Ranger Headquarters II (OOC)

[Arnyn]

A little background for who's interested how/why things turned out this way:

When Oro and I set up the new Rangers, no one was a recruit (all returning people with returning characters), so there was no need to flesh anything out other than "let's just provide the rank recruit in case someone new wants to come and play". With the idea: if recruits show up, we (or the new command in place) can figure it out then.
Everyone started with "Ranger" and after the RPG Oro and I did, I thought it would be nice to reward people who had written several knowledge and/or detailed posts with their favored specialization (sword battle for hyandaner, detailed scouting if applicable for tirdinen, etc). Pele and Karis agreed with that, so I sort of took it onto myself to go through the whole RPG and try to be unbiased. I had notes and everything.

So if Pele has been focusing on keeping things alive and afloat, that is all on the to-do list. ^^

[Romeran]

Thanks for the context @Arnyn that’s more or less what I figured from reading through the ranger HQ thread. As I mentioned before I’m not in a hurry nor is this a request for some sort of assessment. Just at some point I’d like Rome to “graduate” to full ranger and I’d like to make sure that I cover any bases that I’d be expected to. It sounds like it’s a bit up in the air now which is fine. I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing it’s been a lot of fun anyway.

If I had to make a suggestion I would probably say that the recruit (and later ranger -> specialization) ought to have covered in training posts (either solo or with another) a list of material and have their posts reviewed by another ranger to ensure that they covered the content in sufficient depth. This does have a fair bit of overhead, I suppose, as someone has to actively approve and this may also put them in the awkward position of saying ‘no’. So I suppose it depends on how regulated it needs to be.

A fully independent model would require either a number of posts or possibly better total word count or something like that and expect (but not review to ensure) that a certain set of materiel has been covered. This would be pretty much fully self-regulating which has the up side of not taking up anyone else’s time but the down side of a possible lapse in quality. But with the overall membership of NuPlaza I’m wouldn’t be that concerned. I’m sure there are dozens of more possible ideas just throwing out my 2c.

[Ercassie]

@Rillewen, given that I was previously just about to take Isys for some practice in the training grounds, and then we plotted her running into your prospective trainee there, because you already have him chasing the potentially illegal dog around said training grounds, but now that we have a separate thread for training grounds ... I wonder, do you want to cover the Trastion getting directions part in the Ranger Commons thread where you've posted, or shall we do this in the Training Grounds thread ? Because technically Trastion isn't training .. unless he wants to hold/hand things to her, etc I don't want to hold you up from enlisting after all.

Umm, does any of that make any sort of sense, and if so, err .. thoughts ?

[Nessa Saelind]

May I slide in here and derail things with "I'm doing research for a post" related questions? Do I hear a yes?

I read the OP to the new Ranger's Training Grounds and regarding the training ground itself would a non-ranger be allowed to practice there? For example, if someone wanted to practice certain skills like sword fighting or archery, but that person is a civilian, not a ranger would that person be allowed to use the training grounds at a specific time of the day? Like late at night or very early in the morning? And if this would be possible I'm curious who would this civilian need to ask for permission to use part of the training grounds?

Thanks for indulging my research for post writing

Edit: for clarification purposes, I mean the setting of the training grounds, not the thread itself, since the OP states it's for ranger purposes.

[Pele Alarion]

@Ercassie , @Rillewen If he can get into the Training Grounds in one way or another (considering walls), well, the rest can be sorted? *thinks a few months of stable duties for the trespassing youngster*

@Nessa Saelind Nnn...yeeee.... I suppose training there would require a permission, considering walls, probably guards at the gate, etc. But otherwise, perhaps.

Just for info: fixed the Commons OP just a bit, more edits to come (like room assignments and what not). If there's anything that I've missed, let me know.

And then other things... *goes off muttering*

[Nessa Saelind]

@Nessa Saelind Nnn...yeeee.... I suppose training there would require a permission, considering walls, probably guards at the gate, etc. But otherwise, perhaps.

So it's not totally unlikely, but more in the line that the civilian would need to be important enough or know the right people to give them permission? Please feel free to correct me if I got you wrong, better to know in advance that the idea is not probable, rather than adding things on my research list that already includes vellum and galangal ink Don't ask

BTW a side note your roster tables are very gorgeously effective, my compliments!

[Ercassie]

Thank you @Pele Alarion, . Ironically @Rillewen has elected to edit her initial post so we shall have our IC’s meet/catch a dog in the stables before Isys goes to the TG.

@Nessa Saelind, I expect any civilian asking for permission to use the Training Grounds will be subject to certain encouragements that they could do so more frequently Etc if they officially enlist …

[Rillewen]

@Rillewen, given that I was previously just about to take Isys for some practice in the training grounds, and then we plotted her running into your prospective trainee there, because you already have him chasing the potentially illegal dog around said training grounds, but now that we have a separate thread for training grounds ... I wonder, do you want to cover the Trastion getting directions part in the Ranger Commons thread where you've posted, or shall we do this in the Training Grounds thread ? Because technically Trastion isn't training .. unless he wants to hold/hand things to her, etc I don't want to hold you up from enlisting after all.

Umm, does any of that make any sort of sense, and if so, err .. thoughts ?

I meant to reply to this earlier so others are aware: we resolved this in discord chat lol

[Nessa Saelind]

@Nessa Saelind, I expect any civilian asking for permission to use the Training Grounds will be subject to certain encouragements that they could do so more frequently Etc if they officially enlist …

I suppose this particular civilian in question would if he wasn't a foreign healer Not quite sure of the status of his citizenship here

[Almarëa Mordollwen]

*peeks back in*

Apologies for a (very) long absence – I blame finishing a DPhil, moving countries, and starting a new job all in the same couple of months. If I was interested in jumping back into some RP as Jaena, what would be the best way of doing that? (invent some sort of mission / reason for leave / etc. that's had her away for the last while, and report back in?)

[Karis Ziranphel]

Welcome back Almarëa! In answer to the question, yes. That is what I have done with my characters at least, although we are calling it a few months rather than the year plus that I had to be gone.

[Nessa Saelind]

@Almarëa Mordollwen - I'm not quite caught up with all the ranger shenanigans and where/when they are, but there are 2 ranger things in process: Out in the Open - Ranger RPG run by the amazingly effective Captain @Pele Alarion and apparently The King summoned the rangers for a meeting in Ranger HQ (it's ongoing) so maybe you can just casually slide in there And of course, there's the brand new Training Grounds you can use. OK, that was 3 ranger things, not 2 I hope this bombardment of threads and links helped you some and I hope Pele won't come chasing me with a broom or something And no, @Ercassie this is not an invitation for Nal and the dog to come chase me around this thread either

[Rillewen]

Technically the king summons meeting is over, the king left and the meeting is adjourned, moving on to other business, but you could always post your character there as if they were there lurking the whole time lol

[Pele Alarion]

*meanders in to respond to summons* @Almarëa Mordollwen Well, all of the above is quite true. Probably you could just have Jaena report to the HQ as returning from a leave (or anything else that fits your needs), and see if any other activities seem interesting enough for you to join in.

Hmmm. @Nessa Saelind , can I chase you around just because you suggested it?

[Nessa Saelind]

Hmmm. @Nessa Saelind , can I chase you around just because you suggested it?

Why would you do that when you have all those rangers to chase around to stay fit? Look Rill's right there

And by the by people, the King drops into HQ for a meeting and you people finish that meeting in like 20 minutes! What is wrong with you?! That meeting should have lasted longer, is all I'm sayin

[Ercassie]

@Nessa Saelind ! By my plaza reckoning, The King arrived on Sunday at 9.10 pm and departed on Monday at 6.50 pm. That’s a meeting that lasted all night and most of the next day ! How much longer did you want it to go on for ? Lol. Some of us have training/missions to get back to.

Chase her out @Pele Alarion

[Arnyn]

The King is a busy man, Nessa! He's got things to do! He's got Athelas to boil, Arwen to woo (you woo an Elven princess forever), a Reunited Kingdom to run...

[Karis Ziranphel]

That has a ring of princess bride to it Arnyn, although I would never compare Aragorn to Humperdink. Antithesis of one another. Amusing phrasing though.

[Nessa Saelind]

By my plaza reckoning, The King arrived on Sunday at 9.10 pm and departed on Monday at 6.50 pm. That’s a meeting that lasted all night and most of the next day ! How much longer did you want it to go on for ? Lol. Some of us have training/missions to get back to.

That's real-time posting reckoning, what about IC reckoning?! You rangers are hopeless! Hopeless!

@Arnyn - what I'm hearing is: we're getting a royal heir soon, right? Right?

[Arnyn]

Errrrrrrrm... I think Eldarion was born much much later! Not about to write out any royal attempts, either

[Romeran]

Errrrrrrrm... I think Eldarion was born much much later! Not about to write out any royal attempts, either

We learn in The Nature of Middle Earth that Eldarion is born 4A 1:

"In 2980 she {Arwen} was still of much the same age: and Aragorn (by above reckoning) 30. In 3019 at their wedding she was nearly 37 [life-years] (but Aragorn 43). She then acquired the life-span of her husband after the birth of Eldarion in 4A 1. in 4A 100 therefore she was 33 [Númenórean life] years older or 70." (The Nature of Middle-Earth, Part One: Time and Ageing, XI Ageing of Elves, my bold emphasis)

[Arnyn]

Well I'll be damned. Papa Aragorn. (Unaware this Nature of Muddle Earth thing came out in 2021 with an actual source date for Eldarion's birth. *rings shame bell*)

[Romeran]

Yeah it was a recent release, I think before that we had only vague notions based on how long his reign was, an estimate on how long he lived, and when Aragorn gave up the throne (which I believe is specified in the Tale of Years).

So when will we see little toddler Eldarion wandering through the ranger HQ?

[Nessa Saelind]

the birth of Eldarion in 4A 1.

*slides gleefully into HQ*

Well, well, well How the turntables have turned!

So, Sire, when do we get to see wee Eldarion around HQ? Come to think of it now should we make an RP thread of sorts where the citizens of Gondor (well The Reunited Kingdom) celebrate the birth of the royal heir? I want fireworks and cake!

[Romeran]

the birth of Eldarion in 4A 1.

*slides gleefully into HQ*

Well, well, well How the turntables have turned!

So, Sire, when do we get to see wee Eldarion around HQ? Come to think of it now should we make an RP thread of sorts where the citizens of Gondor (well The Reunited Kingdom) celebrate the birth of the royal heir? I want fireworks and cake!

Since I think we are 2-3 years after the war and the war ends in SR 1419 and the 4A 1 is SR 1422 then that roughly checks out. It would be fun too

[Pele Alarion]

Right.
Weapons update for Isys and Nal done.
Actives added.
If I forgot someone or something, yell at me. :P

[Arnyn]

I feel Nessa and Romeran are much too excited about the prospect of a wee princeling! While I could really draw from very recent / current personal experience to write about babies as well as toddlers, I'm gonna really have to sleep on that.

Thanks for adding Kaylin, Pele!

[Ercassie]

Thanks for the weapons update @Pele Alarion

[Pele Alarion]

Sneaked a little bit of a break between work on... work and looked at the possible training system for the Rangers, having collected thoughts from brainstorming with @Arnyn .

1) Suggestion to expand the initial ranks a bit to Recruit -> Trainee -> Initiate -> Ranger
2) The list of required skills for ranger training (narrowing down from endless list):
- Primary weapon
- Secondary weapon
- Third/additional weapon
- Care/cleaning of weapons and armour
- Stealth / camouflage
- Tracking / navigation
- Survival (shelter, water, food, fire)
- First aid / healing
- Horsemanship

The idea is to demonstrate learning / mastering the basics of 3 of the above skills to advance to the next rank, say, 3 skills to get from Recruit to Trainee, 3 more skills from Trainee to Initiate, and 3 remaining skills to get from Initiate to Ranger.

I don't think it needs to be much more complex than this else it would become too cumbersome. Thoughts? Ideas?

[Rillewen]

I like it :) Sounds reasonable to me. Is there a system to determine at what point you're considered to have passed the necessary ability level in any given skill to advance to the next level?

[Romeran]

I like it :) Sounds reasonable to me. Is there a system to determine at what point you're considered to have passed the necessary ability level in any given skill to advance to the next level?

Yeah I would be curious about this too. I think Rome is the only(?) active recruit right now.

Romeran and Duinion just finished a pretty long sequence going over stealth/camouflage, tracking/navigation, and survival. And the a shorter RP before that working on bowmanship.

Does that mean subsequent training with Duinion should focus on some of the other skills? Or should they continue to focus on the same skills?

[Arnyn]

At the moment we were thinking along the lines of letting the supervisors/trainers make recommendations when skills have been "earned". In the end, the trainers are the ones in the lead. Their recommendation would not need to be linked to a required number of posts (person A could write 4 posts with incredible knowledge and detail, person B could write 14 and not reach the same "level"), but rather to the trainer's estimate of whether or not enough work has been put in/enough skill has been shown by the recruit/trainee/initiate.

The trainer would then put their recommendation to Pele and she would have final say (approve/require more).

Not set in stone yet, but thoughts are going in that direction!

[Romeran]

Yeah I think linking it to content rather than number or posts makes sense. @Arnyn

Romeran and Duinion are starting up a third training session here so it might be nice to decide whether we should continue working on the same set of skills or if we should transition to some of the ones we haven’t yet covered. Unless Romeran would need to find another trainer if @Rillewen doesn’t want Duinion covering all of those skills (although I’m not sure you would need to be an expert to teach the basics).

Not in a rush here just trying to get an idea of how much progress Romeran has/hasn’t made so that I can plan for the rest of his training, for example if I need to seek out additional mentors or write some solo training (for example with axes. Speaking of which how would that work? If I had to come up with an NPC to train myself?). Not trying to be difficult here just getting some clarity I think the system is good.

[Pele Alarion]

Right, too many questions at once!

I'd say that the trainer should evaluate the sufficiency of skills (if it covers most basics, ability of the trainee to describe the subject under discussion, etc.), and then report it at HQ/send a message with a report (or something).

As for the trainers, I'd suggest to work with several for various skills to cover as many different options as possible, involve more people, etc.

[Romeran]

It might be smart then for me (or any new recruit) to try and organize their trainers and skills to ensure they have coverage over all of them.

• Primary weapon -- This would be Axe for Romeran. I could do some solo posts w/ NPC or someone else could volunteer?
• Secondary weapon -- Bow training with Duinion (done some already but could use more)
• Third/additional weapon -- Sword training with Pele (just started, also not clear to me yet which of bow or sword is secondary vs tertiary for Romeran)
• Care/cleaning of weapons and armour -- ??
• Stealth / camouflage -- Training with Duinion (did quite a lot)
• Tracking / navigation -- Training with Duinion (did quite a lot)
• Survival (shelter, water, food, fire) -- Training with Duinion (did quite a lot)
• First aid / healing -- Pele would make sense here since she's a healer
• Horsemanship -- ??

So it looks like I have pretty good coverage on everything except: primary weapon (axes), care of weapons/armor, and horsemanship. I'd be happy to acquire a third trainer if someone is interested in two or three of those or if @Rillewen or @Pele Alarion want to pick up some of those too. I'm also happy to write some solo things re: axes. I found an awesome book on Axe + Knife fighting which I was going to cover at least for Romeran's training into Pelecconner before moving on to the two handed hafted axe.

[Pele Alarion]

@Arnyn , @Karis Ziranphel , @Ercassie - interested and able to cover some of the remaining areas for Romeran?

@Rillewen - it seems you should either get Duinion to HQ to provide info on Rome's progress, or send a written report, or? Well, not that many other options. :P

@Romeran , I thought you wanted bow as the secondary? But suppose things can always be changed around!

[Arnyn]

@Romeran could use Kaylin showing him around as an opportunity, all good here.

[Romeran]

@Pele Alarion Romeran is inexperienced with fighting so he said bow because, besides an axe, it's the only other weapon he's ever used (for hunting) I guess he's used a knife too...

But I figure perhaps as his training with Pele proceeds he may change his mind as to what his main weapon(s) will be. I was originally going to study English Literature before I started taking college classes in it... I've been enjoying learning about Romeran as I play him and go through his training so I expect some things will change simply as he learns. I do expect to keep axes as the primary weapon, I have to be special after all plus that axe + knife textbook I found is super cool and I really want to write something about it.

@Arnyn sounds fun! I'm happy to mention at some point during their escapades the areas he still needs to cover now that there's some official stance on what's left on his training docket.

[Romeran]

Romeran is going on a patrol around the Rammas here if any other rangers want to join. There will be an unexpected delay at some point on their way.

[Pele Alarion]

Errr... I've fallen behind with all the posting, so have to catch up first before attempting to take on something new.

[The Good Hunter]

Maybe that's what I need to break out of the uncreative funk I've been mired in. I will give it a shot!

[Pele Alarion]

@Romeran , that RP invitation still stands? *looks at the list and ponders*

[Romeran]

Still stands :)

[Pele Alarion]

*adds it to the list* Might join you. :D

[Fuin Elda]

WELP it appears I have found another egg in Gondor - didn't expect to find one in this kingdom Arnyn was pretty blinking thorough about it!

[Arnyn]

Hahaha, @Fuin Elda ! Well done!

[Pele Alarion]

Updated a bit; if anything is missing, etc., let me know!

[Rillewen]

I mean if you want to be technical, Duinion's bow is a longbow. (Noticed a few others listed as 'longbow' specifically.) But it's not really a big deal since he's pretty good with just about any bow :) not worth making a special edit for just that lol

[Arnyn]

I kind of miss seeing the ranks visualized: Pele as Captain could maybe be at the top, etc.

It wasn't relevant at the beginning when everyone was a "Ranger", but maybe in the meantime it has become opportune?

It would feel more intuitive to me, but what does everyone else think?

[Pele Alarion]

All righty, longbow it will be!

Hmm, now that there are various ranks, it would really make sense, Arnyn. Instead of alphabetic.