'choice hiking trails'. The nearest one is out of Lexington, heading up Little House Mountain then upwards again to Big House. I'm keen on that, but there are still trails here in Sanctuary Hills that I haven't had a chance to fully explore... Some of them have older histories than the University itself, which makes them somewhat spooky if you ask me."

As always, whenever he had a chance to bring up his younger sister his entire visage lit up like a Christmas tree and his utter adoration of the girl becomes woefully apparent. His eyes swivel back to Val and he takes another breath.

"—But I'm rambling again. Sorry. I haven't even asked you how your day was yet. This rain is absolutely horrid, the kind that'd make my grandmother tell...stories."

He makes a grandiose gesture as if passing conversational initiative were a gentleman's sport, his implied query hanging in the air.

Sanctuary Hills

Huzzah for discourse and helping ducklings find their way.

Sanctuary Hills

addendum to my prior message: I had a deeply stressful day and will postponing all obligations to tomorrow, cheers.

Sanctuary Hills

I'll get a post out either tonight or tomorrow.

Dreaming Together With You - A Fading Memory Experiment - On Hiatus

Aleyn's outburst strikes Rulania resoundingly. His shout makes her eyes widen, and his stomping approach warrants a coolness from the princess that she has not wielded thus far. Her thus far cheery and warm demeanor calms, the excitement of the dancing and music waning as she folds her hands formally behind her back and clasps them behind her hips. She lets him get his words out, dutiful and attentive, giving him her full attention. Ralek seems as if about to speak, but at a glance from the princess he silences himself and bites his tongue in a manner that seems well practiced and casual.

Rulania's eyes are drawn to his fangs, and she raises an eyebrow at his display. It is not a haughtiness, but rather a curiosity.

"If I'm not mistaken, it isn't within your power to send us back as you wish. Is that correct?"

---

@Jumbus

"Aye, prithee ser Aleyn, the mistress Rowan has the gist of it. It is not within mine power to bridge the worlds, but tis Yo'Bikur's. Eckehart whispered in mine ear; fret not for he doth possess immense haste in these matters. Thy Resonant Bell will be discovered. None that I know would have agenda or motive for harassing thee as thy mind discerns, my dear friend."

"Leyn," she turned to face him, and spoke in a tone that was both gentle, and quite firm, "Rowan's right, I already tried the whole 'send us home' bit. I think they've been honest with us, and you know I'd be shouting about it if I didn't. I know how you feel, but did you think I'd let anything happen to Alycia, if I could help it? We're not promising anything to them other than that we'll hear them out. We won't let Alycia be in any danger. Or Odaya, for that matter," she glanced briefly at the other young girl, who seemed to be the happiest with the state of affairs, in stark contrast to her brother.

@Gisk

The princess falls quiet, shifting to turn and gaze back at the Chorus in the center of the room as Audrey says her piece. It's Ralek who speaks up next, gruff and straight to the point;

"Nothing's stopping you from leaving once the bell is found. You certainly won't find me stopping you from making yourself scarce."

Rulania gasps at his words and swats at his shoulder with a hand, but before she can reprimand her brother Odaya suddenly flies between them, no longer able to contain her desire for attention.

"I like him!" She declares boldly, swinging herself around to look to Weasel. "He's an honest one!"

As the gleaming girl turned from Audrey and spoke to 'Ralek' he began to formulate his line of questioning. Still shaken from his encounter in the streets, he was still standing in the center mouth agape when she had finished talking. Still looming when she turned and acknowledged him. He managed to begin, 'What did I see? You're the one who brought us here? It doesn't feel right- Why are we here? Who did I see?' His face fell even further from the usual, it was a rare sight to see Brown so openly unnerved. 'What did she mean? Everything about her seemed wrong...'

@PerfectThought

But the group falls quiet as Brown begins speaking. Freyja finally seems to shake herself of her reverie, no longer hypnotized by Rulania's presence, and is grounded back in reality by Brown's strange questions. She lightly springs to Brown's side and peers up at his face, leaning over and tilting her head to avoid hitting him with her antlers.

"...You alright, man?" She says softly, but audibly. "Something's got him spooked, he isn't usually like this."

"...!" Rulania starts, but takes a moment to digest Brown's questions. After but a short pause she brings her hands forward and makes a tic out of steepling her fingers and shifting them in a methodical manner. "Thee saw...Someone? They seemed wrong? Prithee, elaborate good man. Yo'Bikur is home to many folk, and to thy ken many may be strange. But few, indeed, wouldst cause such a start." She says this last part mostly to herself.