Paris, 1625!
You have come to the capital of France to make a name for yourself. This is a world where social climbing is a way of life, and status is a goal to be pursued above everything else. Through swashbuckling, romance, and intrigue, you must reach the top!
Introduction
There may seem to be a lot of rules in this post, but don't worry! You can just skim the text, then pay attention to "Signup" at the end. You will understand the game as it gets going!
In this game, you play as a single minifig. Your objective is to attain the highest social level among everyone in Paris, both player characters (PCs) and non-player characters (NPCs). To do this, you must gain status points.
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Social level 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Status points 0 1 3 6 10 15 21 28 36 45 55There are a number of ways to gain status points.
Duelling
Defeating another PC in a clash of swords awards 3 status points, if there is a cause for the duel (insults, stealing another's lover, etc). If there is no cause, no points are awarded.
If you are part of the musketeers or cardinal's guard, fighting the other company is always a valid cause.
If you attack or kill an NPC with the same or higher social level as you, you lose status points equal to their social level, if people find out it was you who did it. Secret assassinations and "accidents" are fine.
You can attack NPCs with lower social level than you with no penalty or award.
If you are defeated in combat (or otherwise), there is a 1 in 6 chance your character is permanently dead. Otherwise, you wake up at the end of the turn, and lose 2 status points.
Romance
You can try to romance any NPC. This requires a d6 roll, equal or higher than the difference between your social levels. A roll of 1 is always a failure. If you succeed, they become your lover.
At the end of each turn, if your lover's social level is higher than yours, you gain status points equal to the difference.
You can have multiple lovers, but if they find out, they will all get angry and ditch you.
You can romance another PC's lover. If you succeed, they will abandon their previous sweetheart.
Some NPCs are married to each other. You can't romance them while their spouse is watching.
The Companies
There are two rival companies in Paris: The musketeers and the cardinal's guard. You can sign up for either one by talking to its commander: Monsieur de Treville or monsieur Rochefort, respectively.
Each company has a commander and a lieutenant. If either position becomes vacant, any lower-ranking member of the regiment can apply for it by talking to the person in charge of the appointment. The commander appoints the lieutenant. The king appoints the commander of the musketeers, and the cardinal appoints the commander of the cardinal's guard.
Getting the promotion requires a d6 roll, adding your social level. A total of 10 (for lieutenant) or 12 (for commander) is a success. A natural roll of 1 is always a failure.
Becoming a lieutenant awards 10 status points. Becoming a commander awards 20 status points.
If you have a lover, you can send them to ask for a promotion on your behalf, using their own social level.
Talking is a Free Action
If you talk to NPCs, they will only respond once per turn, but you can talk to the other PCs as much as you want. Just post in the thread!
Anything Else
You are not limited to the actions laid out above. You can try anything! The referee (me) will award or take away status points as appropriate.
Locations and People in Paris
A look inside the royal palace.
The main boulevard. The palace guards will not permit anyone of social level 4 or less to enter the palace - but maybe you can find another way in.
The tavern "Le Chevalier Bourru", and the musketeer headquarters.
The general goods store, and the cardinal's guard headquarters.
Signup
There is no limit to how many players may join the game, and you can join the game even after it has started!
To join, come up with a name and gender for your character, and post them below. You can also include any preferences you have for their appearance. I'll do my best with the parts I have.
