(In the originating campaign, the “recent war” was between the humans and the elves. The Fighter was a veteran.)
Medal of the Legion
A brass disc smaller than a man’s palm, inscribed with the regalia of a renowned military unit disbanded after the recent war. There are anywhere from dozens to hundreds of the medals in existence, and those holding them are bound as brothers-in-arms, and compelled to answer the call.
When you hold the medal and request aid, roll. If you are a veteran of any military service, take +1. If you are a veteran of the Legion, take +3:
On a 10+, a veteran of the Legion is within a day’s travel of your location, and is willing and able to help you.
On a 7-9, aid is coming, but there is a complication. The GM chooses one:
– They are more than a day, but less than a week away.
– They have some trouble of their own that they need help getting out of.
– They have inherited or otherwise honorably acquired the medal, but are not a former Legionnaire. While they are willing to help, they may not be as useful.
On a 6-, someone unfortunate has taken possession of the nearest medal. You’ll find out when they find you.
(The curious reader will wonder what happens if the PC is the nearest medal-holder to someone else calling for aid. This is a fascinating question.)
Isn’t the fact whether you’re a former Legionnaire established in fiction before the roll is made?
That depends on how strict you are about filling in background details as you go, I suppose. Certainly it’s something that could be contradicted by previous fiction, and if you do “oh, by the way” it, it should absolutely have an impact later.
Okay, it may be established after the roll, but just once. When you finally got it in concrete, third options becomes either always true or obsolete.
Wait, I think I’m misreading you. If you’re going to claim you were in the Legion, the last possible moment is at the time of the first roll you make on the Medal.
I’m not seeing what you mean by “third option”.
Oh, sorry, I failed at reading. Instead of “They inherited” a got “you inherited…”.
Aha, I see. All clear now.