1905: The New Century Campaign

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Trebuchet again.

 

An entertaining and authentic-feeling origin of a partnership story. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks. If you got even 10% of the enjoyment out of my short story that I've got from all your fabulous Wold Newton stuff, then I'm happy.

 

My heart is filled.

[Steve Long]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

My heart is filled.

 

Be careful not to spill anything -- you'll make a mess! And keep up the good work. I hope to be posting reports from my own PH campaign soon, though they won't be nearly as detailed.

[Mentor]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Young Tarzan, Young Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells adventures and more get strangely crossed over from the Wold Newton universe in our campaign as well, although more as background than actual encounters...usually. Not quite Victorian and not quite Pulp while a bit of both.

 

http://www.pjfarmer.com/secret/chron/chron/chron5-revised.htm

[OddHat]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Young Tarzan, Young Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, Jules Verne and H.G. Wells adventures and more get strangely crossed over from the Wold Newton universe in our campaign as well, although more as background than actual encounters...usually. Not quite Victorian and not quite Pulp while a bit of both.

 

http://www.pjfarmer.com/secret/chron/chron/chron5-revised.htm

 

You have some great background characters just starting their lives in your campaign's time period.

 

Kent Allard is about 12, ready to be someone's kid sidekick.

 

Tesla is in his prime, ready to lend a hand or ask for help.

 

Dorothy Gale is old enough to date (not that I'm pushing).

 

Mina Murray is on her world tour with Allan Quatermaine and has yet to form her second league.

 

The Cobalt Club has yet to be founded.

 

Tarzan is seven years old, still being raised by the Mangani.

 

Wong Fei Hung is an elderly master being hounded by the forces of the Chinese government.

 

Fu Manchu is plotting, and has yet to achieve his Elixer of Life.

 

It's a great period.

[Mentor]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

You have some great background characters just starting their lives in your campaign's time period.

 

Kent Allard is about 12, ready to be someone's kid sidekick.

 

Tesla is in his prime, ready to lend a hand or ask for help.

 

Dorothy Gale is old enough to date (not that I'm pushing).

 

Mina Murray is on her world tour with Allan Quatermaine and has yet to form her second league.

 

The Cobalt Club has yet to be founded.

 

Tarzan is seven years old, still being raised by the Mangani.

 

Wong Fei Hung is an elderly master being hounded by the forces of the Chinese government.

 

Fu Manchu is plotting, and has yet to achieve his Elixer of Life.

 

It's a great period.

Correction. Tarzan was born in 1888 and is 17 years and ruling his part of West Africa. Don't do anything to make that lad get his fingers around your throat or teeth in your jugular.

[OddHat]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Correction. Tarzan was born in 1888 and is 17 years and ruling his part of West Africa. Don't do anything to make that lad get his fingers around your throat or teeth in your jugular.

 

Damn. Should have looked it up.

 

Even better as a potential adventure seed.

[Mentor]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Tarzan is probably my favorite fictional character of the early 20th century and my friends know it. So when there are mysterious doings on the West coast of Africa, the players in our campaign can be counted on to decide and take on the Yellow Claw in Macao or the Anaconda People in the deep Amazon rather than mess with the mysterious "jungle devil" and his hairy minions.

[OddHat]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Tarzan is probably my favorite fictional character of the early 20th century and my friends know it. So when there are mysterious doings on the West coast of Africa' date=' the players in our campaign can be counted on to decide and take on the Yellow Claw in Macao or the Anaconda People in the deep Amazon rather than mess with the mysterious "jungle devil" and his hairy minions.[/quote']

 

There's a reason why I chose Tarzan and La as the parents of Diana Clayton, the Wold Newton Wonder Woman.

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

There's a reason why I chose Tarzan and La as the parents of Diana Clayton' date=' the Wold Newton Wonder Woman. [/quote']In case you aren't already way ahead of me, there is a new Wold Newton universe book out. I saw it last week in the new books portion of the sci-fi section at Barnes & Noodle. A trade paperback book; the cover was green IIRC.

 

I'd say it's a must-have for serious pulp fans.

[Chuckg]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Title and author?

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Title and author?

According to barnesandnoble.com' date=' it is titled [u']Myths for the Modern Age: Philip José Farmer's Wold Newton Universe[/u]; edited by Win Scott Eckert.

 

400 pages of Wold Newton goodness.

[OddHat]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

According to barnesandnoble.com' date=' it is titled [u']Myths for the Modern Age: Philip José Farmer's Wold Newton Universe[/u]; edited by Win Scott Eckert.

 

400 pages of Wold Newton goodness.

 

My review is on Amazon.com. Great book, well worth reading.

 

Monkey Brains Books will also be re-releasing Tarzan Alive, expanded and with a forward by Eckert.

[DangerousDan]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Oddhat answered this question exactly as I would have' date=' Randy. But beyond even that, it's more than just an ordinary scar as a DF - It's a [i']duelling scar.[/i] Anyone in the campaign world familiar with the Prussian dueling tradition will recognize it for exactly what it is: A clear indication that the gentleman in question is a swordsman. It's a virtual advertisement to the effect that this gentleman will meet you on the field of honor with naked steel over an insult, real or imagined. That's going to change how people deal with this individual. It's also an indication he's a nobleman, since non-nobles were seldom if ever permitted to join duelling societies (Yes, societies! ) and a gentleman was never obligated to accept a challenge to a duel from someone of insufficient rank. The virtual historical definition of "gentleman" in Europe was "authorized to carry a sword." Hence commissioned military officers were by definition (and in the US by act of Congress, since the US didn't have nobles) gentlemen.

 

It's a bit anachronistic by 1905 (Duelling was frowned upon even in Germany by this time), but still perfectly valid and historically accurate. But then, the idea of fighting with steel blades in an era of revolvers and steam engines is an anachronism anyway.

 

When adding the DF, the cultural aspects had not occured to me--merely that some previous fencing opponent had demonstrated a superior skill with a permanent and externally visible reminder.

 

It amuses Kubas to be mistaken for a gentleman, which happens every day, all day long, and he is even more entertained to be mistaken for a noble.

 

While duelling might be frowned upon in Germany, in some nations it was already illegal, if I'm not mistaken.

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

When adding the DF, the cultural aspects had not occured to me--merely that some previous fencing opponent had demonstrated a superior skill with a permanent and externally visible reminder.

 

It amuses Kubas to be mistaken for a gentleman, which happens every day, all day long, and he is even more entertained to be mistaken for a noble.

 

While duelling might be frowned upon in Germany, in some nations it was already illegal, if I'm not mistaken.

If you wished to take either a larger DF or (perhaps more appropriately) a Social Limitation based on the duelling scar, that would be acceptable to me as a GM. Confirm with Chuck for final OK.

 

Duelists in the duelling societies of the late 19th century in fact often deliberately sought to get visible duelling scars on the face to prove their courage. The fact Kubas has only one small scar might be seen as evidence of his own expertise rather than as that of an adversary.

 

Duelling had long been illegal in most of Europe except the German states and Austro-Hungarian Empire. And even there, killing an opponent in a duel often ended the person's career and social advancement if it resulted in his opponent's death. Plus of course the victim's survivors might well file suit as well. There was a reason this was mostly done by students.

 

Also, please change the exceeding awkward "SS: Any Sciences not otherwise specified (penalties may apply) 11-" to General Science 11-. It means exactly the same thing; and is a heck of a lot less wordy.

[El Tripon]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Also' date=' please change the exceeding awkward "SS: Any Sciences not otherwise specified (penalties may apply) 11-" to General Science 11-. It means exactly the same thing; and is a heck of a lot less wordy. [/quote']

 

 

Treb, if it ain't wordy, it ain't DangerousDan

[Blackjack]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Following Treb's good example, I have _finally_ finished a brief story to introduce my character for this campaign: Elijah "Eli" Harrison, a former Rough Rider and current Pinkerton Agent. I hope you enjoy it and that it gives you some insight into this character.

 

 

***

 

The train car rocked viciously underneath him, jolting him from half-asleep to fully awake and alert, and knocking his hat from his face to the floor. “Blast it!†he muttered as he reached to pick up his hat. Another sharp lurch and the hat skittered another two feet. His mouth clamped shut before a more ungentlemanly epithet escaped his lips. Even though he was alone in the compartment, his upbringing as a true Southern gentleman ran far too deep. His manner, along with his mild Georgian accent, often set him apart in the rugged and ruthless Territories of the American West. Still, he reflected, being out here on the Frontier has changed me. I reckon if Ma could see me now, she’d hardly recognize me... The thought made him smile as he scooped up his hat and perched it back onto his head.

The knock on the compartment door brought him out of his reverie. A porter slid the door open.

“Mr. Harrison, sir..? You wanted to be notified when we were fifteen minutes out of El Paso.â€

“Yes, of course… Thank you,†the man replied as he handed the porter a modest gratuity. Despite the irregular rocking of the train as it thundered along its track, he quickly and expertly gathered his belongings. Closing the compartment door again, Harrison opened one of the two saddlebags that were his only luggage. He quickly strapped the gun belt around his waist before covering it with his duster. He then left his compartment and starting making his way to the back of the train. It was time to go to work.

He had been watching the length of the train for several minutes when he felt the huge machine begin to decelerate. Any minute now, he thought as he reviewed his plan. He’d been chasing Mortimer “Mad Dog†McClendon for five months now, ever since the hired killer had ruthlessly gunned down a Texas Ranger – and his wife and son – in Dallas. “Mad Dog,†he thought ruefully. It was a right proper moniker for someone who’d murder a man in front of his family, and then would kill a defenseless woman and boy in cold blood. Here, less than ten miles from the border of Old Mexico, McClendon was far too close to escaping justice for Harrison’s taste. That was about to change. Harrison knew McClendon was on this train, had even seen him just last night. He couldn’t risk apprehending McClendon on the train, but if his quarry was true to form, he’d take advantage of the train slowing as it approached town to slip away. Sure enough, the metal leviathan slowed to a near creeping pace, and Harrison saw a figure leap from one of the cargo boxes, rolling roughly to a stop on the ground.

McClendon rose to his feet and started to dust himself off as the train caboose caught up. Harrison then leapt from the tail of the train, slamming McClendon back to the ground. With a snarl every bit reminiscent of his nickname, McClendon leapt back to his feet, only to see that Harrison was already standing, just a few feet away, his hand on the grip of his Colt Peacemaker.

“Mortimer McClendon, you are hereby bound by law for the murder of Matthew, Elsa, and Arthur Epps! Stand down!â€

McClendon snorted with derision. He spit on the ground and went for his Smith & Wesson .45 revolver. With a flash of his arm, Harrison drew his own weapon and fired. A loud clang of metal rang out, followed by a yelp of pain as Harrison’s bullet ricocheted off McClendon’s gun and drove the weapon from his hand. Ignoring the vile curses spewing from McClendon’s mouth, Harrison stepped up to his quarry and viciously slammed the butt of his pistol into the murderer’s jaw. Remarkably, McClendon barely staggered under the force of the blow, until a second, well-placed follow-up punch finally brought him to his knees.

Harrison quickly tied McClendon’s hands together, stuffing his handkerchief into McClendon’s still-swearing mouth. Harrison roughly marched his captive the last couple of miles into El Paso.

 

***

 

Eli Harrison sat quietly at the bar of the saloon. He let the noise of the card games and the piano player wash over him, his senses wary of danger but ignoring the cavalcade of humanity around him. The sheriff had been nice enough to make room for McClendon in the local jail until a Marshall could arrive to escort him back to Dallas. He wondered about the wisdom of taking McClendon alive. The Pinkerton Agency’s reputation had suffered in recent years for its work in strike-breaking, so he’d been ordered to make every effort to bring McClendon in alive. Harrison understood the logic of it. He’d spent years wrangling with local badges who didn’t appreciate having a private eye catch the bad guys they couldn’t, especially when that meant having to defend himself in a gunfight that left his opponent dead.

He shook his head, forcing the thoughts from his mind. Today had gone well, and McClendon’s capture meant a hefty payday. He pushed the half-finished beer away from himself as he rose from the bar…

… only to nearly run into one of the sheriff’s deputies.

“Mr. Harrison, this telegram was brought to the sheriff’s office.†Ignoring Eli’s surprise, the deputy handed him the cable and turned away without another word. Eli looked down at the paper, still not believing the words in front of him as he read it repeatedly.

 

ELI… DO NOT RETURN TO FRISCO. REPORT TO WASHINGTON DC OFFICE ASAP. WILL BE BRIEFED THERE. THE LCOL SENDS REGARDS.

 

A long, slow whistle escaped Eli’s lips. The reference to the Lieutenant Colonel was a particular surprise. It had been years since Harrison had even seen the Old Man. He’d obviously made a greater impression on his former commanding officer than he’d realized. Now, once again, Eli was being called into service. Given the high office the Old Man now held, Eli could be certain of one thing: such a summons would undoubtedly lead to an unprecedented adventure. He picked up his saddlebags and walked directly back to the train station. He had a ticket to buy and a train to catch.

 

***

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Bump to avoid thread oblivion.

[OddHat]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Bump to avoid thread oblivion.

 

Good threads never die, they just head to the Internet Wayback Machine.

[input.jack]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Is this a Play-By-E-mail game? Or do you all live close enough to one another to game together?

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Is this a Play-By-E-mail game? Or do you all live close enough to one another to game together?

Sorry, but it's face to face. Most of this gaming group has been playing various games together to some extent for over 20 years.

[input.jack]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Sorry' date=' but it's face to face. Most of this gaming group has been playing various games together to some extent for over 20 years.[/quote']

 

 

Well....poo.

 

[LordGhee]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Treb, inputjack could be a villian like you where in my fantasy hero campain year ago.

 

Lord Ghee

[Trebuchet]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Treb' date=' input.jack could be a villian like you were in my fantasy hero campaign years ago.[/quote']In your Fantasy Hero I was merely playing (off-stage, so to speak) an immortal Dark Queen who dispatched her loyal (and not-so-loyal) minions to accomplish her never-ending nefarious schemes to rule the world and to bedevil those irritating dogooders. Sometimes those minions succeeded in their missions, sometimes (usually, damnit!) they failed and the minions in question had to be... disciplined.

 

Hmmm...

[input.jack]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

*Ahem* Muahahahahahahaaaaaa!

 

 

 

(How was that?)

[Mentor]

Re: 1905: The New Century Campaign

 

Finally ready to start the campaign. This intro story will give an idea of the flavor of the game.

 

DISEMBARKATION

The Mediterranean mist swiftly fled the July dawn as if dreading the searing solar kiss upon the sky blue and golden waters of the Alexandria harbor. The morning call to prayer echoed through the quiet streets and alleys of the ancient seaport, while Muslims knelt in prayer and non believers waited them out either respectfully or impatiently. Then upon release, as if answering the starting gun at the Derby, the port of Alexandria was instantly blurred in movement, sound and color as beasts of burden, stevedores, port officials, travelers, thieves, merchants, whores, beggars, buyers, and any number of others with business on the docks began their day.

 

Sailors, already sweating, muscled the gangway to the docked Indiaman, S.S. Miranda, under the earnest supervision of two adolescent officers, each as opposite in aspect as might have been imagined. One young man stocky, mirthful, ebon of skin, eyes and hair and clear to anyone with African experience, he clearly originated from the West Coast of the Dark Continent. The other youth stood tall and gaunt, blonde, fair and taciturn and certainly had the respect if not the love that his fellow commanded. Yet the two youths, fifteen or sixteen years old, under the watchful eye of the red faced, beefy first mate, drove the steamer crew with an efficient partnership that would do the Royal Navy proud

 

Awaiting clearance at the head of the gangway was what could only be described as the flower of British manhood. Standing some three inches over six feet tall, noble yet open and humble of bearing, his civilian bush togs could not hide his martial bearing. Yet observers who know such things would remark that he treated those around him with such honest egalitarianism as to doubt their first impression. In his left hand, he carried a traveling bag and in right, a walking stick of dark wood topped with a brass creature of mythical aspect. As he prepared to descend, followed by his diverse and doughty companions, the unassuming yet confident Chinese ascetic, the quiet confident cowboy, Eastern European gentleman with the devilish grin, the bombastic English journalist wearing the inevitable bowler, he turned to the teen merchant officers, who stood straight as Regular Navy midshipmen, and commented with a smile;

 

"Mr. Katanga and Mr. Englehorn, you have our thanks for a fine voyage. It does one good to witness such competence in those so young. You do your Captain and officers proud. I feel quite sure that you shall master your own ships one day and I look forward to sailing with you gentlemen again."

 

The African, Katanga, smiled and spoke first in flawless English, "Mr. Flashman, ours was the honor, sir. You and your companions were ever the gentlemen and have served as examples for this crew which we will not forget. I shall miss your stories over dinner, sir." The blond youngster maintained a serious face, but his German accent made such seem appropriate as he commented, "Herr, Flashman, ours was the honor."

 

Watching the gifted travelers depart, the youthful duo could only marvel at what adventures awaited such men.