An Example of Play
or, Learning from Others' Mistaques... missteaks... damn.
Let's look at an example of play, using a fictional player and character. In this case, Mort is the player, and his character's name is Hans. Hans arrived in Paris one month ago, and despite being a mere merchant's son, seeks a post in the Royal Foot Guard (the most presigious regiment in all of France).
Hans has a Social Level (SL) of 3. Looking at Regimental Table A we see that the minimum SL required to join the RFG is 7. Even if each turn were perfectly executed in achieving a higher social rank, it eould take a minimum of four months before Hans could even apply. (The rules for Status Points & Social Level limits the increase to 1 SL per month, except in the case of Titles.) Even at an SL of 7, however, Hans will need to roll a 5 or 6 on one die to be accepted.
Mort makes note of an interesting rule, though:
"Regimental Table A lists the names of the Regiments and the minimum die roll needed to be accepted into that Regiment per Social Level. This die roll may be modified by influence with the Regimental Commander. If the Regiment is commanded by a player, no roll is required: the Commander decides who is accepted. The candidate must meet all the minimum criteria for acceptance into the Regiment."
While he can't join the regiment at his current SL, there is nothing preventing Hans from ingratiating himself to the Colonel in the RFG (which, by a stroke of luck, is another player character). If successful, Hans need not roll for acceptance at all. With these things in mind, Mort goes about planning his steps for this turn.
First (if he hasn't already done so) Mort posts an introduction for Hans in The Pestilential Pothouse (the discussion group dedicated to in-character chat). Once the introduction is made, he seeks out members of the RFG and engages with them (in character), making it plain what he seeks -- after all, a man cannot have too many friends.
Let's assume that a subaltern befriends our hero, inviting Hans to his club, The Blue Gables. Normally Hans wouldn't make it in the door, but being the guest of a member has its perks. Naturally he eagerly accepts, and agrees to meet in week 3. Mort knows that to forgo female companionship is to take a hit to Status Points; on the other hand, Hans hasn't the resources to support a Mistress. This means he will need to use one week to visit the Bawdyhouse. The framework for Hans' month is shaping up.
Mort decides to work proactively to improve Hans' admittedly lackluster Expertise, and so chooses to spend two weeks training in Rapier (the regimental weapon of the RFG). He begins drafting an email to dbdboss at yahoo dot com with the subject line, "DBD Orders for Hans". He writes the following:
This month, Hans will do the following:Dueling Orders: Accept any duel, use rapier.
- Visit the bawdyhouse with 50 crowns. Obtain FC, carouse, gamble 6x at 6 crowns each.
- Practice rapier.
- Attend the Blue Gables with Gilbert; carouse, toady with Gilbert, gamble 9x at 10 crowns each.
- Practice rapier.
Routine: X-L-X-X-S-JB-X-CL-K-X-X-X
Retire at first blood.
Once sent, Mort awaits the report from the referee. He gets something that looks like this:
Week 1: FC (-3 cr), Carouse (-3 cr, +1 SP), Gambling (+12 cr, +3SP). Not robbed.
Week 2: Practice (-10 cr, +1/4 Exp)
Week 3:Blue Gables (+2 SP), Carouse (-3cr, +1 SP), Toady (+2 SP), Gamble (+30 cr, +5 SP)
Week 4: Practice (-10 cr, +1/2 Exp).
Totals: Crowns +13. SP 14. Expertise 10.5 (rapier). SL 4.
Those are just the dry report. The real juice can be found in this month's Paris Gazette!
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