Intelligence PC

[Gabe The Gun]

One of my players rolled up a character and chose to be an Intel Officer. Based on that I was thinking of the issue of what kind of info would this PC have access to? Well I was pondering the option of having his character to have snagged a pile of current intel files from the base on the way out to open the door for me to have him present detailed intel to the other PC's as a way for me to mold thier direction of travels from time to time, ie. where to and not to go. That way it will be easier for me to keep them on the track of which I want them to stay on.
What is your opinion on this tactic of mine to guide my players?

[Webstral]

MI characters at various levels will have access to different intelligence. It sounds like your character is at the battalion or brigade level. Their focus is, or ought to be, of the over-the-next-hill variety. Some operational and strategic information does work its way down to the tactical level, but tactical guys seldom have detailed information on things outside their unit's area of responsibility. Tactical MI has a lot to worry about in their own back yard without getting wrapped up with what's going on three blocks away. That much said, an overall picture of events supplemented with bigger-picture information of direct relevance (Fourth Guard Tank Army is across the Vistula and may be headed your way) is appropriate.

Webstral

[pmulcahy11b]

IRL, it would depend on what type of Intelligence Officer he is (there are a good dozen or so sub-branches within MI), but in general, he will have a good knowledge of the area, map-wise, and almost-precise knowledge of the capabilities of enemy weapons, vehicles, and equipment capabilities. Under normal circumstances, he would have detailed knowledge of enemy and friendly troop dispositions, but in the Escape from Kalisz scenario, that knowledge would probably three or four days old at best -- an absolute eternity in modern warfare. He may have some knowledge or have heard of Operation RESET that is part of the Free City of Krakow module. He might know where some of the DIA and possibly CIA assets (the lower-level assets) in the area are located. And when he's dealing with friendly NPCs, but the players don't want to tell those NPCs everything, he can invoke the almighty OPSEC (Operational Security, as in "Sorry, it's classified.") and most likely be believed.

He probably also has a better understanding than the other players about what's going on back in the US and other parts of Europe -- there will be large gaps in his information, but he'll have more answers than most PCs.

[pmulcahy11b]

Another talent that Intel Analysts share is the ability to tie together odd bits of information into a coherent whole; this includes noticing patterns in the disparate pieces of information that aren't evident to most people. It's partially talent, and partially training, but difficult in quantify in game terms. You might treat it as sort of a puzzle presented to the players, and use INT rolls at random times or when new information comes in as the basis for giving the player pieces of the puzzle that fit together. My advice is when you give the player that information, take him out of the room and give it to him, pass a note, or lean over and whisper in his ear. Make sure the other players know in advance why you are doing this with the MI character's player, so they don't think you are favoring him over the other players. Let the player himself explain to the others what he's "figured out" -- and once you've given the player those puzzle pieces, don't explain it to him twice (unless you as a GM just explained the information badly to begin with), because it will contribute to the confused nature of a Poland campaign. Make sure the MI player knows why you won't explain it to him twice, so he doesn't get mad about it during game play.

[Raellus]

There's a page in the Escape from Kalisz materials that the writers recommend using as a player handout. IIRC, it includes info about hostile unit strengths, marauders, and friendly partisan groups in the AO, prior to the battle. Make a photocopy of it and hand it to your intel guy and let him share it with the others as he sees fit.

I wouldn't give him any of the info from the gazeteer (list of settlements in the Kalisz area, including the current status of each) since those developments occured after the Battle of Kalisz took place.

He would probably know about the Polish 8th MRD's mutiny and Krakow having declared itself a Free City. He might also know about the self-styled Margrave of Silesia's little fiefdom in southern Poland.

You could also use some of the rumors from the rumor list as intel he would have had access to prior to the battle. Just be careful with the timelines.

Hope this helps.

[Targan]

If you are interested in your campaign having some "spook" elements you could give your intelligence guy some info on suspected KGB, GRU and CIA asets in the area of operations. And he might have some history with the DIA too. Maybe give him a rumour or hint that there is an active DIA cell operating in the Free City of Krakow (there really is a DIA cell in Krakow, run by Colonel Richard Stark).