When the Queen Says... Character Creation

Ranks & Attributes

“What gives you the right to judge me, to play God with the lives of others? Is it because you’re so much holier than anyone else?” “Well yes, also because I’m more intelligent than anyone else.” – Athos and Aramis

There are three Ranks:

• Musketeer
• Cardinal’s Guard
• Lackey

You have 100 points to do with what you will. All of your Attributes begin at Musketeer Rank. Thus, selling down to Cardinal’s Guard Rank gives you 10 points and selling down to Lackey Rank gives you 25 points. There are FIVE Attributes: Wits, Panache, Finesse, Resolve, Brawn

WITS: a measure of the character’s ability to think on his feet. When he needs to woo a lady or fast-talk an innkeeper, he uses Wits. When he needs to decipher the Cardinal’s secret codes or spot the assassin lying in ambush alongside the road, he uses Wits. Aramis has First Rank Wits.

PANACHE: a measure of the character’s physical presence. Panache covers how well a character moves and how good he looks doing it. Panache covers dancing and stealthy movement and a great deal more. Milady DeWinter has First Rank Panache

FINESSE: the measure of a character’s coordination. When a character duels a villain, he uses Finesse. When he fires his musket, he uses Finesse. D’Artagnan has First Rank Finesse

RESOLVE: the measure of a character’s ability to keep going despite all odds and all setbacks. It is force of will and physical stamina. When you have been injured by words or blades, Resolve keeps you going. Athos has First Rank Resolve

BRAWN: the measure of a character’s physical prowess. It covers physical feats like lifting a wagon or unarmed brawling with a group of ruffians in an inn. Brawn not only allows you to inflict a good thrashing on your enemy, but to shrug one off as well. Porthos has First Rank Brawn A truly exceptional swordsman will be well ranked in Panache, Brawn, and Finesse. If he wants to have a long and distinguished career, he’ll have Wits and Resolve as well.

Creatures & Artifacts

“This horse is, or rather was in its youth, the color of a buttercup. It’s a color that’s quite common in plants, but very rare in horses.”

– Rochefort.

“I have a miraculous ointment for wounds. It was given to me by my mother.”

– D’Artagnan

All creatures and items must be in the theme of the swashbuckling genre. Contact GM for specifics.

Lands & Titles

“The Comte de La Fere!”

“The Comte de La Fere is dead. You killed me.”

– Milady DeWinter and Athos

It would be very rare for a character to have any real property or wealth.

Landless [0 Points] You have no real property to speak of. Perhaps you live in an inn or rent a room above a grocer’s.

Landed, Minor [1 Point] This could be the equivalent of a small farm or some property - you describe it. You may have some minor wealth and property.

Landed, Fair [4 Points] This is the equivalent of a large estate, or sizable parcel of land. You could be quite wealthy or possibly even a member of the nobility.

Landed, Great [6 Points] - You’re quite wealthy, perhaps even a prominent member of the nobility. Or at least, your family is. You probably renounced it all.

Allies

“I AM only one person. THAT is a servant.”

-D’Artagnan

Servant [1 point] Every gentleman should have a lackey- regardless of whether or not he can afford the services of one.

Ally in Paris [1 Point] Someone who is useful to you.

Friend in Court [2 Points] Someone important in the Court or who at least has the ear of the Court.

Court Devotee [4 Points] Someone in the Court is very loyal to you -willing to go to extreme lengths to aid you.

Stuff

“Impossible.”

“Unthinkable.”

“Unlikely.”

– Athos, Porthos, and Aramis

Stuff will be used to color your perceptions, your experiences, and the reactions of others. There is a maximum of 10 Points in Stuff.

Background

“One should be careful of what one writes. And to whom one gives it.”

– Cardinal Richelieu

Describe your character, ranging from their physical appearance to personality.

Your character should be able to answer the following questions:

1. Who are you?
2. What do you want?
3. Why are you here?
4. What do you have that is worth living for?
5. Who do you serve?
6. Whom do you trust?

Extra Points & Contributions

“The picnic was delicious, the wine was excellent, remind me to send the Cardinal a note.”

– Porthos

Yes, EXTRA points. Here’s how. Character concepts which are completed and approved by the deadline set by the GM, will receive an extra 10 points for character creation. In the unlikely event someone wants to do a game contribution before the game, I will assign extra points on a case by case basis. Thanks to JMS for the questions and Arref Mak and Jason Durall and John Lees for their help.