Heroes By Gaslight

[John Desmarais]

Just 'cause I'm bored I thought I'd post a group of character that I put together for a series of convention games.

 

A note about demographics. I typically run convention for six players - but there are 9 characters here. This is because I plan (in vain most of the time) for the party to be one-half female so I create three female characters (and let me tell you, for this group, coming up with three female characters was an interesting bit of research). Convention reality being what it is though, I always create enough male character to fill the entire party with males if need be.

 

p.s.

Kudos to Killer Shrike for the way cool Hero Designer export template.

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

Thomas Carnacki Val** Char*** Cost 13** STR 3 13** DEX 9 13** CON 6 12** BODY 4 18** INT 8 21** EGO 24 15** PRE 5 10** COM 0 * 3** PD 0 3** ED 0 3** SPD 7 6** REC 0 26** END 0 26** STUN 0		*
6"**	RUN	0
2"**	SWIM	0
2 1/2"**	LEAP	0

Characteristics Cost: 66

Cost**	Power	END
8**	Electric Pentacle: Force Wall (12 PD/12 ED) (60 Active Points); Independent (-2), Extra Time (1 Turn (Post-Segment 12), -1 1/4), OAF (Focus: Electric Pentacle; -1), Limited Power Power loses about half of its effectiveness (Power only works on supernatural things; -1), No Range (-1/2), Gestures (Must assemble device.; -1/4), 1 Recoverable Continuing Charge lasting 5 Minutes (-1/4)*	[1 rc]

Powers Cost: 8

Cost**	Skill
3**	Linguist*
1**	1) Language: Arabic (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
1**	2) Language: German (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
1**	3) Language: Greek (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
1**	4) Language: Hebrew (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
1**	5) Language: Irish (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
1**	6) Language: Latin (fluent conversation) (2 Active Points)*
2**	PS: Photographer 11-*
5**	+1 with HTH Combat*
2**	+1 with revolvers*
2**	WF: Small Arms*
3**	SS: Psychology 13-*
3**	Scholar*
2**	1) KS: Ancient Manuscripts (3 Active Points) 13-*
2**	2) KS: Antique Books (3 Active Points) 13-*
2**	3) KS: Magic (3 Active Points) 13-*
2**	4) KS: Magic (3 Active Points) 13-*
2**	5) KS: Occult Lore (3 Active Points) 13-*

Skills Cost: 36

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]
**	Knuckle-duster: 4d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 6-14 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	0
**	Parts for the Electric Pentacle: *	0
**	Miscellaneous stuff:: reels of thread, baby ribbon and piano wire, sealing wax, adhesive wafers, a plate camera with plates and flash, developing chemicals, candles, holy water, various herbs, chalk, assorted tools, a magnifying glass, a recording phonograph, overalls and a dark lantern*	0

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
10**	Psychological Limitation: Fear of the supernatural (Uncommon, Strong)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Inexplicably attracted to the supernatural (Uncommon, Total)*
5**	Distinctive Features: Speaks with a (Oxford) university accent. (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)*
5**	Reputation: Ghost Hunter, 11- (Known Only To A Small Group)*
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*

Disadvantage Points: 35

---

Cost Summary:Base Points:75Disadvantage Points: 35Total Experience Available: 0Total Character Cost: 110Height: 1.75 mHair:  Weight: 80.00 kgEyes:  Appearance: Personality: Carnacki has an odd personality; he feels a fatal attraction to the supernatural, while simultaneously fearing it. Paradoxically, his courage is at its highest when he overcomes this fear and he would be a much less interesting character if he were immune to it. He has a university accent, but tends to speak quickly and with slightly "foreign" phrasing when stressed.Quote:Background: Thomas Carnacki is perhaps the most baffling figures of the psychic scene; a man with no apparent reason for involvement in supernatural affairs, who scorned most aspects of psychic research, but nevertheless dedicated his life to its study, who was afraid of the supernatural but continued to risk his life and soul investigating it, while remaining so isolated that he was unknown to most of his contemporaries.

 

He seems to have had few interests outside his work, apart from some knowledge of billiards, gastronomy and bibliography; and collecting pipes. Were it not for a few moments of fame, his friendship with the author Dodgson, and his importance in the history of the supernatural, it is likely that he would now be forgotten

 

Age: 27

Powers/Tactics: Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightMartha CanaryPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
15**	STR	5
15**	DEX	15
15**	CON	10
12**	BODY	4
13**	INT	3
13**	EGO	6
15**	PRE	5
10**	COM	0
	*
3**	PD	0
3**	ED	0
3**	SPD	5
6**	REC	0
30**	END	0
28**	STUN	0

*7"**RUN22"**SWIM03"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 55

Cost**	Skill
2**	Animal Handler (Equines) 12-*
3**	Climbing 12-*
6**	+2 with handguns*
10**	+2 with Ranged Combat*
3**	Fast Draw 12-*
2**	Gambling (Card Games) 12-*
1**	Language: Cherokee (basic conversation)*
3**	Paramedics 12-*
3**	Riding 12-*
3**	Stealth 12-*
2**	Survival (Desert) 12-*
3**	Tracking 12-*
2**	TF: Riding Animals*
10**	Two-Weapon Fighting (Ranged) *
2**	WF: Small Arms*

Skills Cost: 55

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]
**	Dagger: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6-1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Ranged (+1/2) (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4) [Notes: Can Be Thrown]*	0

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
10**	Social Limitation: Famous "Calamity Jane" (Frequently, Minor)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Very Common, Moderate)*
10**	Social Limitation: Socially unacceptable (drinks, gambles, fights, and otherwise refuses to comport herself as a lady) (Frequently, Minor)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.70 m	Hair:
Weight: 75.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Personality: Martha Jane Canary was born in Princeton, Missouri. This hard drinking woman wore men's clothing, used their bawdy language, chewed tobacco and was handy with a gun.Quote:Background: Calamity Jane was the oldest of six children, having two brothers and three sisters. Both of her parents were born in Ohio. Her mother died in 1865 in Black Foot, Montana after the family's five month emigration via a wagon from Missouri to Virginia City, Montana; her father died shortly after in 1867. Legend states that she and James B. (Wild Bill) Hickock were involved during the gold mining years in Deadwood, So. Dakota; however, there is no evidence supporting this theory: Hickock was married at the time, writing letters home to his wife in Ohio.

 

Age: 47

Powers/Tactics: Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightJules de GrandinPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
10**	STR	0
13**	DEX	9
11**	CON	2
10**	BODY	0
18**	INT	8
15**	EGO	10
13**	PRE	3
14**	COM	2
	*
2**	PD	0
2**	ED	0
3**	SPD	7
4**	REC	0
22**	END	0
21**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN02"**SWIM02"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 41

Cost**	Power	END
8**	Hypnosis: Mind Control 10d6 (50 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Minute, -1 1/2), Concentration, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (0 DCV; -1), OAF Expendable (Easy to obtain new Focus; Something small and shiny; -1), Limited Power Hypnosis Only (-1/2), No Range (-1/2), Limited Power May not take other actions (-1/4), Incantations (-1/4)*	5

Powers Cost: 8

Cost**	Martial Arts Maneuver
0**	Weapon Element: Default Element: Blades*
5**	Ballestra: 1/2 Phase, +2 OCV, -2 DCV, Weapon +4 DC Strike; Half Move required*
3**	Cut: 1/2 Phase, +2 OCV, +1 DCV, Weapon*
4**	Froissement: 1/2 Phase, -1 OCV, +1 DCV, Disarm; 20 STR / 10 STR to Disarm*
4**	Parry: 1/2 Phase, +2 OCV, +2 DCV, Block, Abort*

Martial Arts Cost: 16

Cost**	Skill
3**	Language: English (completely fluent)*
2**	Language: Russian (fluent conversation)*
3**	Deduction 13-*
2**	PS: Lawyer 11-*
2**	PS: Professor 11-*
2**	PS: Physician 11-*
3**	WF: Small Arms, Blades*
2**	KS: Law 11-*
2**	KS: Supernatural beings 11-*
2**	KS: Magic 11-*
3**	Scientist*
2**	1) SS: Biology 13- (3 Active Points)*
2**	2) SS: Chemistry 13- (3 Active Points)*
2**	3) SS: Medicine 13- (3 Active Points)*
3**	Paramedics 13-*
6**	+2 with Fencing*
3**	+1 with small arms*

Skills Cost: 44

Cost**	Perk
1**	Fringe Benefit: License to practice a profession*

Perks Cost: 1

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	Knife: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1/2d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Ranged (+1/2) (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4) [Notes: Can Be Thrown]*	0
**	Sword, Rapier: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 10 (-1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	0
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]
**	Wooden Stakes: 2*	0
**	Silver Bullets: 4*	0

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
10**	Psychological Limitation: Vain (Common, Moderate)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Very Common, Moderate)*
10**	Physical Limitation: Short (Frequently, Slightly Impairing)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.60 m	Hair:
Weight: 55.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Personality: He is a small, excitable Frenchman, given to oaths, parbleu, helas, and interjections, mon vieux, and a similarly stereotyped manner of speech.Quote:Background: Age: 29Powers/Tactics: He is very intelligent, well-educated, trained, and experienced in fighting and defeating the occult and whatever random monstrous nasty he fights. (He’s also vain, voluble, and a glutton, but never mind). He uses guns, knives, stakes, silver, iron, hypnosis, or whatever it takes to slaughter the bad guys and see good triumph.Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightJohn ReidPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
15**	STR	5
15**	DEX	15
13**	CON	6
13**	BODY	6
13**	INT	3
15**	EGO	10
20**	PRE	10
14**	COM	2
	*
6**	PD	3
4**	ED	1
3**	SPD	5
6**	REC	0
26**	END	0
28**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN02"**SWIM03"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 66

Cost**	Skill
3**	Breakfall 12-*
3**	Climbing 12-*
3**	Fast Draw 12-*
3**	Interrogation 13-*
3**	Lipreading 12-*
3**	Riding 12-*
2**	Survival (Desert) 12-*
3**	Tactics 12-*
3**	Tracking 12-*
4**	WF: Small Arms, Blades, Chain & Rope Weapons*
8**	+1 with All Combat*
5**	+1 with Ranged Combat*
6**	+3 with revolvers*

Skills Cost: 49

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	Knife: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1/2d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2), Ranged (+1/2) (20 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4) [Notes: Can Be Thrown]*	0
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]
**	12 gauge full choke: (Total: 61 Active Cost, 14 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 2 1/2d6, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (50 Active Points); STR Minimum 10 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 5 Charges (-3/4), Required Hands Two-Handed (-1/2), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4), Reduced Penetration (-1/4), Reduced By Range (-1/4) (Real Cost: 9) plus +1 OCV (5 Active Points); OAF (-1), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 2) plus +2 vs Range (6 Active Points); OAF (-1) (Real Cost: 3)*	[5]
**	Lasso: *	0
**	Silver Bullets: 6*	0

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
5**	Psychological Limitation: Wants to avenge any perceived wrong (Uncommon, Moderate)*
20**	Psychological Limitation: Code Versus Killing (Common, Total)*
15**	Social Limitation: Secret Identity (Formerly the Lone Ranger) (Frequently, Major)*

Disadvantage Points: 40

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 115

Height: 1.82 m	Hair:
Weight: 90.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Pushing 50, Reid is still a strong healthy man. Grey haired, but still steely eyed.Personality: Always a quiet man, he has become possitively taciturn - but he still feels that old drive to avenge wrongs.Quote:Background: One of a posse of six Texas Rangers tracking a gang of desperadoes. The Rangers were lured into an ambush in a canyon, and five of them were slaughtered. The sixth, young John Reid, was left for dead. But Reid managed to crawl to safety near a water hole, where he was found and nursed back to health by a friendly Indian Reid had once helped.

 

This young Ranger, with his Indian companion, sought to avenge the deaths of his comrades. Avenge they did, cornering the outlaw Butch Cavendish in a dramatic battle.

 

Reid buried his past at the graves of the five dead Rangers, and set out to avenge wrongs throughout the Old West.

 

In his younger, more active days, Reid subsisted on the income from a silver mine that he and his brother--who was one of the deceased Rangers--had discovered. Periodically he returned to the mine, which was run for him by an honest old man, to collect the proceeds and stock up on silver bullets.

 

Now, as age is beginning to make is former lifesyle more difficult, Reid has also found that there is less need for him in the American west and has partially retired from hispast pursuits.

 

Age: 49

Powers/Tactics: Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightJames Douglas HenryPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
23**	STR	16
12**	DEX	6
18**	CON	16
11**	BODY	2
15**	INT	5
13**	EGO	6
15**	PRE	5
12**	COM	1
	*
6**	PD	1
4**	ED	0
3**	SPD	8
9**	REC	0
36**	END	0
32**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN02"**SWIM04 1/2"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 66

Cost**	Skill
10**	+2 with HTH Combat*
3**	Concealment 12-*
3**	Deduction 12-*
3**	Paramedics 12-*
3**	Persuasion 12-*
3**	Riding 11-*
3**	Shadowing 12-*
3**	Stealth 11-*
2**	Survival (Temperate/Subtropical) 12-*
3**	Tactics 12-*
3**	Tracking 12-*
2**	TF: Riding Animals*
3**	WF: Small Arms, Blades*

Skills Cost: 44

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
10**	Distinctive Features: Distinctive: Huge, muscular, African (Concealable; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)*
5**	Hunted: Watched by U. S. Secret Service 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Watching)*
5**	Social Limitation: (Secret) Former U. S. Secret Service agent (Occasionally, Minor)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Overconfidence (Very Common, Moderate)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.97 m	Hair:
Weight: 100.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Dark hair and skin, standing several inches taller than just about anyone.Personality: Quote:Background: Born in Ohio 1840. His father was a legendary railroad worker, his mother Polly Ann Douglas, daughter of James Douglas, slave of the Widow Douglas of St. Petersburg, Missouri.

 

For those not familiar with John Henry, John Douglas Henry's father; in 1858 was the famed contest between the steam driven spike driver and John Henry. John Henry bargained for his freedom and his family's freedom if he won. He did win but at a terrible loss. He suffered a stroke and was in a coma for months. During this time his wife took the family and travel farther north.

 

James Douglas Henry was not allowed to enlist in the United States Army until after 1863 but he proved his worth prior to this by going behind enemy lines and acting as contraband in order to gather needed information.

 

After the War Henry did indeed join the Tenth Cavalry and did see action against the Indians but his talents for tracking down outlaws gave him a special status and he was often AWOL while performing missions for the Secret Service. While working for the Sercret Service, Henry operated under the name James West (II).

 

Age: 59

Powers/Tactics: Although not shy about making use of his prodigious strength when needed, James prefers to think his way through a problem.Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightIrene AdlerPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
10**	STR	0
13**	DEX	9
10**	CON	0
10**	BODY	0
18**	INT	8
13**	EGO	6
20**	PRE	10
18**	COM	4
	*
2**	PD	0
2**	ED	0
3**	SPD	7
4**	REC	0
20**	END	0
20**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN02"**SWIM02"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 44

Cost**	Skill
7**	Acting 15-*
3**	Bribery 13-*
3**	Bureaucratics 13-*
3**	Conversation 13-*
5**	Disguise 14-*
3**	Deduction 13-*
2**	Forgery (Documents) 13-*
2**	Gambling (Card Games) 13-*
3**	High Society 13-*
3**	Oratory 13-*
3**	Persuasion 13-*
6**	PS: Singer 16-*
3**	Seduction 13-*
3**	Lockpicking 12-*
3**	Streetwise 13-*
3**	Trading 13-*
2**	WF: Blades, Handguns*
1**	Language: French (basic conversation)*
1**	Language: German (basic conversation)*
1**	Language: Polish (basic conversation)*
2**	KS: Opera 11-*
2**	KS: European Nobilty 11-*
2**	KS: Jewlery and Gems 11-*

Skills Cost: 66

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	.38 Derringer: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6 (-2 OCV, -2 vs Range) (7 Active Points); 2 Charges (-1 1/2), OAF (-1), STR Minimum 4 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[2]

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
10**	Social Limitation: Famous (Opera Singer) (Frequently, Minor)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Loves a good mystery (Common, Strong)*
10**	Psychological Limitation: Disdains royalty (Uncommon, Strong)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.55 m	Hair:
Weight: 60.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Age has done very little to diminish Irene. She is described by the King of Bohemia as having "the face of the most beautiful of women, and the mind of the most resolute of men." Holmes describes her as "the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet." But she's more than just beautiful; she is a talented actress and singer, is skilled at disguise, but most of all has an excellent mind. She's clever, insightful, and quick on her feet.Personality: Irene loves the thrill of solving a mystery.Quote:Background: Born into a Jewish family in New Jersey in 1858, Irene Adler had a fine contralto voice and became the prima donna at the Imperial Opera of Warsaw. While there, in 1883, she became involved with the 'King of Bohemia'1, who treated her badly ("cruelly wronged," in her own words). Sometime after their relationship ended she moved to London; it might be surmised that in the five years between the ending of her relationship with the King of Bohemia and her move to London she was involved in some notorious activities, for she is in Holmes' files and is referred to by His Highness Wilhelm von Ormstein as "the well-known adventuress." In 1888, Sherlock Holmes was retained to retrieve some incriminating evidence in her possession; at that time her address was Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood, London. "A Scandal in Bohemia" is a case that Holmes still remembers with a wry smile, the only time he has ever been bested by a woman.

 

Age: 41

Powers/Tactics: Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightDigory KirkePlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
10**	STR	0
12**	DEX	6
10**	CON	0
10**	BODY	0
23**	INT	16
15**	EGO	10
13**	PRE	3
10**	COM	0
	*
3**	PD	1
2**	ED	0
3**	SPD	8
4**	REC	0
20**	END	0
20**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN02"**SWIM02"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 44

Cost**	Power	END
11**	Healing BODY 4d6, 16 Charges (+0) (40 Active Points); OAF Expendable (Very Difficult to obtain new Focus; A bit of unusual green apples he carries; -1 1/2), Requires A Skill Roll (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2), Concentration (1/2 DCV; -1/4)*	[16]
12**	Dispel Magic 15d6, any magic power one at a time (+1/4) (56 Active Points); OAF Expendable (Very Difficult to obtain new Focus; A bit of special wood; -1 1/2), 4 Charges (-1), Requires A Skill Roll (-1/2), Concentration (1/2 DCV; -1/4), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, -1/4)*	[4]
12**	Enchanted Cane: Aid Energy Blast (Cane) 4d6 (40 Active Points); OAF (Cane; -1), Requires A Skill Roll (-1/2), Extra Time (Full Phase, -1/2), Concentration (1/2 DCV; -1/4)*	0

Powers Cost: 35

Cost**	Skill
3**	Animal Handler 12-*
3**	Bureaucratics 12-*
3**	Conversation 12-*
3**	Oratory 12-*
3**	Scholar*
2**	1) KS: History (3 Active Points) 14-*
2**	2) KS: Magic (3 Active Points) 14-*
2**	3) KS: Other Worlds (3 Active Points) 14-*
5**	Power 15-*
4**	+2 with Cane*

Skills Cost: 30

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	Apples: A couple of unusual apples*	0
**	Wood Pieces: 4 small pieces of wood from an unusual tree*	0
**	Cane: 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	0

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
20**	Psychological Limitation: Honorable (Common, Total)*
5**	Social Limitation: Secret - Knows the way to Narnia (Occasionally, Minor)*
5**	Psychological Limitation: Knows the exact time, place, and circumstances of his own death (Uncommon, Moderate)*
5**	Unluck: 1d6*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 109

Height: 1.75 m	Hair:
Weight: 90.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Very typical looking middle-age English professor.Personality: Friendly but distant. Sometimes it seems as if Digory is not entirely "here" - like is mind is somewhere else.Quote:Background: As a young boy your Uncle gave you and a friend a set of rings that would transport you to other worlds. After using the rings for a period you realized that they were to dangerous and disposed of them in a creative fashion, but you realized that your uncle was a magician.

 

In the many years that have passed since then you have spent a small amount of time studying magic yourself, although not nearly to the extent that your late Uncle Andrew did.

 

Age: 49

Powers/Tactics: Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightArsène LupinPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
10**	STR	0
18**	DEX	24
13**	CON	6
10**	BODY	0
15**	INT	5
13**	EGO	6
15**	PRE	5
14**	COM	2
	*
2**	PD	0
3**	ED	0
3**	SPD	2
5**	REC	0
26**	END	0
22**	STUN	0

*7"**RUN22"**SWIM02"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 52

Cost**	Power	END
3**	+1 PER with all Sense Groups*	0

Powers Cost: 3

Cost**	Skill
5**	Acrobatics 14-*
3**	Acting 12-*
3**	Breakfall 13-*
3**	Bribery 12-*
3**	Bugging 12-*
3**	Bureaucratics 12-*
3**	Climbing 13-*
3**	Concealment 12-*
7**	Disguise 14-*
2**	Forgery (Documents) 12-*
2**	Language: English (fluent conversation)*
1**	Language: German (basic conversation)*
3**	Security Systems 12-*
3**	KS: Fine Art 12-*
3**	Shadowing 12-*
3**	Streetwise 12-*
1**	WF: Handguns*
4**	+2 with Deringer*

Skills Cost: 55

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	.38 Derringer: Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6 (-2 OCV, -2 vs Range) (7 Active Points); 2 Charges (-1 1/2), OAF (-1), STR Minimum 4 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[2]
**	Sap: Energy Blast 3d6, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (22 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	0
**	Lockpicks: +3 with Lockpicking*

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
15**	Hunted: French Police 8- (Mo Pow, NCI, Limited Geographical Area, Harshly Punish)*
5**	Reputation: Gentleman Burglar, 8-*
15**	Psychological Limitation: Loves the thrill of the game (Common, Strong)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.70 m	Hair:
Weight: 65.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: Personality: He's handsome, he's charming, he's well-read. He's a lover of fine art, which is why he steals so much of it.Quote:Background: Although on the other side of the law, Lupin is clearly a force for good, and those he defeat, always with characteristic gallic style and panache, were villains than he.

 

Age: 25

Powers/Tactics: Lupin is a master of disguise, whose criminal activities have more or less "unselfish" grounds. If he steals a painting, it is so that it may be genuinely appreciated. Lupin amuses himself making fools of the police.Campaign Use: 

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By GaslightAlie DunbarPlayer:

Val**	Char***	Cost
13**	STR	3
13**	DEX	9
12**	CON	4
10**	BODY	0
15**	INT	5
13**	EGO	6
18**	PRE	8
18**	COM	4
	*
3**	PD	0
3**	ED	1
3**	SPD	7
5**	REC	0
24**	END	0
23**	STUN	0

*6"**RUN05"**SWIM32 1/2"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 50

Cost**	Skill
2**	TF: Large Wind-Powered Boats, Small Wind-Powered Boats*
3**	Acrobatics 12-*
3**	Climbing 12-*
2**	Language: Mandarin (fluent conversation)*
1**	Language: Cantonese (basic conversation)*
3**	High Society 13-*
5**	Disguise 13-*
3**	Paramedics 12-*
3**	Acting 13-*
3**	Conversation 13-*
5**	Persuasion 14-*
4**	Navigation (Marine) 13-*
7**	Seduction 15-*
3**	WF: Blades, Handguns, Vehicle Weapons*
3**	+1 with Shipboard combat*
5**	+1 with HTH Combat*
2**	+1 with cutlass*
3**	+1 with handguns*

Skills Cost: 60

Cost**	Equipment	END
**	Sword, Cutlass: Killing Attack - Hand-To-Hand 1d6+1, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (30 Active Points); OAF (-1), STR Minimum 1-5 (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	0
**	.45 (Colt Peacemaker): Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6-1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4) (31 Active Points); STR Minimum 12 (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1), OAF (-1), 6 Charges (-3/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4)*	[6]

Equipment costs shown above are for reference only, and are not included in Total Cost.

Val**	Disadvantages
0**	Normal Characteristic Maxima*
10**	Social Limitation: Secret Identiy: The Beautiful White Devil (Occasionally, Major)*
15**	Psychological Limitation: "Robin Hood" complex (steals from the rich, gives to poor) (Common, Strong)*
10**	Psychological Limitation: Extremely loyal to friends and subordinates (Uncommon, Strong)*

Disadvantage Points: 35

Base Points: 75Experience Required: 0Total Experience Available: 0Experience Unspent: 0Total Character Cost: 110

Height: 1.60 m	Hair:
Weight: 55.00 kg	Eyes:

Appearance: The Beautiful White Devil is, as mentioned, a pirate. She always dresses in white, hence her name. She’s very much an English lady of the upper middle classes, quite proper in her behavior and very educated in her tastes in architecture, decorating, and literature. Although her acts as a pirate are, of course, unseemly for a lady, in all other ways she is quite respectable.Personality: Her motivation for what she does is partly financial but mostly to rob the undeserving and help the unfortunate; she usually gives at least half of what she steals to the poor, both on her island and around the Far East.

 

 

 

Her crew is very loyal to her, as are the natives on the island, and she to them, although she can be a strict and even lethal disciplinarian if the circumstances call for it. She treats the natives well, but her attitude is replete with the patronizing racism of British colonialism, caring for the natives but at the same time acting and believing as if they are children.

Quote:Background: Age: 23Powers/Tactics: As a pirate her modus operandi is to socialize with the upper classes of Society, whether in Hong Kong, Ceylon, or other British colonies, become friendly with her target, convince them to go sailing with her, and then kidnap them while at sea. She’s very good at this, being good company, very wily, and quite good at disguise. (At one point she even fools de Normanville). She also is very good at seeing the true motivations of people and at detecting those who would play her false or betray her. She’s a good idea woman, clever at hatching schemes and in executing them as well as, for example, designing her yacht so that its looks can quickly and easily be altered.Campaign Use: 

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Thanks, I have been looking for period/gamer characters for a while.

 

Fantastic Web Site by the way.

 

QM

[yamamura]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Ah one of my favourite time periods. Good job John.

 

G

Ps TheQuestionMan I have made an original Victorian character and can be found Here

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Ah one of my favourite time periods. Good job John.

 

G

Ps TheQuestionMan I have made an original Victorian character and can be found Here

 

I love doing Victorian (or near-Victrorian) gaming - and when gaming with a steady group original characters are certainly the way to go.

 

For convention session though the small bit of familiarty the players had with some of the characters worked out well. I found it particularly fun with the characters who's "real" names aren't well known, watching the player when it dawns on them who Martha Canary or John Reid is (or when they figure out who James Douglas Henry's father is).

 

So far, to date, Digory Kirke and Alie Dunbar are the two that are the least likely to be recognized. I fianlly added in Digory's "secret" just to give the player a clue. (I can't think of any way of making Alie Dunbar more recognizable - those stories just weren't as big as the others).

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Thanks! Have you got Arsene Lupin in HD format as well?

 

I've given some thought to decent Victorian/Gaslight characters. There's a special joy to taking a character who was wildly popular in his/her time but almost unknown now, and turning them into viable Hero PCs. Right now, I've been working on Victorian robots and their inventors. Perhaps I should post them here.

[Curufea]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

You should! I'd like to see them.

And possibly plagiarism them all for New Crobuzon Hero

Seriously though, at least create a link to them as Victorian/Regency/Gaslight characters are the correct genre for NCH. Just need to add more psych lims to have them fit in

[yamamura]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

TheQuestionMan you can find the character also on my webpage.

Linky

 

G

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Thanks! Have you got Arsene Lupin in HD format as well?

I've editted that post and added the file (apparently the board couldn't handle the "è" in the file name.

 

I've given some thought to decent Victorian/Gaslight characters. There's a special joy to taking a character who was wildly popular in his/her time but almost unknown now, and turning them into viable Hero PCs. Right now, I've been working on Victorian robots and their inventors. Perhaps I should post them here.

 

I'd like to see them.

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Johnny Brainerd

 

[Note: He's probably a bit early for your purposes, John. There are many similar characters that fit the 1890s window better, but I haven't managed to get one of those books yet.]

 

Johnny Brainerd

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

8 STR -2 11- Lift 75.8kg; 1 1/2d6 [2]

13 DEX 9 12- OCV: 4/DCV: 4

10 CON 0 11-

10 BODY 0 11-

15 INT 5 12- PER Roll 12-/14-

14 EGO 8 12- ECV: 5

13 PRE 3 12- PRE Attack: 2 1/2d6

8 COM -1 11-

 

2 PD 0 Total: 2 PD (0 rPD)

2 ED 0 Total: 2 ED (0 rED)

3 SPD 7 Phases: 4, 8, 12

4 REC 0

20 END 0

19 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 29

 

Movement:

Running: 6"/12"

Leaping: 1"/2"

Swimming: 2"/4"

 

 

Cost Powers END

4 Remarkably Keen Vision: +2 PER with Sight Group

5 The Luck Of Fools: Luck 1d6

Perks

15 The Steam Man Of The Prairies: Vehicle

Skills

6 Mechanical Ingenuity: +2 with Gadgeteering, Inventor, and Mechanics

 

0 Acting 8-

0 AK: St. Louis 8-

3 Climbing 12-

0 Concealment 8-

0 Conversation 8-

5 Deduction 13-

3 Electronics 12-

3 Gadgeteering 12-

5 Inventor 13-

0 Language: English (idiomatic; literate)

5 Mechanics 13-

0 Paramedics 8-

0 Persuasion 8-

4 PS: Mechanic 13-

1 Riding 8-

2 SS: Clockwork Mechanics 11-

2 SS: Steam Engineering 11-

2 SS: Telegraphy 11-

0 Shadowing 8-

0 Stealth 8-

1 TF: Two-Legged Steam-Powered Vehicles

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 66

Total Cost: 95

 

50+ Disadvantages

0 Normal Characteristic Maxima No Age Restriction

5 Distinctive Features: Misshapen Dwarf (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

5 Money: Poor

5 Physical Limitation: Small (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)

15 Psychological Limitation: Curious And Thoughtful (Common, Strong)

15 Psychological Limitation: Naivete (Common, Strong)

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 95

 

 

 

Background/History: Johnny Brainerd was born in St. Louis, probably around 1855. His father was a mechanical engineer who had two patents that provided a small income for his wife and son after he died.

 

Born with a severely twisted spine and severe dwarfism, Johnny displayed his mechanical ingenuity at an early age. He delighted his classmates with clockwork toys he made himself with a penknife, hammer, and chisel. He developed a telegraph system so he could communicate with his friends. But the day came when his mother found him on his bed in a melancholic depression - he had run out of things to invent. When he asked his mother, she told him to make a man powered by steam. Invigorated by the challenge, he set off to his workshop to produce the miracle.

 

He worked constantly at perfecting his invention, interrupted only by the hunter Baldy Bicknell, who had noticed the mechanical marvel while in St. Louis preparing for a gold-hunting expedition. He offered Johnny a thousand dollars for it, but Johnny wouldn't sell it. Instead, they made a deal, and so Johnny set off with Baldy for Wolf Ravine, deep in the Indian-held territories.

 

They had several adventures where they contended with hostile natives and indigenous wildlife, but Johnny returned with three thousand pounds in gold dust - enough to continue his education in style.

 

Personality/Motivation: Johnny is a child prodigy. His intelligence is vast when concentrated on mechanical details, but he still makes decisions like a child. When confronted with monotany, he becomes easily bored, but when he's embroiled in an adventure he's too excited to always make the most rational choice.

 

He displays a marked pride toward his accomplishments, unwilling to let his creations go until he's perfected them; on the other hand, he seems to have a fairly careless attitude when it comes to personal safety and well-being, either his own or that of other people.

 

Quote: "You have seen a locomotive, haven't you? Well, this is something on the same principle, except that it uses legs instead of wheels."

 

Powers/Tactics: Johnny has a keen intellect which is focused on mechanisms of all varieties. He has displayed the ability to adjust machines to work in ways other than originally intended, but not to a comic-book level; hence, he has Gadgeteering without having a Gadget Pool. Instead, he usually uses whatever he has at hand to produce a device to perform normal mechanical functions - he made a "rocker" to help wash gold dust when given enough time, for instance, but when confronted with the lack of a headlight on his mechanical man, he had to make plans to add it when he had access to the proper tools.

 

Campaign Use: Johnny is a primitive steam-engine-focussed gadgeteer. His only story is "The Steam Man of the Prairies," which was first published in Irwin P. Beadle's American Novels #45 (August, 1868). The story was popular enough to be reprinted numerous times in Beadle's Half-Dime Library. Eventually, rival publishers noticed its success and it was copied, but author Edward Ellis only wrote this one story about him. It's not particularly good, and it was not the most popular of the genre it spawned (the Edisonade, stories about boy inventors and their adventures), but it was the first.

 

It should be noted that Johnny Brainerd displays all the normal prejudices common to white people of his era, and the non-WASP characters in "The Steam Man of the Prairies" are little more than cultural stereotypes.

 

Appearance: Johnny is a dwarfed young boy with a hunchback. He wears typical clothes for a street urchin of his day, and has no other extraordinary distinguishing characteristics.

 

Johnny Brainerd.hdc

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By GaslightBaldy BicknellVal Char Cost Roll Notes15 STR 5 12- Lift 200.0kg; 3d6 [3]14 DEX 12 12- OCV: 5/DCV: 516 CON 12 12-15 BODY 10 12-13 INT 3 12- PER Roll 14-/16-11 EGO 2 11- ECV: 415 PRE 5 12- PRE Attack: 3d610 COM 0 11-5 PD 2 Total: 5 PD (0 rPD)4 ED 1 Total: 4 ED (0 rED)3 SPD 6 Phases: 4, 8, 126 REC 034 END 131 STUN 0 Total Characteristic Cost: 57Movement: Running: 6"/12" Leaping: 3"/6"Cost Powers END4 Acute Ears: +2 PER with Hearing Group6 Hunter's Keen Senses: +2 PER with all Sense GroupsPerks5 Previous Gold Strike: Money: Well OffSkills6 +2 with Early Percussion Firearms 0 Acting 8-0 AK: St. Louis 8-3 AK: Western Territories 12-0 Climbing 8-0 Concealment 8-0 Conversation 8-0 Deduction 8-0 Language: English (idiomatic; literate)2 Language: Native American (fluent conversation)2 Navigation (Land) 12-0 Paramedics 8-0 Persuasion 8-3 Riding 12-0 Shadowing 8-3 Stealth 12-2 Survival (Temperate/Subtropical Plains) 12-3 Tactics 12-3 Tracking 12-1 WF: Early Percussion FirearmsTotal Powers & Skill Cost: 43Total Cost: 10050+ Disadvantages5 Distinctive Features: healed scalping wound (Easily Concealed; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)0 Normal Characteristic Maxima15 Psychological Limitation: Code Of Honor (Common, Strong)10 Psychological Limitation: Hates Native Americans (Uncommon, Strong)20 Psychological Limitation: Wanderlust (Common, Total)Total Disadvantage Points: 100Background/History: Baldy Bicknell is a hunter and trapper who feels most at home in the vast territories in the western half of North America. An incident with natives about ten years before the story begins left him without his scalp. He managed to survive and the wounds healed, but he still bears cold murder in his heart for "Injuns."He returned to the wilderness after his run-in with hostile natives, and became partners with a gold-digger. When they were returnng to civilization with some preliminary diggings from a strike they made in Wolf Ravine, their steamer suffered from a boiler explosion and went down in the Yellowstone River. It took Baldy's boss and his gold with it, and nearly Baldy himself, but he found rescue with a couple of fellow passengers and failed gold-hunters, an Irishman named Mickey McSquizzle and a Yank named Ethan Hopkins. In return for their saving his life, he promised to bring them with him on an expedition to Wolf Ravine and make them equal partners in his strike. He also recompensed them somewhat when they returned to St. Louis, as Baldy had deposited earlier prizes there and had made some helpful friends.While he was recuperating from the boiler explosion in St. Louis, he encountered Johnny Brainerd and his Steam Man, and they sparked an idea. With their aid, the trip to Wolf Ravine and back became somewhat easier; in addition, Baldy felt that the fearsome appearance of the Steam Man would have the desired effect of scaring away many of the native Americans they might come across. He took Johnny in as a partner, and together they set off to meet Ethan and Mickey, both of whom went out early to set up on the claim.They had many adventures on the Prairies, and when they came back Baldy was one of the wealthiest men in St. Louis. However, he could never change his old habits, and spent the greater portion of his time on the vast prairies of the West.Personality/Motivation: Baldy is a typical laconic outdoorsman, comfortable in the wilderness and ill at ease in civilization. He enjoys the prospect of travel and riches, but he doesn't let himself be blinded to the practicalities of the moment. He bears a grudge against the native Americans, but doesn't let himself get angry or vengeful; however, when given the opportunity, he guns down natives with abandon.He feels a strong sense of honor: when people do him a good turn, he feels the need to do them one in return. In addition, he feels protective of young Johnny and his two other companions, and feels a responsibility to get everyone out of harm's way.Quote: "Let her go, younker, and show us what she can do."Powers/Tactics: Baldy is a good shot with a gun, and usually tries to find a tactical advantage in any firefight, taking advantage of cover, high ground, and anything else that can turn the tables on his foes. He trusts his instincts and keen senses, but is willing to listen to any sound plan.Campaign Use: Baldy Bicknell is an outdoorsman, a typical character in dime novels. He only appears in the story "The Steam Man of the Prairies," which was first published in Irwin P. Beadle's American Novels #45 (August, 1868). The story was popular enough to be reprinted numerous times in Beadle's Half-Dime Library. Eventually, rival publishers noticed its success and it was copied, but author Edward Ellis only wrote this one story about him. It's not particularly good, and it was not the most popular of the genre it spawned (the Edisonade, stories about boy inventors and their adventures), but it was the first.

 

It should be noted that Baldy Bicknell displays all the normal prejudices common to white people of his era, and the non-WASP characters in "The Steam Man of the Prairies" are little more than cultural stereotypes.Appearance: Baldy is a large muscular man, dressed in typical trapper fashion. He usually bristles with pistols and rifles, and carries a knife for emergencies. He speaks with an outrageous Western accent that becomes thick and difficult to understand at times.Baldy Bicknell.hdc

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

The Steam Man Of The Prairies

 

Val Char Cost Roll Notes

1 Size 5

38 STR 23 17- Lift 4850.3kg; 7 1/2d6 [4]

11 DEX 3 11- OCV: 4/DCV: 4

19 BODY 8 13-

2 DEF 0

3 SPD 9 Phases: 4, 8, 12

Total Characteristic Cost: 46

 

Movement:

Ground Movement: 18"/72"

 

Cost Powers END

13 As Fast As Four Horses Run: Ground Movement +12" (18" total), x4 Noncombat, 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Day (+0) (29 Active Points); Extra Time (1 Minute, to Activate, -3/4), Limited Maneuverability (only 2 turns per Phase at Combat speed; only 1 turn per Phase at Noncombat speed; can't back up; -1/4), Only On Appropriate Terrain (relatively flat, hard terrain with no incline greater than 20 degrees; -1/4)

18 Heavy: Knockback Resistance -9"

10 Steel Body: +6 DEF; Does Not Protect Occupants (-1/2) (Modifiers affect Base Characteristic)

8 Train Whistle For A Nose: Hearing Group Images 1" radius, +4 to PER Rolls, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (25 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Set Effect (only to shriek like a train whistle; -1)

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 49

Total Cost: 95

 

75+ Disadvantages

20 Distinctive Features: huge hulking metal man emitting sparks and smoke (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction [amazement/fear]; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 95

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

For those who don't have the story (and I imagine that's all of you), it's available online at Blackmask Online.

[John Desmarais]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

The Steam Man Of The Prairies

 

{Giggle}

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Dude, of you think the title's funny, check out the picture on the first page of the link I posted. It was on the cover.

[Agent 13]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

James Douglas Henry

Gotta love those Wold Newton sites, huh?

 

The Wold Newton Universe

Fantastic, Mysterious, and Adventurous Victoriana

Some Unknown Members of the Wold Newton Family Tree

[AlHazred]

Re: Heroes By Gaslight

 

Bah, sometimes I hate the Wold Newtonites. I'll try to find canonical info on a character from a book, find a promising new site I'd apparently missed before, start scribbling madly, and then discover that the character is actually related to Tarzan and Irene Adler, through Mickey Mantle. Scratch three pages of notes.

 

I'd prefer it if they distinguished their revisionism better, rather than deceiving me into thinking I'd found a shortcut to reading the material all myself, pen in hand and notepad at the ready...