victorian romance slush pile

The goal here is not a "victorian romance game". The goal is a set of rules/mechanics/setting considerations that make genre emulation more possible within a larger game.

http://udan-adan.blogspot.com/2016/01/romance-plots-in-rpgs.html

The Rake, the Heroine, the Wallflower --> strong archetypes- too heavy handed. wallflower class????

xp rewards the goal is to permit genre emulation, direct incentives hog too much space. there are no rewards for happily ever after. there are no rewards for decades of cold, loveless marriage

Secret Identities

Everyone has multiple names which together constitute their true name. If someone knows your true name, they can do wack shit to you, so some of these names have to be secret.

Idea #1: Your secret names are your secret identities. This makes them a limited resource - you can't make up a secret identity, you have eight identities at most

Idea #2: your names are magic. If you walk out of the room and re-enter under a different name, you'll be treated as a different person. You don't need a mask to do this, but you should at least muss up your hair or change your clothes - everyone's a bit faceblind, but they aren't stupid.

Rules of Engagement

Victorian romance is all about living in a society that tells you what to do, then choosing to defy or compromise with that society. It requires restrictions to fight against.

Players defy restrictions instinctually - without those restrictions, victorian romance has no stakes.

Idea #3: The primary means by which social norms are enforced among the elite is loss of inheritance. Your inheritance is your lifeline. In a game with such an absurd degree of wealth inequality*, losing your inheritance is game over. Social change is not possible so long as the same power structures that make the PCs important remain in place.

This doesn't work on players with nothing to lose, i.e. classic dungeon crawling types. It does work on the heiress NPC they are trying to woo, so that's something.

*by absurd wealth inequality, i mean you can commission a dress made of living moths or erect a giant statue of yourself on your private dressage course or buy a mansion and fill it with ghosts without too much thought. let them eat cake type beat

General Rules of Engagement (WIP)

• All scions are expected to participate in the social season. This is also when all the politics and sports and shit happens.
  
• All scions are expected to debut by age 28 at the latest. It is typical to debut by age 22.
  
• All scions are expected to be married by age 35 at the latest. If you are not at least engaged by age 30, people will begin making arrangements for you.
• Bigamy is frowned upon unless you have high CHA.
• Divorce is frowned upon.
• Queerness, in all of its forms, is frowned upon.
• Courtship is formalized thru the exchange of letters. Failing to do so is tantamount to keeping your relationship secret, which is forbidden.
  
• Courtship outside of one's House is forbidden except as part of a political alliance.
  
• Courtship below one's social standing is extremely forbidden. You will lose your inheritance; your partner will lose everything.
• The Heads of House have the final say in your courtship, marriage, and sex life.

There's also House specific rules

• Scions of this House must marry outside of their House. They host debutante balls for foreign royalty.
  
• This House encourages bigamy. Their scions are expected to marry at least twice by 35.

Break enough of these rules and you become a failscion - no inheritance, no prospects, just a bunch of relatives who think you're a failure. Failscions play a very different kind of game - one where they crawl into a dungeon with nothing and try to claw their way back to wealth.

Idea #4: Domain management and dungeoncrawling are two very different game modes. The scion/failscion dichotomy matches nicely to it. A game where you oscillate in and out of social grace based on how well you can adapt to a restrictive social code(????)

Binaries

High society can tolerate queerness. What it cannot tolerate is a lapse in procedure.

Idea #5: In courtship, the feminine role is passive and the masculine is aggressive. If a man takes the feminine role in courtship, or a woman takes the masculine, they must overcompensate to better fit their courtship-gender --> if a woman makes the first move on a man, she must also: lead when dancing, drive, and duel any rivals with pistols at dawn. If they get married, she will be the groom.

[why bother? i think gray areas for queerness are good, but i want to make sure i replace any restriction i remove with one thats equally fun (by which i mean annoying). Not sure if this is the right solution]

may 👁cu🏠my🦌

CRAFTSMAN

You are a craftsman. You belong to a Society of other craftsmen - people who teach you skills and look out for you. You pay dues, and occasionally do them favors.

The more you learn, the more they will be willing to teach you. Maybe one day, you’ll have something to teach them.

CRAFTSMAN
Start with: society membership; fancy stationery (40g); tools of the trade
+1 Sneak and +1 Inventory Slot per template
A - Skills, Missions, Dues
B - Rites

A: Skills
You know two of your Society’s skills.

Skills add +2 to associa𐘈ed checks and saves. 

A: Dues
Membership is not free. You owe 20g in dues at the end of each year.

As long as you are behind on your dues, you are technically forbidden from practicing the trades of the Society.

B: Rites
You know the rites of initiation, condemnation, and mobilization, with the following effects:

 

We cannot see without feeling. We cannot learn without touching.

Are you ready for your first lesson?

DC20

I was going to throw this in a random Discord channel. Then I remembered I have a dedicated place for screaming into the void.

This is an ugly post. If you respect me as a creative, maybe skip this one.

THERE ARE NO NEW IDEAS IN THIS POST

Below are 8 styles for Loch's Duelist.

BE WARNED! All of them are remixes of styles found in the original post or here or here. I refuse to do any more work than I have to!!! I want to play with stolen content!! I am a lazy lazy man!!!!

Each style can be learned for free if you belong to the right House. (i have left the styles unlabeled as a fun little puzzle, and certainly not out of laziness.)

Ψ - Hellenitsu
The “ultimate combat style for gentle folk”, invented by Lady Hadford Hellen after three years abroad in the far Western colony of Badasqua. Eventually perfected by beating the shit out of Eldon street toughs until she was satisfied; she was arrested twelve times in the process.
You may have learned it from a Hellenist at a party, or from one of her self-defense manuals.

1. Stance: Sovereign Style – You parry attacks from other fighters with a d8. Fighters can’t save against your techniques.
2. Technique: Umbrella – When you land an attack, you may yoink whatever they’re holding out of their hands. Fighters get a save.
3. Technique: Overcoat – When you parry an attack, you may ensnare their weapon in a cloak or other piece of clothing, disarming them. Fighters get a save.
4. Technique: Roundhouse Kick – You may forgo both of your attacks to aim a big ol’ kick at their big ol’ head. If it hits, you deal exactly 8 damage and knock your opponent away or prone. Fighters and massive foes may save to keep their footing.

Ψ - Catholic
The palace style of Catlan. Adheres to their strict moral code of self-preservation (you belong to your father, mother, and God before yourself, so it is your responsibility to protect their investment). Defensive, sometimes overly so, but capable of great cruelty. Requires a small dagger in the offhand.
You may have learned it from a sword-chaplain, or from a small sky-blue book.

1. Technique: Quick Step – You may dodge a single attack flawlessly.
2. Stance: Control – You parry with a d8 and can’t be disarmed.
3. Stance: Punishment – You deal +2 damage to anyone who has tried to harm you or someone you are sworn to protect.
4. Stance: See Guilt – Shame, guilt and embarrassment appear to you as blue-black smoke.

Ψ - Bear Standard
A dramatic two-handed style. Originally developed for killing bears, later stigmatized by its association with executioners in the post-Glorian eras.
You may have learned it from an executioner, or from a standing stone in rural West-of-Spine.

1. Technique: Ambush – When attacking a target that can’t see you, you have advantage and deal double damage.
2. Stance: Walk Lightly – You are invisible in foliage and leave no footprints.
3. Stance: Eat Well – You deal +2 damage to animals and wild beasts. When you kill an animal, the meat will be tender and delicious.
4. Technique: Mercy – When you hear someone say the words “please kill me now”, you may instantly kill them, no save.

Ψ - Low Brasilian
The infamous sword-style of the McIlleigh Company, intercontinental mercenaries who quashed uprisings in all of the Doggerlands’ colonies. Sometimes called “Killy-killy” by those with black senses of humour.
You might have learned it from a McIlleigh, or from a bloodstained confessional.

1. Technique: Rose – If you miss an attack, you may flourish and immediately move 15’ in any direction.
2. Technique: Carnation – Before you attack, your sword blooms with harsh red weirdlight – an enemy must save or be blinded.
3. Stance: Careful Analysis – You can See HD and See AC.
4. Stance: Manhunter – You deal +2 damage to humans. The scars of your weapons ache – the pain intensifies when you can see your victim, alerting them to your presence.

Ψ - The Method
Invented in the Shaylese wars by an anatomist-slash-evolutionist-slash-cannibal-expat named Shago. He was tasked with developing the perfect killing arts; allegedly, he learned how to turn a pile of meat into a living person, then performed the procedure in reverse.
You may have learned it from a veteran of the Southern Offense, or from a roan-bound journal.

1. Stance: Efficiency – When you hit two successful attacks on the same target, you can make another for free.
2. Technique: Humerus – When making an attack, you can lash out violently – target must save or have one of their arms (your choice) disabled for 1d6 days. You can fix that arm with a firm handshake.
3. Technique: Sudden Cut – You draw your sheathed sword and immediately make one attack. You can do this before initiative rolls.
4. Technique: Obliterate Dead – Obliterate a dead body; it cannot be identified by any means. Everyone who sees this happen must save or cower in fear. You can do this right as you land a killing blow.

Ψ - Lament
Discrete cloak-fighting style popularized by Irma of West Ordea, who attributed its invention to a fallen angel (she was, like her countrymen, a Paradisiac zealot). Practitioners of the style are employed by heads of House to quietly neutralize assassins at high society events. Nobles who study this style are thought paranoid. Requires a cloak or cape of fine quality.
You may have learned it from a very fancy bodyguard, or from a tome that fell from the sky.

1. Technique: Clean the Blade – If you parry or avoid an attack with a weapon, you can wipe the weapon clean on your cloak to remove poison, oil, rust, and so on. If the weapon was magic, its magical properties transfer to your cloak.
2. Technique: Charcuterie – You can sacrifice food or drink in your hand or on a nearby table to parry with d12. If someone gets food or drink on them from this, it will be the attacker.
3. Technique: Waltz – Before you attack, you may trade places with someone in arm’s reach.
4. Stance: Guardian – You may parry attacks directed at anything within arm’s reach.

Ψ - Volpe
An elegant, showy style, favored by criminals and rakes. The name belongs to a legendary thief from Algodoré, who has evaded capture, old age, and even death for several centuries.
You might have learned it from a retired footpad in a smoky room, or from a loose sheaf of papers.

1. Technique: Daylight Robbery – When you could riposte, you can instead take an item from an enemy’s inventory.
2. Technique: The Goad – When you make a successful attack, you can embarrass the target (such as by cutting your monogram into their clothes) - enraged, they will attack you next round if able. Fighters may save against this.
3. Stance: Defense in Motion – While moving, you have +2 AC and can parry arrows and bullets.
4. Technique: Call & Response – You may use another fighter’s technique immediately (at most one round) after they do.

Ψ - Flying Crocodile Kung Fu
A traditionally barehanded style from the Royce, the origins of which remain shrouded in mystery.
You may have learned it from a enthusiastic Royalist, or from a half-dozen half-translated scrolls.

1. Stance: Always Armed – Your unarmed strikes deal double damage.
2. Stance: Stolen Flight – You weigh as much as an eagle so long as you hold your breath.
3. Technique: From Above – You may make a free attack with advantage against a target whose head is below you.
4. Technique: Death Roll – You may forgo an attack to deal d10 damage to anything you’re holding with both hands. Massive foes may save for half damage.
   

flying crocodile kung fu

 

Last True Mouthpiece (GLOG Class: Ichabod)

When a person is put to death, after the verdict is read and the headsman’s sword falls, the body may stand again, full of the howling voice of God. This phenomenon is called the Mercy, and it is how the Church collects ichabods.

Ichabods bear none of the responsibility for their crimes prior to decapitation. This is because, during the Mercy, all the sin in their body rushes to their head (or perhaps sin always lived in the head, hiding between the teeth and above the soft palate. The Church is divided, as always.) They often go on to become high-ranking Church members.

The Mercy is the last of God’s miracles that the Rationalists consistently fail to explain. (No one buys the Mouveing Humours hypothesis.) It is irrefutable proof that God still has his eye on the Doggerlands.

* * *

This is the fourth class for the Victorian setting collab I'm working on with Noblesse Goblige, the same setting as last week's Sleuth. It's mostly stolen from Skerples’ Paladin of the Word.

It's all a big WIP, I just gotta get it offa my brain for now ya dig

* * *

ICHABOD
Start with: cult symbol; little red journal; equally headless horse
+1 MD per template
A - Beloved, Beheaded, The Voice
B - Speak with Dead
C - Speak with Everything
D - Ten Commandments

A: Beloved
Pious Doggerlanders respect and trust you, so long as you don’t (openly) harm people who don’t seem to deserve it. Everyone assumes you are good unless you give them a reason to believe otherwise.

A: Beheaded
You’ve been beheaded, and yet live. You are undead and mute. You are not blind or deaf.

For a princely sum you can be fitted with an array of brass horns, thru which you can “speak” in mournful honks.

Your head is out there, also undead, full of hate and sin and criminal intent. If you’re on good terms with the Church, they may let you keep it. Otherwise, it's in a Decapitorium somewhere. If your head is destroyed, you die.

A: The Voice
By His will, you walk; with His voice, you speak.

You can command others.

Command – You shout a [dice]-word command. Another person that can hear and understand you must Save or obey.

If you know their true, full name, they get -4 on their Save.

If you have gone at least a full day without using command, they get -2 on their Save. A full week, month, year, and decade each give an additional -2 to Save, up to -10.

A poorly phrased command can have unexpected effects. Commanding a dying man to LIVE!!! might cause more problems than it solves.

B: Speak with Dead
You can command corpses, briefly animating them with the same voice that moves your lungs.

C: Speak with Everything
You can command all things, even inanimate objects. You could command a tree to give you its fruit or a grave to exhume a corpse.

D: Ten Commandments
Your commands last forever, or until you lift them, with no additional Saves after the first. You may have up to ten commands active simultaneously. 

 

Names of God
Divided between and jealously guarded by the Houses as cultic secrets (the Church has tried, and failed, to unify the Cults of Man, to disastrous results).

You learn a cult’s name by being initiated in all of their mysteries. Learning more is politically awkward, but it can be done.

[these are extremely WIP]

1. The Cult of Eldon operates within the City of Eldon and worships the god Eldon. They’re city planners following convoluted infrastructural rituals. As the oldest cult, they jealously guard The First Name; if you know it, your commands are two words longer, and cannot be shorter than three words.
   Their Decapitorium is in Eldon.
2. The River Cults are dedicated to individual members of an interconnected pantheon. Educated persons are familiar with their myths in the forms of famous oratorios, which the cults begrudgingly accept. As the largest cult(s), they jealously guard The Family Name; if you know them, you can command crowds.
   Their Decapitorium is in Cândyf.
3. The Cult of the Armistice was born from the teachings of the wandering prophet Panin, who many believe to have been God in disguise. They preach peace and internationality. As a foreign cult, they jealously guard The Strange Name; if you know it, you can command creatures that don’t share a language with you.
   Their Decapitorium is in Basqoté.
4. The Red Cult worships the god Aber. They gather on thunderstorm nights. Lady Erin Sookholme is a member; she often arrives at functions painted in animal blood (the Lady considers herself a tastemaker). As a storm cult, they jealously guard The Shout; if you know it, you can command the wind. When you do, your MD always return.
   Their Decapitorium is somewhere in the Nirbarber Wood.
5. [wip] 

wikipedia says headless saints are called cephalophores; i didn't like the name because it sounded too much like some kind of octopus wizard

how do i sneak carved pumpkins into this class? scrolls? magic totems? stylish accessories?

a fashionable ichabod