Grenadier ideas thread!

[Max O Munpain]

Hate to bring up the comparison again but this is a very similar unit to the Besiegers and should be looking that way on the sly for ideas on how its done, don't get me wrong there are differences for example they have no archers which to my mind gives us a big advantage but i will never forget the day 4 besiegers held the bridge against the entire yellow skin army they could muster.

Now to my mind the discipline should be focused on holding the ground staying in a unit and letting the other daft buggers do all the running, where Grenadiers have the advantage on besiegers in this is we can hold and when they break and run they get a nice feathered ornament in the back.  personally i think we should be looking at the 4 man box formation and thinking along the lines of one pace healing instead of the current 2 paces as it was training to this that gave the besiegers the discipline(and incidentaly let it slip when the current 2 pace healing came into effect).

We should focus on the formation of four that way whoever is taking damage can have up to 3 people healing them. Also this is tighter discipline and will get the "brotherhood" feeling in there, i would recommend whereever possible 2 and 2, 2 dexers and 2 archers.

Sorry for the rambaling nature of this but I'm at work ATM and keep getting interupted by pesky work type stuff

[Raiden Morana]

I like what max is saying.

I didn't necessarily mean copy the Dragoon style as skirmishers i just thought we needed our own formation and fighting style - i maybe didnt explain myself well It's their discipline as skirmishers to work as a team that i admire

I like the idea of a 4 (or however many) man formation working in unison. Whether holding fast or joining the fray to deliver the deciding blow.

After all use the cannon fodder to wear our enemies down then send in the old guard eh?

[Will Little]

In my ever-developing character of Will Little, I do one day plan on being a member of this esteemed division, and reading this topic has shown me that everyone seems to have a lot of idea's about what the lore and tradition of the Grenadiers is to be... and so far I can see a strongly formed idea.

A tight-knit, family-esque unit of soldiers who have upmost loyalty to the Baron, more so than any other soldier.

Sounds great to me, but there are certain idea's you (hopefully 'we' soon) could utilise: Events purely for the Grenadier to show they are the most loyal, the most respectful, the most oredered. Before I read this topic I did not know the traits of the Grenadiers.

1. Give the Baron a two-man/woman Guard at all times. These Guards must be Grenadiers.

2. Convene a weekly Grenadier parade in honour of the Baron Octiovus, which people could attend, and each week we could offer him a special token or prize i.e. a chest with fifty thousand gold coins for his coffers, the eye of a balron etc.

3. Not be seen drinking or messing around, we are elite soldiers and so our bodies are temples - don't ruin them by drinking or foolish acts. Solidity and reliability are key.

4. Somehow link the Grenadiers with the Church? Maybe retired Grenadiers join the church... or sermons can be held by Grenadiers etc. The Church brings a lot of pre-determined views about those in it. Ordered, pious etc. Maybe good for the unit?

5. Adapt our own unique style of fighting that is very much a metaphorical symbol of our traits. We are solid, steadfast, reliable, honourable and a brotherhood of sorts - a square or rectangle which moves all together, like one large body, no one person. If you have an opponent down to 1 health and he runs, you stay.

What do you guys think?

[Raiden Morana]

Ahhh Will another aspiring Grenadier eh?

Well if ye need a mentor give old Raiden a shout

Some good points - we already try to escort the Baron as often as possible (cove festival & mela & eriks wedding)

Grenadier only parades and training sounds good and i like the giving the Baron trophies idea - we are supposed to run errands for his Liege so maybe - "get me a Yewmans coif or a marksmans bow... and be quick about it!" or such.

*eyes points 3 & 4*

Nay drinking! *blinks* Churchies! *blinks twice* I think this should be more of a personal preference. I like the idea of us Grenadiers being tough disciplinarians who work, train, fight and above all play hard! I don't see the unit as a whole being piuos teatotallers that's what templi's are for eh? A Grenadier like nothing better than ter relax with his fellows over a quiet ale

Again i like the idea of us having our own fighting style where each member knows exactly what there role is - shieldmen to the front, archers to the rear and 2 handed wep guys at the flanks???

Some good stuff coming out in this thread everyone keep it up!

[Vince Valentine]

Okay, so i like the ideas about how the unit is to be, Solid, dependable and such, but the stuff about no drinking and linking to the church i'm not so keen on.
I know sometimes my character can seem a little 'ale obsessed' but i like to think that after a hard days guarding the Baron they'd relieve the stress by way of an ale or two. I agree they should be an example to the other guardsmen, but i'd hate to see us turn into robots who just stand around looking handsome and ticking people off.
*Winks* Your closing note, about staying put even if the enemy is on his last legs, totally agree! That's how we should be, the model of discipline.
 

[Hrothgar]

Well whenever i'm in the barracks and i see the Baron roaming around i usually arm a halberd and start following him around, if he's in his office i stand outside his door barring entry.


A two man guard for the Baron every single time might be a little hard to accomplish unless the squad increases its numbers a bit. Though i like the idea of the baron being well guarded, just remember Grenadiers treasure the barons safety more then their own so when your following him around be a little overprotective, knock recruits around the head if they get to close to the baron, ask what everyones motive is when they want to see the baron.

[Gimbly]

Well i watched the thread now for a while and mhh not sure what to think about.
Our first designes of the Grenadiers were pretty simple like

.) Barons ´favorits
   (Strong bonds to the Barons house)
   The fact of beeing one of Octiovus favorite made the Grenadiers confraternity
.) acting as a Guard of the Richter family
.) well trained
.) disciplined
.) Junior or higher
later then the alchey + archer thingens with all its pro and contras came in

I never liked the posibillity to simply join the Grenadiers by applying here here and here ..tatata take the bronze arms and act like a Grenadier. In my point of few the Baron should offer thos worthy to be a Grenadier to apply the squad (if declined simply behead him >_< ) not the other way round. Keep in mind that only high Command and the Grenadiers have access to the Barons office and private chambers.
According sex drugs and cowl ..the first Grenadiers werent anything else but
church-lubbers or antialcoholics thats what the churchies are for not the Grenadiers as Raiden allready mentioned

About fighting style:..Personally i prefer the flexible like a rock fightin style. ( which doesnt mean i decline tactical manouvers ) Solid block formation with good crosshealing but no limitaion to the weapons used

Nuff said fer now..
cheers

[Raiden Morana]

I agree with Gimbly that over time it feels like Grenadiers have become just another squad.

When i was a recruit the Grenadiers were THE squad. There was of course the LC for stealthers and plain old guardsmen but if you wanted to be the best you applied for the Grenadiers.

Then came the dragoons and dear departed highlanders and it just kind of happened, not anyones fault but the Grenadiers just became one of the Covian armies squads instead of it's premier squad.

I don't think we should limit our options by refusing entry to those who apply but back in the day the trials did seem to be tougher and the bronze arms were a prize indeed. You (or at least i did) felt that you had truly earned the buggers!

I would like to see some form of initiation ceremony for newly appointed Grenadiers and also the squad's profile raising. A little more secrecy and intrigue with the squad and it's duties for the Baron would be fun.

A few squad events and reports on the boards is a good place to start and something we can hopefully do at a time when the majority of active Grenadiers can get together.

It's time to make a name for ourselves again?

[Vince Valentine]

I agree, but then i always thought the grenadiers was THE squad, finest of the fine, manly men kind of thing.
The idea about each grenadier giving potential grenadiers a task is interesting, but don't think it would be so practical. They'd have their trial, plus with each active grenadier at the moment four seperate tasks. That's alot of tasking!
Certainly, more grenadier missions and activities is definitly a good idea, and something which i've been neglecting lately (Sorry guys )
I have a few ideas which i'll be putting into effect soon, so keep your potatoes peeled
 

     Vince

[Delcarakdur]

What about making some kind of ''hell's week'' for all potential grenadiers. I've just come through one, so I know fairly well how hard that is.

[Delcarakdur]

The week should involve the following:

Five sessions, one for each of the points on the list.

• A very strict combat and formation orders drill. Used to test the potential grenadier's discipline.
• A trip to Fire, to make the potential grenadier feel extreme heat. Proper RP of the environment should be encouraged.
• A trip to Ice, same as for Fire above basically.
• A camping and long marching excercise. Making of a properly defended camp.
• A real combat scenario, where the grenadiers would use all the knowledge and skill they possess to attack a fortified camp and also to defend and important person inside a fort, from an enemy attack (Maybe making several different forms of attack, like one direct attack and one sneaky attempt at the important persons life.

I'm just shooting out my ideas, Feedback would be much appreciated.

[Raiden Morana]

Nice idea Delc' but how about we do them as squad events rather than just for new or potential grenadiers.

[Gimbly]

    * A very strict combat and formation orders drill. Used to test the potential grenadier's discipline.

    * A trip to Fire, to make the potential grenadier feel extreme heat. Proper RP of the environment should be encouraged.
    * A trip to Ice, same as for Fire above basically.
    * A camping and long marching excercise. Making of a properly defended camp.
    * A real combat scenario, where the grenadiers would use all the knowledge and skill they possess to attack a fortified camp and also to defend and important person inside a fort, from an enemy attack (Maybe making several different forms of attack, like one direct attack and one sneaky attempt at the important persons life.

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Mhh true but shouldn´t be only a part for new ones but for all Grenadiers / Guards
Maybe more focusing on crossheal / protecting scenarios as we act as the barons
bodyguards and have to protect him at any cost

[Delcarakdur]

Agreed. The whole squad should attend. As well as the baron maybe?

[Krieger]

First and foremost: I've pretty much decided that the Grenadiers is the squad I'll be aspiring to, so, I've something to propose!

Roit. Joey and I were talking the other day, and I asked if upon joining a squad from say, "Regular Guardsman", would you be reverted to "Junior Grenadier/Dragoon/Scout" reflecting your new membership. As he said, this doesn't happen, and you'd become a squad member holding your previous Guardsman rank. While I very much agree with this, I am also of the opinion that there should be something to reflect your lack of experience within the squad. Of course, the answer is, an internal ranking system. Now, I won't claim this to be my idea, as it isn't - it's more or less from the Dragoon 'class' system (and as such, I hope you don't mind me suggesting this here, Joey! ). What is my idea is that this is implemented into all the squads (but I'm posting it here, as I think I'm aiming for Grenadiers). It's the most effective way to show who's an experienced member of the squad, and who isn't - regardless of actual rank. This element doesn't have to be shown as =I=, =II=, =III=, etc. as it is in the Dragoons; instead, perhaps a completely different method unique to the Grenadiers (I could suggest uniform, but I doubt we'd want that). But, imagining it was passed by Command to be implemented into all the squads, each squad would adopt a common way of conveying squad internal ranks anyway, without needing their own 'unique method'.

Thoughts?