(Part of my Relativistic Paladins series.)
(The following system is strongly inspired by the Bonds system from His Majesty the Worm. I reuse and adapt it in this post under the permission of the His Majesty the Worm Open License.)
To serve in an Albatross wing is to be a part of a family. Like any family, members become well-acquainted with their wingmates — whether they like to or not. Each sortie undertaken strengthens the bonds between pilots, for good or ill. These relationships ultimately drive Albatross pilots, empowering them to persevere in the times between sorties.
As part of pilot creation, each player determines what camaraderie their pilot has with each other member of their wing; examples are provided below. A pilot charges their camaraderie with a wingmate when they act in a way that strongly reflects that relationship, or when they expose themselves to peril over it. Each camaraderie includes at least one specific example of such an act. Pilots can charge camaraderie both during combat and outside of it. A pilot may expend a charged camaraderie between sorties to take a Downtime Action.
Allies
The default camaraderie, representing a friendly and cooperative relationship; when in doubt, pick this option. When you make both your ally and their player laugh, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Adversaries
For whatever reason, you do not get along with this wingmate. While this relationship does not devolve into outright hostility — Albatross decorum forbids it — there is always satisfaction from a well-timed “I told you so.” When your wingmate fails a Risky or Heroic check in your presence, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Family
It just so happens that you are related to this wingmate by blood. You have known each other for at least one of your entire lives — and with stasis being the norm during long periods of nearlight travel, you may not be the same relative age anymore. When you use Teamwork (Lancer, p. 45) to help this wingmate, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Lovers
You are proof that love can bloom on the battlefield and in the space between the stars. When you perform a thoughtful, romantic act for this wingmate, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Loyal Wing & Petrel
A knight and their squire; a teacher and their student. Loyal Wings regularly mentor Young Petrels in the culture and practices of the Albatross, uplifting them to Loyal Wings themselves. The Petrel may be a provisional pilot, or perhaps has graduated to Loyal Wing while still carrying deference to their mentor. If you are a Petrel (active or former) and you ask your Loyal Wing for guidance, this camaraderie becomes charged. If you are a Loyal Wing (or more distinguished) and your Petrel follows your guidance, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Opposites
Like fire and water, rock and wind, you and your wingmate seem polar opposites. As two sides of the same coin, you cover for each other’s weaknesses. When you help your wingmate in a situation they are poorly-equipped to manage, this camaraderie becomes charged.
Rivals
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone — at least, that’s what you tell each other. Lives saved, tyrants killed, benches pressed, kapat victories, and more are on the scoreboard between the two of you. When your wingmate succeeds on a Risky or Heroic check in your presence, this camaraderie becomes charged.
The Cause
No one joins the Albatross because it’s convenient. To travel with a makteba is to make it the entirety of one’s existence, utterly discarding any connections to the rest of the galaxy. Albatross recruiters know this, and judiciously screen for recruits with the fervor, compassion, and idealism necessary to serve the makteba for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, those born in the makteba are instilled with a keen sense of righteousness; it takes conviction of steel to get in a mech and fight for one’s beliefs time and again.
Ask players to reflect upon their pilots’ backgrounds and decide upon a closely-held ideal that motivated them to leave their previous lives behind. This ideal acts as a personal camaraderie; it becomes charged when the pilot acts in a way that aligns with this ideal or struggles against their belief. Some examples include:
- Justice
- Freedom
- Safety
- Protection
- Generosity
- Kindness