Gregory of Fincott
As a youth, Geoffrey was quick to anger and handy with his fists. Most would have expected to see him at the end of the hangman’s noose before his 20’s. However the Abbot of Fincott persuaded the magistrate to hand him to the church instead. Against all expectations, Gregory thrived on the discipline and hard work in the fields of the monastic life. This changed when the monastery was sacked in a border raid . Gregory took up the mattock that had previously driven in fence posts and turned it on the attackers, then swore to bring brigands and thieves to justice - whether before the laws or God wouldn’t matter.
When not exacting divine retribution, Gregory is good natured and tends to see the best in everyone, and gets on well with the rest of the party. He trusts Thomas’ advice, and Robert’s sword. He sees something of himself in will, a lost soul to be encouraged and saved.
Background: Religious Order
Character Class: Monk
Motivation: Revenge
Skills: Farming, medicine
Thomas the Walker
Whilst able to get along with pretty much anyone, he avoids giving away much about himself or his background. He is clearly educated (he can even read!) but seems able to get along with lords and ladies or the lowest labourer.
Thomas was the first to join Geoffrey's crusade, recognising that without help Geoffrey would likely come to an ignoble end. He occasionally finds himself on the role of peace maker between will and Robert.
Background: Drifter
Character Class: Traveller
Motivation: Adventure
Skills: Tracking
Robert Fitzwilliam
Robert is the youngest son of a well-connected baron. With little hope of inheriting, he trained in the martial skills from a young age, and sought to make his name and fortune in tourneys and on the battlefield. Unfortunately a combination of gambling debts and women led to him being ‘advised’ to put some distance between himself and his family and the court for a while.
He joined group in the hope that doing good alongside a man of the church might help to restore his good name, and increase his renown.
Robert respects Geoffrey as a man of the church, regardless of his lowly origins. He is contemptuous of will, viewing him as little more than a common thief. Thomas confuses him, a man who at times acts and dresses like commoner, but whose education and demeanour suggest nobility.
Background: Military Brat
Character Class: Soldier
Motivation: Glory
Skills: Gambling
Will
Brought up in poverty, his father was a poacher and taught him the longbow from a young age. A brief conscription in the King in the South’s army persuaded him that he would prefer his fate in his own hands. For a brief time he ran with a group of outlaws, but a disagreement over splitting the loot led to a parting of the ways, and Will heading for the anonymity of the borderlands. He joined Gregory’s crusade on the assumption he would be safer in a group than on his own, but his focus is definitely on his own survival.
Generally easygoing, he gets along fine with Thomas, and likes Gregory, albeit he is somewhat bemused by his attempts to 'save' his soul. He is well aware of Robert’s contempt for him, but finds it quite amusing and takes great delight in winding him up.
Background: Gang
Character Class: Petty Criminal
Motivation: Survival
Skills: Scrounging
Followers
Rounding out the band, we have our four followers (Five Leagues bands start as four 'heroes' and four 'followers', who have a chance to advance to hero status, if they survive).
Oswald - a militia man from south of the borderlands looking for a more exciting life
Finan - a wanderer
Guy - a former soldier who followed Robert into exile
Jocelyn - a hopeful youth looking for adventure (armed with a light crossbow, which I'm counting as a 'self-bow' under the rules)
One thing that 'Five Leagues' doesn't have, but 'Five Parsecs' does, is detailed tables to roll on for your heroes backgrounds. As a bit of inspiration I decided to use the Five Parsec's ones and just apply something suitably mediaeval-ish equivalent (so 'Religious Cult' and 'Agitator' became a Monk from a Holy Order) . Rather than roll for each character, I made enough rolls for all and then assembled them into characters that inspired choices on models and theme of the campaign.
First couple of turns will be written up shortly. Plus, I have at least one more 'Five Parsecs' campaign turn to play out some time soon.
Thomas the Walker
Whilst able to get along with pretty much anyone, he avoids giving away much about himself or his background. He is clearly educated (he can even read!) but seems able to get along with lords and ladies or the lowest labourer.
Thomas was the first to join Geoffrey's crusade, recognising that without help Geoffrey would likely come to an ignoble end. He occasionally finds himself on the role of peace maker between will and Robert.
Background: Drifter
Character Class: Traveller
Motivation: Adventure
Skills: Tracking
Robert Fitzwilliam
Robert is the youngest son of a well-connected baron. With little hope of inheriting, he trained in the martial skills from a young age, and sought to make his name and fortune in tourneys and on the battlefield. Unfortunately a combination of gambling debts and women led to him being ‘advised’ to put some distance between himself and his family and the court for a while.
He joined group in the hope that doing good alongside a man of the church might help to restore his good name, and increase his renown.
Robert respects Geoffrey as a man of the church, regardless of his lowly origins. He is contemptuous of will, viewing him as little more than a common thief. Thomas confuses him, a man who at times acts and dresses like commoner, but whose education and demeanour suggest nobility.
Background: Military Brat
Character Class: Soldier
Motivation: Glory
Skills: Gambling
Will
Brought up in poverty, his father was a poacher and taught him the longbow from a young age. A brief conscription in the King in the South’s army persuaded him that he would prefer his fate in his own hands. For a brief time he ran with a group of outlaws, but a disagreement over splitting the loot led to a parting of the ways, and Will heading for the anonymity of the borderlands. He joined Gregory’s crusade on the assumption he would be safer in a group than on his own, but his focus is definitely on his own survival.
Generally easygoing, he gets along fine with Thomas, and likes Gregory, albeit he is somewhat bemused by his attempts to 'save' his soul. He is well aware of Robert’s contempt for him, but finds it quite amusing and takes great delight in winding him up.
Background: Gang
Character Class: Petty Criminal
Motivation: Survival
Skills: Scrounging
Followers
Rounding out the band, we have our four followers (Five Leagues bands start as four 'heroes' and four 'followers', who have a chance to advance to hero status, if they survive).
Oswald - a militia man from south of the borderlands looking for a more exciting life
Finan - a wanderer
Guy - a former soldier who followed Robert into exile
Jocelyn - a hopeful youth looking for adventure (armed with a light crossbow, which I'm counting as a 'self-bow' under the rules)
One thing that 'Five Leagues' doesn't have, but 'Five Parsecs' does, is detailed tables to roll on for your heroes backgrounds. As a bit of inspiration I decided to use the Five Parsec's ones and just apply something suitably mediaeval-ish equivalent (so 'Religious Cult' and 'Agitator' became a Monk from a Holy Order) . Rather than roll for each character, I made enough rolls for all and then assembled them into characters that inspired choices on models and theme of the campaign.
First couple of turns will be written up shortly. Plus, I have at least one more 'Five Parsecs' campaign turn to play out some time soon.
Nice painting and figures. I love Thomas the Walker
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was only after I'd named him that I realised I had just used another word for 'Strider'!
DeleteNice figures. Looking forward to reading about their adventures.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I've played through the first couple of games, just need to write them up.
DeleteCan't wait to see what's in store for these well painted blokes!
ReplyDeleteThanks. Some stuff already in store. Hope you get a chance to continue the adventures of your Five Parsecs crew as well.
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