Characters and NPCs

Since this is going to be part RPG, we need to have characters in the game. But unlike most RPGs I want them to be relatively simple pre-generated characters that players choose from. Also, since they can die during the game and be replaced with another, we need to have a decent number of them. Being a three player game, where characters can die and be replaced, there should be at least 9 characters to choose from. This would give enough choice and replacements for deaths.

These characters should have some basic information about who they are and a few special traits they can use to get bonuses on things. Things like: Always -1 suspicion or +1 support in votes, allowed extra cards in hand, always breaks ties in their favor, can attempt to pump up unrest once per round, can cause a redraw of an event card once per round, etc.

I can’t think of any other attributes or anything that the characters really need mechanically. I mean, what good is a Strength, Agility, or Charm when the mechanics aren’t going to support such things for conflict resolution. So that means that the character sheets are going to be relatively short, just a few special abilities and a description of what the character is basically like.

I did a simple mock up of what this might like look like.

I also thought it could include spaces at the bottom for putting some kind of counters to keep track of their current levels of Support and Suspicion. Always helpful to have these kinds of pools to clearly visually see numbers of things.

Player character sheets would be easy to do on card stock like a little game board. They may even be made to be two sided, reflecting their powers and status before and after they have had an accusation that didn’t kill them. Perhaps only when they are found guilty but allowed to live. Once flipped, they will have a harder time losing suspicion, but an easier time gaining support, and may have different powers to reflect this.

Again I did a simple mock up of how you might visually represent this. I replaced the Fleur-De-Lis with some daggers to show that they are now no longer clearly one of the “good” members of the crew. Might also use a different color background when it gets to that part of the design phase.

There might even be a reason to get oneself accused so that they can flip these cards over. Adds another element to the game. Who knows.

Perhaps the Captain can have an NPC character sheet as well, with his own special abilities that counter some of the player’s actions (perhaps even depending on his anger status). It too may be two sided, changing when unrest on the ship grows to a certain point. I like this idea. Plus that would make an even ten sheets, which would fit on the large board option over at The Game Crafters site (you could put them all on one and have it cut apart by the players into each individual sheet when they buy it, to save on cost).

Just some more ideas.