A new sort of Muster NPC

[Egon the Monkey]

Because the Muster isn't like the old law factions and will take any class, I thought it might be a good idea to have a Mayors Muster, Hedge Wizard or Mayor's Muster, Skald or someone in an obvious location. It would represent that they're not just fighter/archer types but a mix of skills.

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

Not sure about that, really.

I don't see wizards as the type that would spend very long upholding the law.  They could be 'specialists', brought in to apprehend particularly dangerous individuals (in a war wizard type of way) but wizards tend to spend their time studying magic and the application of magic, as opposed to being 'on the beat', which is for all intents and purposes what a musterman is.

[Barber]

They don't really have a  mix of skills though.

The muster as far as I knew, really was, basically villagers with swords, and a few old soldiers.  Then we got a bunch of "divine" class PCs because well, we recruited them.

We always had trouble recruiting mages.  If you want mages in the muster, make one and go join :D

[Decimate_The_Weak]

I think what Egon's point was is... the Muster NPCs just seem bland. It's either a shield/trident, or a bow.

As they're, as you say, basic villagers with weaponry, why not make them that? Have a musterman with ragged leather, wielding a shield & longsword, one with chainmail and a spear, etc. Just give them variety.

[Egon the Monkey]

Nah, there's plenty of variety in weapons, although some still are in the old uniform colours :P. What I'm suggesting is to add one NPC in a visible place who is clearly a caster class, to add flavour to the faction. Doesn't have to be a wizard, could be a sorcerer or bard, or cleric. The idea is that a player exploring the town will notice "Oh! That NPC's obviously a sorcerer (or bard/cleric/whatever) and realise that the Muster really isn't the Watch or Stygians but a much more open Association. I'm not suggesting a wizard on every street corner, but a single NPC who serves as an in-game reminder that the Muster recruits from all walks of life. Or two NPCs if you want to show off access to divine and arcane classes, casters and monks or whatever.

For example:
Fred Latham (NPC Sorcerer)
"This striking young man wears a jacket and breeches in Muster colours, but decorated with odd bone and copper fetishes. It is rumoured the Muster recruited him in a hurry after he unexpectedly saw off a minor goblin invasion by calling up a swarm of elementals.

[lovethesuit]

I like this suggestion. Actually, would it be possible to name every Muster NPC, so that we can fall in love with them and make friends?

[Blue41]

Is this really needed? You've already got Sleepy, the baddest bastard the town will never see.

[DangerousDan]

This is a good idea.

Something people often mistake is that the Muster aren't "Law Enforcers" like the Watch or the Stygians, but more just a gang of dudes under Volaunt's authority who keep the peace and stop people from being butchered in the streets. It is a pet peeve of mine when people talk about "the law" in the Muster.

A Hedge Wizard would be neat, I'll think about adding some stuff in for them soon.

[Testy McTryoutshirt]

This is a great idea. Stealthy but reformed ex-thieves with a penchant for dealing justice, rangers who enjoy trapping up evildoers, hedge wizards who love fireballing goblin invasions, crusading paladins with penchants for philosphical debates (or even crazy bastard Banites who love torture, and mad Cyricists with explosives!) - none of the above are excluded. More strange NPCs to publicly reflect the diversity of the Muster would be awesome.

[Vindlandsaga]

Is this a suggestion thread where everyone isn't trying to make the suggestor look stupid? I just had a love anneurism.
 
But seriously, I like this idea. Adding flavor to NPCs: Easy? Yes. Time consuming? No.
This suggestion could be broadened to include other factions as well, or NPCs in general.