I do think it's worthwhile noting that there is always more to reputation than just whether or not you followed through on the job. To put it bluntly, even if people saw the orcs as brutally effective (which they are not guaranteed to do - duurrrr racism) they might still refuse to hire them because they find their history distasteful, or they even have a grudge against them. Thus, even if they do get hired their employers are likely to try and kill them off or throw them at the worst parts of the battle so they don't have to deal with them in the future. This is true of many mercenary companies, but doubly so for the Orcs, which is why it's so important they be able to be seen as trustworthy.

Over time, @Hank may be right that the only thing that matters is the reputation for following through, if the company successfully completes hundreds of contracts... but this would be the FIRST real battle contract that Nar Mat Kordh-Ishi was given - they have to survive through a long period of vendettas and public hatred to even GET to the point where their word is considered to be reliable.

My point is, despite the fact that they want to be seen as a mercenary company, the vast majority of people are just going to see them as orcs. While sticking literally to the plan might indeed build a fearsome reputation over time, it's also going to end up confirming what people think about them as being brutal and undisciplined, etc. This is because the missions that they will be given will almost always be missions that their employers think Orcs would be suited to, instead of viewing them as Nor Mat Kordh-Ishi Orcs. Thus, the Orcs might be influenced into supporting a particular faction, because that faction is actually willing to give them an opportunity to fight in the centre of a pitched battle, or another typical mercenary job, or use them as a key component of their forces, all of which is a better path to the glory and disciplined reputation that they desire.

Savvy?

This seems like a discussion that would likely take place ICly as well. Interesting.

I do think it's worthwhile noting that there is always more to reputation than just whether or not you followed through on the job. To put it bluntly, even if people saw the orcs as brutally effective (which they are not guaranteed to do - duurrrr racism) they might still refuse to hire them because they find their history distasteful, or they even have a grudge against them. Thus, even if they do get hired their employers are likely to try and kill them off or throw them at the worst parts of the battle so they don't have to deal with them in the future. This is true of many mercenary companies, but doubly so for the Orcs, which is why it's so important they be able to be seen as trustworthy.

Over time, @Hank may be right that the only thing that matters is the reputation for following through, if the company successfully completes hundreds of contracts... but this would be the FIRST real battle contract that Nar Mat Kordh-Ishi was given - they have to survive through a long period of vendettas and public hatred to even GET to the point where their word is considered to be reliable.

My point is, despite the fact that they want to be seen as a mercenary company, the vast majority of people are just going to see them as orcs. While sticking literally to the plan might indeed build a fearsome reputation over time, it's also going to end up confirming what people think about them as being brutal and undisciplined, etc. This is because the missions that they will be given will almost always be missions that their employers think Orcs would be suited to, instead of viewing them as Nor Mat Kordh-Ishi Orcs. Thus, the Orcs might be influenced into supporting a particular faction, because that faction is actually willing to give them an opportunity to fight in the centre of a pitched battle, or another typical mercenary job, or use them as a key component of their forces, all of which is a better path to the glory and disciplined reputation that they desire.

Savvy?

I can't see how sticking to the plan would further develop a reputation for being brutal and undisciplined. I do agree that, being Orcs, they'd probably be given the short straw for some time - but over time, they'd prove their worth through sheer merit.

Mercenaries are always given the short end of the stick. I.E the most dangerous part of any battle. Usually the vanguard or the right flank. (the right flank of an army typically being the most difficult places to hold)

Cannon fodder, such is the life of a mercenary.

The only situation that stains a mercenary company's reputation is not obeying the contract. If the contract says to commit genocide, you commit genocide so hard Hitler would be proud. Refraining from committing said atrocity is what will stain your reputation.

I actually agree completely with this. What separates soldiers from mercenaries most is usually pay, since those with no obligation to take up a cause need more convincing to die for it. If you're footing the bill you want results--especially if you're desperate enough to bet a battle on a bunch of subhumans. And just to remind everyone the intro states that even though they've never been trusted to play a pivotal part of a battle/campaign the company has earned a 'nefarious and unique reputation' just from the fact that they're orcs with enough discipline to form a free company.

And there's been no mention of the whole 'for honor' mindset. Discipline, loyalty, brutality and violence get mentioned plenty though--makes me think orcs might get on more like a pack of wargs than fighting men. A culture of dominance--further illustrated by the "Everyone starts in the pikes" and "Don't care who you were before you were one of us" bits.

Personally I'm going to play my orc like they've got a 'dog brain', meaning that even if they're not at the top of the heap they're happy to 'know there place' and keep those above them on their toes with the occasional feeling out.

Points well made.

I just really like the idea of being hired to do something that is designed to screw us over, and then realizing that we've been set up to take the fall for a more nefarious act than just killing bunches of people in a battle (murder of an heir), the fallout of which will likely lead to our former employer trying to dispose of us due to our "crimes" in order to support his own claim despite the fact that he ordered those crimes in the first place. After all, who is going to believe an orc over a Count? Orcs getting caught up in intrigue, where no one expects them to be as cunning or smart as they can actually be. *shrug* I'll play any idea though if that's really not appealing to people.

I would observe that another part of any mercenary company's thinking has to be the potential for future income - though the most reputable ones don't change sides at the flip of a coin, it's entirely feasible that if a long-term contract arose they would consider that over being strung along by successive employers.

That's why I like HeySeuss's idea (at least, I think it was his...) that perhaps the Orcs find themselves needing the person they're supposed to kill as much as that person needs the Orcs. As I said before, I just want to see Orcs deal with moral dilemmas and strategical thinking. I think that's entirely consistent with the discipline, restraint, and control that the company tries to instil in its recruits.

Points well made.

I just really like the idea of being hired to do something that is designed to screw us over, and then realizing that we've been set up to take the fall for a more nefarious act than just killing bunches of people in a battle (murder of an heir), the fallout of which will likely lead to our former employer trying to dispose of us due to our "crimes" in order to support his own claim despite the fact that he ordered those crimes in the first place. After all, who is going to believe an orc over a Count? Orcs getting caught up in intrigue, where no one expects them to be as cunning or smart as they can actually be. *shrug* I'll play any idea though if that's really not appealing to people.

I would observe that another part of any mercenary company's thinking has to be the potential for future income - though the most reputable ones don't change sides at the flip of a coin, it's entirely feasible that if a long-term contract arose they would consider that over being strung along by successive employers.

That's why I like HeySeuss's idea (at least, I think it was his...) that perhaps the Orcs find themselves needing the person they're supposed to kill as much as that person needs the Orcs. As I said before, I just want to see Orcs deal with moral dilemmas and strategical thinking. I think that's entirely consistent with the discipline, restraint, and control that the company tries to instil in its recruits.

I think that we're on the right track. I am going to get this rolling tonight for the OOC and get the lore straightened out and so forth. I thank people for assisting in contributing to fleshing out the ideas before we even got to the OOC, and I will make sure the whole thing gets put up tonight.