From welsh_nh@ee.uwa.edu.auTue Oct 3 14:36:48 1995 Date: Tue, 3 Oct 1995 11:19:51 +0800 (WST) From: noel welsh Reply to: The wfrp mailing list To: wfrp@gojira.monsta.com Subject: WFRP: An NPC character Rocertus Voodersteen A artisan/scholar for any fantasy roleplaying system A brief introductory note: In an attempt to make this article systemless and worldless, I haven't included any specifics about Rocertus, such as where he studies (Monastery or University etc.), or how he grew up (The merchant class wasn't really powerful until the start of the Renaissance, so in a standard D&D adventure, Rocertus' family may not have been very rich). This missing information may have had a profound effect on Rocertus' personality. That's up to you to decide. At the end of the article, I'll give Warhammer specific information for Rocertus detailing a bit more about him. Rocertus is a merchant's son, whose family trades in rare and expensive curiosities for the nobility. Rocertus was always fascinated by the intricate mechanical toys his father collected. Whilst his elder siblings were brawling, he would be found crouched over some complex mechanical device, surrounded by a litter of cogs and springs, probing the innards of the device with a small knife. Rocertus' father, the elderly Aquintus, recognised this unhealthy interest in things mechanical in his son, and apprenticed him to an artisan as soon as the boy was old enough. He hoped that the boy might become a master craftsman, and was well-pleased with his progress. However, it soon became apparent that whilst Rocertus was gifted with an understanding of mechanical apparatus, he lacked the ambition necessary to make his way to the top of the Guild. Today, Rocertus studies mechanical devices from as far afield as merchants travel. He has little to talk about outside of his field, and so is seen as a quiet, reserved man by the general populace. However, when he gets talking about his favourite topics he will become quite animated, gesturing rapidly as he explains concepts, and barking out laughter at jokes only a fellow artisan would understand. Attempts to talk about other topics will be meet with a distant stare and one word answers. Common humour will perplex him. It is not that Rocertus is shy; on the contrary, he is confident in his position in society, it is just that he is not interested in anything outside his speciality. In appearance, Rocertus is a man of average height, with short, light brown hair. He is paunchy from too many days spent within a confined workshop, and is quite lazy, preferring to send apprentices on errands, rather then leave his rooms. He dresses in serviceable, dull clothes, and will typically be wearing dirty leather overalls, with many pockets full of springs, clips and tumblers. Rocertus will be able to repair most mechanical devices, though he will only do so if they interest him - he has better things to do with his time then pick locks. He will also create devices on order, though again, only if they are complex or interesting. He typically has many projects on at once, and quickly bores of them once he has solved a particular problem. However, he is smart enough to realise who pays the bills, and always completes a job on time. Rocertus rarely trains apprentices. He is eager to share his knowledge with those who show interest, but cannot relate to the general concerns of students. He also tends to develop a disdain towards those who show less dedication then himself. Apprentices who show a lot of interest may study under him for a while (especially if they bring interesting new devices with them), but will typically leave Rocertus for a more practical master. A few examples of devices that Rocertus will be interested in (assuming your campaign has the level of technology) are: Locks, clocks, trigger mechanisms, finger-traps (watch the Addam's Family!), astrolabes, mechanical manikins, magnifying glasses and mechanical puzzles. Adventure hooks: The PCs may meet Rocertus whilst looking for someone to open some intricately locked and trapped ancient box (and who knows what you will find inside old treasure chests). Alternatively, one of the older Voodersteen's could meet 'something' out in the wilderness, and come home a rather changed character. Rocertus in not completely cut-off from his family, and may find himself drawn into the resulting chaos... Warhammer Specific: The statistics for Rocertus are: Base Statistics: M 3 WS 31 Ld 31 S 3 BS 31 Int 35 T 4 Dex 35 Cl 26 W 7 WP 30 I 32 Fel 32 A 1 Advances: Rocertus still has a +1 to T and +1 to W left in his advance scheme. Current Statistics: M 3 WS 31 Ld 41 S 4 BS 31 Int 35 T 4 Dex 55 Cl 46 W 8 WP 40 I 52 Fel 42 A 1 Appearance: 5'8", Light brown hair, Paunchy Family: Aquintas Voodersteen is the head of the venerable Voodersteen family of merchants. The Voodersteens are based in Nuln and trade mainly in curiosities and exotic items brought from the distant reaches of the Old World, along with the odd item from far-off Lustria. If you want an exotic animal or a rare Arabian Jezail talk to the Voodersteens, but be prepared to pay for it. The Voodersteens are rich, but not in the same league as, for example, the Oldenhallers. Work: Rocertus runs his own business and also teaches at the Universitae Royale in Nuln. His current great interest is astronomy, and he is trying to construct a giant mechanical planetarium to track all visible stars. Age: 34 Careers: Artisan's apprentice - Artisan Skills: Drive Cart, Cryptography, Etiquette, Sixth Sense, Magical Sense, Secret Language - Guilder, Secret Signs - Artisan, Astronomy, Metallurgy, Smithing. Trappings: Intricate tools, leather overalls, 25GC's, a handful of cogs, gears and screws. Note: Warhammer and all associated material is copyright of Games Workshop. I hope you found this article interesting. Happy gaming :)!