TEXT: Mountaineers Version 3.0 
  Patrolling the Lortmils and protecting the people of Gran March 
   
  A Gran March Metaorganization written by Taylor Davenport and the Gran March Triad 
   
  Organization Alignment(s)  
   
  Any non-evil (chaotic types not welcome, but not 
  prohibited) 
  PC Organization: 
  Yes 
  Point of Contact: 
  Taylor Davenport 
  (mountaineers@themaddevil.com) 
   
  Grumnar has commanded us to serve you despite your lack of respect for our traditions. 
  By my axe and the axe of my fathers, I pledge myself and my men to serve in your 
  army. We will show you what it means to fight in the dwarven tradition of our forebears. 
  We will treat your enemies as our enemies and destroy them as we destroyed the 
  humanoid invaders during the time of my father.  
  Furthar the Valiant, first commanding officer of the Mountaineers 
   
  As part of Gran March’s commitment to excellent war fighting practices, Gran March has developed 
  several elite units. One such elite unit is the Mountaineers, which serves to protect the northeastern 
  border of Gran March and communities in the Lortmils and the Lorridges. This document covers the 
  Mountaineers organization by describing its service requirements and benefits.  
   
  Organization 
   
  Ranks within the Mountaineers parallel the standard Gran March Army rank progression. The Apexmaster 
  of Ander’s Falls outranks the other Apexmasters, and is the commander of the unit. The alternate 
  Mountaineer progression is given on the table below: 
   
  Number 
  Enlisted 
  Alternate 
  Designation 
  Equivalent 
  Military rank 
  6 
  Apexmaster 
  Captain 
  18 
  Apexclimber 
  Lieutenant 
  36 
  Senior Mountclimber 
  Mountclimber 
  Senior Staff Sergeant 
  Staff Sergeant 
  240 
  Senior Hillclimber 
  Hillclimber 
  Sergeant 
  Combat Specialist 
   
  While the Gran March Style is appropriate for the battlefields of the plains of the Sheldomar Valley, it is 
  not well suited for the valleys and peaks of the Lortmils. The Mountaineers operate in small units that rely 
  more on teamwork and skill rather than the crushing might of the Gran March Style.  This teamwork is 
  learned during the initial training and refined facing the natural hazards of the Lortmils. 
   
  During training, the Mountaineers more than any other unit, rely on punishing the group for the failures of 
  the individual. To overcome this, the training units inevitably have to work closely together to make it 
  through the process. As a result, those individuals that do not wash out during training have a very strong 
  sense of camaraderie and trust in one another that their companions will not fail them. This translates into 
  a very efficient fighting style in which members capitalize on each other’s strengths. 
   
  In addition to the training to develop teamwork, the training of the Mountaineers further develops the 
  martial abilities of the Mountaineers as well as teaching them the ins and outs of the peaks and valleys of 
  the Lortmils. This intimate familiarity with their prospective battlegrounds translates into increased 
  efficiencies in patrols and combat. 
   
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  2 
  Philosophy and Credo 
   
  The Mountaineers have one unwritten rule. The only acceptable humanoids are dead, in chains, or serve 
  in the Gran March army. This translates into a philosophy that has very little tolerance for humanoid 
  intruders into what they consider their territory – namely the Lortmils. 
   
  Beyond their general hatred for humanoids, the Mountaineers are concerned with protecting the 
  inhabitants of the Lortmils and Lorridges from harm.  They are cognizant that they are essentially the first 
  line of defense and cannot expect ready aid from other units that have prior commitments.  This has led 
  them to have a strong sense of self-reliance (as a unit). 
   
  Day-to-Day activities 
   
  The Mountaineers’ primary responsibility is to help the 6th Battle patrol the Lortmils and deal with any 
  threats to the communities therein.   As a result of the Hateful Wars, this duty was relatively peaceful, 
  allowing the Mountaineers time to explore many of the more remote valleys and dales within the Lortmils.   
  However, after the rise of Turrosh Mak and the challenge he presented to the Principality of Ulek, the 
  Mountaineers had to turn their attention to repelling invaders from the Pomarj. 
   
  As rumors of the Master and his army of humanoids trickled out from Turamil and further proof of the 
  Master’s forces was discovered in Fort Tavisham, coupled with the need to support the Army of 
  Retribution, there has been an increased need for the Mountaineers to step up their activity and increase 
  their patrols to help rid Gran March of his insidious evil. This increased activity led to the discovery of the 
  ancient city of Seneshta and another batch of vampires living in the sewers thereof. As a result, the 
  Mountaineers are now more cognizant of an undead threat while still performing their task of humanoid 
  interdiction. 
   
  Important Dates, Holidays & Ceremonies 
   
  The Mountaineers celebrate the evening before Mustering Day with a dwarven feast. For them, this is a 
  celebration of those Mountaineers who have completed their service and who are heading home. It is 
  also a time for dwarven bards to recount the achievements of the unit for the past year in various forms of 
  expression. Finally, it is also an excuse for dwarves and their friends to drink and make merry to show 
  that they have survived the orcs for another year. 
   
  The Mountaineers are also very cognizant of the dwarven religious holidays, and particularly those 
  dedicated to Clangeddin. Other notable dates include: Reaping 22, which marked the end of active 
  operations in Gran March in the Hateful Wars; Coldeven 7, which marked the death of Furthar; and 
  Patchwall 4, which marked the slaughter of three thousand orcs and goblins in Hettarik Canyon through 
  the use of a well timed induced avalanche and subsequent mop up by the predecessor troops of the 
  Mountaineers. 
   
  Headquarters/ Major power centers 
   
  The headquarters of the Mountaineers is in Ander’s Falls, the Cragmor Baronial seat.  The headquarters 
  consists of four buildings.  The largest building is an extensive barracks that is capable of housing all of 
  the currently active Mountaineers.  However, only about one-third of the barracks is in use at any given 
  time.  The second largest building is a stable for military mounts.  The third building is the administrative 
  headquarters, which houses the administrative offices of the Mountaineers and further has a chapel to the 
  dwarven pantheon.  A second, smaller, non-denominational chapel in which other faiths are permitted to 
  hold services is also located in the administrative headquarters.  The final building is a smithy that is 
  staffed with a complement of master dwarven smiths, supplemented with a few dwarven wizards and 
  clerics to furnish the Mountaineers with the best possible equipment. 
   
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  3 
  History 
   
  The genocidal war that led to the human-dwarf alliance of 120 CY also gave rise to a small band of 
  dwarves that always seemed to be in the thickest fighting. Losses from this band were typically very high, 
  but veterans displayed uncanny abilities to fight together, sense impending conflict, and be at the right 
  place at the right time to defend the dwarves of the Lortmils from the humanoids. 
   
  This band of dwarves drew from all sectors of society. Fighters and warriors formed the backbone of the 
  band, but arcane spellcasters provided artillery support, battlepriests helped keep the band in fighting 
  trim, dwarven bards relayed signals between units, and inspired dwarves everywhere with tales of 
  bravery, and scouts ranged ahead, gathering information about the enemy. The battlepriests were heavily 
  laden with priests of Clangeddin, although a few of Moradin's priests were also present. When their new 
  human allies encountered this unit, they were amazed at the abilities of these dwarves. A few hardy souls 
  apprenticed themselves to these dwarves and began to learn their ways. 
   
  The end of that war saw these veterans, both dwarf and human, find the peace of the strongholds too 
  confining. Having dedicated themselves to war, they continued the lifestyle, rejecting the comforts of the 
  stronghold. Numbers dwindled over the years, but surged again during the Hateful Wars circa 480 CY. 
  During this upsurge, elves and gnomes were also allowed to train with these hardcore battle dwarves. In 
  turn, these races offered their own battle techniques to the dwarves. 
   
  After Grunmer's showdown with the Commandant, the Gran March military command was told to 
  integrate this dwarven battle force into the Gran March military structure. Thus, Gran March 
  commissioned the Mountaineers and accepted Grunmer's selection of the first 180 dwarves to the post. 
  These 180 dwarves nominated 25 gnomes, ten elves, five halflings, and nine humans thought to be 
  acceptable to the new unit. 
   
  As part of the compromise of Grunmer, 20 Pathfinders were assigned to the dwarven commanders of the 
  Mountaineers as "advisors" with an eye towards integrating this unit into the Gran March fighting style. 
  While not in this first wave of advisors, Wayfinder Hruck Snagtooth became the first half-orc involved in 
  the Mountaineers. A seasoned, axe-wielding cleric of Heironeous, his honor and ferocity earned him the 
  grudging respect of the dwarven commanders. Based on his personal recommendations, Grund 
  Rocksmasher, Frang Goblincleaver, and Tark So'Tark became the first full members of the Mountaineers 
  with orcish ancestry.  
   
  Circa 540 CY, the Pathfinder advisors were dismissed and a concentrated effort was made to bring the 
  numbers of the Mountaineers up to 300. These were primarily dwarves, but the numbers of non-dwarves 
  also necessarily increased. At this point, humanoids of all the PC races are accepted within the ranks of 
  the Mountaineers, although those with orcish ancestry undergo more hazing and abuse than the average 
  recruit. 
   
  Furthar the Valiant was the first formal Commander of the Mountaineers and served from 510 to 590 
  when he and thirty other Mountaineers decided to take the fight to Turrosh Mak in the Pomarj/Principality 
  of Ulek. Unfortunately, skills mastered in the hills and mountains of the Lortmils proved no match for the 
  prolific Pomarj natives and Furthar's force was cut down, albeit after wading through hundreds of their 
  foes. This was a heavy blow to the Mountaineers.  Since that disaster, the Commandant has forbidden 
  the Mountaineers from fighting outside Gran March as a unit without express orders. Recently, however, 
  individual Mountaineers can be seen in the Yeomanry studying methods of giant fighting for use in the 
  greater battle against the giants of Geoff. 
   
  Allies 
   
  As part of the Gran March army, the Mountaineers enjoy the support of the rest of the Gran March army 
  and can be counted on to support the Gran March army where requested as a natural function of the 
  chain of command. 
   
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  4 
  Because of their history and the high percentage of dwarven members, the Mountaineers enjoy the 
  support of the dwarven populace of the Lortmils.   
   
  The resurgence of the humanoid threat and the threat of the Master’s undead has caused the 
  Mountaineer patrols to be extended into the predominantly gnomish Lorridges.  The gnomes have, by and 
  large, welcomed the new patrols as evidence of the Commandant’s desire to protect his citizens. 
   
  Rivals 
   
  There is some friendly rivalry between the Mountaineers and certain elite units in the Principality of Ulek.   
  Likewise, the Mountaineers and the Pathfinders engage in some friendly banter and jibes about who is 
  the more efficacious in their duties.   While this may occasionally rise to the level of a bar fight, no lasting 
  injuries have ever been sustained. 
   
  There is some less friendly rivalry with the peoples of the Kron Hills as the border between Gran March 
  and these peoples has never been formally defined to each side’s satisfaction. 
   
  Foes 
   
  The elves of Celene are seen to have betrayed the treaties forged during the Hateful Wars by their 
  isolation and failure to help the Principality of Ulek against the Pomarj, and thus the Mountaineers 
  consider them foes; what the elves think is known only to the elves within that isolationist nation. 
   
  Recent events have disclosed the presence of a powerful undead creature known only as the Master.  He 
  is reputed to have many humanoids in his service, and their presence is most unwelcome in the Lortmils.  
  This has led to several armed confrontations and ill feelings between the two groups. 
   
  While the ties of kinship are perhaps remote in some cases, the Gran March dwarves, and as a result, the 
  Mountaineers, feel some loyalty to the dwarves of the Principality of Ulek who are sorely pressed by the 
  humanoids and giants in the service of Turrosh Mak.  Recent events indicate that Mak may be pushing 
  some tribes into the Gran March portion of the Lortmils as well, breeding further hatred for this orc 
  general.   
   
   
  Heraldry/ Symbol 
   
  The Mountaineers’ flag is a black field with a white circle in the middle.   A mountain looking vaguely like a 
  tooth is profiled within the white circle.   This mountain is the Tooth of Time that sits on the ridge above 
  Ander’s Falls.   Those individuals that use a shield typically have this symbol emblazoned thereon.   Other 
  individuals emblazon this symbol on their breastplates or other armor. 
   
  Requirements  
   
  To join the Mountaineers, an applicant must possess the following qualifications: 
   
  • 
  The applicant must be active Gran March military with at least six months (24 TU) of service. 
   
  • 
  The applicant must speak Dwarven and Common. 
   
  • 
  The applicant must possess Climb at a minimum of three ranks and either Knowledge (Lortmils) 
  at a minimum of three ranks or Wilderness Lore at a minimum of four ranks. 
   
  • 
  The applicant must possess a BAB of +3 or higher. 
   
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  5 
  • 
  The applicant must possess a net +2 bonus on physical attributes (STR, DEX, CON) 
   
  • 
  The applicant must possess proficiency in an axe weapon (battleaxe, dwarven waraxe, greataxe, 
  handaxe, orc double axe, throwing axe, urgrosh, etc.) a hammer weapon (light hammer, 
  mountaineer’s pick, warhammer, etc.) or pick weapon (heavy pick, light pick, mountaineer’s pick.) 
   
  • 
  The applicant must have at least six commendations from the Gran March military, four of which 
  must be combat related. 
   
  • 
  An applicant may substitute a single point of influence with the Gran March military in place of a 
  single commendation. 
   
  • 
  An applicant may substitute a recommendation from a current or retired Mountaineer in place of a 
  commendation. This stacks with the point of influence substitution. E.g., an applicant could apply 
  with four commendations (all battle related), a point of influence, and a recommendation. 
   
  (Note, while the unit includes many dwarves, it is not a requirement that candidates be dwarves.) 
   
  Benefits 
   
  Those who are members of the Mountaineers in good standing have the following benefits: 
   
  • 
  After six months of Mountaineer service (26 TUs), Mountaineers may freely take levels in the 
  prestige class King/Queen of the Mountain or King / Queen of the Hills as found in Masters of the 
  Wild.  
   
  • 
  Furthermore, after one year of service, Mountaineers can be considered to have fulfilled the 
  special requirement of the Dungeon Delver prestige class found in Song and Silence. 
   
  • 
  In addition to those feats granted to other active-duty personnel, Mountaineers have access to 
  the following feats, with training costs described below (note that these are in addition to the feats 
  available to all active-duty personnel in the Gran March military): 
   
  o 
  Sword and Fist:  
  Blindsight 5 ft. radius, Close Quarters Fighting, Death Blow, Dual Strike, Off Hand Parry,  
   
  o 
  Song and Silence 
  Arterial Strike, Hamstring  
   
  o 
  Masters of the Wild: 
  Dragon’s Toughness, Giant’s Toughness, Greater Two-Weapon Fighting, Off-hand Parry, 
  Shadow  
   
  • 
  Access to the following magic and mundane items in addition to those items available to active-
  duty infantry and officers in the Gran March military as per the Living Greyhawk Campaign 
  Sourcebook: 
   
  o 
  Dungeon Masters Guide 
  masterwork mithral full plate (10,750 gp) 
    
  adamantine breastplate (5,350 gp) 
    
  masterwork mithral breastplate (4,350 gp) 
    
  adamantine full plate (11,750 gp) 
    
  adamantine battleaxe (9,310 gp) 
    
  adamantine large shield (2,170 gp) 
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  6 
  ring of climbing (2,000 gp) 
  rope of climbing (3,000 gp) 
   
  o 
  Sword and Fist 
  masterwork bladed gauntlet (330 gp) 
   
  o 
  Tome and Blood 
  belt of many pockets (11,000 gp) 
   
  o 
  Other 
  Mountaineer’s Pick 140 gp, 8 lbs 
  A Mountaineer’s Pick is a combination of a pick and hammer.   The pick is able to pierce 
  rocks just as well as it can armor.   The hammerhead that opposes the pick allows the 
  wielder to drive spikes and flatten floes.   A leather loop typically hangs from the handle, 
  securing the pick to the wielder’s wrist or the wielder to the pick as they hang off of a rock 
  wall.   A Mountaineer’s pick is an exotic weapon combining a warhammer (1d8/x3, 
  bludgeoning) with a heavy pick (1d6/x4, piercing).   With the aid of the steadying leather 
  loop, a wielder can quickly spin the head to make the type of attack he or she wishes 
  (doing so as a free action), but each type of attack must be chosen before you attempt 
  the attack roll.  
   
  Masterwork Mountaineer’s Pick 740 gp, 8 lbs 
  As a mountaineer’s pick, but also granting a +2 circumstance bonus on the wielder’s 
  Climb check when the pick is used to assist the climbing.   As with all masterwork tools, 
  this bonus does not stack with other circumstance bonuses granted by other masterwork 
  tools, such as the climber’s kit. The masterwork mountaineer’s pick is also a masterwork 
  weapon. 
   
  • 
  Active-duty personnel (not reserve personnel who have been activated temporarily) have access 
  to the following armor / shield / weapon enhancements: 
   
  o 
  Armor and Shield Enhancements 
   
  � 
  Dungeon Masters Guide 
  The ability to upgrade from masterwork armor or shield to +1 armor or shield. 
  Only armor and shield types generally issued in the Mountaineers are eligible for 
  this upgrade. These are chain shirt, full plate, breastplate, and large shield made 
  of steel, mithral, or adamantine. This upgrade applies to both spellcasters and 
  non-spellcasters and requires that personnel only pay the difference between the 
  masterwork item and the +1 item. For spellcasters with Craft Arms and Armor, 
  this cost is 500 gp. For all other personnel, this cost is 1,000 gp. This is a 
  replacement for the general military benefit. 
   
  +2 enhancement. Only armor and shield types generally issued are eligible for 
  this upgrade. Only armor and shield types generally issued in the Mountaineers 
  are eligible for this upgrade. These are chain shirt, full plate, breastplate, and 
  large shield made of steel, mithral, or adamantine. This upgrade applies to both 
  spellcasters and non-spellcasters and requires that personnel only pay the 
  difference between the +1 item and the +2 item. For spellcasters with Craft Arms 
  and Armor, this cost is 1,500 gp. For all other personnel, this cost is 3,000 gp. 
  This is a replacement for the general military benefit. 
   
  o 
  Weapon Enhancements 
   
  � 
  Dungeon Masters Guide 
  The ability to upgrade from masterwork weapon to +1 weapon. Only weapons 
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  7 
  generally issued in the Mountaineers are eligible for this upgrade. These are 
  mountaineer’s pick, bladed gauntlet, adamantine battleaxe, covered hand 
  crossbow, grapple-firing crossbow, and battleaxe. This upgrade applies to both 
  spellcasters and non-spellcasters and requires that personnel only pay the 
  difference between the masterwork item and the +1 item. For spellcasters with 
  Craft Arms and Armor, this cost is 1,000 gp (or 2,000 gp for enchanting both 
  ends of a double weapon). For all other personnel, this cost is 2,000 gp (or 4,000 
  gp for enchanting both ends of a double weapon). This is a replacement for the 
  general military benefit. 
   
  +2 enhancement. Only weapons generally issued in the Mountaineers are 
  eligible for this upgrade. These are mountaineer’s pick, bladed gauntlet, 
  adamantine battleaxe, covered hand crossbow, grapple-firing crossbow, and 
  battleaxe. This upgrade applies to both spellcasters and non-spellcasters and 
  requires that personnel only pay the difference between the masterwork item and 
  the +1 item. For spellcasters with Craft Arms and Armor, this cost is 3,000 gp (or 
  6,000 gp for enchanting both ends of a double weapon). For all other personnel, 
  this cost is 6,000 gp (or 12,000 gp for enchanting both ends of a double weapon). 
  This is a replacement for the general military benefit. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers are paid 25 sp / week and are considered Combat Specialists, if not of higher rank. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers retain the class and general benefits of military service (free medium lifestyle, etc.). 
  They lose any previous assignment-based benefits unless specifically granted by this document. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers gain a competence bonus of +1 to any diplomacy check with any Gran March 
  dwarf when the dwarf in question is aware individual is a Mountaineer. 
   
  • 
  As standard equipment, Mountaineers are issued a battle axe, a masterwork chain shirt, climbing 
  kit, large steel shield, and 2 vials of holy water. These items are military issued and do not 
  properly belong to the Mountaineer. They cannot be sold, and must be replaced if lost. If the holy 
  water is used in the line of duty, more will be issued.   Mountaineers may (and often do) provide 
  their own equipment in place of that which is issued to them. Bards are also issued a signaling 
  instrument (masterwork drum or masterwork horn), and any PC who can demonstrate proficiency 
  (2 or more ranks of Heal) is issued a healer’s kit. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers gain a +1 Competence bonus to Intuit Direction and Wilderness Lore checks made 
  in the Lortmils and Lorridges. This represents the extreme familiarity of the individual with the 
  landmarks and nature of the local hills and mountains. Note, if the character does not have Intuit 
  Direction, this does not provide this skill. Wilderness Lore can be used untrained, so this bonus 
  applies regardless of the character’s rank in that skill. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers have an improved promotion track: Combat Specialist to Sergeant requires 9 
  commendations. Most members of the Mountaineers are NCOs, with authority usually vested by 
  seniority (meaning most of the leaders are dwarves). 
   
  Costs 
   
  In addition to the other membership requirements, members are expected to provide service and/or 
  money for advanced training: 
   
  • 
  Advanced Spell Training: 1 TU per spell acquired which comes off of military TUs. 
   
  • 
  Advanced Feat Training: 1 TU per feat acquired which comes off of military TUs. 
   
  
  Mountaineers 3.0 
   
  8 
  A member also bears certain responsibilities of membership: 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers must spend an initial 16 TUs training to become a Mountaineer which counts as 
  military TUs.  This time may not be spent adventuring or as part of GIMIC.  The character is 
  effectively out of play while training. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers must spend an annual 6 TUs in refresher training after the first year. This 
  expenditure counts as military TUs.  This time may not be spent adventuring or as part of GIMIC.  
  The character is effectively out of play while training. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers must spend 44 TUs a year in military service. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers cannot be concurrently on any other duty assignment, but may designate up to 6 
  Gran March regional or meta-regional modules per year to be played on military TU even if the 
  module in question does not normally count as military time. The Mountaineer is assumed to 
  have been rotated to a duty assignment (most likely training recruits or procuring equipment and 
  supplies) that puts him in the right place at the right time. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers must commit to 5 years of service from time they complete training. 
   
  • 
  Mountaineers cannot spend military TU on out-of-region modules except for those military 
  modules in the Yeomanry for training against the giant menace and for those set in the Lortmils 
  or Lorridges unless expressly permitted. Permission will be done by module, not by individual 
  request (that is, if a module is appropriate to the Mountaineers, the Mountaineers POC listed 
  above will make the determination. Individual members do not request permission.) When 
  playing out-of-region modules, members of the Mountaineers may not adventure together, this 
  would break the Commandant’s prohibition. 
   
  o 
  The list of approved modules to date is as follows: 
   
  � 
  Expedition to the Barrier Peaks 
  � 
  Veins of Trust 
  � 
  Last of Nine 
  � 
  Absence of Law 
  � 
  Dreadfog 
  � 
  Never Mined 
   
  References 
   
  The following are useful references with regard to this metaorganization in Living Greyhawk: 
   
  • 
  The Gran March Military Document issued by the Gran March Triad, which describes general 
  issues regarding military service. 
   
  • 
  Any of the Builder Books referenced above. In order to use any of the feats, equipment, or spells 
  listed above, players must bring a copy of the book that contains them to the table. 
   
  
SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Living Greyhawk/Metaorg Material/Gran March/Old and Retired Versions/Gran_March_Mountaineers_3.0.pdf