Legacy:Grog
Version 1
Date: 2008-01-12 14:08:56 GMT Author: AndrewGronosky Comment: Initial version
A *grog* can be any supporting character in an Ars Magica [[Saga|saga]]. In [[Third edition]] and earlier, the term referred specifically to a warrior or bodyguard who works for a [[magus]] or [[Covenant|covenant]]. Grogs are one of the three basic character types in Ars Magica: the other two are [[Companion|companions]] and [[Magus|magi]].
Version 2
Date: 2008-02-19 00:49:17 GMT Author: AndrewGronosky Comment:
A *grog* can be any supporting character in an Ars Magica [[Saga|saga]]. In [[Third edition]] and earlier, the term referred specifically to a warrior or bodyguard who works for a [[magus]] or [[Covenant|covenant]]. Grogs are one of the three basic [[Character Types]] s]] in Ars Magica: the other two are [[Companion|companions]] and [[Magus|mag
Version 3
Date: 2008-03-15 14:02:42 GMT Author: AndrewGronosky Comment: Added distinction from other characters, list of concepts
A *grog* can be any supporting character in an Ars Magica [[Saga|saga]]. In [[Third edition]] and earlier, the term referred specifically to a warrior or bodyguard who works for a [[magus]] or [[Covenant|covenant]]. Grogs are one of the three basic [[Character Types]] in Ars Magica: the other two are [[Companion|companions]] and [[Magus|magi]]. =Difference from Other Character Types In [[ArM5]], grogs are distinguished from [[Companions]] by both story rule and game mechanics (character-creation rules). ==Story Role Grogs in [[ArM5]] are minor characters (p. 17). They most often are warriors who live at the [[Covenant]] and accompany the [[Magi]] on missions, but this is not a requirement. Any other, minor characters, such as the kitchen servants, a knight's retainers, or a youth's tutor, can be designed as grogs. In [[Troupe Style]] play, grogs are not usually "owned" by any one player. Instead, they are kept in a common pool and chosen by players whenever their roles come into play. ==Game Mechanics In [[ArM5]], grogs are restricted to Minor [[Virtues and Flaws]] (see [[ArM5]], p.29) and may have up to three of each. They may not have the Gift, and neither may they have [[Story Flaw | Story Flaws]] ([[ArM5]], p. 28). =Design Tips Note that, in [[ArM5]], warrior grogs need some kind of Virtue or Flaw that allows them to learn Martial Abilities (i.e., weapon skills). Possibilities include Berserk (ArM5, p. 40), Custos (ArM5, p. 41), Knight (p. 44), Privileged Upbringing (p. 47), Warrior (p. 50), and Branded Criminal (p. 54). ==Grog Concepts ArM5 lists several grog templates (ready-to-play or ready-to-customize characters) on pages 21-22: * The Berserker * The Grizzled Veteran * The Hunter * The Specialist (the example given is specialized with a weapon) * The Standard Soldier * The Tough Guy * See also the grogs from [[Semita Errabunda]] Borrowing a little from past editions, we can add some more concepts: * Archer ([[ArM4]], p. 29; [[ArM3]], p. 35) * Beggar ([[ArM4]], p. 29; [[ArM3]], p. 34) * Cook ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 33) * Point Guard ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 34) * Sentry ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 36) * Scout ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 32) * Manservant/Handmaiden ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 35) * Shield Grog (bodyguard) ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 31) * Stablehand ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 32) * [[Turb]] Sergeant ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 33) [[ArM2]] and [[ArM1]] didn't list specific grog templates. ==Fan-Created Grog Concepts Please [[Contributing | add]] your own ideas. * The Bumbling Sidekick * The Green Recruit * The Urban Spy * The Master of Hounds =Grogs in Past Editions The role and rules for grogs have evolved somewhat over the lifetime of [[Ars Magica]]. Before [[ArM3]], grogs were strictly warriors (and could learn combat Abilities without needing a special Virtue or Flaw). In [[ArM1]], grogs could not have [[Virtues and Flaws]] at all. In [[ArM2]], they were allowed a single 1-point Virtue and Flaw. The 3-point limit was introduced in [[ArM3]]. =The Term "Grog" There is no etymology given for the term "grog" that we can find. [[ArM2]] mentions on page 13 that "[m]ercanaries hired by magi go by many names, the most popular of which is 'grog,' a slang term first used in the covenant of [[Doissetep]]." One interpretation is that "grog" is a corruption of the French word ''grognard'', or "grumbler." [[http://www.alanemrich.com/Writing_Archive_pages/grognard.htm | "Grognard"]] seems like a fitting nickname for warrior grogs -- or , for that matter, for players who enjoy playing grogs in combat. Andrew Gronosky seems to remember that some long-ago book -- perhaps even [[ArM1]] -- mentioned that grogs were named after their favorite [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grog | beverage]]. However, he's been unable to find the reference (he lost his second-printing copy of ArM1; it doesn't seem to be in the first printing) so maybe it's apocryphal. In any case, the English word "grog" dates from the eighteenth century. A little anachronism can be fun.
Version 4
Date: 2008-03-18 18:55:12 GMT Author: Yair Comment: singular
A *grog* can be any supporting character in an Ars Magica [[Saga|saga]]. In [[Third Edition]] and earlier, the term referred specifically to a warrior or bodyguard who works for a [[Magus|Magus]] or [[Covenant|covenant]]. Grogs are one of the three basic [[Character Types]] in Ars Magica: the other two are [[Companion|companions]] and [[Magus|magi]]. =Difference from Other Character Types In [[ArM5]], grogs are distinguished from [[Companion|Companions]] by both story rule and game mechanics (character-creation rules). ==Story Role Grogs in [[ArM5]] are minor characters (p. 17). They most often are warriors who live at the [[Covenant]] and accompany the [[Magus|Magi]] on missions, but this is not a re, but this is not a requirement. Any other, minor characters, such as the kitchen servants, a knight's retainers, or a youth's tutor, can be designed as grogs. In [[Troupe Style]] play, grogs are not usually "owned" by any one player. Instead, they are kept in a common pool and chosen by players whenever their roles come into play. ==Game Mechanics In [[ArM5]], grogs are restricted to Minor [[Virtues and Flaws]] (see [[ArM5]], p.29) and may have up to three of each. They may not have the Gift, and neither may they have [[Story Flaw | Story Flaws]] ([[ArM5]], p. 28). =Design Tips Note that, in [[ArM5]], warrior grogs need some kind of Virtue or Flaw that allows them to learn Martial Abilities (i.e., weapon skills). Possibilities include Berserk (ArM5, p. 40), Custos (ArM5, p. 41), Knight (p. 44), Privileged Upbringing (p. 47), Warrior (p. 50), and Branded Criminal (p. 54). ==Grog Concepts ArM5 lists several grog templates (ready-to-play or ready-to-customize characters) on pages 21-22: * The Berserker * The Grizzled Veteran * The Hunter * The Specialist (the example given is specialized with a weapon) * The Standard Soldier * The Tough Guy * See also the grogs from [[Semita Errabunda]] Borrowing a little from past editions, we can add some more concepts: * Archer ([[ArM4]], p. 29; [[ArM3]], p. 35) * Beggar ([[ArM4]], p. 29; [[ArM3]], p. 34) * Cook ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 33) * Point Guard ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 34) * Sentry ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 36) * Scout ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 32) * Manservant/Handmaiden ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 35) * Shield Grog (bodyguard) ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 31) * Stablehand ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 32) * [[Turb]] Sergeant ([[ArM4]], p. 30; [[ArM3]], p. 33) [[ArM2]] and [[ArM1]] didn't list specific grog templates. ==Fan-Created Grog Concepts Please [[Contributing | add]] your own ideas. * The Bumbling Sidekick * The Green Recruit * The Urban Spy * The Master of Hounds =Grogs in Past Editions The role and rules for grogs have evolved somewhat over the lifetime of [[Ars Magica]]. Before [[ArM3]], grogs were strictly warriors (and could learn combat Abilities without needing a special Virtue or Flaw). In [[ArM1]], grogs could not have [[Virtues and Flaws]] at all. In [[ArM2]], they were allowed a single 1-point Virtue and Flaw. The 3-point limit was introduced in [[ArM3]]. =The Term "Grog" There is no etymology given for the term "grog" that we can find. [[ArM2]] mentions on page 13 that "[m]ercanaries hired by magi go by many names, the most popular of which is 'grog,' a slang term first used in the covenant of [[Doissetep]]." One interpretation is that "grog" is a corruption of the French word ''grognard'', or "grumbler." [[http://www.alanemrich.com/Writing_Archive_pages/grognard.htm | "Grognard"]] seems like a fitting nickname for warrior grogs -- or , for that matter, for players who enjoy playing grogs in combat. Andrew Gronosky seems to remember that some long-ago book -- perhaps even [[ArM1]] -- mentioned that grogs were named after their favorite [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grog | beverage]]. However, he's been unable to find the reference (he lost his second-printing copy of ArM1; it doesn't seem to be in the first printing) so maybe it's apocryphal. In any case, the English word "grog" dates from the eighteenth century. A little a