Noble Musings...

[grondak]

I rolled a Noble today. I found some errata/clarifications to make and had two thoughts about the process, too:

I think the elevation procedure could be made roll low, with the Rank = Soc-11 equation/result used to make it harder for higher promotions.

Why would a Noble muster out? "I'm done with the Noble thing, all that power makes my ulcers hurt... Gonna go sit on my lands and watch grape vines grow." Would there be a corresponding loss of Social Standing? Is one a Noble until death or permanent exile?

 

[esampson]

I rolled a Noble today. I found some errata/clarifications to make and had two thoughts about the process, too:

I think the elevation procedure could be made roll low, with the Rank = Soc-11 equation/result used to make it harder for higher promotions.

Why would a Noble muster out? "I'm done with the Noble thing, all that power makes my ulcers hurt... Gonna go sit on my lands and watch grape vines grow." Would there be a corresponding loss of Social Standing? Is one a Noble until death or permanent exile?

I don't think Nobles really ever 'muster out'. I think it is more like a change in priorities. They decide to spend time working in the Imperial Marines, or doing scientific research or adventuring. It's even possible that all that's happened is that they've 'caught up' with current time and they are still active nobles as the game begins.

 

[Reban]

I concur. Mustering out for Nobles could be like saying "I've had enough of all this political back stabbing and scheming I want get out there and make a difference". Al Gore might represent this kind of mustering out irl.

The Noble career to me is having a title and being active in Imperial politics. Leaving the career is still being a noble but not lobbying in the halls of power.

 

[Daddicus]

Reban, you might want to watch out bringing real-life politics into the forum. While your comment was innocent enough, there are many people who might jump all over it.

Once that flame war starts, mods get contacted and bad things happen all around. No worries, though; I didn't report you and I'm not a mod. Just a friend, and one who would like to stay one.

 

[cym0k]

Perhaps a "change of priorities" rather than a muster out?

 

[Reban]

Change of priorities is a good way of thinking of it. The rules note that the phrase "Muster out" is borrowed from the military meaning as shorthand for what happens when you change career, or life path or vocation etc.

 

[Midgardsormr]

Depending on how the background is being interpreted, sometimes I imagine the "muster out" being an exile. The game starts with the noble having recently been forced out or run away from their enemies, and often their initial goal is to find a way back into the halls of power.