Wednesday, January 06, 2021

Character Challege 6 of 31: Mongoose Traveller Noble

Baron Euglan Barner

85367C Noble 4 terms, age 34    

Cr299,250, Handcomp
Gambler-1, Streetwise-1, Carousing-1, Gun Combat (Slug 1), Language (Vilani 0), Art (Performer 0), Mechanic-0, Admin-0, Advocate-0, Electronics (Computer 0), Diplomat-0, Investigate-0, Persuade-0
2 allies 
actually a cover for Well Worlds so probably Nathan Brazil, but hey, close to what I had in mind!

The 3rd son of the Imperial Knight on a backwater world, Euglan grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth and a bad attitude. His father considers him a wastrel son and of no account, and Euglan has been tossed out of the family estate and the party circuit. He dresses quite extravagantly (some would say foppish, but they are mere peasants and do not understand the exactitudes of proper attire). Despite this exterior, is is basically a competent human being who knows how to get about in the mean streets as well as the upper levels of society. A close look may reveal that his left eye is artificial, and is in fact not only a replacement for an eye lost in a brawl when he was 28 but a camera as well. Fortunately he was on a high-tech world at that time, and managed to get it replaced. The camera functions can be accessed by his iHandcomp.

How you may meet Baron Barner

A frequent visitor to gambling dens both legal and not so legal, the Baron in all his foppish glory may be in the process of getting tossed out, or surrounded by sycophants hoping to get in on a little of his luck and winnings. He also leaves behind a trail of jilted lovers and some may want some sort of petty revenge against "his Lordship". He could also serve as the "face" for an interesting quest. And often the losers against him want to get their credit back, so there could be cries from an alley in passing. And as I've not assigned allies, a PC could be an ally and pulled into some scheme.

Sometimes you just roll the dice and see what happens. My initial rolls for this character were:

  • Strength 8
  • Dexterity 5
  • Endurance 3
  • Intelligence 6
  • Education 7
  • Social 10
So while I was going to see about a spy (and that will come along I am sure), thought I'd try the Mongoose 2e Noble career. Mongoose is similar in feel to Classic, though more with the 1st edition than the 2nd. The skill levels are comparable and there is a single set of rolls per term. You have 3 choices of a specialization within those careers; for Noble you may pick Diplomat, Administrative or Dilettante. With is Intelligence and Education, I went for Dilettante.

I also rolled a 5 for gender, male.

Mongoose also gives you background skills based on your education. Having an average education of 7 means he gets three, and I chose Language, Art and Mechanic, all at level 0. 

Term 1, Wastral

1st term you get all the service skills at level 0, giving our dilettante Admin, Advocate, Electronics, Diplomat, Investigate and Persuade. Survival only needs a 3 or higher, and 7 is well clear of that. Promotions (apparently even dilettantes have ranks! I rolled a 6, leaving me a wastrel for my first 4 years. For the event, I rolled a 7, which says to roll on the life events table. Rolling a 5, I get an improved relationship, gaining an ally. 

Term 2

Choosing to roll on the Personal Development table, I roll a 4, giving me Gambler-1. Now this will be very handy when mustering out - that gives me a +1 on the cash table! I make the survival roll with a 6, and rolling an 11 for the promotion roll means I am no longer a wastrel! There is no definition for rank 2 in this field. Rolling on the events table, I get a 9, saying that my reign was good, or, in the case of the dilettantes, I am still sponging off the family wealth and name. It does give me a +2 on my next promotion roll though.

Term 3, Ingrate

Deciding to try the Dilettante skills table, I roll a 4, giving me Streetwise-1. This kid hangs out in the bad parts of town apparently. Probably honing his gambling skills in some back alley. Rolling a 7 for survival, we apparently do not get killed. An 8, +2 from our last event, means we get promoted to ingrate! Father would be proud. This also gives me Carouse-1 as a skill. However, I roll snake eyes on the event table, indicating I need to roll on the mishap table. Rolling yet another 1, I am severely injured: apparently things are not so safe in those alleys! Rolling a 3, I lose an eye and my strength goes down by 2, to 6. I have to roll twice, and the 2nd roll is a 5, reducing strength once more to 5. Never fear, though: there are medical costs to cure us later. 

Term 4

Deciding to roll on the service skills table in the hope of restoring some of my lost strength, I roll a 5 and pick up gun combat. Choosing slug weapons (they are easier to maintain), I must have started packing heat to protect myself. Rolling a 5 for survival, I survive this term without a scratch. I succeed the advancement roll with a 12, but this rank has no description either. The events roll is a 7, for life events, and somehow I roll another 5 so gain another ally. Here's hoping it is a doctor!

Mustering out

As I do with these characters, I alternate cash and benefits. One thing for Euglan - that gambling skill adds one to the cash rolls. Rolling I get a 6 which bumps to 7 for Cr200,000. A rich man! The benefits roll I roll a 4 for SOC +1, giving me a knighthood. The next cash roll was 5, bumped to 6, for Cr100,000. And I duplicated the 4 for another bump in social, making me a Baron. Euglan made friends in high places during his 20 years of playing the field, and has moved up accordingly.

Medical costs are Cr5000 per point, so I can afford to get all those damages repaired. There is a table that indicates how much the service you are in will pay. I roll an 8, and adding in my rank 3 is 11, or 75%. So I am out all of Cr750 but have all my strength back. 

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