The Situation
In my last entry, I talked about creating the Brotherhood of Steel, and described the first two ranks. Let's finish it out!
Titanium Brothers
Joe's character Jack is still a long ways out from being able to get to the Titanium Brother rank, the equivalent of a Journeyman, but that doesn't stop Ann Marie from looking ahead. Titanium Brothers are officers in the Brotherhood of Steel. The run the day to day operations - a middle management, if you will.
Requirements
They are proven mercenaries, though not all are the best fighters (many are, however). They all have at least 90% in three of the cult's skills - often a Lore skill, as it is handy when managing troops - and are largely pulled from the ranks of the Steel Brothers. Occasionally someone from the outside might show some skill and be accepted, but they still must swear the same Oath that Steel Brothers swear.
Benefits
Titanium Brothers are paid a premium for their position - 50 silver pieces a week, and often extra bonuses for completion of particular objectives. This, combined with a limited supply of gratis equipment from the company's quartermaster (GM's discretion. Replacement of a sword or two a year is fine, but repeated abuse of equipment will attract attention) make most Titanium Brothers wealthy. Sometimes they are even called the Silver Brothers by the lower ranks, especially if they are not sharing their wealth with the troops.
Each Brother at this rank also gains a small squad of troops at his command, equivalent to 10 men. These are mostly Iron Brothers, with a pair of Steel Brothers to oversee their activity. They can largely use them as they wish, as long as their objectives don't compete with the Brotherhood as a whole. The death of any of these troops will raise eyebrows, and repeated loss of troops on personal missions will call into question the Brother's fitness for command.
Each Titanium Brother gets a new titanium plaque as well. It still has runes inscribed in it, but it no longer carries multiple dates, as membership at this level is a privilege earned. Instead, a single date (when they were accepted) is added, as well as the name of the squad they command. Their membership fee for being a Brother is also completely waived in light of their command duties, and each receives an superior object symbolic of their role - a finely crafted sword or breastplate for a warrior, a jeweled drinking horn for a diplomat, etc. These each have one Enhancement, as per the Mythras Equipment Manufacturing and Quality rules.
Restrictions
With command over troops, Titanium Brothers have increased responsibility. Their Oath to the Brotherhood gains a companion Oath to the troops they command. This starts at the same level as their Oath to the Brotherhood, and specifically covers their duty to the mercenaries who follow them. They also gain a Taboo against harming their troops unnecessarily, with punishment being meted by a tribunal of Brothers a rank above them.
While Titanium Brothers are required to lead their troops 20% of the time, the rest of the time they are free to pursue their own interests.
Mithral Brothers
Having shown themselves to be capable leaders, some Brothers choose to rise within the organization. Not every Brother chooses this - a good many are happy staying as Titanium Brothers and retiring wealthy. Mithral Brothers, though, forward the goals of the Brotherhood of Steel - they oversee several Titanium Brothers and work with the other Mithral Brothers in cooperation.
Requirements
As such, each Mithral Brother must have at least 110% in two of the cult skills. A wide variety of skills have made appearances here, but as generals in the Brotherhood, they tend to focus less on their martial skills. This is one reason that many Titanium Brothers never bother to become Mithril Brothers - they would just prefer to be warriors in the end of it.
Mithril Brothers also must prove their loyalty - Their Oath to the Brotherhood must be at least 90% and have been demonstrated over at least 5 years, with at least 10 successful missions leading troops. Their performance is judged by other Mithril Brothers.
Benefits
Mithril Brothers have a vast amount of influence within the structure of the Brotherhood itself, leading dozens of men and having largely complete control over a sector of interests. One may oversee a set of operations for a particular nation or king, another may oversee logistical operations for these and others. Because of their extensive duties, they are well paid, receiving 250 silver per week. Much of this goes to supporting of their own guards and quarters, but they are definitely not lacking for comfort. Many entertain representatives from governments - seneschals, ministers, diplomats - who are interested in hiring the services of the Brotherhood, and they have to make an impression.
Most are incredibly well informed about the Brotherhood, having at their fingertips a network of spies, informants, and mercenaries who report goings on. This grants them the equivalent of the Insightful gift, though information does take some time to reach them (an hour for happenings in the same city, a day for those across a small nation, and maybe up to a week for those that are across oceans).
Ann Marie still likes the idea of the plaques, but Mithral Brothers, she thinks, don't have any runes. it's just a plaque of pure mithril - a sure sign of wealth and power. It also is a sign how difficult mithril is to work with.
Restrictions
Within the scope of the Brotherhood, Mithril Brothers have very few. They are carefully monitored by other brothers, and have effectively a Geas related to their particular area. This may mean not stealing brotherhood property for a logistics general, or it may mean not turning on the Brotherhood and trying to take it over with military power.
Adamantine Brothers
Among the Mithril Brothers, three are chosen from within their ranks to lead the entire operation. These are the Adamantine Brothers, first among equals, and mediate disputes within the ranks. Each holds the rank for three years, then their position comes up for reelection. One Brother is up for election every year, in a perpetual churn of new and old faces, taking turns running the organization.
Requirements
Only two requirements get you to be an Adamantine brother - you must be a Mithril Brother in good standing, and you must be chosen by your peers in an election. Competition is fierce, and political machinations are not uncommon. Still, it seems to work for the Brotherhood, no doubt because of their Oaths.
Benefits
If you are one of three people with ultimate authority for a huge mercenary organization, you effectively have an army at your command and the ability to sway nations. Mundane necessities are irrelevant, and you can ask for and receive many worldly possessions. You gain a Sanctuary as per the cult gift, complete with personal guards loyal (passion 110%) to you.
Upon election, Adamantine Brother receive black metal plaques that seem to absorb light. They are virtually indestructible and unbending. Bringing one of these out is enough to make most any king pause, and many to tremble.
Restrictions
Effectively none. You are, however, elected to only a three year term, and must win an election (an extended task) to keep your position
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