COMMUNITY - FORUMS - NEW PLAYER QUESTIONS
Military Mechanics

Hey everyone, I am looking into buying into this game, and wanted to gauge the approximate state of factions and their militaries at this time, I'm looking at becoming a City/Town Guard or Soldier, and wondered what characteristics they look for in creation, and what level of backing correlates (For example to increase the likelihood of being a Lieutenant or Sergeant, would I need to have a Surname/or Bloodline package, etc.) any insight would help since I haven't seen too much discussion in terms of this as of yet. Note: I am aware this game is in a metaphysical state where political mechanics haven't all been ironed out or established.


9/17/2018 10:22:41 PM #1

Hello Ason, I currently am the Commander of the Military Force for the Rhynelands, in the Kingdom of Vornair. I can answer for myself and my men, and to that point relating to yours, to become a Sergeant or a Lieutenant is purely based off of Merit. Having a package greater or equal to "Elyrian" does not matter to us, what matters is your capability to perform your duty. I would hope that other militaries or factions hold that regard as well. Also, I agree, we haven't seen much discussion on the Military side of things thus far, however we are hopeful that will lighten up.

If you have any questions about the Military in CoE as we know it right now, I would be happy to answer them for you, to the best of my capability.


9/17/2018 10:25:19 PM #2

Thanks for the response, that helps a bit more in understanding where things are at in terms of the Political/Military nature; also the Rhynelands seem to be a well established area that I will look into 'settling' at least.


9/17/2018 10:30:27 PM #3

Absolutely, we would be happy to have you, however heavily encourage looking outwards to other Kingdoms and Duchies. We would like for everyone to have equal opportunity and take some time to explore the other wonderful communities out there. However at the end of the day, if that is what you would like to do, I or any of my other Duchy members would be happy to facilitate your introduction to the Vornair and the Rhynelands.


9/17/2018 10:48:26 PM #4

In my county/ city i will appoint sergeants/lieutenants etc. based on skill, not on package level.
It would be insane to appoint someone a higher military rank just because of a bigger package.


Count LizenÇace VeLeîjres of Mydra's Crossing, VII of the order of the IX.

Order of IX

9/17/2018 10:48:35 PM #5

Hey there. I can only answer for my own town and based on what I'm expecting to happen as far as town guards go. I imagine that most of my guards will be NPCs, as I doubt a player is going to want to walk a specific path or stand in a guard tower for hours on end. So, I'm anticipating having mostly NPC town guards, but having a guard captain/lieutenants that are players. They'd be more free roaming and not tied to walking a boring loop around the streets. They'd probably be the ones escorting tax payments and VIPs through our region, too. Package tier won't matter to me. Those roles will be given to the skilled and competent.

9/17/2018 11:25:07 PM #6

Has there been any solid information on how NPC's in the military or as companions will work? I'm curious if a person with a high charisma will be able to band together NPC's as followers or will it be based solely on conscription by Mayors, counts and up.


9/17/2018 11:52:13 PM #7

NPCs will be able to be ordered by those with the respective power created and given by the Duke. They will create a position outside of the already established positions, such as Duke, Count, Mayor, from there this position will be given alongside management of influence. This allows a person of the Duke's choosing to maintain control of a sizeable military force, primarily NPCs. As far as a Guard Force, it works in the same way, however, a "sheriff" will be appointed by the Duke, whom the count will oversee in his respective territory. That is my understanding.

To add to your point, NPCs likely will follow the person with the most influence, in a way, this is like charisma. This applies to settlements and organizations as well, as your influence grows, so will your popularity among NPCs.


9/18/2018 12:31:52 AM #8

Posted By Raze_R at 6:52 PM - Mon Sep 17 2018

NPCs will be able to be ordered by those with the respective power created and given by the Duke. They will create a position outside of the already established positions, such as Duke, Count, Mayor, from there this position will be given alongside management of influence. This allows a person of the Duke's choosing to maintain control of a sizeable military force, primarily NPCs. As far as a Guard Force, it works in the same way, however, a "sheriff" will be appointed by the Duke, whom the count will oversee in his respective territory. That is my understanding.

To add to your point, NPCs likely will follow the person with the most influence, in a way, this is like charisma. This applies to settlements and organizations as well, as your influence grows, so will your popularity among NPCs.

I know right now a person can just buy influence but I am not very clear on how a person gathers influence or loses influence once the game has begun.

I'm thinking like Robin Hoodesque antics of gathering the support of overtaxed and overburdened NPC's. Do the NPC's become disgruntled with ineffective lords who overtax them and do nothing to stop banditry. Can a nobody with an Elyrian package gain influence with these NPC's to turn them against their lord?


9/18/2018 1:45:11 AM #9

Influence right now comes along with package purchases yes. However, influence, as I imagine, will drastically change with the release of the game, consider it like... popularity. Controlling these NPCs will directly rely on that, if you do bad deeds, of course, that popularity will decline, but NPCs are going to be like PCs, they will follow who they want to follow. This directly replies to your thought about following ineffective lords... yes, they would probably "pack up camp" and leave. But this "influence" in game, will probably be directly gathered from your station, issued in a way from your superior, be it count, duke or king.

As far as gaining enough reputation/influence/popularity to gather NPCs without a government station, that would directly rely on your cause. No NPC will want to start an uprising against a Lord that is keeping him fed and happy. However if that lord is say " ineffective " then yes, i'm sure just about anyone would be able to gain a following for a cause. NPCs are like PCs as stated before, some will be bad, some will be good, and anywhere in between. They will go where they see their needs being best looked after. Be it Lord or Bandit Leader.


9/18/2018 2:11:17 AM #10

The influence that is tied to purchasing a package is only connected to domain selection and the order that they choose. Inside the actual servers, while their position would affect their sway over PC and NPC alike, there is not some magic influence value that will make an npc listen so someone simply based on how much you spend in the store.


9/18/2018 3:48:41 AM #11

The bottom line with regard to military mechanics, right now, is that we don't know what they will be like, we only know that they will exist. We know that they will exist simply because the concepts of barony and duchy as currently defined require some kind of military mechanics, because their reason for being is military in nature.


9/18/2018 3:51:10 AM #12

Posted By Poldano at 11:48 PM - Mon Sep 17 2018

The bottom line with regard to military mechanics, right now, is that we don't know what they will be like, we only know that they will exist. We know that they will exist simply because the concepts of barony and duchy as currently defined require some kind of military mechanics, because their reason for being is military in nature.

Well really, what we are unclear on is how NPC management will work, I am very clear on the rest, the military is not a mechanic, its manpower.

Think, a majority of any military in CoE must be NPCs, the scale is far too large to be filled by players. Structure, Logistics, Training, Cooperation, these things are not mechanics, they are brought out through coordination, effort, experience and skills.

Now if we could get some answers about how we as military leaders can move, command, organize and give functions to NPCs, I would be all ears.


9/19/2018 6:49:23 PM #13

Thanks everyone for the great discussion. I had a feeling Military would be more merit based, so that’s good there will be progression rather than mere birthright justifying the rank held.


9/19/2018 8:29:34 PM #14

For my Barony and its Garrison, I put people in positions based off of their knowledge and their willingness to try. Failure leads to learning and mastery. I stay away from people who think they know everything and are good at everything because when they fail they will rage....and I dont have room for those kinds of ppl. Join the discords and find someone you want to follow, soldiers will get spread around by Dukes and Counts based on troop numbers. One Baron wont be allowed to keep 50% more troops then other Barons...that would be silly lol


9/19/2018 10:26:40 PM #15

As Baron, I will need good people in key roles in order to have an effective guard or military force, so merit and a willingness to do the job well is how I will decide who to promote


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