Appointments
or, The Pursuit of Power for its Own Ends is Immoral (but Fun)
In the military and in the government, there are certain positions of responsibility and honour, of which capable men may make use to further their careers. Characters who meet the qualifications for such positions may seek appointment to them by the provisions outlined below.
The Military and Government Appointments Tables list the appointments available, along with other information necessary to play. The column headed Rank gives the military rank or title necessary to hold the position. To gain the appointment on the Military Table, a player must hold exactly that rank; on the Government Table that rank or higher. Min SL gives the minimum Social Level for that position. Special Requirements lists any other requirements of the post. These consist either of a specified Regiment to which the aspirant must belong, or of a modifier to the die roll needed for appointment, based on military ability as per the table shown to the right.
Military Ability Modifiers
MA |
Modifier |
|---|---|
1 |
+1 |
2-5 |
0 |
6-7 |
-1 |
8+ |
-2 |
Appointment lists the appointment being sought. Number Allowed lists the number of players able to hold that position simultaneously (in some cases this is infinite). Who appoints lists the official who appoints the position, and who must be influenced if the player wants to improve his chances. SPs lists the Status Points received monthly by the office-holder.
Inf gives the level of the favour the player receives each season (note that some positions receive two favours). Die roll gives the number or greater that must be rolled on one die to gain the appointment. This may be modified by influence or military ability, if applicable. In addition, a player may subtract one from the die roll needed for every 3 Social Levels he is above the minimum for that office; and a player who already holds a position and seeks reappointment to it may subtract 1 for being the incumbent. Add Pay gives the pay in crowns that the character receives monthly (in addition to any pay he receives for his rank).
Notes to the Appointments Tables give the special characteristics and prerogatives of the positions.
Characters may try for government appointments once a season, but may not try for the same appointment more than once a year. Characters may try for a military appointment once a year, at the end of the summer campaign season.
They may try for any number of positions at once, but may only hold one position at a time (exception: see Commissioner of Public Safety in the notes to the Appointment Tables). All appointments last for one year, or until the character resigns or is dismissed from office.
If two characters apply for the same appointment at the same time, the character with the highest modified die roll gains the position (assuming he would have been successful otherwise). If both modified die rolls are equal, and would have been successful, roll again. All modifiers from the previous die roll apply. The player with the highest roll wins.
If a position is not occupied by a player character, it is assumed to be occupied by a non-player character, who may be influenced.
Military Appointments Table
| Rank | Min SL | Special Requirement | Appointment | No | Who Appoints | SP | Inf | Die Roll | Add Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | 8 |
Foot Guards | Trooper of the King's Escort | -- |
Captain of Escort | 3 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Private | 5 |
Cardinal's Guard | Trooper of the Cardinal's Escort | -- |
Captain of Escort | 2 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Subaltern | 9 |
Foot Guards | Ensign of the King's Escort | 1 |
City Military Governor | 5 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Subaltern | 6 |
Cardinal's Guard | Ensign of the Cardinal's Escort | 1 |
City Military Governor | 4 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Subaltern | 2 |
Any | Aide to Brigadier General | 1 per |
Brigadier General | 3 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
| Captain | 3 |
Military Ability | Regimental Adjutant | 1 per |
Regt Commander | 3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
| Captain | 4 |
Any | Aide to Lt. General | 1 per |
Lieutenant General | 4 |
2 |
7 |
0 |
| Captain | 9 |
Foot Guards | Captain of the King's Escort | 1 |
City Military Governor | 9 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Captain | 7 |
Cardinal's Guard | Captain of the Cardinal's Escort | 1 |
City Military Governor | 5 |
6 |
0 |
|
| Captain | 9 |
Any | Aide to the Crown Prince | 1 |
Crown Prince | 9 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
| Major | 3 |
Military Ability | Brigade Major | 1 per |
Brigadier | 4 |
1 |
6 |
0 |
| Major | 6 |
Any | Aide to General | 1 per |
General | 6 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
| Lt Colonel | 4 |
Military Ability | Division Adjutant | 1 per |
Division Commander | 6 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
| Lt Colonel | 8 |
Any | Aide to Field Marshal | 1 |
Field Marshal | 10 |
4 |
7 |
0 |
| Colonel | 5 |
Military Ability | Army Adjutant | 1 per |
Army Commander | 8 |
3 |
7 |
0 |
| Brigadier General | 6 |
Any | Brigadier | 1 per |
Inspector General | 6 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
| Brigadier General | 6 |
Any | Army Quatermaster General | 1 per |
Army Commander | 8 |
4 |
7 |
5 |
| Lt General | 8 |
Any | Provincial Military Governor | 5 |
King | 6 |
3 |
6 |
10 |
| Lt General | 8 |
Military Ability | Division Commander | 1 per |
Adjutant-General | 10 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
| Lt General | 10 |
Any | City Military Governor | 1 |
King | 14 |
5 |
6 |
10 |
| Lt General | 12 |
Any | Inspctor General of Cavalry | 1 |
Minister of War | 18 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
| Lt General | 10 |
Any | Inspctor General of Infantry | 1 |
Minister of War | 16 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
| Lt General | 8 |
Any | Adjutant-General | 1 |
Field Marshal | 14 |
6 |
6 |
25 |
| General | 9 |
Any | Army Commander | 1 per |
Field Marshal | 14 |
5 |
7 |
50 |
Government Appointment Table
| Minimum Rank | Min SL | Appointment | Number | Who Appoints | SP | Inf | Die Roll | Add Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel or Knight | 6 |
Commissioner of Public Safety | 1 |
Minister of State | 6 |
7 |
8 |
50 |
| Brigadier General or Baron | 10 |
Chancellor of the Exchequer | 1 |
Minister of State | 14 |
7&8 |
7 |
50 |
| Brigadier General or Baron | 10 |
Minister without Portfolio | -- |
Minister of State | 16 |
9 |
7 |
50 |
| Brigadier General or Baron | 8 |
Minister of Justice | 1 |
Minister of State | 12 |
7 |
7 |
50 |
| Lt General or Marquis | 12 |
Minister of War | 1 |
King | 18 |
8&9 |
8 |
100 |
| General or Earl | 12 |
Minister of State | 1 |
King | 20 |
9&9 |
9 |
150 |
Notes on The Military and Government Appointment Tables
Trooper of the King's Escort
Once each month, roll 2 dice for notice by the King. A roll of 12 indicates the trooper has come to the King's attention and receives a class 9 favour. On a roll of 2, the trooper is dismissed from the Escort and is not permitted to rejoin.
Trooper of the Cardinal's Escort
Same as the trooper of the King's Escort, except that the Cardinal notices the trooper. Die rolls are the same, but the favour granted on a roll of 12 is a class 8 favour.
Ensign of the King's Escort
As per trooper, but the die roll is different: on a 12, the King notices him and he receives a class 9 favour. On a roll of 11, the Crown Prince notices the Ensign and he receives a class 8 favour. In addition the character is permitted to toady with the Prince that month at Bothwell's (the Prince's Social Level is 19 and he pays carousing costs) and will receive one favourable die roll modification should he ever apply to be Crown Prince's Aide. Again, on a roll of 2 he is dismissed from the Escort.
Ensign of the Cardinal's Escort
As trooper of the Escort, except that he is noticed on a die roll of 11 exactly.
Aides to General Officers
There are assumed to be enough non-player general officers of each rank to accommodate as many players as seek such positions. For game purposes, there are two kinds of non-player generals: those with field commands and those without. On receiving an appointment as Aide the player may choose to serve with any non-player officer of the correct rank involved in that year's campaign, the player with the highest modified die roll choosing first. He then accompanies that general on campaign as in the campaign outcome rules. Aides to officers not on campaign do nothing.
A non-player general will only go on campaign the first year a player serves with him. Exception: Non-player Brigadiers will campaign if their brigades are sent on campaign.
Captain of the King's Escort
Appoints troopers to the King's Escort. Once a month roll two dice; on a roll of 11 or 12, the King notices the Captain and he receives a class 9 favour. On a roll of 2, the Queen notices the Captain, he receives a class 8 favour and is permanently dismissed from the Escort. He is considered to have complied with the female companionship requirement for that month.
Captain of the Cardinal's Escort
Appoints troopers to the Cardinal's Escort. Once a month, roll two dice; on a roll of 11 or 12, he receives a class 8 favour. On a roll of 2, he knows too much: roll another die; on a 1-3 he is dismissed from the Escort, but receives a yearly gift of 500 crowns; on a 4-6, however, he is silenced in a more certain but less pleasant fashion. This die roll may be modified by influence.
Aide to the Crown Prince
May carouse with Prinny once a month at Bothwell's. The Prince will pick up the tab. He may bring one friend with him.
Army Quartermaster-General
In addition to the activities noted in the investment rule (page 71), a Quartermaster may embezzle. Once per campaign, he may choose the amount he wishes to embezzle. If he rolls the number listed in the Caught column or greater, he is dismissed from office and executed on a roll of 7 on two dice. Influence may be used.
Embezzlement Table
Amount |
Caught |
Army Modifier* |
|---|---|---|
1000 |
11 |
0 |
2000 |
9 |
+1 |
5000 |
7 |
+1 |
10000 |
5 |
+2 |
20000 |
4 |
+3 |
* This number is added to the army's battle result, due to shoddy equipment.
Provincial Military Governor
May tax the masses extortionately. Once per season he may choose the amount he wishes to extort. If he rolls the number or higher listed in the Unrest column of the table on the right, civil unrest results. If there is unrest, the governor must command a frontier regiment against the rabble. This is conducted as if on campaign on Field Operations. On a battle result of 5 or 6, the governor is disgraced.
Embezzlement Table 2
Amount |
Unrest |
|---|---|
500 |
12 |
1000 |
11 |
2000 |
9 |
5000 |
7 |
10000 |
5 |
20000 |
4 |
Inspector General of Cavalry
Appoints cavalry brigadiers. Decides on questions of cavalry squadrons volunteering for campaign.
Inspector General of Infantry
Appoints infantry brigadiers. Decides on questions of infantry battalions volunteering for campaign.
The Commissioner of Public Safety
The Commissioner seeks out traitors to the Crown. He appoints up to two ferrets for use as spies and receives 10 crowns per month for their salaries. He may pay them whatever he desires, however, any excess coming from his own pocket. He can make up to five arrests per year, during which the victim is incarcerated for one week. He may also trump up charges against five players per year. During the first two seasons of his appointment he must trump up charges against one player character. If the player character is not convicted, he will lose the post.
The Minister of State judges all charges made by the Commissioner and may be influenced. The Commissioner may resign at any time.
The trial is based on the chart on the right if there is no player as Minister of State. Roll two dice. The player is convicted if the die roll equals or exceeds the number appearing in the To convict column. The sentence is as indicated for the player per the chart. Influence may be used.
Trial Table
Victim's SL |
To convict |
Sentence |
|---|---|---|
3 |
4 |
To frontier for one year |
4-7 |
7 |
Fine (1 die x 200 crowns) |
8-12 |
9 |
All property confiscated |
13+ |
11 |
Death |
Successful prosecution of a Minister permits the Commissioner to assume the Minister's portfolio. Half of all property confiscated is the Commissioner's. A non-player Minister accused of treason will use all influence of his Social Level and office to fight the charge. A non-player character accused will have a Social Level equal to the minimum for his position plus the number rolled on one die. Cases involving the Minister of State are judged by the King.
The King, if appealed to, will commute any sentence on a roll of 6 with one die. He will commute a death sentence on a roll of 7 on one die (influence is necessary here).
Witnesses will aid in conviction. A witness of the same Social Level or higher will give a -1 table modifier to the conviction column. A witness from the same regiment or an employee will give a -1. A maximum of two of each is allowed in any one trial, and all witnesses must be player characters. Of course, if the accused character really is plotting treason, there is a -1 modifier. Admissions of guilt are not allowed.
Chancellor of the Exchequer (a minister)
May embezzle public funds. The Chancellor chooses the amount he wishes to embezzle. He rolls two dice. If the number rolled is equal to or greater than the corresponding number in the Caught column, he is caught, removed from office and executed on a roll of 7 or greater on two dice. Both die rolls may be modified by influence with the Minister of Justice. The King will commute a death sentence on a roll of 7 with one die and this, too, may be influenced.
Embezzlement Table 3
Amount |
Caught |
|---|---|
1000 |
12 |
2000 |
10 |
5000 |
9 |
10000 |
7 |
20000 |
4 |
Minister of Justice
Determines the outcome of all embezzlement cases (see Army Quartermaster General and Chancellor of the Exchequer above).
Minister of War
Appoints Inspectors General, determines Force Deployment. Instead of a die roll on the Force Deployment Table, the Minister of War chooses the column on the table used.
Minister of State
Appoints the Minister of Justice, Ministers without Portfolio, Chancellor of the Exchequer and Commissioner of Public Safety. Determines Force Commitment. Instead of a die roll on the Force Commitment Table, the Minister of State may decide to either 1) choose the column on the table used, or 2) send all brigades. If all brigades are sent, consider it to be a die roll of 7 for force organisation purposes.
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