Byn failing at its important function?

[brytta.leofa]

What's the average lifespan of a Byn sergeant?  Six weeks or so?

Strikes me that the death rate of Bynners is the thing most hurting the clan, both in terms of reputation and stability.  But I can't say I'm very tuned in to things on that front.

[Sephiroto]

Maybe because they're bored as shit and go get themselves killed.

I'm under the impressino that many more Bynners die off of contracts than on them.

[Gimfalisette]

Threads like this always tempt me badly.

[Morrolan]

I'm under the impressino that many more Bynners die off of contracts than on them.

I wish DELL had not lost my old computer.  I had careful logs of about six months worth of Byn recruiting and so on.  I once had twelve active runners and troopers in my unit.

And yes, many, many, many runners have a strong belief that they can beat the odds and walk the 'rinth, outside the gates, or whatever, unharmed.

Yes, this thread tempts me.

Mightily.

[Agent_137]

troubles sponsoring

Why don't you just deal with the sponsoree directly? Here's 300 sid. If you don't come out alive, I'll find your mother and kill her. Don't have a mother? Your brother/sister/cousin will do fine.

it's ridiculous that a sergeant would have to REFUND you money because the guy you thought was worth hiring got himself killed. What kinda deal is that? What sergeant would ever agree to that? A bad sergeant. One you shouldn't be entrusting sponsorees to.

Just deal with the sponsorees directly and all your problems go away. If you think he's the dying type, don't sponsor him! Or give him a minor test first. Just like normal clan leaders have to do. You're bitching about things that -all- other clan leaders have to deal with when they self-train. You can't get risk free training from the Byn. That's ridiculous. If you had to train on your own, you'd be risking a lot more than 300 sid per in time and gear. If you sponsor 2 runners and get one out alive, that's a deal!

[Synthesis]

If I was a lowly Byn Sergeant, and a fucking NOBLE demanded 300 'sid, I'd sure as HELL give it to him, even if it was a completely arbitrary demand...much less if I got one of his recruits killed.

What is this, American contract law?  A noble could have you killed out of mere spite, much less you fucking with his guard force, even if it -is- the dumbass recruit's fault.

[brytta.leofa]

If I was a lowly Byn Sergeant, and a flowered NOBLE demanded 300 'sid, I'd sure as HELL give it to him, even if it was a completely arbitrary demand...much less if I got one of his recruits killed.

What is this, American contract law?  A noble could have you killed out of mere spite, much less you fluffing with his guard force, even if it -is- the dumbeye recruit's fault.

A wise junior noble probably shouldn't want to play political paper-rock-scissors with the Byn...and vice-versa.  Though it would make a great miniplot and somebody should do it.

[Synthesis]

Yeah, that being said, harassing a Byn Sarge over 300 'sid definitely smacks of nooble.

I'm just sayin'.  If they were havin' a REAL bad day, it'd be best not to argue the point.

[LoD]

Like many organizations, the T'zai-Byn is only as good as its current leadership.

When the Byn has an active, imaginative, and consistent leader in charge of a Unit, the Byn operates like a well-oiled machine and can provide a wealth of opportunity for great RP, relationship-building, internal and external conflict, and more.  Its success and failure hinges upon leadership, and blaming the structure or the organization itself is a bit misplaced.  What people generally experience is the ebb and flow of the player base as it moves through various PC-led groups and structures.

How easy it is to join the T'zai-Byn depends completely on the PC leadership involved, just as it is for GMH's, Noble Houses, the AoD, or any other PC-led and ICly-recruited organization.  If you'd like to see it improved, add to its ranks and help flesh it out.  I'm pretty sure the internal structure of the clan has remained intact for the last several years, so the only possible variables are the players and the staff, and I would begin my search in one of those two areas if you're experiencing "new" or "different" issues with consistent leadership or recruitment.

-LoD

[Gimfalisette]

Yeah, that being said, harassing a Byn Sarge over 300 'sid definitely smacks of nooble.

I'm just sayin'.  If they were havin' a REAL bad day, it'd be best not to argue the point.

Sad paradox of playing a noble: When you're new and need the money, it's hard to get it, and damages your rep to try to do so. When you're established and don't need the money, it's easy to get it, and enhances your rep to try to do so.

[5 day lifespan]

Last time I was in the Byn it was very nice.  Great sergeant, a not great sergeant, and a good selection of runners, many of whom had the chops to be great troopers.  I was looking forward to actually lasting more than 5 days with this set up and us all rocking out and kicking ass.  When good mercs get bored, trouble happens, and it often is NOT of the "Mercs all die" variety.  Sometimes it is of the "Becoming bandit kings variety."  This manner of plot line is what I was expecting.  Then there was a very rapid die off of characters, and I haven't been in the group since.  But yes, leadership and intent make up for alot.

And I miss the sponsership/clan hiring days, too.

[a strange shadow]

I think the sponsorship stopped because "the Byn is not a school, it is a mercenary company."

[shadeoux]

I think the sponsorship stopped because "the Byn is not a school, it is a mercenary company."

IMO

the BYN needs to start getting more contracts, from the mundane scouting to guard duty to starting trouble.
THATS why they are there, and as far as -I- could tell, they were solely used for RPTs and need to be utilized
more so to make the job less tedious and more enjoyable for all.

[Synthesis]

I think the sponsorship stopped because "the Byn is not a school, it is a mercenary company."

T'zai Byn                                                          (General)

   Once the Allanaki Mercenaries' Guild, The T'zai Byn is now the largest
mercenaries' guild in both Allanak and Tuluk.  It is easily the oldest
and largest mercenary company in Allanak. With a reputation for toughness
and brutal effectiveness on the field, the Byn is also known for its
neutrality with respect to many factions, an essential quality for much
of its work. Escorting, guarding, and training are the company's three
main operations.

   The T'zai Byn has only expanded to the newly reborn Tuluk in recent
years. It is not uncommon for Tulukis to look down upon the Byn and those
in it due to the Byn's acceptance of a job to reinforce the Allanaki
forces occupying the Gol Krathu during and prior to the war of Liberation.
However, the Byn's assistance is known to have been relatively minor, and
although still bitter, such sentiments among the Northern populace are
slowly dying away. 

   T'zai Byn members are recognizable by their hooded, brown military abas,
and full members will also have studded sleeves with stripes on them to
indicate their rank. Quite often during the evenings and weekends (Ocandra
and Detal), off duty Byn members can be found at the Gladiator and the Gaj
Tavern in Allanak. Their compound is north of the east entrance to the
Bazaar.

   The cost to join the T'zai Byn is 300 obsidian pieces, so players who
wish to join should either save that amount or find a Merchant or Noble
House to sponsor them in. Recruitment is done completely in character.
Characters from Allanak or familiar with Allanak would probably have heard
of the Byn and would know that a Sergeant PC with two stripes on their
sleeves would be who they need to find in order to join.

For many years, the Byn enjoyed a working relationship with the Templarate, providing basic military training for many Allanaki Militia recruits.

Runners are probationary members. Many of them are here to receive basic training and then go elsewhere to work (e.g., for a merchant House).

Yeah, sponsorship is totally against the docs. 

[PurifiedDrinkingWater]

I can only speak from my experiences. When I was in the Byn it was really boring. I mean.. I understood the whole structure and that was fine. But there was really no great roleplay going on. Nobody was doing any of the actual schedule it seemed. Desert Training, forget about it. Weapons/Armor Maintenance was a joke. And nobody ever did Weapons Training, we all just sparred nonstop. Sparring is fine but I would much rather sit through a very well thought-out and roleplay session of instruction, rather then just sparring over and over and over. It makes no sense that you're going to get better by simply sparring. That is not real-world. You don't spar as a boxer over and over to get better, you learn the basics and you talk a lot. You train your body and mind, sparring is only one very minimal aspect of learning to fight and I am sure sparring is not how you learn to swordfight or get better with daggers or anything like that. The real way would be somebody teaching and showing you tricks, and how to move, etc.

Also, none of the sergeants were active, and so after a while when I finally did see a sergeant (the only one active it seems), I asked him to remove me and he did. Granted, the clan seems to be very strong and have  a lot of potential, but I think as others suggested, without true leadership (in any clan), then it simply crumbles and doesn't work.

[Sephiroto]

IMO

the BYN needs to start getting more contracts, from the mundane scouting to guard duty to starting trouble.
THATS why they are there, and as far as -I- could tell, they were solely used for RPTs and need to be utilized
more so to make the job less tedious and more enjoyable for all.

If the Byn stopped charging a metric fuck ton for contracts, maybe they'd get more business.  From a playability point of view a Byn Sergeant needs to figure out ways to make extra coin on the side instead of ripping off potential customers.

Doing 1-2 contracts a RL day for a few hundred 'sid each would be more fun, and ultimately profitable, than doing 1 contract a RL week for 2K or whatever they charge these days.  Especially if you kill a few critters or forage some herbs or rocks or whatever along the way.

[Gimfalisette]

I know as recently as 2007, sponsorship into the Byn by nobles/merchants was practiced. Has it changed since then? If so, why / by whom?

[PurifiedDrinkingWater]

IMO

the BYN needs to start getting more contracts, from the mundane scouting to guard duty to starting trouble.
THATS why they are there, and as far as -I- could tell, they were solely used for RPTs and need to be utilized
more so to make the job less tedious and more enjoyable for all.

If the Byn stopped charging a metric fuck ton for contracts, maybe they'd get more business.  From a playability point of view a Byn Sergeant needs to figure out ways to make extra coin on the side instead of ripping off potential customers.

Doing 1-2 contracts a RL day for a few hundred 'sid each would be more fun, and ultimately profitable, than doing 1 contract a RL week for 2K or whatever they charge these days.  Especially if you kill a few critters or forage some herbs or rocks or whatever along the way.

This would have been grand for me as a runner. I really couldn't stand the constant grind that was going on. I would have preferred to get some actual experience doing something, -anything- other than just sitting around the compound idling and waiting for dawn to come so we can spar again. I think it's a lazy way of playing and even a simple trip outside would perk up most runners/troopers. Doing something other then simply sitting around or sparring. Even if it's a virtual contract that the sergeant made up.

[Synthesis]

The reason Byn sergeants don't go out the gates on a lark is because it's expensive and dangerous.

20 'sid per person for mounts + 45 'sid per person for a day's water...that's a lot of money wasted just to go kill a scrab or two to take the edge off the boredom.

The last time I was in, we actually went and did a lot of stuff...but it was all profitable, and we had some serious ass-kickers on hand who could handle themselves if shit went downhill.

[Salt Merchant]

If the Byn stopped charging a metric fuck ton for contracts, maybe they'd get more business.  From a playability point of view a Byn Sergeant needs to figure out ways to make extra coin on the side instead of ripping off potential customers.

Doing 1-2 contracts a RL day for a few hundred 'sid each would be more fun, and ultimately profitable, than doing 1 contract a RL week for 2K or whatever they charge these days.  Especially if you kill a few critters or forage some herbs or rocks or whatever along the way.

By the time you add up stable fees and the effective cost in water for going out into the desert, there isn't much left of that few hundred 'sid. Nothing, even.

[Tuannon]

Virtual contracts might help.

No major cash injections but enough to keep the stabling and most of the water fees manageable, or whatever.

[brytta.leofa]

I know as recently as 2007, sponsorship into the Byn by nobles/merchants was practiced. Has it changed since then? If so, why / by whom?

Been done within the last year.

[Gimfalisette]

I really don't understand why the Byn doesn't have its own stabling facility and supply of free water, like every other clan does. It really reduces the playability of the clan. Is it any wonder that runners are screwing off in the 'rinth or outside when they can't get adventure and coin any other way? No one wants the Byn to be "cushy" and "not harsh and gritty," but the way things are currently set up just makes no sense. There are better ways to promote harshness and grittiness than making fun play unnecessarily difficult to achieve.

[Boggis]

I really don't understand why the Byn doesn't have its own stabling facility and supply of free water, like every other clan does.

It would be a big help. When I played a Byn Sarge and the tuns ran dry for the first time I fired off an email asking for them to be refilled only to be told I had to fill them myself. With the other Sergeant at the time uninterested in doing the actual mundane work of a Sergeant this left me having to cater for the water for about 15 people. Was a constant battle to keep people watered and led to us having to travel great distances to fill barrels up from known water sources around the world which is rather silly really.

If the Byn stopped charging a metric fuck ton for contracts, maybe they'd get more business.  From a playability point of view a Byn Sergeant needs to figure out ways to make extra coin on the side instead of ripping off potential customers.

Doing 1-2 contracts a RL day for a few hundred 'sid each would be more fun, and ultimately profitable, than doing 1 contract a RL week for 2K or whatever they charge these days.  Especially if you kill a few critters or forage some herbs or rocks or whatever along the way.

The Byn charges decent rates for your bog standard escort runs to Tuluk and back. The problem is people know that they can almost certainly get away without getting any escort and so indy merchants when they're doing their 10,000 'sid runs there and back aren't ready to spread the 'sid around on the things they should be spending it on realistically before retiring with 100k in the bank. Seriously, people can afford to let go of some 'sid just to keep things ticking over. It might even be more fun than blazing non-stop trails up and down the north road.

Also, Salt Merchant is right in that if the Byn charges 1,000 for a round trip for example and there's 1 sarge, 2 troopers and 2 runners coming along there won't be much left in the end. 200 'sid gone on stabling. At least another 100 for water.

[FantasyWriter]

There have been a lot of people in game trying to hire the Byn lately, but they have either been unable to find ANYONE, or there aren't enough PCs for a contract... and this is often and over a long period of time (>1 IG year).  A sergeant is going to have to build up a dependable troop before people will trust and depend on them enough to hrie them out more... if the Byn is unable to be used 90% of the time, they are going to find someone else and stop trying to use the Byn.

Until there is a good Sgt. that last at least a few RL months, with a crew that has been around for at least one of those months, people just aren't going to keep waisting they time and effort on finding the Byn for contracts.