Character Creation

[3rd-I]

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This thread will be used to define the starting conditions for characters and for character discussion..

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100 points per character

Maximum 40 points of disadvantages, stat-downs and quirks.

Standard starting wealth of $750

Literacy costs 10 points.


More to follow once campaign setting is fixed.

[3rd-I]

Ok, so as employees of a not entirely above board trading operation, some possible character types might include:

Clerks
Merchants
Thugs/Henchmen
Former Soldiers
Sailors
Footpads
Smugglers
Diplomats
Professionals

and so on.

Try to have a vision of where you want the character to go long term. In this kind of world, when you earn "loot" it doesnt get spent on a new sword, it buys you henchmen, ships, horses, company shares, influence, land, or cargo.

There will be a balance of combat and dealing.

Mass combat will happen at some point.

Naval combat will happen at some point.

I like my games to include a fair bit of empire building. Think big!

[3rd-I]

You may come across many languages in India. The last census in India showed that over 22 languages are spoken by over 1 million people each.

The players may come across the following languages in their travels:

Bengali: Native tongue of Bengal
Hindi: The most common language, spoken mostly in the interior.
Tamil: Spoken in the southern coastal regions
English, Dutch, French, Portugese: Spoken by trade colonists and introduced to some of the native populace.

[TetNak]

I'd be interesting to play an interpretor type. We definitely will need one.

[Orvost]

I'm thinking of being a German mercenary or physician. Or must we all be loyal subjects of The Crown?

[3rd-I]

No, mercenary types are fine! A german merc is not something I'd really thought of but I like it. Some kind of rifle-armed Jaeger type?

[3rd-I]

As a rule of thumb for starting equipment: any character up to "wealthy" an spend all their starting cash on whatever they want. The cost of rented lodgings in Calcutta in insignificant. Wealthier characters should be tying some of the money up in property, investments, furnishings etc.

Average starting wealth is $750

Tech level is classed as TL5 with respect to prices. Not all TL5 gear will be available yet.

Equipment from the fantasy/medieval tables in the basic set may be used. Divide prices by 20 to get approximate prices for the era.

[JohnnyWeird]

At least one native might be useful. I don't know much about India of the time, but would a professional knife fighter be out of place?

[3rd-I]

Hmm, blades (katars, kukri, machete) feature heavily in Kalarippayattu, which is one of the oldest known fighting styles. It originates from the southern Indian state of Kerala. It is heavily tied to Hinduism.

There is a full definition of this fighting style in GURPS: Martial Arts 3rd Ed if you do want to go down this route. Personally I think dual-wielded Kukris would be kick-ass!

I'm not sure if professional knife fights were a part of Indian culture, but I'm sure a well trained knife fighter would have no trouble finding "employment".

Really liking the chararcter ideas so far guys!

[Hayabusa]

Hello.
I don't have experience with GURPS, but this game really spawned my interest. It's okay, if I'm rejected due to the lack of it.
But if allowed, I'd like to play some kind of Irish soldier who has served the British Army.