Character
Generation
Note: FTF and PBEM characters follow the same character creation guidelines.
More latitude will be given to PBEM characters in regards to background and
current status, as PBEM characters will interact with each other, NPCs and
FTF PCs through letters.
For more information
on joining the PBEM, please read here.
PCs can be male or female, but should be of middle- to upper-class British, French, or American extraction, with open minds and useful skills for adventuring.
In GURPS terms, the PCs should be built on a base of 145 points, plus 40 points in Disadvantages and 5 points in Quirks. This is more than your average GURPS game, to allow for the purchase of status and wealth.
Players who write a fairly detailed history of their character will receive five bonus points to be spent anywhere they'd like (in advantages, attributes, or skills).
Also, as the game progresses, players have the option of writing letters back and forth with NPCs (letter writing was an important part of communication during this time period). Not only does this add to the experience, but you'll also receive extra experience points.
Note: I'm assuming anyone from this class grouping is literate - no need to spend the points. PCs do need to spend points on their Status. Military Rank is independent of status in society, and must be purchased separately. Note that extreme levels of wealth also confer a kind of status on the PC; depending on how this wealth is gained will determine how members of society react to the character. Being "in trade" is considered vulgar, but inheriting a large fortune from a relative is not.
Allowed Advantages
include:
Absolute direction, Absolute Timing, Acute Senses, Alcohol Tolerance, Alertness,
Ally, Alternate Identity, Ambidexterity, Animal Empathy, Appearance, Cast
Iron Stomach, Charisma, Clerical Investment, Cool, Courtesy Rank, Danger Sense,
Daredevil, Deep Sleeper, Diplomatic Immunity, Discriminatory Senses, Disease-Resistant,
Double-Jointed, Eidetic Memory, Eidetic Sense-of-Smell, Empathy, Enhanced
Block or Move, Favor, Fearlessness, Fit, Flexibility, Hard-to-Kill, Heir,
High Pain Threshold, Immunity to Disease, Increased Speed, Intuition, Knighthood,
Language Talent, Less Sleep, Light Hangover, Lightning Calculator, Luck, Manual
Dexterity, Mathematical Ability, Military Rank, Musical Ability, No hangover,
Patron, Perfect Balance, Rank (types), Reputation, Sanctity, Sensitive, Single-Minded,
Status, Strong Will, Temporary Wealth, Toughness, Versatile, Very Fit, Very
Rapid Healing, Voice.
Status:
This is the English system of rank from GURPS Scarlet Pimpernel. I've adapted
it somewhat in the lower ranks. For a very comprehensive explanation of rank
and how to address members of the nobility, look at http://laura.chinet.com//html/titles12.html.
| King | Status 7 |
| Prince | Status 6 |
| Duke | Status 5 |
| Marquess | Status 5 |
| Earl | Status 4 |
| Baron | Status 3 |
| Baronet | Status 2 |
| Knight, MP | Status 1 |
Disadvantages
This is a heroic game, and characters should be built with that in mind. But
gaming (and fiction) are boring when characters are perfect, and if you'd
like to give your PCs some less-than-heroic traits that he or she can grow
out of as time passes, that's fine with me as long as the overall character
is heroic.
Allowed Disadvantages
include:
Absent Mindedness, Addiction, Alcohol-related Disads, Appearance, Attentive,
Bad Sight/Smell, Bloodlust, Broadminded, Capricious, Charitable, Chauvinistic,
Clueless, Code of Honor, Color Blindness, Compulsive Behavior (carousing,
gambling, love of, lying, spending, vowing, etc.). Cowardice, Curious, Deep
Sleeper, Delusions, Dependencies, Dependent, Distractable, Disturbing Voice,
Duties, Easy to Read, Enemy, Extravagance, Extreme Fanaticism, Glory Hound,
Gluttony, Greed, Gregarious, Guilt Complex, Gullibility, Hard of Hearing,
Honesty, Horrible Hangovers, Imaginative, Impulsiveness, Indecisive, Innumerate,
Intolerance, Jealousy, Klutz, Lecherousness, Light Sleeper, Lover's Distraction,
Migraine, Nervous Stomach, Night Blindness, No Sense of Humor, No sense of
smell/taste, Nosy, Obdurate, Oblivious, Obnoxious Drunk, Obsession, Odious
Personal Habits, On the Edge, One arm, One eye (Hey, it worked for Admiral
Nelson), One Hand, Overconfidence, Overweight, Paranoia, Personality Change,
Poverty, Primitive, Proud, Quirks, Reputation, Secret, Self-Centered, Selfish,
Selfless, Sense of Duty, Short Attention Span, Shyness, Skinny, Sleepwalker,
Sleepy Drinker, Slow Eater, Slow Healing, Slow Metabolism, Social Disease,
Social Stigma, Sterile, Stubbornness, Stuttering, Truthfulness, Undiscriminating,
Uneducated, Vulnerability, Weak Immune System, Weak Will, Weirdness Magnet,
Workaholic.
Skills
GURPS is a very skill-intensive game, but remember that most skills have a
default (the appropriate attribute minus a certain amount, or one of your
other skills minus a certain amount, depending on the difficulty). Don't worry
about having to buy every skill in the event your character might need it
-- just buy the skills that make sense for the character's background.
Allowed Skills include:
Acrobatics, Acting, Administration, Animal Handling, Appreciate Beauty, Archaeology,
Area Knowledges, Armory, Artist, Astrology, Astronomy, Axe/Mace, Ball Game,
Barber, Bard, Black Powder Weapons (type), Board Games, Botany, Bow, Brawling,
Buckler, Calligraphy, Carousing, Cartography, Chess, Climbing, Cloak, Cooking,
Cooperage, Courtesan, Criminology, Crossbow, Dancing, Detect Lies, Diagnosis,
Diplomacy, Disguise, Driving, Economics, Engineer, Erotic Art, Escape, Falconry,
Fast-Draw, Fast-Talk, Fencing, First Aid, Fishing, Forgery, Gambling, Games,
Gardening, Garrote, Gesture, Gunner, Guns, Heraldry, Hidden Lore, History,
Holdout, Intelligence Analysis, Interrogation, Intimidation, Jeweler, Juggling,
Jumping, Knife, Knife-throwing, Language, Law, Leadership, Leatherworking,
Lip Reading, Literature, Lockpicking, Main-Gauche, Masonry, Mathematics, Mechanic,
Merchant, Metallurgy, Mimicry, Musical Composition, Musical Instrument, Musical
Notation, Naturalist, Navigation, Needlecraft, Occultism, Packing, Panhandling,
Performance, Philosophy, Physician, Physics, Physiology, Pickpocket, Poetry,
Poisons, Polearm, Politics, Pottery, Psychology, Riding (type), Running, Sailor,
Satire, Savoir-Faire (type), Seamanship, Sex Appeal, Shadowing, Shield, Shipbuilding,
Shiphandling, Singing, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Strategy, Streetwise, Surgery,
Survival, Tactics, Tactics (Naval), Teamster, Theology, Throwing, Thrown Weapon,
Veterinary, Weaving, Whip, woodworking, Writing, Zoology.
Lady Eleanor Tillyard
Lady Eleanor is the oldest of Lord Winstone's four daughters. Unlike her sisters, she was not beautiful and not inclined to the female skills -- she had absolutely no aptitude for music and disliked attending balls. Her mother despaired of ever finding her a husband. But she was her father's favorite, and was taught much of the business of running the family estates.
At the age of nineteen, she fell in love with Sir Henry Tillyard, a man twenty years her senior and the owner of England's largest shipbuilding firm.
Eleanor was fascinated by ship design and building. Sir Henry was indulgent of his new wife, and allowed her to learn as much of the craft as she chose. In time, it became obvious that Eleanor had a gift for ship design, and secretly, she and Sir Henry worked together on all of their new projects.
Sir Henry died three years ago, childless. Eleanor inherited the Tillyard Shipworks and continues to work on her designs. Solicitors and businessmen handle the ordinary aspects of running the company, but she retains control of the firm.
Eleanor dislikes London society, but understands the political games that must be played for Tillyard Shipworks to retain lucrative government contracts. The balls and routs bore her, but provide her with a source for the satirical stories she writes about London society, published under the name "A Lady of Society."
She came to the League's notice during her time in London. Her progressive ideas and lack of concern for conventional behavior -- all the while managing to act like a proper member of English society -- made her a good candidate for membership. As the daughter of Lord Winstone, she has entrance into nearly all homes, despite her forays into trade.
Lady Eleanor is 5'4, with brown hair and hazel eyes. While she dresses in the first stare of fashion, her hands are often ink-stained. She is now 26, with no children.
Lord Rhys-Davies
The twenty-eight year old Lord Rhys-Davies is one of Britian's poorest peers. The earldom is small and mountainous, and not very well suited for much of anything save sheep-farming.
But John Riley-Smith, Lord Rhys-Davies, hasn't let that stop him yet. A graduate of Eton and King's College -- not to mention the Army, where he was a captain for several years -- he is an enthusiastic amateur archaeologist, devoting most of his time to digging up his friends' estates in his quest for Roman and Celtic ruins. In exchange, he offers to teach the children of the estate the classics.
It is an equitable agreement, for in this way, his friends are able to provide the impoverished earl's keep without injuring his pride or reducing him to having to seek actual employment.
A few of his friends' wives have made the realization that there is nothing wrong with the man that a rich heiress wouldn't cure, but so far, their attempts to induce him into the wedded state have come to naught.
Lord Rhys-Davies is 6'0, with black hair, blue eyes, and a good-natured smile. His clothes rarely stay clean long, and he is prone to digging anywhere he feels is a good spot for artifacts. He is usually surrounded by a pack of school-aged boys.
Mr. Stephen & Miss Eugenia Lewis
The nineteen-year-old twin children of career diplomat Sir Daniel Lewis could not be any less alike.
Stephen is shy, retiring, and prefers cataloging insects on their small estate in Kent to spending time with people. Though attractive, he is thin and stutters in the presence of strangers. He is very well versed in naturalism, geology, and chemistry, and has an encyclopedic knowledge of English flora and fauna.
His sister -- the younger by a few minutes -- is quite the opposite. Convinced she and Stephen are the descendants of King Arthur (she hasn't worked out the details, however), Eugenia craves adventure. Her antics in London have drawn the censure of some respectable London matrons. She is an attractive girl, well-dressed for her station and situation in life. She has a loud laugh.
The twins are not wealthy, having been left only a modest fortune and a small estate. Both are good with languages and have lived all over Europe, traveling with their diplomat father. Eugenia eagerly joined the League, but Stephen joined reluctantly, mostly to keep an eye on his sister.
Marie de Chardin
The most celebrated actress in London currently is Mademoiselle de Chartin, a twenty-nine year old brunette with a passion for gambling -- and wealthy, titled men, if rumors are to be believed.
And there are rumors -- of late night debaucheries, of lines of suitors waiting in the drawing room, and of many other ghastly things no one mentions in front of girls only recently "out."
Some believe her to be the daughter of a noble family who fled, fearing for her life. Others believe she is a simple Parisian street girl who was fortunate enough to become an actress in Paris -- and then make the transition to London.
But no one except Mlle. de Chardin knows the truth -- nor is anyone like to. She invents herself depending on the situation, and while she is never invited to respectable parties, she is the ruling queen of the demimondaine.
Her acting and dancing abilities are quite good, and she is a very beautiful woman, even allowing for the makeup she wears. She is 5'5, with black hair and eyes. She has a beauty mark on her cheek and speaks with a French accent.
Duke of Warrington
The Eighth Duke of Warrington was born Benjamin Jonathan Seward in Boston, 1771. His first memories are of sitting in his father's print shop, listening to him talk revolution with his friends.
Little Benjamin helped set the type for some of the most vicious criticisms of British tyranny -- and when the war finally ended, he helped his father print the joyous news.
His father died in 1791, and Benjamin took over the business. Six months later, a London solicitor appeared on his doorstep, along with a sweet old woman who introduced herself as Lady Frances, but didn't seem too put out that Benjamin didn't bow.
They explained that Benjamin was the great-grandson of the Fourth Duke of Warrington, and that as there were no other surviving male heirs, he was the new Duke.
Reluctantly, Benjamin turned over control of the business and departed for London, where he has taken his seat in the House of Lords and begun to make trouble for the staunchest Tories.
Warrington is 6'0, with dark hair and green eyes. He is not a great rider.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins
A daughter of an earl, Lady Elizabeth Chathamson was sixteen when she was presented at court. Her first Season in London, she fell in love with a lieutenant in the Navy, to the disgust of her family. Her father forbade contact with the boy, Lieutenant Alexander Hawkins. She continued to meet him secretly, and before the year was out, they had eloped.
He was soon promoted to Master & Commander, and on his first command assignment, he took Elizabeth with him. For four years she sailed with him on his command, until the birth of their son, Daniel.
Now that Daniel has joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman on a ship commanded by his godfather, Captain Armitage, Elizabeth Hawkins has grown bored. She desires to return to life at sea with her husband when he returns from his current cruise.
Elizabeth Hawkins is 5'7, with blond hair and gray eyes. She is thin, with a regal carriage, and she is always dressed in the first stare of fashion, though of a modest cut. She tends to wear dark, wintery colors.
Sir Frederick Sutton
6'3 and 230 pounds, Sir Frederick Sutton (baronet) is one of the largest, best-liked members of London society. Amiable and friendly, he is not terribly bright, but is a good sport and goes along with any joke, even when it's on him. He is a good dancer, in possession of a title and a moderate income, and he is sought-after by title-hungry girls.
Sir Frederick's father was a notorious rake and womanizer, but Sir Frederick does not appear to be taking after him. He enjoys playing cards, but rarely wins. Fortunately for his estate, he does not enjoy playing for high stakes.
Miss Katherine Morris
Philadelphia-born Katherine Morris is the daughter of American Ambassador and businessman Thomas Morris. Her uncle, Robert Morris, was one of the primary American financiers of the American Revolution. She is now living in Paris with her father, a horrifying place for a young woman to be during the Terror.
Raised in the family business,
she has learned the craft of international business from her father and uncle.
She also has a scientific bent, and for the most part, has been consumed with
her scientific writing to have thought much about marriage. She naturally
assumed that at some point she would marry, but never considered how it would
happen. If pressed for details she would describe marriage as like a merger,
when two suitable business partners join for the betterment of both. But her
opinion is one formed more by
naiveté than from anything else. Romance and love has never been a
part of her life and because of that, she is vulnerable to her feelings.
Katherine is 5' 8" tall with curly black hair and blue-gray eyes.
Lord Fenworth
The father of four marriage-age girls and a seven-year old heir, Colonel Lord Fenworth more than has his hands full with his family, not counting his duties ot the League! Whether he is keeping Lady Emily, Lady Anna, Lady Maria and Lady Caro out of trouble -- or helping them get into it, as he's been recently decided to marry them all off, the sooner the better -- Hollingdale, Fenworth's estate is always a hub of excitement.
Fenworth is often accompanied by longtime friend, Major Warburton, and sometimes by his daughters, whether willingly or not.
Fenworth's heir, Liam, has recently turned seven years old, marking the seventh anniversary of Lady Fenworth's death in childbirth. This has not gone unnoticed by many in Town, who feel Fenworth is young enough to marry again. Lady Russell, a Kent neighbor, feels she is just the woman for the job.
Le Comte de Chareau
Someone in the League learned a secret about the Comte and thought that, as an aristo, no one would know his way better around France -- and that he should be persuaded to join the League of Adventurers! And so having fled his native France after the Revolution began, le Comte has embarked on what he thought would be a life of epicurian delights -- but what he has found have been dirty, smelly, weeks-old clothing, filthy accomodations, and people shooting at him!
But he has weathered the storm well so far and has picked up the admiration and gratitude of his lovely cousin, Madame du Motier, as well as all four of Fenworth's daughters...
Sacre bleu!
Mr. Charles DuBery
When his parents were taken to the guillotine, Charles at least had the comfort of knowing that his sister had safely been smuggled back into England, where she would remain safe. Though he rotted in a tower of the Chateau de la Guillioniere, he maintained a cheerful outlook, knowing that in time the League would come for him, too.
But when they came, they were accompanied by his sister! Georgiana had abandoned England and her own safety to bring her brother home.
Charles was happy to be rescued, gladder still to return to England, but for one thing: while a prisoner, he caught sight of the most beautiful woman he had ever seen -- but had no knowledge of who she was or where she came from. Even though the weeks have passed since then, Charles still pines for the mysterious Frenchwoman.
Miss Georgiana DuBery
Nothing was harder for Miss Georgiana DuBery than saying farewell to her brother and going with the members of the League to return to England. Though the months passed and she found herself useful to them in decyphering messages and intelligences from France, she still wished to return and save the life of her brother, her only remaining family member.
While visiting the Somersets in Kent, she had her opportunity: the League had heard her brother was to be executed within days, and they rushed to save him. She persuaded them to take her with them, and she cut off her hair and dressed as a boy in order to travel incognito.
After Charles was rescued, Georgiana discovered that she had fallen in love with fellow League member "Jack Dorset," really the well-heeled dandy Marcus Eldon, son of a prominent judge. They are now planning their wedding for the fall, and it is certain to be one of the most fashionable events of the year.
Lt. Edward Manton
One of four children -- and three sons -- born to a cleric and his wife, young Edward Manton looked to the sea to make his fortune.
Now a lieutenant aboard the HMS Demeter, Lt. Manton writes letters home frequently, to his sister, Martha, and brother Christopher. His other brother, Kenneth, has proven to be dissolute and has given up his Army commission.
Lt. Manton is in love with his
former neighbor, Miss Amanda Post, though her attentions at current seem to
be engaged by Mr. DuLaine.