I've slightly updated the TS3 link to account for the recent changes. One of the things I've just learned (that a few people already knew) is that if you want to be able to see who is in what room, you just need to subscribe to the room. To do this, select the room (eventually I expect you'll want to go through each room and subscribe to them individually) and instead of clicking "join channel" you will choose the "subscribe to channel" option. This will prevent you from having to join each room before you can see who is in it. This will be EXTREMELY helpful as we start to break into groups who we tend to gel with.
Further thoughts on organization that have been brought to my attention by a variety of members got me reading the wiki again. Here is an entry describing 3 levels of "heavy infantry" within the military organization during the Roman Republic. (Technically there are 4 categories below but 1 -equites- is cavalry)
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Equites (cavalry): The cavalry was originally the most prestigious unit, where wealthy young Roman men displayed their skill and prowess, laying the foundation for an eventual political career.
- The hastati (sing. hastatus) consisted of raw or inexperienced soldiers, considered to be less reliable than legionaries of several years' service. The Hastati were placed at the front for several reasons. One reason is the city of Rome could ill-afford to lose experienced soldiers, so they put the greenest soldiers at the front. If they survived, the Hastati/tus would gain invaluable experience. Another reason is if the newest soldiers succumbed to battle nerves and broke and tried to run, then there were experienced soldiers behind them to scare or comfort them.
- The principes (sing. princeps) These were the more experienced soldiers, often better equipped than the Hastati, and having more experience on the battle field, they would take up the second line in the battle in the event the Hastati failed or fled. They were the second wave in an early Republican Legion before the military reforms of Marius.
- The triarii (sing. triarius) were the veteran soldiers, to be used in battle only in extreme situations; they rested one knee down when not engaged in combat. The triarii served primarily as reserves or barrier troopsdesigned to backstop the hastati and principes, and were equipped with long hastae (spears) rather than the pilum and gladius (the hastati and principes stopped using spears in 387 BC).
I don't think anyone fits the description of Hastati... but without reading into it TOO much I think it fits for people who are new to the group... still feeling their way through TS3 and some of the antics... still trying to adopt their play style to TS3 capability ETC. Hastati wouldn't reflect number of battles at all... some brand new members have 4k. Maybe a month? Maybe a vote? To discuss.
I see opportunity for 4 groups:
1) Guys who want to compete and take their gameplay, communication and coordination to the next level. TS3 will be mandatory at this level only.
2) A swing group that enjoys being competitive and works with group 1 but also enjoys hanging back with group 3. As people move on with their lives or need to take a break, the supply of folks in group 2 will be drafted into group 1. This will also likely be where our members who are interested in helping others develop their skills may reside.
3) A group of guys who aren't interested in the clan war aspect, and are more focused on participating at a casual level. We ALL help teach- but folks in this group don't make it a focus.
4) New members to the clan will likely enter at this level until they get comfortable with the group. They can either move into group 3 and hang out... or move into the swing group 2. How this happens is open for debate... I expect that as senior folks talk on TS3 and figure out who fits where this distinction can be made.
Triarii specifically were broken down into smaller Maniples... So in theory we could find different names for the 4 different Maniples. Alternatively, we could call our competitive members the Equites, our swing group the Principes and our casuals the Triarii... The reason I say this is that most of the guys who are happy being casual are still among the most experienced. The Hastati would be our group 4.
Anyway- some EARLY morning thoughts as night shift draws to a close.
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