A noble adventure

[JustinInOz]

Further Plots

Someone already mentioned it obliquely. I suggest wholesale plundering of Alexander Dumas. They invaribly involve the interactions between nobles, their servants, functionaries and lieges. They are thick with plots that revolve upon social mores, machinations of power and restrictions of class.

My understanding is that these novels were first published a chapter at a time in periodicals of the day. If they were not exciting, people would simply not buy the next week's journal. This compelled him to have tight charatcers that _did_ something each week. There was a requirement for the potential of something to happen next week. So, in truth, each chapter has a strong potential to be a nugget for adventure.

It is not hard to transfer this to the 3I. Replace the church with a megacorporation and you are set. This fits well with the way children of nobility became prelates. Just as they are the officers of mega corps. Foreign countries become the Zhos, Vargr, Aslan and Kree.

 

[Maccat]

There have been publishing of books/novels set in the Liaden 'universe', one which to me feels very traveller-esque, main focus on trade. The nobles are trading houses and must maintain their integrity (my word is my bond, duels etc) and reputation.

The current running plot lol sounds almost like the manchurian candidate. My take on it would be more where the noble records are wayyyy over there in the official book of heraldry and family histories. Then have the adventure be just which path they use to get there, which worlds they visit. hope this helps some!

 

[ssgbryan]

I know this is late.....

But I am working on a noble adventure.

Patron is a "remittance man". Learns of father's death & has 1 year to return to Ancestral lands to claim his inheritance.

Players are the remittance man's staff.

Needless to say, the Noble family doesn't want Patron anywhere near the Court. Other Noble families think that it is a fine idea for "Mr. Embarassment" to come to court. Multiple groups trying to decide does he live, does he die, can we make him a "useful idiot" etc.

Patron must dodge Bounty Hunters, Assassins, etc. Then there is the whole "who do you trust" at the court.

 

[jatay3]

How about using the first part of Dune as a model?

 

[rancke]

How about using the first part of Dune as a model?

Could you be a little more specific? Use it in what way?


Hans

 

[Rasher]

To add some suggestions;

Rather then the PCs being just "hired" for another job. Make the job an appointment to perform the task for the Duke. After all if at least one of them is a noble he is expected to pull his weight in some manner.

The inheritance of the Barony of Marvale is in dispute and as Countess Josephine of Efate has family ties with one of the claimants the Duke has appointed an outside noble to make enquires into the succession and supply a report to his office. Even a lowly Knight could find himself on a quasi-legal job like this, they are not associated with any of the families and are expendable should some one poison their lunch or their shuttle explode in orbit.

Perhaps it is the Countess's supporter that presents the PC’s with the replacement heir very early in the adventure and the evidence is initially very strong. The Countess suggests to the PC’s that she would be very grateful if they could prevent an injustice from occurring.

Problem is the “real” heir is a moronic meth-addict (or similar) who would be either be completely incompetent or a puppet in the hands of her handlers. The “fake” heir is intelligent and extremely competent, a pity she was born a peasant because she could do a much better job.

The Duke is well aware of the situation and when he appointed the PC’s expected them to nominate the “fake” heir. This allows him to keep himself at an aloft distance without putting the Countess and her supporters offside while still getting someone competent into the job. The PC’s do not know this.

 

[rancke]

Problem is the “real” heir is a moronic meth-addict (or similar) who would be either be completely incompetent or a puppet in the hands of her handlers. The “fake” heir is intelligent and extremely competent, a pity she was born a peasant because she could do a much better job.

The problem is that that's not a problem. Or rather, it's not an insurmountable problem. The Emperor could simply pass over the real heir and appoint someone else. Probably not the fake heir, but the next in line, provided he is adequate. In theory, the Emperor can even alienate the title completely from the family and appoint any competent individual (even the fake heir). In practice, he is unlikely to do so. But passing over an unsuitable heir would be easy enough for him.


Hans

 

[kafka47]

I like the idea of intrigue...so you might want to check out some of the Fading Suns adventures, as they are really first rate when it comes to running a Noble campaign.

Beyond that, I would suggest any of Shakespeare's plays can offer inspiration for group of characters. Finding out who killed Baron Duncan is not necessarily the Lord Macbeth but perhaps some of the lesser characters that surround him. Perhaps, they are hired by Macbeth to clear his name only to become embroiled in a feud between rival Houses.

Shogunate Japan (therefore use L5R/Oriental Adventures) or any of the other quasi Japan RPGs can provide adventures and give a real twist upon the interpetation of the Noble class. Certain concepts like Honor are quite easily ported into Traveller whilst the Taint could be masking corruption.

Dynastic Egypt can also provide an interesting backdrop for Noble adventures. There have been countess Cleopatra films set in the far future...steal from them.

Do the Fox Hunt, save the foxes represent a local sentient creature that Imperium is committed to protect. However, some younger Nobles do not agree with their parents.

And, lastly, even if you choose a historical period, say, the Time of Troubles in Russia, you could set it up like an elabourate VR world in which real nobles engage in this type of thing for "sport".

 

[jatay3]

Could you be a little more specific? Use it in what way?


Hans

With all the intrigue and feuding and aristocratic panache .