Renaissance Florence: template idea

[Azinctus]

I am going to start a campaign in Renaissance Florence using Mr Riggsby's excellent book. I have an idiosyncratic idea for the character templates that I would like feedback on.

The campaign will be realistic swashbuckling with some politics and business. I plan to use The character generation process and the first sessions play to find out what the players want and will shape the campaign as we go.

I know the group well and they are not as familiar with GURPs as I am and even less familiar with historical gaming. So I wanted to do most of the work of character generation for them, while leaving the players some dramatic decisions.

In the style of the Three Musketeers all the characters will be men who can use a sword. But to bring in some of the Florence flavour I have created nine lenses representing jobs. The lenses can be combined more or less freely (see below for exactly how).

Apologies for the long post.

Florence 1494

You are a man, a member, servant or hanger on of the (forumites any suggestions for a name?) family. The family was exiled by the Medicis when you were a child or even before you were born. Recent events have exiled the Medicis from Florence and paved the way for your return.

You have 150 points to build your character by buying options from the following template and lenses. There is no disadvantage limit but you can only take the disadvantages listed.

You must have the Swordsman template which can be combined with any of the following lenses: Fencing Training [0], Humanism [-10], Diplomacy [0] Condottieri [5] and one of Church [-10] or The Arts [-20]. And either or both of Servant [-15] and Thieving [0] or Business [0] or Nobility [5]

Swordsman Template[16]
Choose a Native Dialect: Romagnolo (North east), Ligurian (Genoa), Veneto (Venice), Roamesco (Roma), Emiliano (North east), Umbrian (Umbria)
Advantages
Combat Reflexes [15]
Disadvantages
Selfish [-5], Sense of Duty – the Family [-5]
Skills
Rapier DX A, Riding DX A, Brawling DX E, Wrestling DX A, Knife DX E, Intimidation Will A, Carousing HT E, Sex Appeal HT A, Stealth DX A, Merchant IQ A
Optional
ST +1-6 [10-60], DX +1-4 [20-80], IQ +1-4 [20-80], HT +1-3 [10-30]
Advantages
Appearance Attractive [4] or Handsome [12] or Very Handsome [16]
Disadvantages
Appearance Unattractive [-4] or Ugly [-8] or Hideous [-16]
Skills
Main-Gauche DX A, Cloak DX A, Fast-Draw† DX E, Climbing DX A, Jumping DX E, Running HT A, Sports (Football) DX A, Swimming HT E, Current Affairs/TL (Popular Culture) IQ E, Boxing DX A, Gambling IQ A, Mimicry (Animal Sounds) IQ H, Mimicry (Bird Calls) IQ H, Traps IQ A, Survival† Per A, Weather Sense IQ A

The Lenses
Fencing Training[0]
Disadvantages
Overconfidence [-5]
Martial Arts Style
Italian School [5],
Optional
Any realistic option under your Style, Spanish School [4] and Spanish (accented) spoken and reading only [3], Acrobatics DX H

Business [0]
Advantages
Wealth 2 [20]
Reputation (fair dealing) Small Group Italian Merchants, All the time, +2 [5]
Disadvantages
Greed [-15], Miserliness [-10], Debt 8 [-8]
Economics IQ H, Law† IQ H, Accounting IQ H, Administration IQ A, Current Affairs (Business) /TL IQ E, Economics IQ H, Finance IQ H, Market Analysis IQ H, Smuggling IQ A

Thieving [0]
Change native dialect to Toscano (Florence)
Advantages
Contact (Fence) Adolfo de Firenze skill 15, quite often (12 or less), Skill 15, somewhat reliable [4]
Disadvantages
Status -1 [-5], Secret (thief) [-5], Dislikes: Policemen [-1]
Skills
Area Knowledge (Florence) IQ+0 E [1], Streetwise IQ-1 A [1], Urban Survival Per-1 A [1] Filch DX+1 A [4]
Optional
Fast-Talk IQ A, Holdout IQ A, Pickpocket DX H, Sleight of Hand DX H, Disguise/TL† IQ A, Escape DX H, Panhandling IQ E, Lockpicking/TL IQ A, Shadowing IQ A

Servant [-15]
Disadvantages
Wealth Struggling [-10], Status -1 [-5] and Delusion (All men are equal) [-5] or Compulsive Generosity [-5]
Skills
Savoir-Faire (Servant) IQ E, Scrounging Per E, And three from the optional list
Optional
Animal Handling† IQ A, Packing IQ A 2, Teamster† IQ A, Cooking IQ A, Housekeeping IQ E, Knot-Tying DX E, Sewing/TL DX E, Lifting HT A

Diplomacy [0]
Advantages [24]
Language Talent [10], Languages: Toscano (Fluent) [2] and French [2], German [2], Spanish [2], English [2], Latin [2], One South Italy dialect [1] all accented, Independent Income 1 [1]
Disadvantages
Secret (Spy for the King of France, Charles VIII) (Imprisonment or exile) [-20], and choose -10 points from: Paranoia [-10], Xenophilia [-10], Stubbornness [-5], Gregarious [-10], Light Sleeper [-5]
Skills
Linguistics IQ H, Politics IQ A, Diplomacy IQ H, Savoir-Faire (High Society) IQ E, Cryptography/TL IQ H, Detect Lies Per H

The Church [-10]
Advantages
Religious Rank 1 (Priest) [5]
Disadvantages
Disciplines of Faith (Asceticism) [-15] and Minor Vow – chastity [-5]
or
Secret (Serious Embarrassment) steals from the poor to pay prostitutes [-5] and Lecherous [-15]
Skills
Public Speaking IQ A, Theology IQ H, Propaganda IQ A, Religious Ritual IQ H, Teaching IQ A
Optional
Latin Accented [4]

Humanism -10
Disadvantages
Quirk, criticises corrupt Churchmen [-1] and -15 points from: Curious [-5], Compulsive Generosity [-5], Pacifism (Self Defense Only) [-15], Workaholic [-5],
Skills
Six from: Research/TL IQ A, Writing IQ A, Literature IQ H, History† IQ H, Philosophy† IQ H, Poisons/TL IQ H, Diagnosis/TL IQ H, Physician/TL IQ H, Physiology/TL IQ H
Optional
Latin [6]

The Arts [-20]
Advantages
Reputation promising young artist +2 Small Group, art lovers, All the time, +2 [5]
Disadvantages
Lecherousness [-15] and -15 points from: Impulsiveness [-10], Post Combat shakes [-5], Slow riser [-5], Social Disease [-5]
Skill
Connoisseur (Arts) IQ A 185 [1]
And choose one area:
Plastic Arts
Perk: Friend Michelangelo [1]
Skills (all [1] except one which is [2])
Cartography IQ A, Artist (painting) IQ H, Artist (Sculpting) IQ H, Masonry IQ E, Forgery/TL IQ H, Architecture/TL IQ A, Engineer/TL† IQ H
Performance
Perk: Penetrating Voice [1]
Skills (all [1] except one which is [2])
Musical Composition IQ H, Musical Instrument† IQ H, Poetry IQ A, Singing HT E, Performance IQ A, Stage Combat DX A, Acting IQ A

Nobility [5]
Advantages [65]
Status 4 count [20], Wealth 2 [20], Independent Income [20], Claim to hospitality (other nobles) [5]
Disadvantages [-70]
Dependants (wife and two infants) [-30], Enemy the Medicis [-20], Laziness [-10], Compulsive Carousing [-5], Compulsive Gambling [-5]
Skills [10]
Current Affairs IQ E (High Culture), Dancing DX A, Savoir-Faire (High Society) IQ E, Heraldry IQ A, Falconry IQ A, Tracking Per A, Lance DX A, Shield (Medium Shield) DX E, Broadsword DX A, Axe/Mace DX E
Optional
Two-Handed Axe/Mace DX A, Two-Handed Flail DX H, Two-Handed Sword, DX A Polearm DX A

Condottieri [5]
Advantages
High Pain Threshold [10]
Disadvantages
Compulsive Spending [-5]
Callous [-5]
Skills
Hiking HT A, Soldier IQ A, First Aid IQ E, Tactics IQ H, Guns (musket) DX E
Optional
Broadsword DX A, Axe/Mace DX A, Shield (Tower Shield) DX E, Observation Per A, Forced Entry DX E, Armoury IQ A, Leadership IQ A, Savoir-Faire (Military) IQ E, Strategy† IQ H, Navigation/TL† IQ A, Intelligence Analysis/TL IQ H, Interrogation IQ A, Artillery (Cannon) IQ A, Gunner (Cannon) DX E, Explosives/TL (Demolition) IQ A, Throwing DX A, Perk: Two-Man Pike Training, Spear DX A, Crossbow DX E

Notes
The thieving lens is the only one who lived in Florence, but they did so illegally. The Dependent and Enemy of the noble were eyeballed rather than calculated.

[aesir23]

What exactly are you paying for with 5 points in the Italian School? Most of the skills included in the style are already in the template.

Style costs are merely a reflection of the number of skills in the style + Style Familiarity. Subtracting the cost of Rapier and Main-Gauche and Wrestling it should cost only 2 points: 1 point in Shield (Buckler) and One Point in Style Familiarity.

I'd suggest the remaining points be spent to improve techniques from that style, which is really the advantage of buying Style Familiarity anyway.

[Azinctus]

Originally Posted by aesir23

What exactly are you paying for with 5 points in the Italian School? Most of the skills included in the style are already in the template.

Good point. Thanks. As you suggest the points could go to techniques. I might pick out some good ones to save the players having to open Martial Arts (unless they want to).

[jason taylor]

Would the family enemy in a vendetta qualify as Enemy? A public enemy for a soldier wouldn't, as that is covered by extremely hazardous duty. But what about a family enemy?

[Polydamas]

Technically, the Italian School won't exist for about 60 years. But martial arts which taught what GURPS calls fencing skills were around (the Bolognese school is the only one which left us manuals). I'd use the Italian School write-up but add Technique Adaptation (Broadsword with Rapier skill) and use about equal numbers of cuts and thrusts when fighting as a stylist.

Sword-and-buckler fighting and the different knightly arts will definitely still be popular. You might add them as optional parts of templates (eg. a mounted condottiere would probably know Knightly Mounted Combat).

[Azinctus]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Would the family enemy in a vendetta qualify as Enemy? A public enemy for a soldier wouldn't, as that is covered by extremely hazardous duty. But what about a family enemy?

I was imagining that if the Medici were to assassinate someone it would be the noble. So the other PCs ought to be looking out for their wealthy friend and patron. Although they all stand to be exiled together, it is the noble who stands out and it is the noble who must worry about having his drink poisoned.

Originally Posted by Polydamas

Technically, the Italian School won't exist for about 60 years. But martial arts which taught what GURPS calls fencing skills were around (the Bolognese school is the only one which left us manuals). I'd use the Italian School write-up but add Technique Adaptation (Broadsword with Rapier skill) and use about equal numbers of cuts and thrusts when fighting as a stylist.

I see. That's tricky. Would the Broadsword be best? It has a blunt point. What about the Edged Rapier or Longsword? How do I encourage cutting attacks? perhaps Targeted Attack arm or hand?

Originally Posted by Polydamas

Sword-and-buckler fighting and the different knightly arts will definitely still be popular. You might add them as optional parts of templates (eg. a mounted condottiere would probably know Knightly Mounted Combat).

Good point. I'll maybe look into offering more medieval Martial Arts styles as options in some of the lenses.

[aesir23]

Originally Posted by Azinctus

I see. That's tricky. Would the Broadsword be best? It has a blunt point.

Not true, most historical swords that GURPS calls Broadswords (the medieval Arming Sword, the Rennaissance Backsword, the Cavalry Saber, ect....) are "Thrusting Broadswords." Sharp tip and all.

[Azinctus]

Originally Posted by aesir23

Not true, most historical swords that GURPS calls Broadswords (the medieval Arming Sword, the Rennaissance Backsword, the Cavalry Saber, ect....) are "Thrusting Broadswords." Sharp tip and all.

Thanks, I blanked that line in the book. So a thrusting broadsword is an option. but would a sword in the 1490s be that short? Some of the pictures I've been looking at in the manuals from the 14th century look quite long and even suggest using the weapon in two hands like a bastard sword.

I'm keen to push the fencing towards renaissance styles to make the difference between our usual medieval fantasy gaming and this more modern period. But I don't want anachronistic weapons either.

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by jason taylor

Would the family enemy in a vendetta qualify as Enemy?

Though there are cases where I could be talked out of it, I'd generally say yes. There's actual personal animosity on the part of the opposing family towards the character.

[Turhan's Bey Company]

Originally Posted by Azinctus

In the style of the Three Musketeers all the characters will be men who can use a sword. But to bring in some of the Florence flavour I have created nine lenses representing jobs. The lenses can be combined more or less freely (see below for exactly how).

Nifty!

If you don't already have it, don't forget that Pyramid #10 has a map of the city (which is also in the free preview PDF).