Hammer Lord trait & no affiliations with forces

[Deckard]

Hello.

I`ve got one little crazy question. One player who plays in another campaign in my beautifull country create his character with Hammer Lord LP. According to that he took Hammer Lord trait, but finally he hasn`t any affiliations with hammer forces. Core book says: A character with this trait is assumed to have minor functionaries appropriate to his rank available to him at all times—the first eight lifepaths in the Hammer setting. No Circles test is required to bring these characters into play at the relevant exponent. Test Circles if a specialist is required, do not use the Skill Exponent modifier. He comes with his specialist skill at the exponent of the Hammer Lord’s forces.
And what now? Character hasn`t affiliation, so we can`t estimate value of exponent his crew. Moreover trait description don`t forbid using this trait to bring NPC-crew when Lord hasn`t affiliation with forces.

Thanks for answers!

[Glendower]

And what now? Character hasn`t affiliation, so we can`t estimate value of exponent his crew. Moreover trait description don`t forbid using this trait to bring NPC-crew when Lord hasn`t affiliation with forces.

Ok, page 261 on the Hammer Lord Trait states that the Lord "may buy an affiliation with the hammer itself to represent his armed forces".

It then goes into what 1D, 2D and 3D mean in terms of skill exponent levels.

From what I can see, if you don't have the affiliation, you don't get to assume that you have these minor functionaries, because you don't have any affiliation with Hammer Forces. The character is a Hammer Lord only in name, and has to circle everything up himself, by rolling his circles to determine things like skill exponent (which is in the chart).

I'd be like getting a trait that gives a call-on for Intimidation (sharked toothed smile) but not actually buying the skill Intimidation. That Call-on Trait can NOT be used, until you get that skill. I'd say the same for the Hammer Lord Trait. No affiliation, no bonuses.