The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: YOUR picks

[Kevin Scrivner]

We know who Allen Moore chose for his Victorian/Edwardian quasi-super team. But who would YOU pick? Below are some possibilities. Like Moore, I've chosen a mix of heroic good guys and notorious bad guys.

Dr. John Dolittle (Doctor Dolittle) -- linguist, veterinarian, has lots of international contacts. Sure, his shtick is talking to animals but he's a lot tougher than he looks. Potential drawbacks: vegetarian tree-hugger.

Professor Crackticus Potts (Chitty-Chitty Bang-Bang) -- inventor. Credited with the creation of the famous wonder car, Potts privately confesses that the vehicle seemed to mysteriously assemble itself when he left his workshop. Potential drawbacks: it looks cool, but will it work?

Mowgli (The Jungle Book) -- raised by wolves, jungle-trained strength and reflexes, talks to animals. At the end of Kipling's saga, Mowgli returned to the jungle "a young forest god." Potential drawbacks: May not relate well to people, horrible table manners, may eat pets.

Oscar Zoraster Diggs (The Wizard of Oz) -- con man, diplomat, aeronaut. Although sometimes portrayed as a bumbler, Diggs successfully kept four witches with real powers at bay and organized the diverse people of Oz into a prosperous, unified whole. Later Oz books reveal Diggs to be something of an action hero. Potential drawbacks: Can't resist embellishing the truth.

Rudolf Rassendyll (The Prisoner of Zenda) -- master swordsman, royal impersonator. Rassendyll stood in for the kidnapped king of Ruritania, then rescued the monarch from political conspirators. Potential drawbacks: Incurable romantic.

Count Isidor Ottavio Baldassare Fosco (The Woman in White) -- spy master, experimental pharmacologist, hypnotist. The corpulent Italian is a one-man conspiracy but he's smart and a good judge of human nature. Potential drawbacks: The other heroes may suspect that he's up to something; whether they suspect it or not, he IS up to something!

Fantomas (Fantomas, The Silent Executioner, etc.) -- master of disguise. This ruthless French gangster has multiple secret identities, can impersonate anyone (even your kid sister), and may orchestrate French crime in the same way Professor Moriarty does for England. No one knows his true face or identity. Potential drawbacks: How do we know we've got the real Fantomas? For that matter, how do we know that gypsy sweeping rubbish on the corner isn't Fantomas?

Spring-Heeled Jack (urban legend) -- high-leaping monster/vigilante. This mysterious clawed and caped figure terrified London circa 1830-1870, shredding frightened women's skirts, breathing fire, making Hulk-like leaps, crawling up the sides of buildings like Spider-Man. Is he a myth? A guy in a suit? A space alien? We never found out. Potential drawbacks: Misogynist.

Professor Holly (She) -- world's greatest archeologist. Professor Holly discovered a mysterious civilization in central Africa ruled by the alluring witch-queen She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. Holly had to resist her charms and escape her cannibal warriors to rescue his handsome ward from She's clutches. Potential drawbacks: Shy, a sucker for the ladies.

Jadis of Charn (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe; The Magician's Nephew) -- dimension-hopping witch. Jadis loses most of her overt magical powers in our dimension but is still strong enough to bend steel in her bare hands. She was winning a battle with London police when the children who accidentally brought her to Earth teleported her away. Potential drawbacks: World-conquering megalomaniac.

Dr. John Watson (A Study in Scarlet, etc.) -- detective. After the supposed death of Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson is the only living person completely familiar with the famous detective's methods. A veteran of war in Afghanistan, he's not the bumbler he's often portrayed as in old movies. Potential drawbacks: His grief over Holmes' "death" my affect his judgement

Mycroft Holmes (The Greek Interpreter) -- mental master. Sherlock Holmes' smarter older brother might seem a logical successor. However, like Nero Wolfe he is fat and lazy and may be unwilling to leave the comfortable overstuffed chair at his club. Also, while he is good at figuring things out after the fact, he's not necessarily good at anticipating a villain's next move. Potential drawbacks: Reactive rather than proactive.

SIr Denis Nayland Smith (The Insidious Dr. Fu Manchu) -- secret agent/detective. A Burmese police official, Nayland Smith was the first person to uncover Dr. Fu Manchu's schemes to topple the British Empire. Potential drawbacks: Irritible, expertise limited to the Far East.

Mary Halcombe (The Woman in White) -- amateur detective. Despite her contention that she is "only a woman," Halcombe was the first person to discover Count Fosco's plot against her sister, Laura, and actually managed to outsmart him for a while. She had more wit and initiative than most of the men around her. Potential drawbacks: Adheres to Victorian social mores, may became ill when under extreme stress.

The Frankenstein Monster (Frankenstein) -- indestructible, philosopher. He's smarter, stronger, more durable than an ordinary man. Pontential drawbacks: Cynical, bitter, vicious temper, may smell a tad "ripe."

The Time Traveller (The Time Machine) -- physicist, inventor. The Time Traveller thinks well on his feet and can provide the ultimate getaway vehicle. Prospective drawbacks: Dependent on bulky equipment.

[winterhawk]

Since the team is a bit femme deficient, I'll vote for 'The Woman', Irene Adler, the only member of the fairer sex to best Sherlock Holmes.

[death tribble]

If you ever see the musical version of Dr Dolittle, you can see why I did not vote for that.

[Stephen_H-G]

Ah, but the book. The BOOK is wonderful.

[MisterVimes]

I had to choose 'Other' because Denis Nayland Smith wasn't at the top. I love that book... but the choice was tough... those are all great suggestions...

John Carter might be on my list as well.

[Kevin Scrivner]

winterhawk said

Since the team is a bit femme deficient, I'll vote for 'The Woman', Irene Adler, the only member of the fairer sex to best Sherlock Holmes.

---

Oops! I had intended to include Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins). The literary version is more like Judi Densch than Julie Andrews, more mysterious and sinister. She does the fun things like letting you play inside chalk drawings but you dare not cross her.

[Supreme]

Considering that with a teensy shove Dr. Doolittle's ability to communicate with animals translates to being able to control animals (or at least employ them), I can actually imagine a Moore-esque version of Doolittle that would be quite frightening. Doolittle's linguistic abilities range from gigantic predator behemoths to the smallest insects. That could get very frightening.

Also, no one's mentioning Doctor Frankenstein. A man with the ability to create artificial humanoids that can physically and mentally outmatch any living human. Of course LXG is set about 170 years after Frankenstein, so it would have to be a descendant... or would it??? And after 170 years, I'm sure the good doctor would have perfected his technique somewhat...

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by Supreme
Considering that with a teensy shove Dr. Doolittle's ability to communicate with animals translates to being able to control animals (or at least employ them), I can actually imagine a Moore-esque version of Doolittle that would be quite frightening. Doolittle's linguistic abilities range from gigantic predator behemoths to the smallest insects. That could get very frightening.

Also, no one's mentioning Doctor Frankenstein. A man with the ability to create artificial humanoids that can physically and mentally outmatch any living human. Of course LXG is set about 170 years after Frankenstein, so it would have to be a descendant... or would it??? And after 170 years, I'm sure the good doctor would have perfected his technique somewhat...

Or perhaps an apearance by Adam himself... his dialogue suits Mr. Moore's idiom:
"The pleasant showers and genial warmth of spring greatly altered the aspect of the earth. Men, who before this change seemed to have been hid in caves, dispersed themselves, and were employed in various arts of cultivation. The birds sang in more cheerful notes, and the leaves began to bud forth on the trees. Happy, happy earth! fit habitation for gods, which, so short a time before, was bleak, damp, and unwholesome." The monster's description of spring.

He's be quite a divergence from Hawley Griffin...

[Enforcer84]

How 'bout sherlock Holms younger brother?

(ie the guy Gene Wilder played, forgot his name)

[st barbara]

I second the vote for Irene Adler ! What about Verne's "Robur" from "Master Of The World" or even Frank Reade Jr to supply the "brilliant inventor" slot for our "alternative league" ? Once I have looked at some reference books i'm sure that I can come up with some others ; Professor Challenger and Lord John Roxton perhaps ?

[The Creeper]

In the Robert Louis Stevenson short story "The Suicide Club," the main character is a prince, who goes out with his general in disguise seeking adventure on the streets of London. I don't have a copy of the story handy or I'd look up his name, but he would be good choice for a surveillance expert.

And the Time Traveler. That was always a favorite story.

[Emerald Mask]

How about Rupert of Hentzau , from The Prisoner of Zenda.A charming rogue with the knack of surival.Or my second nomination is Paladin of San Francisco- Have Gun Will Travel.

[Thirdbase]

Originally posted by Supreme
Considering that with a teensy shove Dr. Doolittle's ability to communicate with animals translates to being able to control animals (or at least employ them), I can actually imagine a Moore-esque version of Doolittle that would be quite frightening. Doolittle's linguistic abilities range from gigantic predator behemoths to the smallest insects. That could get very frightening.

Also, no one's mentioning Doctor Frankenstein. A man with the ability to create artificial humanoids that can physically and mentally outmatch any living human. Of course LXG is set about 170 years after Frankenstein, so it would have to be a descendant... or would it??? And after 170 years, I'm sure the good doctor would have perfected his technique somewhat...

Um Young Frankenstein.

Abby Normal

[Kevin Scrivner]

st barbara said

I second the vote for Irene Adler ! What about Verne's "Robur" from "Master Of The World" or even Frank Reade Jr to supply the "brilliant inventor" slot for our "alternative league" ? Once I have looked at some reference books i'm sure that I can come up with some others ; Professor Challenger and Lord John Roxton perhaps ?

---

Excellent suggestions.

Robur the Conqueror made his debut in "The Clipper of the Clouds," where he built a helicopter airship and kidnapped members of a Paris aeronautics club to prove the superiority of heavier-than-air craft. By the time of "Master of the World" he'd relocated to the United States, built a triphibian vessel, and his arrogance had grown into megalomania; he'd become an airborne Captain Nemo.

Challenger and Roxton from "The Lost World." Good, good. Professor Challenger starred in at least two other novels, "The Poison Belt" and another one where he discovered an undersea civilization.

I'm not familiar with Frank Reade, Jr. Enlighten me.

[starblaze]

You know it surprises me that you all forgot about Tarzan, Lord GreyStoke, Lord of the Jungle. He not only can he wrestle gorillas and lions he can also, he is a noble man with money and resources.

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by starblaze
You know it surprises me that you all forgot about Tarzan, Lord GreyStoke, Lord of the Jungle. He not only can he wrestle gorillas and lions he can also, he is a noble man with money and resources.

That's because the Character was born in 1889 and the LXG takes place in 1898, Tarzan would be 9 years old.

[wcw43921]

Here's my League of Extraordinary Gentlemen--all the more extraordinary in that they're all from Real Life--

Theodore Roosevelt--Led the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War and as President led the United States into the 20th Century.

Thomas Edison--Inventor of the phonograph and the electric light; the father of the modern technological age.

Wilbur and Orville Wright--Built the first practical airplane; the fathers of world aviation.

Nellie Bly--Crusading reporter and adventurer. Traveled around the world in 72 days, breaking the ficticous Phileas Fogg's record with eight days to spare.

Barney Oldfield--Early American auto racing champion. The fastest man of his time.

Harry Houdini--Legendary magician and escape artist, whose fame lives on to this day.

That's all I've got for now. Perhaps others can think of some Real-Life Extraordinary Gentlemen.

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by wcw43921
Thomas Edison--Inventor of the phonograph and the electric light; the father of the modern technological age.

Or better yet, Nikola Tesla
The Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and scientist
Inventions: a telephone repeater, rotating magnetic field principle, polyphase alternating-current system, induction motor, alternating-current power transmission, Tesla coil transformer, wireless communication, radio, fluorescent lights, and more than 700 other patents after Edison stopped patenting Tesla's ideas.

[st barbara]

Frank Reade Jr was a brillaint teenaged inventor who seemed to specialise in steam contrivences ("Frank reade Jr and his Steam Man of the Plains", a steam robot) and later electrical ones ("Over the Steppes or Adrift in Asia With frank Reade Jr A story of Aerial Travel", an electric airship rather similar to Robur's). His work appeared in the dime novels between 1876 and 1898, principaly in "Frank Reade Weekly". The character was largely written by Luis Philip Senarens (1863-1939). Information can be found in E F Bleiler's "Science Fiction Writers " (1982)or his "Science Fiction :The Early Years"(1990). I hope that this information helps.

[st barbara]

If the group needs a "Psychic Detective" may I suggest Carnacki :the Ghost Finder", created by William Hope Hodgson in 1910 or Seabury Quinn's Jules de Grandin (first appearence 1925) Hmm maybe De grandin is a bit late for our little group.

[Kevin Scrivner]

That's all I've got for now. Perhaps others can think of some Real-Life Extraordinary Gentlemen.

---

Since we're low on women and accepting real-life candidates now, how about Annie Oakley, amazing American sharpshooter?

[TheImperialKhan]

Has anyone considered The Phantom? In 1898 it would probably be the 19th (said to be the strongest of all the Phantom line, could carry a full-grown stallion over a wall) or it might be the 18th. On the plus side the Phantom's knowledge of the jungle is without equal, he's fast (Phantom moves faster than the eye can see - Old Jungle Saying), has been trained from birth to fight evil and has the resources of the "Minor" Treasure Room, the Jungle Patrol and the information network of the various tribes to pass him the word. On the disad side he's really at his best in the Bengalla Jungle and pretty much stays there with occasional forays into the outside world.

[MisterVimes]

You are correct as always great Khan.
The Nineteenth Phantom would have been 28.

The Nineteenth (1870-1924) (grandfather of the Twenty-First, the Phantom of our day) was known as the strongest of all the Phantoms. His son, the Twentieth, recalled seeing his father lift a horse and carry it across a brook.

In 1908, the Nineteenth went to Castle Vacul in Carpatia, at the request of the descendants of the Count of Carpatia. A previous Phantom (the Seventeenth) had marked the castle with his Good Mark in 1875, so the Nineteenth was bound by honor to make good his promise of protection.

The Count had been murdered by a brigand named Black Boris, head of The Vultures, a Europe criminal organization. Black Boris had disguised himself as the slain count and ruled the domain as a cruel despot. The castle Vacul had become the operational base of The Vultures. The Phantom overcame and exposed Black Boris. Since the count had died without an heir, the Phantom suggested Carpatia rule itself with a Citizen Council. One of the Council's first acts was to grant Castle Vacul to the Phantom. To this day it remains one of the Phantom's secret hideouts in Europe.

The Nineteenth's most famous adventure involved his attempt to rescue a South American explorer and his daughter who had become lost in the jungles of Bengalla and captured by a mysterious tribe known as the Rope People. This tribe lives in the region of the Great Trees whose tops grow tall enough (almost) to touch the sky. The Rope People have their entire village built high in these trees, and hardly ever touch the surface of the earth. They are the greatest builders in the jungle.

Astride his great steed Lightning (sire of Thunder, the Twentieth's horse), the Nineteenth rode into this dense forest in search of the lost explorer. The Phantom, too, was captured by the Rope People, who forced him to perform four feats of strength and endurance in order to prove himself worthy to live. First, he captured an elephant with his bare hands. Next, he moved an enormous boulder, bigger than any normal man could manage. Third, and avoided capture by the Rope People's armed hunters for a full day, although he himself was unarmed. Finally, he faced the forest giant in a battle to the death, but at his moment of victory, the Phantom refused to kill his defeated opponent. Because of his unusual strength and extraordinary nobility, the Phantom so impressed the Rope People that they granted freedom to all three captives. The Rope Poeple made a pact of friendship with the Phantom. He became a legend amongst them, and they carved pictures of his exploits on their walls.

The Nineteenth later married the explorer's daughter, but never recounted these events to his son, the Twentieth.

[TheImperialKhan]

Very well told my friend. I hope that you do not mind if I correct you on 3 minor points.

1st I'm far from being right all the time, I do try to check my facts before I post but I still screw up from time to time. :)

2nd The explorer and his daughter were North American not South. He was an Archeologist searching for the lost city of Pheenix, destroyed by the gods for it's wickedness and then buried never to be seen again.

3rd the Phantom that rescued them was the Twentieth, the Ninteenth had previously befriended the Rope People who then demanded the Twentieth repeat his feats to prove that he was the Phantom. He did tell his son a glossed-over version of the story when young Kit asked but it was Old Man Moze, the Teller of Tales, that recounted a full version of the story.

BTW I got all this from Lee Falk's first Phantom novel The Story of the Phantom from 1972. A great book for any fan of the Phantom, assuming you can find it. ;)

[wcw43921]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
Or better yet, Nikola Tesla
The Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and scientist
Inventions: a telephone repeater, rotating magnetic field principle, polyphase alternating-current system, induction motor, alternating-current power transmission, Tesla coil transformer, wireless communication, radio, fluorescent lights, and more than 700 other patents after Edison stopped patenting Tesla's ideas.

I considered having Tesla in my League, but there's a bit of backstory to consider. You see, Roosevelt would have founded this version shortly after leaving office in 1909, not just to handle extra-sensitive matters that couldn't be handled any other way, but to showcase America's best and brightest. Alan Moore's League is a prototype "covert ops" unit, while Roosevelt's is like the JLA.

Following that premise, Edison is the man to have--he's the quintessential American success story; deafened at childhood, rejected by the school system, he surmounted all obstacles to become the most successful inventor of his time. And Edison just doesn't bring his talents and fame to the table--he brings the resources of his company as well.

Also, given the tremendous rivalry between Edison and Tesla (over, among other things, the issue of direct current [Edison] vs. alternating current [Tesla--who turned out to be right]) I don't see any way they could work together, even with Roosevelt pushing at them to do so. ("Easier to settle the war between Russia and Japan than to get those two to agree on anything--I should just kick them both out and bring in Dr. Bell!")

It would be the same with trying to have Glenn Curtis on the team; the Wrights would have nothing to do with him, given their rivalry as airplane builders and their legal battles over aircraft control systems.

Finally, my understanding of Tesla is that much of his genius was born of isolation--I really don't see him as a team player no matter who else was or wasn't on the team. Which is not to say he couldn't have fantastic adventures, either by himself or with a group of assistants--he just couldn't have them while trying to work with Edison. There'd be more arguments than in all of Stan Lee's days on The Avengers.

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
Very well told my friend. I hope that you do not mind if I correct you on 3 minor points.

1st I'm far from being right all the time, I do try to check my facts before I post but I still screw up from time to time. :)

2nd The explorer and his daughter were North American not South. He was an Archeologist searching for the lost city of Pheenix, destroyed by the gods for it's wickedness and then buried never to be seen again.

3rd the Phantom that rescued them was the Twentieth, the Ninteenth had previously befriended the Rope People who then demanded the Twentieth repeat his feats to prove that he was the Phantom. He did tell his son a glossed-over version of the story when young Kit asked but it was Old Man Moze, the Teller of Tales, that recounted a full version of the story.

BTW I got all this from Lee Falk's first Phantom novel The Story of the Phantom from 1972. A great book for any fan of the Phantom, assuming you can find it. ;)

It seems your memory is better than mine, I stand corrected sir. :D

From one Ghost-who-walks fan to another.

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by wcw43921
I considered having Tesla in my League, but there's a bit of backstory to consider. You see, Roosevelt would have founded this version shortly after leaving office in 1909, not just to handle extra-sensitive matters that couldn't be handled any other way, but to showcase America's best and brightest. Alan Moore's League is a prototype "covert ops" unit, while Roosevelt's is like the JLA.


You make a great point. I think Tesla would be best used as "The guy back at the lab" who invents gear for the team.

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
It seems your memory is better than mine, I stand corrected sir. :D

From one Ghost-who-walks fan to another.

Honesty compells me to admit that I had an advantage in that I had the book in front of me to check my facts. Even so screwed up on what the 19th carried the horse over. You were correct when you said it was a brook.

BTW What did you think of the movie with Billy Zane as the Phantom? I was a bit disappointed with the absence of the Bandar and the changes to the Phantom's costume but on the whole was very pleased. Most of the reviews were good but it was up against tough competition at the box office and didn't do too well. A pity really :( , I would have loved to have seen more of them. It was a great movie.:)

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
BTW What did you think of the movie with Billy Zane as the Phantom? I was a bit disappointed with the absence of the Bandar and the changes to the Phantom's costume but on the whole was very pleased. Most of the reviews were good but it was up against tough competition at the box office and didn't do too well. A pity really :( , I would have loved to have seen more of them. It was a great movie.:)

I have it on DVD. I loved it, they changed the story (because hollywood HAS to :rolleyes: ) but thought it was very much in keeping with the feel and tradition of Phantom.

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
I have it on DVD. I loved it, they changed the story (because hollywood HAS to :rolleyes: ) but thought it was very much in keeping with the feel and tradition of Phantom.

Oh I agree whole-heartedly. They did a fairly good job keeping to the letter of the character. But even when they didn't, they still kept to the spirit. Anyway having the ghost of the 20th pop up from time to time to give Kit advice was fun. "It's the bottom of the 9th and you're two skulls down." Who knew the 20th was a baseball fan :D

So you have it on DVD, you lucky fellow. I only have a bootleg VHS recorded off the pay-per-view. :( You wouldn't know where I could get a copy on DVD too would you?

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
So you have it on DVD, you lucky fellow. I only have a bootleg VHS recorded off the pay-per-view. :( You wouldn't know where I could get a copy on DVD too would you?

Ask and ye shall receive... Amazon has everything (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000ILBM/qid=1047307552/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/104-3706098-6350333)

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
Ask and ye shall receive... Amazon has everything (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000ILBM/qid=1047307552/sr=2-2/ref=sr_2_2/104-3706098-6350333)

I thank you, Sir.

There shall be a banquet in your honor at the Khan's Palace :)

BTW have you ever created the Phantom using Hero? I did the 20th for a JI campaign but I can't find the character sheet :mad: I also did the 22nd for our Champions campaign using Heromaker, I'll probably be re-doing him in 5E someday soon. But I never made a try at the 21st.

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
I thank you, Sir.

There shall be a banquet in your honor at the Khan's Palace :)

BTW have you ever created the Phantom using Hero? I did the 20th for a JI campaign but I can't find the character sheet :mad: I also did the 22nd for our Champions campaign using Heromaker, I'll probably be re-doing him in 5E someday soon. But I never made a try at the 21st.

No, I never have. Might be a fun excercise though. Would the Bandar be contacts or followers? The rings are obviously a transformation attack (minor). CSL with HTH and Firearms. Combat Luck, Lightning reflexes, Devil and Hero are followers, Filthy Rich...

And as an aside, Bowen Studios is doing a bust of The Ghost Who Walks (http://www.bowendesigns.com/Phantom_Bust.html)

[cjudisch]

Zorro Might be stretching things a bit (He'd be an old man by 1898 IINM), but I think he'd be an interesting addition.

As would Captain Horatio Hornblower (Perhaps as liason with the British Royal Navy).

[Twilight]

Originally posted by cjudisch
Zorro Might be stretching things a bit (He'd be an old man by 1898 IINM), but I think he'd be an interesting addition.

As would Captain Horatio Hornblower (Perhaps as liason with the British Royal Navy).

Zorro would be an old man sure, but so was Alan Quartermain in Moore's League so it wouldn't actually disqualify him from service, particularly if he was still in decent shape. Of course, since Zorro's loyalty is to Spain, he'd probably be in the Spanish version. Unless of course they were corrupt, then he wouldn't.

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by cjudisch
Zorro Might be stretching things a bit (He'd be an old man by 1898 IINM), but I think he'd be an interesting addition.

As would Captain Horatio Hornblower (Perhaps as liason with the British Royal Navy).

Unfortunately Zorro operated in the 1st decade of the 19th century. He was in his twenties then and would be well over 100 by 1898. Of course it's quite possible that like the Phantom or the Black Mask someone else would don the costume and take up the rapier of El Zorro.

As for Hornblower sorry but no way. Horatio Hornblower was born on Independance Day 4 July 1776 and died 12 January 1857. Although there was his great grandson Richard the 4th Viscount Hornblower. He was born in 1865 and entered the Royal Navy in 1878 at age 13 (still considered normal BTW). By 1898 he likely would have attained a command of his own, probably one of those new-fangled Torpedo Boat Destroyers. He would go on to command the battleship HMS Collingwood at Jutland and would retire a Rear Admiral in 1921, dieing ten years later. ref. The Life and Times of Horatio Hornblower by C. Northcote Parkinson

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
No, I never have. Might be a fun excercise though. Would the Bandar be contacts or followers? The rings are obviously a transformation attack (minor). CSL with HTH and Firearms. Combat Luck, Lightning reflexes, Devil and Hero are followers, Filthy Rich...

And as an aside, Bowen Studios is doing a bust of The Ghost Who Walks (http://www.bowendesigns.com/Phantom_Bust.html)

Now that is nice.

"The voice of angry Phantom can chill tiger's blood" - Old Jungle Saying

[MisterVimes]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
Unfortunately Zorro operated in the 1st decade of the 19th century. He was in his twenties then and would be well over 100 by 1898. Of course it's quite possible that like the Phantom or the Black Mask someone else would don the costume and take up the rapier of El Zorro.


That's probably the case. The usual story is Zorro taking up the mantle of his father, but we also have the Bandaras version with the heir being an outsider. The Vegas could have continued in Mexico, passing on the mask.

[Twilight]

Originally posted by MisterVimes
That's probably the case. The usual story is Zorro taking up the mantle of his father, but we also have the Bandaras version with the heir being an outsider. The Vegas could have continued in Mexico, passing on the mask.

The cool thing about the Bandaras version is that the outsider is named Montoya. Therefore you could techinically say it's the decendent of Inigo Montoya taking up the mantle of Zorro. ^_^

I don't know about you, but for me that ups the coolness factor by at least ten.

[TheImperialKhan]

Originally posted by Twilight
The cool thing about the Bandaras version is that the outsider is named Montoya. Therefore you could techinically say it's the decendent of Inigo Montoya taking up the mantle of Zorro. ^_^

I don't know about you, but for me that ups the coolness factor by at least ten.

Yes, but would he have spent time as the Dread Pirate Roberts? :D

[Twilight]

Originally posted by TheImperialKhan
Yes, but would he have spent time as the Dread Pirate Roberts? :D

If he has the coolness factor is multiplied by at least a hundred automatically. ^_^

[st barbara]

I was going to suggest Sir richard Francis Burton British explorer, adventurer, linguist, translator of "The Arabian Knights" and the "Karma Sutra" and hero of Phillip Jose Farmer's Award winning "To Your Scatterred Bodies Go" but, as he died in 1890 at the age of about 69 he might not be appropriate. Pity, the 'real life" league needs an explorer, and some non Americans !

[Kevin Scrivner]

What about one of the Arctic or Antarctic explorers? A lot of that went on between the turn of the century and the '20s. In a couple cases they even surveyed the ice via airship, although things didn't always work out so well.

[st barbara]

In that case Kevin i'll nominate Sir Ernest Shackleton, British Arctic (or was it Antarctic) explorer who made an epic journey after his vessel "Endurance" was crushed by the ice in the early years of the 20th century (I think that it was about 1907-08, but i can't check easily )

[st barbara]

Ah yes airships over the arctic ! You are refering to Nobile's ill fated expedition I presume ? Just remember, if you shoot a polar bear DO NOT eat its liver !

[st barbara]

What, did my mentioning eating polar bear liver gross everyone out ? Come on ladies and gentlemen, what other suggestions do you have for our "league" ?

[Kevin Scrivner]

I don't think it was your liver advice. I guess folks just ran out of steam. Write-ups, anyone?

[Enforcer84]

wasn't their an inventor around this time that was trying to develop a "mechanical computer"? Or was that later

[st barbara]

To "Enforcer 88" I believe that you may be referring to Charles Babbage (1792-1871) who devised a 'mechanical computer' using punched cards. Unfortunately the technology of the time was not up to building the machine and the idea was forgotten. I think that he is out of our time period but there was a "mechanical Computer" developed late in the 19th century which was used by the Royal Navy to calculate the "rate of change of range" for naval artillery it was known as the "Dreyer Firing Table" and was used in World War I (as an aside I wonder if it factored in "St, Barbara's Law" to its calculations ?). Further I believe that a copy of Babbage's "Analytical Engine' has been constructed recently in Britain, but I can't remember by whom or where.

[Enforcer84]

Originally posted by st barbara
To "Enforcer 88" I believe that you may be referring to Charles Babbage (1792-1871) who devised a 'mechanical computer' using punched cards. Unfortunately the technology of the time was not up to building the machine and the idea was forgotten. I think that he is out of our time period but there was a "mechanical Computer" developed late in the 19th century which was used by the Royal Navy to calculate the "rate of change of range" for naval artillery it was known as the "Dreyer Firing Table" and was used in World War I (as an aside I wonder if it factored in "St, Barbara's Law" to its calculations ?). Further I believe that a copy of Babbage's "Analytical Engine' has been constructed recently in Britain, but I can't remember by whom or where.

Thanks! I forgot that it was called the Analytical Engine, I thought that was pretty cool. But he died in 1871, eh? Too bad.

[Twilight]

Originally posted by Morningstar70
Sorry I'm so late in reading this. But wow... that thought gives me a Wold Newtonian chill. :D

Yes well, at least my connection of these two characters is plausible, unlike the Wold Newtonian ones. :D

[The Monster]

Let me put in another vote for Frankenstien's Monster.
In our group, we have an occasional '30's campaign (unfortunately run in Adventure!), where my character is the monster. My take on it: after disappearing into the arctic wastes at the end of the novel, he spent time wandering alone, occasionally frightening people in Lappland and Siberia (and maybe Canada/Alaska). Finally settling down to contemplate his existence. Over the years, he has come more at peace with his status and is ready to begin re-entering society as a more stable, mature individual. Mind you, he's still eight feet tall and uglier than sin; plus, he's still got an explosive temper and a fear of both fire and crowds, but he can operate quite effectively within limits (he now has a Code Against Killing, torn by guilt over his deeds when he was first created). Putting him in LXG rather than the pulp era cuts a good 20-30 years off his time to meditate, but the conept should work.

That and Mycroft Holmes should definitely the the brains behind my team -- the smartest man in the world? Who can beat that?

[Checkmate]

I have not read thorough all the posts yet, so forgive me if I missed something, but was interested in tall the talk about the Phantom. While not an avid fan, I did think the sunday comics were neat and did enjoy the movie. I have a couple of questions:
1) How many Phantoms actually have stories written about them. I don't mean mentioned I mean are actual characters in the stories, not just infered that since we're on 19 there must have been a 1 through 18.

2) Is there actually that much difference between them that you could make seperate character sheets for each one written about? I mean you did say 19 was the strongest, but was 20 so different that you would need a different character sheet and not just change the STR?

[Rage]

Originally posted by st barbara
To "Enforcer 88" I believe that you may be referring to Charles Babbage (1792-1871) who devised a 'mechanical computer' using punched cards. Unfortunately the technology of the time was not up to building the machine and the idea was forgotten. I think that he is out of our time period but there was a "mechanical Computer" developed late in the 19th century which was used by the Royal Navy to calculate the "rate of change of range" for naval artillery it was known as the "Dreyer Firing Table" and was used in World War I (as an aside I wonder if it factored in "St, Barbara's Law" to its calculations ?). Further I believe that a copy of Babbage's "Analytical Engine' has been constructed recently in Britain, but I can't remember by whom or where.

Im his great great great nephew (babbages)